The Evolution of Analog Musical Recordings. From the Phonograph to Modern Vinyl.

The father of recording, the phonograph.

While the mediums we use for listening and recording music have changed drastically throughout the years, the evolutions from the first phonographs to the iconic vinyl record is a journey through sound and musical innovation. Each one has its own timbre and accompanying pitch that allows for the distinct identification of the device and the type of recording medium being used.

The phonograph was the first device invented to record the vibrations that constitute sound. With the thought of playing telephone messages in mind, the phonograph was first used with a musical application when it was used to record “Marry had a little lamb” by Thomas Edison in late 1877. (“History of Music Players”)

While the recording is short, you are able to understand clearly that this means of recording audio is “rough” and relatively grainy. The recording was made on a tube that was covered in tin foil that allowed for a diaphragm to move a needle and make indentations within the foil so as to create the recording. Later adaptations would call for a wax cylinder to be utilized which would permit for longer and better quality recordings.

As we listen to this wax cylinder recording of “Listen to the Mocking Bird” it is obvious that the medium being used in the recording process takes effect on the quality of sound produced. This recording method produces a very high pitched sound that comes across as almost deafening at higher volumes. While this may be due to the nature of the music being played on the recording, it is likely that due to the volume recordings had to be made, that this is a side effect.(“How Record Players and Gramophones Work.”) The distinct timbre can be identified effortlessly with its overly grainy sound and loud overtones that encompass the sound being played.

The gramophone, a step upward in innovation.

As impressive as the phonograph was, it had one major shortcoming. It was only able to play a short recording. While the wax cylinder attempted to alleviate that critical downfall, other inventors where already in the process of creating a better and more sophisticated method of listening and recording music and other forms of audio.

This invention would come years after the phonograph and would provide the answer to the horrible audio recording and short recording ability. It would equally allow for the mass production of recordings on glass discs called records. These records would eventually evolve further into the records we know today.  The sound that is produced on these machines is still a little grainy, but it does offer a greater range of dynamics compared to the phonograph. “When Summer is Gone” is by Nat Shilkret and the Victor and was produced in 1915.

The pitch that is produced from these machines is especially interesting to me. The music is actually able to be enjoyed when compared to the phonograph, but it still has this speed and tone to it that give its 1920s spunk.

The transition to modern vinyl

while the term modern may be a slight over step. Records really came into their own in the early 1900s. These early precursors to the albums we all know today are the reason truly modern vinyl has made such a strong impact on us as a whole.

This recording is almost to the standard we would expect to find from a late 1900s record that some of us undoubtedly own. The speed is right, the sound is almost there and the amount of range we get from the band is what we would expect to hear. We are able to note that the dynamics of the sound are able to be differentiated, the pitch that can be heard is obvious and clear when it needs to be, and the playing device only adds that soft grain to the music that many enthusiasts see as a sign of being truly good music. That timbre alone has caused many record collectors to go to the ends of the earth to find that one particular song on vinyl.

The golden age of music

 

The traditional vinyl LP is something that is dear to the hearts of many. These musical outlets are citied to be the keystone to anyone who has a fascination with music and the distinct timbre that these mediums offer to the listener. These records made their debut in 1948 and are still the running standard for music production today. While most of modern music has seen the transfer to digital mediums. The gold standard for recording and listening is by far the LP record. A classic example provided is “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, which was released on LP in 1975.  

References

“History of Music Players.” History of Music Players – 1877-1928,                                                         amale16.weebly.m/1948-1955.html.
“How Record Players and Gramophones Work.” Explain That Stuff, 1 Nov. 2017,                          http://www.explainthatstuff.com/record-players.html.
Neely, Tim. “The History of Vinyl Records.” Our Pastimes, 21 Nov. 2017,                                         ourpastimes.com/history-vinyl-records-5373550.html.

Link

https://ourpastimes.com/history-vinyl-records-5373550.html

http://amale16.weebly.com/1877-1928.html

https://www.explainthatstuff.com/record-players.html