Almost every music lover has heard of or owns one vinyl record. But did you ever wonder about how music is stored on a record? Records store audio information in an analog form that captures every detail.
A stylus functions to read information stored on the grooves. Then, it converts the physical vibrations into electrical signals. These signals are further amplified through speakers, contributing to our music. Imagine how this simple audio format can create captivating and humanly warm sound quality.
It’s no wonder why records are still popular after over 100 years of their invention because of their incredible features. Despite considerable developments in the music industry, they are still going strong. They stood testing times but continued to entertain music lovers.
Structure of the Vinyl Record
Vinyl records have been around since their invention. Several distinct parts of it have a significant role to play. Some of these parts of the vinyl record structure are discussed below:
Groove: This is the most significant part of the vinyl record. They are circular and store audio information in analog form. As the stylus moves along the grooves, it picks up the vibrations. Then, it translates them into sound waves. The shape of the groove and stylus create distinctive sounds.
Stylus: The stylus is the needle for reading the grooves. Diamonds or other rigid materials are often used in making styli. It is attached to a tonearm. Its functions include accurate tracking of grooves and then converting physical vibrations into electrical signals.
Tonearm: It holds the stylus and allows it to follow grooves smoothly. The design is to minimize tracking errors; it is also to ensure consistent contact between the groove and the stylus. It can also have adjustable tracking force and anti-skate mechanisms, like features for proper tracking and less distortion.
Cartridge: It contains the stylus and functions to generate electrical signals from the vibrations. It features a magnet or a coil for interaction with the stylus and converts mechanical motion into electrical signals.
Platter: This is the rotating platform on which a vinyl record rests during playback. It adds stability and smoothness in rotation for accurate tracking of the grooves. Different mechanisms, such as belt drive or direct drive, can be used depending on the turntable design.
Record Label: This is the circular sticker placed in the record’s center. It features artist name, album title, track listing, etc.
Run-Out Groove: The section at the end of each vinyl record side is the run-out groove. In this area, grooves gradually become wider and shallower to the edge of the record. This is the transition between audio content and the locked groove or dead wax area.
Locked Groove: This small groove at the end of the record keeps the stylus repeating short segments indefinitely until it’s manually lifted.
Dead Wax: The area between the ends of the grooves and the record label is dead wax. It is a blank space where no grooves exist and often contains markings of information about the record, which can be catalog numbers or mastering details.
Each part plays a crucial role in playback.
The Science of Vinyl Records
Vinyl records have been around for the last hundred years. Have you ever thought about the science behind the records? Here, we’ll discuss the science behind sound waves and their conversion into mechanical energy.
Sound Waves
Sound waves are vibrations that require a medium to travel, such as water or air. Vibrations need a source to create sound waves, such as a speaker or some musical instrument that disturbs the air molecules to vibrate. Then, these vibrations use the source as sound waves.
These sound waves are translated into electrical signals as they reach our ears. These signals are sent to our brains and turned into the music we hear.
Conversion of Sound Waves into Mechanical Energy
The creation of a vinyl record is not possible without the conversion of sound waves into mechanical energy. The process of creating mechanical energy from sound waves is called transduction.
Transduction is the conversion of one form of energy into another. On vinyl records, sound waves are converted into mechanical energy through the stylus. The stylus is a needle-like object placed in the grooves of the record.
The stylus moves through the grooves, vibrating and creating mechanical energy. Speakers amplify this mechanical energy. Speakers then convert mechanical energy back into sound waves.
What is the Role of Cutting Lathes in Creating Master Discs?
A master disc is essentially to be made before creating a vinyl record. This process happens with the cutting of the lathe.
A cutting lathe is a machine that cuts grooves into a metal disc. This disc is for creating vinyl records.
The cutting lathe uses a stylus to cut grooves into metal discs. The stylus is connected to the cutting lathe, which moves back and forth across the disc. The stylus creates the grooves in the disc as the cutting head moves.
The grooves in the disc are used for creating vinyl records. A material called vinyl compound is used for filling grooves, which is then pressed into records.
How Music is Stored on Vinyl Records
This music-storing process on vinyl records consists of six steps.
Creation of the Master Recording
It is essential to create a master recording before pressing the records. A microphone is used for capturing sound waves. Then, they are converted into electrical signals. These signals are further stored and manipulated. These signals are processed and mixed to produce the final audio recording.
Cutting a Lacquer Disc
As the master recording is complete, the next step is cutting the lacquer disc. A lathe machine is used for this, which cuts the groove into the lacquer disc depending on the electric signals from the master recording. The groove is the physical shape of the sound waves. It contains all the information needed to play back the music.
The Process of Creating a Mother Disc
Creating a metal copy of the lacquer disc is known as the mother disc. The electroplating process is done for it. Lacquer discs are coated with a metal layer; nickel metal is usually used. This metal layer is then separated from the lacquer disc. This creates a negative copy of the groove.
Making Stamper
The mother disc created in the previous steps is then used for creating stamps. The stamper is usually used for pressing the vinyl record. The stamper is a disc that contains a negative image of the music grooves. It begins with the application of a layer of silver to the mother disc. This silver layer is further coated with a nickel layer. The nickel layer is separated from the mother disc to create a positive copy of the groove. This produced a positive copy for creating the final stamp.
Pressing the Record
This process is known as “biscuit”; a vinyl disc is placed on the turntable. Then comes placing a stamp on the vinyl. A hydraulic press press press vinyl and stamps are pressed together. Vinyl is heated and softened, allowing grooves to be pressed into the material. Once the grooves are imprinted, the vinyl is cooled and hardened. The finished product (the record) is separated from the press.
How Grooves Store Music
The grooves on the vinyl record show a physical representation of the music. It stores the sound waves that make up the music. The groove is circular and runs from the edges to the center. The width and depth of the groove vary. Everything depends on the frequencies and amplitudes of the sound waves. As you place the record player’s stylus on the grooves, it vibrates back and forth and converts sound waves into music.
Advantages of Storing Music on the Record
Sound Quality: Humane and warm sound quality is the primary benefit of the record. Many music lovers prefer this natural sound. Analog recordings can record nuances that can be missed in digital recordings. Digital recordings convert sound waves into numbers that can lose details. While vinyl records capture sound waves directly, offering a more dynamic experience,
Physical Format: Tangible format has an entirely different experience that allows you to touch, hold, and display it. Many collectors like the records’ artwork, tactile nature, and packaging. Liner notes and more oversized covers offer a different experience than digital ones.
Nostalgia: Vinyl records connect users to the past. Many people listen to music on records because it takes them back to their lovely days. Digital files cannot replicate the ritual of selecting a record, carefully placing it on the turntable, and lowering the needle.
Longevity: If records are stored and used correctly, they can outlive the user. This is because of their durable materials. You don’t need an internet connection, either.
Collectibles: Due to their rarity and historical significance, vinyl records are often collected. Some records are tough to find, so they are costly.
Wrapping up
Vinyl records are a great spectacle of engineering and craftsmanship. Their popularity is still intact even after 100 years of unprecedented advancement in musical instruments. The intricate process of etching sound waves onto a spinning disc and further through different processes to create a unique sonic experience is mind-blowing.
Vinyl records continue to entertain music lovers with the serenity of music despite advancement. This is now collectible because music enthusiasts like to keep this spectacle that still glows from our past.