vinyl
techniquesVY-nul
A phonograph record made from polyvinyl chloride, used for analog music playback.
Vinyl refers to both the material and the medium: a grooved disc made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that stores analog audio. A turntable's stylus traces the grooves, converting physical vibrations into electrical signals and then sound. The LP (long-playing) format, introduced in 1948, plays at 33⅓ RPM and holds a full album. The 7-inch single plays at 45 RPM. Vinyl was the dominant music format from the 1950s through the 1980s before being displaced by CDs. A remarkable vinyl revival began in the 2010s, driven by audiophiles and collectors who value the warm analog sound, large artwork, and tactile experience. Record pressing plants that had nearly shut down are now running at capacity. DJs in hip-hop and electronic music use vinyl for turntablism and scratching.
Vinyl sales have grown every year since 2006, and in 2023 vinyl outsold CDs for the second consecutive year in the United States.