phonograph recording
A phonograph recording spins on a turntable while a needle rests in its groove.
Noun: A physical object, typically a flat circular disk, that stores analog audio information in the form of a continuous spiral groove. The sound is reproduced by rotating the disk on a turntable while a stylus (needle) traces the groove, converting its physical modulations back into sound.
This term refers specifically to the physical recorded medium itself, not the act of recording or the content in abstract form. It is a formal and technical term, often used in historical, archival, or technical contexts to distinguish this format from later ones like magnetic tape or digital files. * The museum's collection includes an early phonograph recording of a presidential speech. * Before the era of streaming, music was primarily distributed on phonograph recordings.
- She carefully cleaned the vintage phonograph recording before playing it.
- The value of a phonograph recording can depend on its condition and rarity.
- This phonograph recording contains several songs on each side.
- The term is often used attributively (functioning as an adjective) to describe related nouns (e.g., phonograph recording industry, phonograph recording technology).
- In academic or precise contexts, it distinguishes the physical artifact ("the phonograph recording is cracked") from the performance it contains ("the recording of the symphony is magnificent").
- Phonograph record: A more common synonym.
- Gramophone record: The common term in British English.
- Record: The most common and general short form (e.g., vinyl record).
- Disc (or Disk): A common shorthand, especially in compound terms like .
- LP (Long Play): A type of phonograph recording designed for longer playback time, typically 33⅓ RPM.
- Single: A type of phonograph recording containing one or two songs, typically 45 RPM.
- 78: A type of early, brittle phonograph recording that rotates at 78 revolutions per minute.
- Vinyl record
- Album (when referring to a collection of songs on this format)
- Platter (informal, especially among audio enthusiasts)
- Analog disc recording
- To cut a record: To create a master disc for producing phonograph recordings.
- Record groove: The spiral indentation on the surface of a phonograph recording that contains the audio information.
A phonograph recording spins on a turntable while a needle rests in its groove.
- sound recording consisting of a disk with a continuous groove; used to reproduce music by rotating while a phonograph needle tracks in the groove