It allows one to play 45 rpm records, which have a big hole in the middle, on the turntable most people had at home which was designed for 33 ⅓ rpm records, which have a small hole. The shape forms a gentle spring to create tension inside the 45.
Just to add to this, many 45s came with the same small hole as LPs and 12" singles. The big hole was there for 45s that were to be used in jukeboxes, I think.
Most record players have an adjustable speed and can do 33.3 or 45 rpm and some can do the old 78s. There were also other speeds but they were mostly used for other applications. Otherwise yes, it would sound slow compared to an LP.
Haha, by other applications I meant I remember there being some background music systems for elevators and retail stores and some early dictation systems and such that were slower, like in the 10 rpm range.
However… Software used to come on cassette tapes in the days of the C64 and the ZX Spectrum etc. I don’t see why you couldn’t record the same ‘sound’ onto an LP but I imagine the error rate might be far higher. In fact, I would be shocked if it’s never been tried.
Man, until I read the text, I thought this was about these old 45 record inserts.
What is the point of these, and their shape
It allows one to play 45 rpm records, which have a big hole in the middle, on the turntable most people had at home which was designed for 33 ⅓ rpm records, which have a small hole. The shape forms a gentle spring to create tension inside the 45.
I see, thank you.
Just to add to this, many 45s came with the same small hole as LPs and 12" singles. The big hole was there for 45s that were to be used in jukeboxes, I think.
All 45s. You punched the hole out yourself if you wanted to use it in a jukebox.
Yeah, fair point. I was thinking of those 45s that don’t have a punch out as an option.
Does the audio just sound slowed down or is there something else
The different playback speed also allows more music to be squeezed onto each side of the disc (albeit at a slightly lower quality).
Most record players have an adjustable speed and can do 33.3 or 45 rpm and some can do the old 78s. There were also other speeds but they were mostly used for other applications. Otherwise yes, it would sound slow compared to an LP.
I suddenly want a software lp
Haha, by other applications I meant I remember there being some background music systems for elevators and retail stores and some early dictation systems and such that were slower, like in the 10 rpm range.
However… Software used to come on cassette tapes in the days of the C64 and the ZX Spectrum etc. I don’t see why you couldn’t record the same ‘sound’ onto an LP but I imagine the error rate might be far higher. In fact, I would be shocked if it’s never been tried.
I mean those cassettes are what gave me the idea :3
The shape allows the tabs to push in slightly and snap into the 7”. I’ve heard them called ‘spiders’ :)