Do most records play at 33 or 45?

Most analog listeners agreed that they could sacrifice some sound quality for more music per disk, making the 45 RPM format the most widely used.

Why are some records 33 and some 45?

Beta to Blu-ray vs HD-DVD, companies have often put out competing formats. RCA, which failed miserably in the 1930s to release a 33 to the public went out to release a 45 RPM. The record was smaller than the other options. Ultimately, RCA released the format in order to directly compete with the Columbia Record 33.

What’s the biggest vinyl record size?

12-inch
As you start to build up a vinyl record collection, you’ll undoubtedly have two main sizes of discs that make it up: 12-inch and 7-inch records.

What speed do most records play at?

Vinyl is pressed in one of 3 speeds: 33 1/3 Rotations Per Minute (RPM), 45 RPM, and 78 RPMs. The majority of 12-inch long play (LPs) are 33 1/3 RPMs, and most 7-inch extended play (EPs) or singles are 45 RPMs. However, 10-inch discs are common at both speeds and there are exceptions (e.g. 12-inch 45 RPM discs).

Why is 45 RPM better than 33?

Since 45s travel faster than 33s, more waveform definition can be squeezed into the format, which takes up more room. More bumps and grooves created in pressing a 45 means better audio quality. As a hypothetical example, suppose you were able to uncoil the grooves in your record.

Do 45 rpm records sound better?

Since 45s travel faster than 33s, more waveform definition can be squeezed into the format, which takes up more room. More bumps and grooves created in pressing a 45 means better audio quality.

What size record is a 33?

Generally speaking, all of the records that you would see down in a local record store (or a Barnes and Noble) are 33 RPM, 12-inch releases. There are some examples of 45 RPM records in the 12” form factor. They are often part of audiophile pressings or special releases.