Gramophone record

A gramophone record, (also phonograph record - often simply record) is an analog sound recording medium: a flat disc rotating at a constant angular velocity, with inscribed spiral grooves in which a stylus or needle rides. Analogue audio recording onto a disc was the main technology used for the storing of recorded sound for most of the 20th century. By 1988 digital media such as the compact disc surpassed the gramophone record in popularity, but gramophone records continue to be made (although in very limited quantities) into the 21st century, particularly for DJs doing live remixes and for local acts recording on small regional labels. Used records are still sold in decent numbers and remain a common part of many music collections. Most major releases still recieve a vinyl release, sometimes with bonus tracks and artwork.

The record mastering and pressing process

Recording the disc

For the first several decades of disc record manufacturing, sound was recorded directly on to the master disc (also called the matrix, sometimes just the master) at the recording studio. From about 1950 on (earlier for some large record companies, later for some small ones) it became usual to have the performance first recorded on audio tape, which could then be processed and/or edited, and then dubbed on to the master disc.

Related Topics:
Audio tape - Dubbed

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A record cutter would engrave the grooves into the master disc. Early on these master discs were soft wax, later on a harder lacquer was used.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The mastering process was originally something of an art as the operator had to manually allow for the changes in sound which affected how wide the space for the groove needed to be on each rotation. Sometimes the engineer would sign his work, or leave humorous or cryptic comments in the run-off groove area, where it was normal to scratch or stamp identifying codes to distinguish each master.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mass producing records

The soft master known as a Lacquer would then be electroplated with a metal, commonly a nickel alloy. {This and all subsequent metal copies were known as Matrices ( singular Matrix).} When this metal was removed from the Lacquer (Master), it would be a negative master since it was a negative copy of the Lacquer (and incidentally of the finally to be produced record).(in the UK this was called the Master; note difference from soft master/Lacquer disc above). In the earliest days the negative master was used as a mould to press records sold to the public, but as demand for mass production of records grew, another step was added to the process.

Related Topics:
Nickel - Process

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The metal Master was then electroplated to create metal Positive matrices, or "Mothers". From these negatives or stampers Stamperswould be formed. The Stampers would be used in hydraulic presses to mould the Lp discs. The advantages of this system over the earlier more direct system included ability to make a large number of records quickly by using multiple stampers. Also, more records could be produced from each Master since moulds would eventually wear out.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Since the Master was the unique source of the Positive, made to produce the Stampers, it was considered a Library Item. Accordingly, Copy Positives, required to replace worn Positives were made from unused early Stampers. these were known as Copy Shells and were the physicalequivalent of the first Positive.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The "Pedigree" of any record can be traced through the Stamper/Positive identities used, by reading the lettering found on the record run-out area.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~