salvestusplaadid

Salvestusplaadid, often referred to as recording discs or sound discs, are historical media used for capturing and replaying sound. These discs typically feature a spirally grooved surface. As the disc rotates, a stylus or needle traces the groove. The undulations within the groove cause the stylus to vibrate, and these vibrations are then converted into an electrical signal, which is amplified and reproduced as sound through a speaker.

Early salvestusplaadid were primarily made of wax and were used for direct recording. Later, more durable materials like shellac and vinyl became standard. Shellac discs, commonly known as 78s due to their typical rotation speed, were popular in the early to mid-20th century. Vinyl discs, introduced later, offered greater durability and allowed for longer playing times and higher fidelity. These vinyl discs come in various sizes and playback speeds, including 33 1/3 rpm (LPs) and 45 rpm (singles).

The process of creating a salvestusplaat involves cutting a groove into a blank disc using a cutting stylus. The sound waves are translated into physical modulations in the groove. For mass production, a master disc is created, from which stampers are made to press multiple copies of the final record. Despite the advent of digital recording technologies, salvestusplaadid, particularly vinyl records, have experienced a resurgence in popularity among audiophiles and collectors for their perceived warm sound quality and tangible appeal.