Phonograph is another term used for a record player or gramophone. They were invented by Thomas Edison around 1877, and Alexander Graham Bell developed them further during the next decade. The invention of phonograph needles, improved the sound made by phonographs. The needle is often referred to as the stylus. In the twentieth century, Emile Berliner developed the flat, grooved double sided record we know today.
There is a cartridge attached to the record players arm, and that's where the needle can be found. When playing a record, it sits in one of the record's grooves. While the record spins on the player, the needle converts vibrations into sound which we hear as music.
The needles are commonly made from diamonds or sapphire, but they can be made from a hard metal as well. They are shaped like a cone, and the apex of the cone makes contact with the record. The little metal strip in the cartridge holds the cone in place.
While the record spins, the needle is put on the outer most groove. The needle then works it's way to the center of it. The vibrations travel on to the metal strip. Those vibrations become an electric signal, and an amplifier turns that signal into sound, which can be heard through speakers.
Originally, phonographs were monophonic, which meant sound could only come through one speaker. In the nineteen fifties however, stereophonic sound was introduced. This meant the vibrations could move along two channels, and could be emitted through two different speakers. This created a sound that was more realistic than the sound from monophonic phonographs.
The words stylus and needle are often used interchangeably. Technically, a stylus and a needle perform the same task. The stylus though, is the very tip of the needle. The tip is the part usually made out of diamond or sapphire, but it can sometimes be made from platinum alloy or hard steel, but diamond or sapphire is most common nowadays. Diamond tips tend to last a lot longer than sapphire tips, but they cost a lot more. A double sapphire tip can last for up to a hundred hours of play, but this depends on how you use them and what state your records are in. Be careful when buying cheap needles, because they might have been used already. It's better to spend more cash and buy a diamond needle.
When determining which stylus you require, it is often more useful to check the model number of the cartridge, rather than the model number on your player. The model number can usually be found on the cartridge's body. If you cannot find a stylus to match your cartridge, it's probably best to get a different cartridge.
You will need to replace the needle once it is worn and the sound from your record player becomes distorted. Playing a record with a worn needle can damage it, and create nasty scratching sounds. Always make sure your phonograph needles are clean, dirt or dust can ruin your records.
There is a cartridge attached to the record players arm, and that's where the needle can be found. When playing a record, it sits in one of the record's grooves. While the record spins on the player, the needle converts vibrations into sound which we hear as music.
The needles are commonly made from diamonds or sapphire, but they can be made from a hard metal as well. They are shaped like a cone, and the apex of the cone makes contact with the record. The little metal strip in the cartridge holds the cone in place.
While the record spins, the needle is put on the outer most groove. The needle then works it's way to the center of it. The vibrations travel on to the metal strip. Those vibrations become an electric signal, and an amplifier turns that signal into sound, which can be heard through speakers.
Originally, phonographs were monophonic, which meant sound could only come through one speaker. In the nineteen fifties however, stereophonic sound was introduced. This meant the vibrations could move along two channels, and could be emitted through two different speakers. This created a sound that was more realistic than the sound from monophonic phonographs.
The words stylus and needle are often used interchangeably. Technically, a stylus and a needle perform the same task. The stylus though, is the very tip of the needle. The tip is the part usually made out of diamond or sapphire, but it can sometimes be made from platinum alloy or hard steel, but diamond or sapphire is most common nowadays. Diamond tips tend to last a lot longer than sapphire tips, but they cost a lot more. A double sapphire tip can last for up to a hundred hours of play, but this depends on how you use them and what state your records are in. Be careful when buying cheap needles, because they might have been used already. It's better to spend more cash and buy a diamond needle.
When determining which stylus you require, it is often more useful to check the model number of the cartridge, rather than the model number on your player. The model number can usually be found on the cartridge's body. If you cannot find a stylus to match your cartridge, it's probably best to get a different cartridge.
You will need to replace the needle once it is worn and the sound from your record player becomes distorted. Playing a record with a worn needle can damage it, and create nasty scratching sounds. Always make sure your phonograph needles are clean, dirt or dust can ruin your records.
No comments:
Post a Comment