A vinyl record is an analog sound storage medium in the form of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove. The groove usually starts near the outside edge and ends near the center of the disc. The stored sound information is made audible by playing the record on a phonograph (or "gramophone", "turntable", or "record player").
Records have been produced in different formats with playing times ranging from a few minutes to around 30 minutes per side. After the 1940s, "vinyl" records made from polyvinyl chloride(PVC) became standard; they have since been produced in various sizes and speeds, most commonly 7-inch discs played at 45 rpm (typically for singles, also called 45s ("forty-fives")), and 12-inch discs played at 33⅓ rpm (known as an LP, "long-playing records", typically for full-length albums) – the latter being the most prevalent format today.
Vinyls
- Unless otherwise specified, the vinyl records are 12" in diameter, play at 33 ⅓ RPM, and feature the standard black color.
Standard (cardboard) sleeve
Gatefold sleeve
2 LP set
Plastic sleeve
7" picture disc
12" picture disc
Box set
Studio albums |
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Collaborative albums |
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Soundtracks | |
EPs | |
Compilation | |
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