vinyls

Vinyls is a common informal plural used to refer to vinyl records, phonograph discs made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that store audio information in grooves. While the term can describe vinyl plastics in general, this article focuses on vinyl records as a music medium. Vinyl records were developed in the late 1940s, replacing shellac records, and became the dominant analog format during the mid-20th century. The standard formats are 12-inch LPs played at 33 1/3 rpm, and 7-inch singles played at 45 rpm, with 10-inch LPs and other sizes appearing at various times. Recordings are typically issued in mono or stereo, with stereo becoming dominant by the 1960s.

Manufacture involves mastering a lacquer, creating metal stampers, and pressing grooves into PVC at controlled temperatures. The grooves encode the audio as modulations which, when played back with a stylus in a phonograph or turntable, convert vibrations back into sound. Vinyl records benefit from durable physical formats and a wide dynamic range when properly mastered, though they are sensitive to dust, scratches, warping, and repeated heavy handling. The sound is analog and can be preferred for certain listening experiences, though it is susceptible to surface noise and equalization differences from playback equipment.

Care and storage emphasize keeping records upright, away from heat and direct sunlight, using anti-static sleeves, and periodic cleaning. The vinyl market has experienced surges in interest since the 2000s, with new pressings by major and independent labels alongside remasters and limited editions. Vinyl records remain a significant segment of physical music media, coexisting with digital formats and streaming services.