The publication I will be producing is about vinyl records and how to look after/maintain them. I have limited knowledge on the subject so decided to do my own research into records, how they are produced, how they work, why they are so popular etc.
LP (long play) records are a type of vinyl record, characterised by 33 1/3rpm, 10 or 12 inch diameter and the microgroove specification.
HOW
Edison created a phonograph machine (phonograph meaning sound writer) using a wooden cylinder with thin foil wrapped around it, and a horn attached to a small needle which was pressed against the foil. As Edison spoke into the horn the sound energy made the needle vibrate up and down and as the cylinder was rotated, the needle cut grooves into the foil. To play back the recording he went back to the start, allowing the needle to follow the grooves it had made, the vibrations from which were amplified by the horn, replicating Edison's voice.
Eventually the foil was replaced with wax cylinders, which then turned into flat discs and eventually vinyl records. The vinyl records follow the same basic process, the needle on the record player following the spiral of microgrooves on the disk.
WHY
The music industry today is now dominated by digital music, either through streaming services or digital downloads. Stores such as Zavvi and HMV have suffered as a result with Zavvi moving online and HMV shutting down many stores. CDs are now almost a redundant form of music with the rise of digital downloads and now records are almost as popular.
Vinyl record sales in 2014 rose by over 50% and have continued to rise ever since. Many younger people are becoming invested in the movement and now collect records, helped along by stores such as Urban Outfitters who have cornered the market by making it fashionable to buy records from their stores.
However many older record buyers have either stayed loyal to the method of listening to vinyls, or reverted to buying records in way of satisfying nostalgic thoughts.
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