Vinyl Record Needle: The Magic of Analog Sound
The diamond stylus reads physical vibrations from the record.
Chapter 1
The physics of the groove
Chapter 2
From shellac to stereo
Chapter 3
The art you can hold
Chapter 4
The global vinyl revival
Ch 1 · The physics of the groove
sonia The Physics of the Groove
Left wall, right wall! Left wall, right wall! We make the stereo call!
Fun Fact
Microscopic sound: Under an electron microscope, a vinyl record groove looks like a rugged, winding canyon carved by ancient rivers of sound.
Glossary
groove (noun)
A long, narrow cut or depression in a hard surface. In 1948, Columbia Records engineered microscopic grooves into vinyl to create the first successful long-playing records.
A long, narrow cut or depression in a hard surface. In 1948, Columbia Records engineered microscopic grooves into vinyl to create the first successful long-playing records.
Quiz
What device on a turntable converts the mechanical vibrations of the needle into electrical signals?
Quiz
How are the left and right audio channels separated in a single modern stereo record groove?
Quiz
In an analog record player, what is the name of the tiny diamond tip that rides inside the groove?
Quiz
What physical property of the sound wave determines how deep or wide a vinyl record groove is cut?