The Science of Sound

To better understand the relationship between the humble record groove and the stylus, it’s useful to go back to the basics of how sound works.

How the human ear perceives sound

Sound is a form of energy that travels through the air in the form of waves. When sound waves reach the human ear, they cause the eardrum to vibrate, which in turn sets off a chain of events that allows us to perceive sound.

The human ear is made up of three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The outer ear is the visible part of the ear, which funnels sound waves into the ear canal. The middle ear contains the eardrum, and three tiny bones called the ossicles, which amplify and transmit the vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The inner ear contains the cochlea, which is responsible for converting the vibrations from the ossicles into electrical signals that are sent to the brain.

The cochlea is a spiral-shaped structure that contains thousands of tiny hair cells. These hair cells are responsible for converting the mechanical vibrations of sound waves into electrical signals that can be sent to the brain. Different hair cells are activated by different frequencies of sound, with higher frequencies activating hair cells near the base of the cochlea and lower frequencies activating hair cells near the apex.

The brain then interprets these electrical signals as sound, allowing us to perceive and identify different types of sounds. Our ability to perceive sound is influenced by a number of factors, including the volume, pitch, and timbre of the sound.

Overall, the human ear is a complex and sophisticated organ that allows us to perceive the rich and varied world of sound around us. By understanding how the ear perceives sound, we can better appreciate and enjoy the nuances and subtleties of different types of music and audio recordings.

The basics of sound waves

Sound is a form of energy that travels through the air in the form of waves. These waves are created by vibrations, such as those produced by a musical instrument or the human voice.

Sound waves can be characterized by several different properties, including frequency, amplitude, and wavelength. Frequency refers to the number of cycles, or vibrations, that occur in a second and is measured in hertz (Hz). The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch of the sound.

Amplitude, on the other hand, refers to the strength of the sound wave and is measured in decibels (dB). The greater the amplitude, the louder the sound. Finally, wavelength refers to the distance between two peaks or troughs in a sound wave and is measured in meters.

When sound waves are recorded onto a vinyl record, the sound is converted into a physical representation of the sound wave. This is done by using a transducer, which converts the sound wave into an electrical signal that can be used to create a physical groove on the vinyl.

When the needle of a record player is placed into the groove of a vinyl record, it vibrates in response to the physical shape of the groove. These vibrations are then converted back into an electrical signal that can be amplified and played through speakers.

The physical nature of vinyl records means that they can accurately reproduce the unique nuances and subtleties of a sound wave. This is because the grooves on a vinyl record are an exact representation of the sound wave that was recorded onto it.

Vinyl records are often revered for their ability to accurately reproduce the unique nuances and subtleties of sound. This is due to the physical nature of vinyl records, which allows for a more faithful representation of the original sound wave than digital audio formats.

When sound is recorded onto a vinyl record, it is physically etched into the surface of the vinyl as a series of grooves. The shape of these grooves corresponds directly to the shape of the original sound wave, capturing every detail of the sound as it was originally produced. This means that the physical grooves on a vinyl record are an exact representation of the original sound wave, and this is what allows for the faithful reproduction of the sound.

When a record player needle is placed into the groove of a vinyl record, it vibrates in response to the physical shape of the groove. These vibrations are then converted back into an electrical signal that can be amplified and played through speakers. Because the grooves on a vinyl record are an exact representation of the original sound wave, this means that the sound reproduced by a vinyl record is a very faithful representation of the original recording.

Digital audio formats like MP3s, on the other hand, rely on a process called "sampling" to reproduce sound. This involves taking snapshots of the sound wave at regular intervals, and then using these snapshots to recreate the sound. While digital audio formats can provide high-quality sound, they are ultimately limited by the resolution of the digital signal. This means that they may not be able to capture all of the unique nuances and subtleties of the original sound in the same way that vinyl records can.

Overall, the physical nature of vinyl records means that they are able to provide a more accurate and faithful reproduction of sound than digital audio formats. This is why many audiophiles and music fans continue to prefer the warm, natural sound of vinyl records, despite the convenience and popularity of digital formats.

While digital audio formats like MP3s can provide high-quality sound, they are ultimately limited by the resolution of the digital signal.

Frequency, amplitude, and wavelength

Lin turntables famously carved a brand defining niche for themselves by coining the phrase PRaT about their turntables. They called it Pace, Rhythm and Timing measuring three key aspects of the sound their turntables reproduced.

So, let’s talk about that in the context of Frequency, amplitude, and wavelength.

Frequency, amplitude, and wavelength are three key aspects of a sound wave that determine how it is perceived by the human ear.

Frequency refers to the number of times a sound wave oscillates back and forth per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher frequency corresponds to a higher pitch, while a lower frequency corresponds to a lower pitch. For example, a high-pitched whistle will have a higher frequency than a low-pitched bass guitar note.

Amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of a sound wave from its resting position, measured in decibels (dB). A larger amplitude corresponds to a louder sound, while a smaller amplitude corresponds to a softer sound. For example, a thunderclap will have a larger amplitude than a whisper.

Wavelength refers to the distance between two consecutive points on a sound wave that are in phase or have the same degree of oscillation. Wavelength is measured in meters (m) or other distance units. A shorter wavelength corresponds to a higher frequency, while a longer wavelength corresponds to a lower frequency. For example, the wavelengths of the high-pitched sound produced by a whistle are shorter than the wavelengths of the low-pitched sound produced by a bass guitar.

In summary, frequency, amplitude, and wavelength are three fundamental characteristics of a sound wave that determine how it is perceived by the human ear. By understanding these characteristics, we can better appreciate and analyse different types of music and audio recordings.

Or to put it another way vinyl records create frequency, amplitude, and wavelength by using a physical grooved surface to record sound. The grooves on a vinyl record correspond to the vibrations of the original sound wave, with the amplitude and frequency of the sound wave being encoded as variations in the depth and width of the groove.

When a stylus (needle) is placed in the groove of a vinyl record and the record is spun, the stylus is vibrated by the variations in the groove. This vibration is then amplified and converted into an electrical signal that can be played through a speaker, resulting in sound that replicates the original audio recording.

The physical nature of vinyl records means that they can accurately reproduce the unique nuances and subtleties of a sound wave. The depth and width of the groove on a vinyl record can capture the subtle differences in amplitude and frequency of a sound wave, resulting in a more detailed and accurate reproduction of the original audio recording. Additionally, the analogue nature of vinyl records provides a warmer and more natural sound compared to digital audio formats, which can often sound cold and sterile.