The term "longplaying record" refers to a vinyl record with extended playing time. Its phonetic transcription is /lɒŋpleɪɪŋ rɪkɔːd/. It is spelled as "long" because of the stretched playing time, and "playing" due to its function as a musical medium. "Record" represents the type of medium that stores the audio data. The word "longplaying" is often abbreviated as "LP," and despite the advent of new digital formats, it remains a beloved collector's item among music enthusiasts.
A longplaying record, commonly referred to as an LP record, is a vinyl disc designed to store and reproduce sound recordings. It is a format of recorded music that gained popularity in the mid-20th century and has since become an iconic symbol of the music industry. The term "longplaying" indicates the extended playing time of the record in comparison to its predecessor, the 78 rpm record.
An LP record typically consists of a flat circular disc made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), with a rotatable groove carved into its surface. The groove contains a continuous spiral of tiny modulations, which are responsible for capturing and reproducing sound when a special stylus is used. This format enables a longer duration of continuous playback, typically ranging from 20 to 30 minutes per side. The record is designed to be played on a turntable equipped with a tonearm and stylus that follow the grooves as it rotates at a constant speed, typically 33 1/3 revolutions per minute (RPM).
Longplaying records revolutionized the music industry by providing a convenient means of enjoying a complete album of music. Prior to their introduction, recordings were usually limited to a single song or a couple of tracks on a 78 rpm record. LP records allowed artists to present a cohesive collection of songs with a fluid listening experience. They played a pivotal role in popularizing various music genres, from rock and jazz to classical and pop.
While digital formats have now largely replaced LP records, they remain a cherished collector's item and an iconic relic of music history. The distinct sound quality, warmth, and tangible experience associated with playing an LP record are still highly valued by enthusiasts and audiophiles today.
The term "longplaying record" (abbreviated as LP) originated from the combination of two separate terms.
"Longplaying" refers to the extended playing time that LP records offered compared to previous formats. Prior to LPs, most commercially available records were 78 RPM (revolutions per minute) discs. However, due to physical limitations, these discs could only hold a limited amount of music, typically 3 to 4 minutes per side. With advancements in technology, record companies began exploring the possibility of increasing playing time.
The term "long-playing" was coined in the late 1940s by the RCA Victor company, which introduced the first commercial 33 1/3 RPM vinyl record in 1948. This new format allowed for significantly longer playing time on each side, nearly 20 minutes, revolutionizing the music industry and paving the way for albums as we know them today.