Fun facts about Vinyl record sizes and speeds

Throughout my journey as The Dotting Chick, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of innovative thinking and creativity. For me, true artistry is about breaking free from repetitive patterns and challenging the status quo. I love to question and redefine norms to create something truly special. Recently this curiosity led me to explore the different sizes and formats of vinyl records that I’ve had the joy of painting. After diving into this topic, here’s what I discovered!

The world of vinyl records features three main formats: 78RPM, 33RPM, and 45RPM. I've had the pleasure of creating art on each of these formats, and they each bring something unique to the table. Let’s take a closer look at each one!

*The 78RPM:  
RPM, or rotations per minute, plays an important role in music playback. Remember the days of manually adjusting the speed on a gramophone? No? Me either! Thankfully, those days are behind us! The industry has settled on 78 RPM as the sweet spot for combining groove depth and musical length. This means you can enjoy an entire song beautifully captured on one side while still enjoying a good sound quality. These discs, made from shellac, are thick with deep grooves and have an average playtime of 3 to 5 minutes per side. Until the 1950s, 78 RPM records were the industry standard, usually measuring 10 inches, though they also came in different sizes.

*The 33 1/3 RPM:  
This format holds a special place in many music lovers’ hearts! You’ll often find these tucked away in personal collections. With a speed and narrower grooves that allow for longer performances, 33 1/3 RPM records, measuring 12 inches in diameter, can offer around 25 minutes of delightful sound per side. They create a rich listening experience that stands out compared to 78 RPM records. Despite radio emerging as a competitor, vinyl records enchanted listeners for years with their warm, inviting sound.

*The 45RPM:  
This format is unique, featuring just one song on each side, and it actually delivers the best sound quality of the three! Many music lovers have fond memories associated with 45 RPM records, often picking them up just for their favorite song. Their 7-inch size not only makes them super portable but also perfect for sharing with friends at get-togethers.

So, how does all this affect my artistic journey?  
Well, 78 RPM records often need a bit of extra love and care due to their age—they’re made from shellac, which can be sensitive to certain chemicals. But that’s part of the fun! The wide, deep grooves present a creative challenge, as any mistakes during painting are tough to fix. Yet, their thickness and timeless charm add a special touch to my artwork, making them a treasure to work with.

I particularly adore 33 1/3 RPM records, especially those with well-preserved labels and popular covers. The vibrant vinyl colors from newer releases create exciting opportunities for artistic storytelling, allowing me to capture the essence of an entire album in a really engaging way. This is the size I paint most often.

As for the 45 RPM records, their smaller size and larger center hole come with their own set of creative challenges. With limited space to paint, I have to be extra thoughtful in expressing the music's spirit! They also often don’t have the protective cardboard covers that larger records do, which can lead to wear over time, making well-preserved copies quite rare. That said, they’re quicker to paint, which makes them a fun and cost-effective option for specific events!

I’d love for you to check out my collection of all these formats on my website! You can also follow along with my artistic updates on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram by searching TheDottingChick.

And if you’re interested in diving deeper into the fascinating world of vinyl formats, I invite you to watch a YouTube video here.

I hope you learned something new today. Thanks for joining me on this creative journey!

Cheryl

Questions? Comments? Contact me at Thedottingchick@yahoo.com