The vinyl record resurgence is more than a phenomenon in this advanced digital world. Old-school vinyl records may always have more fashion. The charm lies in the mysterious ways they produce sound. There is also an actual scientific explanation behind that sound, but the mystery of sound never goes away. So, how do vinyl records work?
A vinyl record works by spinning on the record player, known as the turntable. A stylus goes through the grooves imprinted on the disc and “reads.” It creates an electric signal, which is then transferred to an amplifier. The amplifier then sends the signal to the speakers, which is converted into the sound we hear through the speakers. Does that process sound complicated? Let’s dig in to understand it!
A Brief History of Vinyl Records
Most of us take easy access to music for granted. You know, things have never been this way before! Someone plays it or has to play it. Imagine the shift people experienced without the presence of someone performing for them. Understanding the origin and history of recording and reproducing sound is the genius behind vinyl records.
The history of recording and reproducing sound dates back to 1877, when Thomas Edison invented a device that could record and reproduce sound for the first time in human history. It was done on a disc, not a metal cylinder. The term “gramophone” was coined by Berliner, whose system was first marketed in Europe in 1889. The inception of the vinyl LP from 1948 to 1988 was the golden age of vinyl records. It was the time when CDs outsold vinyl for the first time. In 1962, vinyl records tasted their first competition from Phillip’s Cassette.
After decades of music turning into computer hard drives, vinyl record sales topped three million in January 2017, the highest UK total in 25 years. If you consider yourself passionate about music, vinyl records have been impressive at recording and reproducing music formats. So, it’s an honor to understand the genius behind it.
How Record Players Work
- The record spins on a plate.
A platter is part of the turntable or platter that spins it. An electric motor or belt spins the platter directly. A rod in the center of the platter holds the record in place.
You can select speed for most record players and turntables. Rotations per minute, or RPM, are these speeds’ measuring units. The most common record speeds are 33⅓ RPM and 45 RPM. Some older records are also played at 78 RPM. A platter mat is usually used to cover a platter to protect it from scratching. The platter mat is made of rubber, felt, cork, or other soft materials.
- The tonearm is placed on the record.
The tonearm is a long arm that is placed on the record. The tonearm’s end contacts the cartridge containing the stylus, cantilever, magnet, and electric coils.
- The needle rests against the record’s groove.
The needle, or stylus, is a cone-shaped piece that rests on a long stem called a cantilever. A diamond or some other industrial gemstone is used in making styli. The grooves are cut in the shape of sound waves.
The stylus uses the grooves’ left and right sides as it vibrates. It further corresponds to the left and right stereo speaker channels. If the stylus presses down hard, it can damage the record. That is why tonearms also usually have a counterweight on the end.
- Stylus vibrations are converted to electrical signals.
The cantilever has a stylus on one end and a magnet on the other. This magnet rests between two electric coils corresponding to the left and right stereo channels. The coils function as movement detectors and convert that energy into electrical signals.
- Amplification of Electric Signals
When vibrations are converted into electrical signals, the electric signals are sent down the tonearm amplified with the pre-amp or an amplifier. Electric signals in the left and right grooves are also converted to two channels.
- Electric signals are played as sound through speakers.
When the electric signals are amplified, they are sent to speakers. The speakers’ cones create vibrations that our ears hear as music. by moving back and forth. This is how a record player converts grooves into sound.
The difference between a record player and a turntable
Let’s define both of them individually and have a closer look. Then we’ll see which could be better for you.
Turntable
The turntable is a significant component of a record player. It holds the record and spins it. But you can also buy the turntable as a standalone product. In other words, a turntable is similar to a record player, having no built-in speakers or an amplifier. You’ll have to buy them separately and connect the turntable using RCA cables.
A turntable has a handful of components. It includes the motor and the platter. It also features a stylus, a cartridge, and a tonearm. The pre-amplifier requires no external dedicated phono input to connect to the turntable. The stylus runs in the record’s grooves and transmits vibrations through wires to the cartridge. The cartridge takes that information and transmits it to the pre-amp, which turns into the sound we have heard through the external amp and speaker. The tonearm also works to hold the cartridge and stylus in place.
Turntables require external components to listen to vinyl records. Components and the vinyl record player setup are essential before use. There are also endless options to customize the turntable with components. More external components mean higher quality.
Record Player
A record player is a complete audio system with speakers, an amplifier, and a turntable. It is more extensive than a turntable and has many additional features to enjoy other file formats. Some vinyl records allow users to play CDs, cassettes, MP3s, radio, etc.
Its size is the drawback. Because of their size, you are less likely to move them wherever you want. That is why they need a dedicated stand or a home entertainment center. They are also more expensive than turntables. Additional components are also built-in but are mostly lower quality than their external counterparts.
The main advantage is that you can save on buying any extra components. You only need to plug it in and enjoy the music. This is what most people want from their entertainment options. Novice vinyl fabs will love it because of their inclination towards aesthetics. Considering this, you can’t say that record players are better or worse than turntables; they have different target audiences.
So, what should I choose from a turntable and a record player?
Both devices have advantages and disadvantages. Which you should choose depends on the advantages you’re seeking and the disadvantages you can compromise on. Many prefer record players to avoid hassle and enjoy music directly out of the box. No need to make any setup; many players even allow you to play CDs and MP3, stream AM/FM radio, and convert them to CD or MP3 files. The problem with these components is that they will likely be of the highest quality. The preamp and the speakers are especially concerning, which means you have to compromise with lower sound quality than external speakers and a preamp.
Fortunately, most models allow you to bypass internal components and choose external ones if you want to do so. Even doing so, turntable quality will always beat it. This is why, if you’re serious about vinyl, choose a turntable. Professional DJs only use turntables. Choose any, depending on your needs. If you want hassle-free music, choose a record player. For the best possible sound quality, choose a turntable.
How Vinyl Records Are Created
Recording of a Song or Album: Recording a song or album is required before producing a record. Nowadays, most songs or albums are produced using digital devices. In the old days, this process used tapes. A sound engineer masters the audio before turning it into a record.
Lacquer disk generation from the master recording: After mixing and leveling the recording by a sound engineer, studio amps are connected to a lathe to cut records. A blank lacquer disk is placed on the lathe, and a ruby stylus cuts grooves in the shape of sound waves into the lacquer disk while the master recording plays. When the disk has been cut, the sound engineer assesses it to see if there are any issues. A serial number and their signature will be on the cut if they are happy. It is a mother disc now.
Use of lacquer disk in creating master stampers: The mother disc is cleaned and coated with a mix of liquid silver and nickel after the creation. As the liquid metal sets into the grooves and hardens, the metal is eliminated from the lacquer disk. The negative printing of the record that metal laters contain is etched instead of grooved. These are master stampers used for pressing the records during the manufacturing process.
Use of Stampers for Pressing Records: Polyvinyl chloride pellets are used in making records that are melted down into a puck, called a “biscuit.” Stampers are placed on sides A and B of a press, while labels are in the center. The biscuit is placed in the center of the press and made soft and malleable by heating it at a high temperature. Over 60 tons of pressure are applied to the biscuit in the shape of a vinyl record with the grooves cut into it. As the record cools, excess vinyl is removed from the sides for reuse.
Inspection for Quality Assurance: Quality control agents listen to the entire record for ticks, pops, and other noises before packing into sleeves. Records are packaged on the sleeve for shipping if the quality is good.
Tips and Advice to Prevent Poor Playback Quality
The storage area has a lot to do with the longevity and performance of the records. Temperature, humidity, dirt, debris, etc., damage the quality. They can wear thicker clothes. Vinyl records need to be placed in optimal conditions for superior sound quality. In other words, you must take mindful steps to avoid accidental damage. Cleaning before and after playing is among those steps.
Store records in their sleeves: Always store records in their sleeves. Even minor scratches can compromise the quality of sound and cause other issues. Clean properly and carefully regularly.
Avoid touching the grooved surface: Whenever playing, setting up, or cleaning, handle the record from the outer rim and the label areas. Oils and dirt on our hands can cause accidental scratches, leaving dust and dirt on the record’s surface.
Use sleeve liner: These anti-static sleeves go inside the original paper sleeve. They eliminate dust and paper fibers clinging to the vinyl surface.
Do cleaning regularly: Cleaning is vital to maintaining the quality and longevity of your vinyl records. Clean the record regularly using a carbon fiber brush or a soft brush.
Store properly: Wetness, temperature, and humidity threaten the quality and durability of records. Store them properly in a cool and dry environment, ensuring they don’t come into contact with sunlight and heat sources. Vinyl plastic loses its shape when exposed to temperature. So you need to be careful.
Wrapping up
A little dive into the captivating world of vinyl, and you have much information now. It is almost everything you need to know about how vinyl records function, production, maintenance, and history. Nothing can replace the great feeling of listening to a vinyl record and seeing its magical spin on the turntable.
It doesn’t matter how sound is different in this digital world; the humanity and serenity of vinyl record sound are captivating. Yes, there are pros and cons to both worlds. There is no problem with whatever you decide to listen to. The aura of vinyl records, from grooves on their surface to the magic of the stylus and turntable, creates a unique and immersive auditory experience.
FAQs
How do vinyl records work?
Sound waves are etched into grooves on their surface. A stylus or needle reads these sound waves and converts them into electrical signals. These electric signals are amplified and converted into sound through speakers. That’s how vinyl records function.
What are the grooves?
Grooves are circular paths cut into the vinyl surface. They start at the edges and end near the center. Then, these grooves are modulated to represent sound waves.
How does Stylus read a vinyl record?
The stylus reads records by tracing grooves. It picks up minute variations that represent audio signals. This mechanical motion is converted to electric signals that are amplified into sound.
What is the purpose of the record playback?
Spinning the vinyl record at a consistent speed is the purpose of the turntable in record playback. It allows the stylus to trace grooves and read audio information in them.
Are vinyl records different from digitally created music?
Vinyl records use an analog format to store sound, whereas grooves represent continuous sound waveforms. Contrarily, digital music uses a binary format to store sound, where sampling of sound waveforms happens at intervals and is converted into digital data. The fullness and warmth of vinyl records lure many people. At the same time, digital music has more clarity and convenience.