You Spin Me Right Round

Vinyl records are arguably the gold standard of audio formats, and it’s not just hipsters who want them now

- Evigan Xiao

When it comes to music, one analogue medium reigns supreme. Vinyl records have always been held in high esteem by hobbyists and professionals alike due to its various perceived benefits, such as superior sound quality. Despite the advancement of digital sampling, this centuries-old invention still holds appeal, in part also due to the romanticism attributed to it. Exactly how is it different from digital formats though?

Love At First Press

The first commercially available vinyl record was released in 1889 and saw distribution only in Europe. These original discs were approximately five inches in diameter and treated mostly as curiosities or novelty gifts.

Over the next six decades, the vinyl record grew in size, coming in at 10 inches in 1901, and 12 inches two years later. It was only in 1948 that entertainment group CBS introduced the world’s first long play (LP) record and ushered in the new standard for music listening.

These LPs measured 12 inches in diameter and had a playtime of around 21 minutes per side, playing at a speed of 33â…“ revolutions per minute (rpm). Shortly after, RCA Victor (now RCA Records) debuted its version of the LP record. It was smaller at seven inches across, and was played at 45rpm. These two formats became the de facto format for vinyl records quickly after their introduction, and remain so today.