History of New Vinyl LPs

History of Speed Developments to Create the Modern Day New Vinyl LPs

A variety of speeds existed early on and most records that were created from 1900 to 1925 were recorded between 74 and 82 rpm. Due to this variety, a standard needed to be selected that would be used by everyone who created records. In 1925, it was decided that 78 rpm would be the standard rpm. This is how the term 78s would come to be. It wasn<92>t until later that new vinyl LPs would be replaced with 33+1/3 rpm and 45 rpm albums.

Columbia and RCA were very competitive, and this extended to equipment as well. It wasn<92>t until the mid 1950s that all record companies would agree to a common recording standard that would be known as RIAA equalization. Before this time and between 1948 and 1950, it was a time known as the War of Speeds, since consumers did not know which of the two speeds would become customary for all records. This war was similar to the recent debates between VHS and Beta and also HD DVD and Blu-ray.

The eventual verdict that would shape how our modern day new vinyl LPs was created was the 12-inch 33+1/3 rpm LP. During the mid 1950s and into the 1960s, it was typical for record players to have three or four of the most common speeds so you would be able to play all of your new vinyl LPs. The larger center was used for the 45 rpm discs or singles that would typically hold 15 to 20 minutes worth of music on each side.

The War of Speed definitely had an influence on the new vinyl LPs have since been created today. The next section will explain the enhancements made on records over time <96> please click here to continue.