A vinyl record looks simple, but a few distinct parts work together to store and play back sound. This guide walks through each one, from the spiral groove to the label and spindle hole, so you can recognise what you are looking at when you handle a record.
The main parts at a glance
From the outside in, a typical record has an outer edge, a lead-in area, one or more tracks of music, a run-out area, a paper label and a centre hole. All of these sit on a flat disc, usually made of polyvinyl chloride. If you want to know more about the material itself, see what a vinyl record is made of.
The body of the record
The body is the flat disc that carries the groove on each side. Most records are black, though clear, coloured, splatter and picture-disc versions exist. Weight varies between pressings, and heavier records are often marketed as higher quality, though weight alone does not guarantee better sound.
The groove
Each side of a record has a single continuous spiral groove that starts near the outer edge and winds inward toward the centre. The groove is not a plain channel. Its two walls are cut with tiny wiggles that match the recorded sound. In a stereo record, the left and right channels are carried on the two walls, so the stylus (needle) moves in response to both as it tracks the groove.
Between the turns of the spiral is a flat strip, often called the land. Quiet passages tend to have narrower grooves, which can sit closer together, while loud passages and heavy bass need more room. This is one reason a side has a limited playing time. For how the groove is created in the first place, see how records are made.
Lead-in, tracks and run-out
- Lead-in groove: a plain, unmodulated stretch near the outer edge. It gives the stylus a place to land and settle before the music starts.
- Tracks: the modulated sections of the spiral. On many albums you can see slightly smoother bands between songs, which makes it possible to spot track breaks by eye.
- Run-out (lead-out) groove: a spiral that continues past the last track and ends near the label. On many turntables it triggers the arm to lift or the platter to stop. On manual players the stylus may keep circling until you lift it.
Some records also use a locked groove, a closed loop that repeats until the stylus is moved. This is a special effect rather than a standard feature.
The label and the spindle hole
The paper label at the centre of each side usually lists the artist, title, track names, side, playback speed, catalogue number and the record company. It is applied during pressing, not afterwards.
The spindle hole is the centre hole that fits over the turntable spindle. On a standard 12-inch LP it is roughly 7 mm (about 0.286 inch) wide. Many 7-inch singles have a much larger hole, around 1.5 inches, and need an adapter on a standard spindle. If the hole is off-centre, the record will wobble as it turns, which can be heard as pitch variation.
The edge and rim
Many records have a slightly raised rim and a raised label area. This helps keep the playing surface from touching a flat surface when records are laid down. It is still better to store records upright rather than stacked.
Markings in the run-out area
The smooth area between the last track and the label often carries hand-etched or stamped text. These are usually matrix numbers, which identify the stamper and lacquer used to make that side, sometimes with the cutting engineer’s initials or a short message. Collectors use these markings to tell pressings apart. For more on where the lacquer comes from, see what vinyl mastering is.
How to tell when a record was made
There is no single date printed on every record. Useful clues include copyright dates on the label or sleeve, catalogue numbers, label design, and matrix numbers in the run-out area. A copyright date often refers to the recording or first release, not necessarily the pressing, so treat it as a clue rather than proof.
What can damage a record
The groove is delicate, so most damage comes from handling and storage:
- Scratches from dirty or worn styli, or from dragging the stylus across the surface.
- Dust and grit pressed into the groove.
- Heat, which can warp the disc.
- Fingerprints and oils from touching the playing surface.
- Stacking records flat for long periods, or storing them leaning.
Handling a record by the edges and label, and keeping it in a clean sleeve, avoids most problems.