45 rpm et all

[Masterlu]

Since I'm rather "new again" to vinyl; how popular today are 45's and what is the general audio quality of the new ones?

[Still-One]

The biggest thing I notice about 45's vs 33 1/3 is you even have to get up more often to changes sides.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Still-One

The biggest thing I notice about 45's vs 33 1/3 is you even have to get up more often to changes sides.

Gotta off balance those cookies...

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Gotta off balance those cookies...

It is very difficult to keep the keyboard clean when munching cookies too.

[80B]

Love the sound, but 2 songs/side isn't something normally for which I have patience. Surprising one of these audiophile labels hasn't released 78 rpm singles!

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Since I'm rather "new again" to vinyl; how popular today are 45's and what is the general audio quality of the new ones?

Quite popular especially on several of the better known labels (i.e., musicmattersjazz & Analogue Productions). Generally, one cannot assume a pressing at 45RPM is better than the same one at 33RPM -- however, when done correctly by those that are well respected in the cutting business, the 45rpm is able to present a better audio experience than one at 33RPM especially as the tonearm moves closer to the center. For instance, the MM & AP releases at 45RPM are well recognized as the best of the best, period.

It's sort of explained by Kevin Gray when he explained why they are using 45rpm in the magnificient musicmattersjazz releases:

Why 45 rpm? by Kevin Gray, AcousTech Mastering

After 60 years the good ol’ analog LP is still one of the highest resolution sources of music distribution available. It has a solid, palpable, satisfying sound that no digital format has yet equaled, let alone surpassed. The most unfortunate thing about the LP is that it was really starting to flourish back in the mid 80s, just as the record companies tried to kill it.

Advances in cutterheads (the device that etches the groove in the master lacquer disk) and cutting electronics reached a pinnacle in the early 80s. Digital computers arrived on the scene in their best role: Out of the audio chain, but doing machine-control to adjust the groove spacing on the record for maximum playing time and recorded volume. 180 gram virgin vinyl pressings were the next development, and last but not least, around the late 70s, 45 rpm 12” LPs started to appear.

Why 45, you ask? Because it sounds better! In record mastering, the higher the recorded level and frequency, the greater the groove curvature. Curvature isn’t usually a problem, per se, on the outside of a 12” 33 1/3 record, but as the groove moves toward the center, its relative speed slows down and curvature increases. Yes, it is still turning at 33 1/3 revolutions per minute, but consider: one revolution takes 1.8 seconds. That 1.8 seconds at a 12” diameter is covering a lot more territory than at the minimum 4.75” diameter. The result is actually a loss in high frequencies, and increase in distortion as the groove moves to the center. The problems start when the curvature of the groove equals or exceeds the diameter of the playback stylus. What can be done about it? Many things have been tried, but there is no “magic bullet”. Keep the recorded volume to a reasonable level (read: On scale on the meters) is the first thing. Play the record back with an elliptical or line-contact stylus that has a smaller tip radius. And, if possible, make the record short enough to keep the music away from the very end of the disk. This isn’t always possible, of course.

BUT, if we spin the disk at 45rpm we now have a 35% increase in groove velocity at any point on the disk. This is a huge advantage! Yes, the groove still slows down as it moves inward, but the effects are greatly reduced. The only problem is that the amount of recorded time is now also reduced by 35%. What do you do about that? (Hint: split up the LP into 4 sides on 2 records.) Now you’re cookin’ doc! Yep, twice the mastering cost, plating cost, pressing cost, label and jacket costs. It’s enough to make the bean-counters break down and cry. But the sound! Oooooh, yeah! This isn’t sales hype, it’s physics. Listen for yourself. You tell me if it’s worth it. A lot of music lovers think so…and they are right!"

Bob

[AudioNut]

Originally Posted by Still-One

The biggest thing I notice about 45's vs 33 1/3 is you even have to get up more often to changes sides.

I fully agree with Jim. I've not been able to hear any particular difference in sound quality between 33-1/3 & 45's. Biggest difference to me is the cost. You buy 4 records rather than two. I have a couple of 45 rpm albums that were recorded only on one side - and the other side blank - think this was among the world's greatest rip-offs. (8 records rather than 2) - very expensive.

I do admire the Bob's (Vintage Tube) findings and the great explanation that he quoted in his post. I wish I could hear the difference between the two, but, sadly, I can't.

I have some really great 45's, but better than good 33's - don't think so.

[MC352]

Jim, that was funny. I was thinking the same thing about having to flip the record over sooner.

[Tonepub]

It's just like the digital vs analog thing. Some mastering engineers have taken advantage of it and others have not.

The Blue Note stuff from Music Matters is one of the best examples.

What you'll find, Ivan is that if you really get carried away with the vinyl thing, you'll have 3 or 4 pressings of a lot of things and it can really get wacky from there. One of our writers has the most extensive collection of late 60's to late 70's rock and there are albums he's got 10, even 20 pressings of.

I'm not that maniacal, but I'm really glad we have him on the staff as a reference!

[f1 fan]

They sound amazing I bought 7 yesterday.

Dave