The essential vocabulary for vinyl records, CDs, and physical music collecting. 32 terms every music lover should know.
A vinyl record is an analog sound storage medium — a flat disc with inscribed spiral grooves that a turntable needle reads to reproduce music.
Read definition →A compact disc (CD) is a digital optical storage medium that stores audio as a series of microscopic pits read by a laser, delivering clear, noise-free sound reproduction.
Read definition →An LP (Long Play) is a 12-inch vinyl record that plays at 33⅓ RPM, typically holding 20-25 minutes of music per side — the standard format for full-length albums.
Read definition →An EP (Extended Play) is a music release that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than a full album — typically 3 to 6 songs, often on 10-inch or 12-inch vinyl.
Read definition →A single is a music release featuring one or two songs, traditionally pressed on a 7-inch vinyl at 45 RPM. It's the format used to promote an album's standout tracks.
Read definition →45 RPM (revolutions per minute) is a vinyl playback speed used for 7-inch singles and some audiophile 12-inch releases, offering higher sound quality than 33⅓ RPM at the cost of shorter playing time.
Read definition →A picture disc is a vinyl record with a printed image embedded between clear vinyl layers, making the entire playing surface a visual artwork — collectible but with lower audio quality than standard pressings.
Read definition →Colored vinyl refers to vinyl records pressed in colors other than standard black — from solid red, blue, or green to splatter, marble, and translucent variants, often released as limited editions.
Read definition →A box set is a deluxe music release packaging multiple discs (vinyl records or CDs) in a premium box, often including bonus material, liner notes, artwork, and exclusive content.
Read definition →A turntable is the core component of a vinyl playback system — the device with a rotating platter, tonearm, and cartridge/stylus that reads vinyl record grooves and converts them into audio signals.
Read definition →A record player is an all-in-one device for playing vinyl records, typically combining a turntable, amplifier, and speakers in a single unit — distinct from a standalone turntable in a component hi-fi system.
Read definition →Hi-fi (high fidelity) refers to audio equipment and reproduction that achieves sound quality closely matching the original recording — the gold standard for serious music listening.
Read definition →A stylus (also called a needle) is the tiny diamond or sapphire tip mounted on a turntable's cartridge that physically traces the grooves of a vinyl record to read the audio information.
Read definition →A first pressing is the initial batch of vinyl records manufactured from the original master — the most desirable version for collectors due to its audio fidelity and historical significance.
Read definition →A reissue is a vinyl record or CD that has been re-released after its original pressing run — often remastered, sometimes on audiophile-grade vinyl, and typically more affordable than original pressings.
Read definition →A remaster is a new version of a recording where the original master tapes are re-processed using updated techniques and equipment to improve sound quality for modern playback systems.
Read definition →Record grading is the standardized system for rating the physical condition of vinyl records and their covers, ranging from Mint (perfect) to Poor (barely playable), essential for buying and selling used records.
Read definition →Mint condition (M) describes a vinyl record or CD in perfect, as-new condition with no signs of wear, handling, or play — the highest grade in record collecting.
Read definition →A gatefold is a vinyl record jacket that opens like a book, doubling the artwork space — often featuring lyrics, photos, or additional artwork on the inner panels.
Read definition →An OBI strip is a paper band wrapped around the spine of Japanese vinyl records and CDs, featuring Japanese text, pricing, and catalog information — highly prized by collectors worldwide.
Read definition →The dead wax is the blank, ungrooved area between the last track and the label of a vinyl record, containing etched matrix numbers and sometimes secret messages from mastering engineers.
Read definition →Crate digging is the practice of searching through bins and crates of vinyl records at record stores, thrift shops, and flea markets to find hidden gems, rare pressings, and unexpected musical discoveries.
Read definition →180 gram vinyl is a heavyweight vinyl pressing standard that uses more PVC than standard records (120-140g), resulting in a thicker, more rigid disc that resists warping and is associated with audiophile-quality releases.
Read definition →Lossless audio is a digital audio format that preserves 100% of the original recording data — formats like FLAC, ALAC, and WAV deliver CD-quality or better sound without the compression artifacts of MP3 or streaming.
Read definition →Mastering is the final step in audio production where a specialized engineer optimizes a recording's sound for its target format — it's the critical process that determines how music sounds on vinyl, CD, or digital.
Read definition →Surface noise is the inherent background sound produced when a stylus tracks a vinyl record's grooves — the pops, clicks, and hiss that are a characteristic (and for many, charming) part of the vinyl listening experience.
Read definition →An audiophile is a person dedicated to high-fidelity sound reproduction — someone who pursues the best possible listening experience through quality equipment, recordings, and acoustic environment.
Read definition →Discogs is the world's largest music database and marketplace — a community-built catalog of every known music release combined with a global marketplace for buying and selling vinyl records and CDs.
Read definition →Record Store Day (RSD) is an annual event celebrating independent record stores with exclusive, limited-edition vinyl releases — held on a Saturday in April (and sometimes November) since 2007.
Read definition →Liner notes are the written content printed on or inside a vinyl record jacket or CD booklet — including credits, lyrics, essays, photos, and thank-you lists that add depth and context to the music.
Read definition →Music ownership means having permanent, personal possession of music through physical media (vinyl, CD) or DRM-free digital files — in contrast to streaming, which grants temporary access through a paid subscription.
Read definition →A pressing plant is a factory where vinyl records are manufactured — heated PVC is stamped between metal molds to create the grooved discs. The pressing plant significantly impacts a record's sound quality.
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