langspeelplaat

A langspeelplaat, often abbreviated as LP, is a vinyl record format used for playing music. The term originates from Dutch and translates to "long-playing record." These records are typically 12 inches in diameter and rotate at a speed of 33 1/3 revolutions per minute (rpm). This slower rotation speed allows for a longer duration of music to be stored on each side compared to earlier formats like the 78 rpm shellac disc. A standard 12-inch LP can usually hold approximately 20 to 25 minutes of music per side, making it suitable for albums.

The grooves etched into the surface of the langspeelplaat are extremely fine, allowing for a greater amount of audio information to be encoded. A stylus, usually made of diamond or sapphire, tracks these grooves as the record spins, vibrating to reproduce the sound. The sound is stored in analog form, meaning the physical shape of the groove directly corresponds to the waveform of the original audio signal. Langspeelplaten were the dominant music consumption format for decades, particularly from the 1950s through the 1980s, before the rise of compact discs. Despite the advent of digital music, vinyl records, including the langspeelplaat, have experienced a resurgence in popularity among audiophiles and collectors.