What Speed Should Records Be Played At?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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

Does playing a record backwards damage it?

To answer the thread title literally: Yes. But it's also true that playing any record at all potentially will damage its grooves .

Does playing a record at the wrong speed damage it?

Playing vinyl records at the wrong speed does not do any damage . The audio will not sound as intended, but there will be no lasting extra damage if the standard RPM speeds are used.

How do you ruin a record?

  1. Touching the record surface. ...
  2. Stacking your records. ...
  3. Leaving your records out. ...
  4. Carelessly returning the record to its sleeve. ...
  5. Bad cleaning practice. ...
  6. Cueing up records with your hand. ...
  7. Not waiting for the record platter to STOP.

Can you play a 45 on a record player?

Each adapter allows you to play 45 RPM singles on almost any record player . The adapters are easy to use, simply snap it into the center of the 7′′ record and place on the turntable spindle – no tools are required!

Why do records play at 33 rpm?

rpm spread across the oceans in the late 1940s as people wanted longer playing time than 78 rpm records could offer. In the 33 ? rpm records, the grooves were 2 thousandth of an inch and the smaller radius of the newly introduced cartridges allowed a full frequency recording at 33 rpm.

What is the most common record speed?

33, 45, and 78 RPM is the speed at which the most common commercially available vinyl records spin at represented in revolutions per minute. The records themselves are often referred to by their speed.

Is it bad to leave a record player on all night?

Your stylus could scratch up your record the entire night. ... You should certainly not leave a vinyl record on your record player for long periods of time unless by accident. It is a good idea to make a habit of always putting the record back in its sleeve and putting it away after every use.

Is it OK for records to lean?

Once you've got a sturdy shelf, store your records standing vertically . This is critical to avoid warps over time. ... This isn't too much of a problem, just make sure that it is minor and that they all lean in the same direction, without any record putting too much weight on the one next to it.

Is it bad to hang vinyls?

Never stack records on top of each other whether in their jackets or not. This is one sure fire way to cause warping, possible cracking of the vinyl record because of the weight, and will inevitably produce scuff marks and ring wear on the album cover marring the artwork.

What is the difference between a 33 and a 45 record?

33 RPM will generally lead to more playtime fitting on a record side. Going with 45 RPM will generally lead to playtime and low production costs being sacrificed for more audio quality. This is due to the fact that a higher speed allows the recording to fit more sound information in each second.

Do you need an adapter to play a 45?

In order to play a 45 RPM record that has a 1.5-inch hole, you must use an adapter that has an outside diameter of 1.5 inches and a 0.25-inch hole in the center . ... Please note that a 45 RPM record with a 0.25-inch hole does not need an adapter and should be placed over the turntable's spindle-like a 33-1/3 RPM record.

Do all record players play 12 inch?

All record players do not play every single size of vinyl record. All record players will play the two most common sizes of vinyl record, those being 12-inch and 7-inch, but it is far less likely they will be able to play a 10-inch record.

Are all 12 Inch records 33 RPM?

12 inch records are generally manufactured for full-length (LP) albums. ... 33 rpm is the most common speed for 12 inch records . Over 22 minutes per side is possible, but may require further adjustments to EQ and/or levels for it all to fit nicely and sound great.

What diameter is a 33 1 3 record?

The LP (from “long playing” or “long play”) is an analog sound storage medium, a phonograph record format characterized by: a speed of 331⁄3 rpm; a 12- or 10-inch (30- or 25-cm) diameter ; use of the “microgroove” groove specification; and a vinyl composition disk.

What does vinyl 33 & 1 3 rpm mean?

The LP (from “long playing” or “long play”) is an analog sound storage medium, a phonograph record format characterized by: a speed of 331⁄3 rpm; a 12- or 10-inch (30- or 25-cm) diameter; use of the “microgroove” groove specification; and a vinyl composition disk. ...

Emily Lee
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Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.