{"id":17391,"date":"2024-05-02T09:23:47","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T07:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/musiknerd.org\/unkategorisiert\/technical-data-and-formats-of-the-record\/"},"modified":"2025-10-23T19:34:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T17:34:59","slug":"technical-data-and-formats-of-the-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/musiknerd.org\/en\/sound-carrier\/technical-data-and-formats-of-the-record\/","title":{"rendered":"Technical data and formats of the record"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The vinyl record<\/a><\/span><\/strong> uses a mechanical process for storing sound information in which the sound is recorded in a spiral groove.\nVarious mechanical or electrical pickup systems can be used for playback.\nThe technical properties of the record are defined in standards such as DIN IEC 98. <\/p>\n\n

The various record formats<\/strong> have changed considerably over time in order to optimize playing time, frequency response and durability.\nFrom the beginning, they were defined in centimeters; the English inch designations are only approximations.\nSome standard formats have proven to be particularly common: <\/p>\n\n

The single<\/strong> has a diameter of 17.5 cm and a center hole size of 1 1\u20442\u2033 or 38.1 mm. It is normally played at 45 revolutions per minute and offers a playing time of approx. 4-5 minutes per side.<\/p>\n\n

The 10\u2033 single<\/strong> has a diameter of 25.0 cm and is also usually played at 45 revolutions per minute.\nIn the 1950s to 1970s, a playback speed of 33 1\u20443 or 78 revolutions per minute was also common.\nHowever, this form of single is rarely used today for new releases. <\/p>\n\n

The Maxi-Single (Twelve-Inch)<\/strong> with a diameter of 30.0 cm is mainly played at 45 revolutions per minute, but can also be used at 33 1\u20443 revolutions per minute.\nThe playing time is approx. 16 minutes per side. <\/p>\n\n

The extended play (EP)<\/strong> is an intermediate format between the single and the long-playing record.\nIt can have a diameter of 17.5 cm or 30.0 cm and is played at different playback speeds of 45 or 33 1\u20443 revolutions per minute.\nThe playing time is between 5 and 8 minutes per side. <\/p>\n\n

The long-playing record (LP)<\/strong> has a diameter of 30.0 cm and is usually played at 33 1\u20443 revolutions per minute.\nIts playing time is around 20 to 25 minutes per side.\nFor a short time, there were also long-playing records with 16 2\u20443 revolutions per minute, which reached a playing time of up to 60 minutes per side, but were only suitable for voice recordings due to their limited sound quality. <\/p>\n\n

There are also intermediate formats with diameters of 2\u2033, 4\u2033, 5\u2033, 6\u2033, 8\u2033, 9\u2033 and 11\u2033, but these are very rare.\nThe specified play times are only guide values and can vary depending on various factors, such as the bit deflection and the low-frequency components. <\/p>\n\n

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Plate fonts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

There are three main engraving processes, two of which are still used today.\nThe groove width has been continuously reduced over the years.\nWhereas shellac records had a groove width of 120 \u00b5m (normal groove), the microgroove generally used today is 40 \u00b5m wide without modulation; the groove base has a radius of 8 \u00b5m.\nThe groove spacing here is approx. 70 \u00b5m with linear feed without the use of filler fonts. <\/p>\n\n

The one from Thomas Alva Edison<\/a><\/span><\/strong> and Path\u00e9 is based on the fact that the information is imprinted on the record by the depth of penetration of the engraving pen.\nThe depth is directly proportional to the amplitude of the recorded signal.\nAlthough this method enables the reproduction of high frequencies, it requires a higher contact force of the pickup, which can lead to greater wear of the record. <\/p>\n\n

The lateral typeface introduced by Emil Berliner is characterized by a horizontal deflection of the groove.\nIt offers a greater dynamic range than gravure type and facilitates the production of copies.\nIn addition, crackling is significantly reduced compared to gravure type. <\/p>\n\n

The flank writing developed by Alan Blumlein and marketed by EMI made mono-compatible stereo recordings possible for the first time.\nThe sound information for the left and right channels is imprinted in the 45\u00b0 flanks of the groove, which ensures downward compatibility with mono systems. <\/p>\n\n

The Rhenish fill font method invented by Eduard Rhein controls the groove spacing on the sound carrier. sound carrier<\/a><\/span><\/strong> depending on the volume of the audio material.\nThis allows the playing time to be extended, whereby the additional playing time varies depending on the program. <\/p>\n\n

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Scanning of records<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Depending on the groove size, the scanning of records requires different styli with different radii of curvature.\nTypical radii for spherical styli are as follows: <\/p>\n\n