Here’s What You Need to Know About Vinyl Records

Speed, diameter, thickness and cleanliness are key factors when it comes to sound quality and durability.

Vinyl disks with spiral grooves have brought music to the ears of listeners around the world for more than a century. Even through the advent of digital technology, vinyl records remain hugely popular, and have enjoyed a major resurgence in recent years, but not all vinyl is the same. Here we’ll look at the key factors that determine sound quality and durability.

Speed and Diameter Vinyl records come in three speeds: 33 1/3 rpm (often just called a “33”), 45 rpm and 78 rpm. RPM is an abbreviation for “revolutions per minute” — an indication of how fast the record spins on the turntable.

At the outset rotation speeds of records were not always consistent, generally running from around 70 to 80 rpm, with 78 rpm became the standard. in the 1920s. These high revolutions had a severe limitation meaning records that run at such a high speed could only hold a few minutes of music. In the years after World War II, several competing formats appeared, most notably the 33 1/3 rpm LP (Long Play) record which not only had a slower playback speed but narrower grooves, what followed soon thereafter was the middle-ground 45 rpm format. Interestingly, early 45s were released in different colors, depending on the type of music they held. The 33 1/3 rpm and 45 rpm speeds continue to be the standards to this very day; 78 rpm records were largely phased out by the mid-1950s.

Vinyl records also come in three standard diameters: 7-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch. The larger the diameter, the longer the groove can be and the greater the possible playing times, dependent upon rotational speed. (The actual playing time is a ratio between speed and the length of the grooves.)

Since 7-inch and 10-inch records hold less information, they are usually used as “singles” playing at 45 rpm.

12-inch records are generally employed for long-format “albums” (playing at 33 1/3 rpm) that include several tunes per side, but some of today’s singles are pressed onto 12-inch disks since the extra room on the surface allows the grooves to be further apart, which results in a louder record with a greater dynamic range (i.e., the difference between the softest and loudest sections) for better sound quality.

Weight Another important factor is the weight of the record. Most of the vinyl pressed in the past 20 years are 12-inch records that weigh between 120 and 140 grams. However, some newer records come in weights of 180, 200, or even 220 grams. While some may refer to these as “audiophile grade” records, it does not necessarily mean they have more sonic benefits.

The increased weight of these disks makes them sturdier and more resistant to warping; they also provide a stronger platform for the stylus to rest on, and allows for more playbacks before deterioration. Some people also claim to hear more fidelity when listening to heavier records, however, this type of vinyl often commands higher prices than the standard grades, often fetching upwards of £40 or more per disk, versus the standard record price of around £15 to £30. Remember though that regardless of weight, the depth of the grooves is exactly the same on all releases.

Cleanliness Because vinyl is an analog format (which means there’s physical contact required for playback, in the form of a needle traveling down the groove cut into the surface of the record) as opposed to a digital one like CD or streaming audio (where there is no physical contact required for playback), it’s important to keep records clean for optimal longevity and sound. Most collectors recommend using an anti-static cleaning brush for this purpose.

For a full breakdown on how to clean your recrds head to the Music Lounge to cheak out our 'How Do I Clean My Records' blog.

Last, but by no means least, remember to store your vinyl records in both their inner and outer sleeves, out of direct sunlight, and in a cool, dry place. Try to store them vertically and don’t stack them on top of each other as they are heavy and can warp. By following these simple tips, you can keep your vinyl protected and enjoy listening to your favorite music in your favorite format for years to come.