Multigroove

Multi-groove refers to a type of record groove found on some vinyl records that allows for more than one track to be stored on a single side. This is achieved by varying the width and spacing of the grooves, enabling a record player's stylus to track different paths depending on its starting position or how it's manually guided. When a record player is placed on the outer portion of the record, it plays one set of tracks. By carefully lifting and repositioning the stylus to a different starting point on the same side, a different set of tracks can be accessed. This technology was primarily used in the mid-20th century as a way to increase the amount of playable content on a single vinyl disc, often for children's story records or compilations. The number of tracks on a multi-groove record could vary, but typically it allowed for two or three distinct playback paths per side. While an interesting innovation, the precision required for playback and the limited adoption meant it was not a widespread standard in the vinyl industry.