We Might Be on the Verge of the First Major Innovation in Vinyl Records Since 1948
Columbia Records introduced the long-playing 33 1/3 RPM album in June 1948. About six months later, RCA launched its rival format, the 7-inch 45 RPM single. Since then, the vinyl record has pretty much stayed the same.
Sure, there were a few attempts at innovation, including quadraphonic vinyl in the 70s, but an album or 7-inch released in 1949 is technologically the same as one you’d buy today. It works. What needs changing?
An Austrian company called Research Joaneum has figured out a way to cram more audio information–30% more–into the grooves of a vinyl record. The result is a longer playing time beyond the 22 minutes(ish) of the standard album along with a wider frequency range.
A well-recorded and mastered recording press onto heavy virgin vinyl already sounds great, but this new manufacturing method promises “high-definition” sound. And the good news is that it’s 100% compatible with all current turntables.
Read more at Exclaim.
Allan you have submitted a well-written story about the possibility of “next generation” vinyl discs. More detail is needed about how this 30% improvement will be accomplished. The link to EXCLAIM doesn’t work for me when reading this article on my LG phone. Thanks for your hard work on this article and I look forward to reading more.