Vinyl Glossary

Describes materials made without acidic components that could cause deterioration during long-term storage.

A turntable adjustment that counteracts the tonearm's natural pull towards the centre of the record, helping the stylus track the groove evenly.

Designed to help reduce static charge on vinyl. Static attracts dust and can add clicks and pops during playback.

Describes materials suitable for long-term record storage that won't react with or damage your records over time.

A turntable where a rubber belt carries power from the motor to the platter.

Biaxially oriented polypropylene. A very clear, crisp plastic film commonly used for protective outer record sleeves.

A release with several records (or formats) packaged together.

The tiny rod that connects the stylus tip to the cartridge.

A brush made from thousands of very fine carbon fibres that reach into the grooves to lift dust. The fibres also help release static from the record surface.

The part at the end of the tonearm that turns the stylus's movement into an electrical signal.

A small adaptor that allows 7" records with a large centre hole to be played on a standard turntable spindle.

Records pressed in vinyl that's any colour other than standard black.

When dirt is transferred back onto a clean record, for example, by putting it back into an old, dusty inner sleeve.

A small lever that gently raises and lowers the tonearm onto the record.

The area between the end of the recorded music and the label. It often contains etched or stamped information such as matrix numbers used to identify a particular pressing.

Purified water with minerals removed. It's often used for record cleaning because it leaves very little residue.

A turntable where the motor turns the platter directly, without a belt.

Water purified by boiling it and collecting the steam. Like deionised water, it leaves minimal residue, and it removes a wider range of impurities.

Remove surface dust with a brush before or after playing, without liquid.

A stand that holds records upright so they can air-dry after wet cleaning.

Longer than a single but shorter than an album. Usually a 7" or 10" record.

A record jacket that opens out like a book, often with extra artwork inside. Larger gatefolds may need a wider or specially designed outer sleeve.

A traditional way to measure plastic film thickness. 400 gauge equals 100 microns (0.1mm).

The spiral channel cut into the vinyl that the stylus follows to play the music.

A smooth, lightweight, low-friction plastic used for inner sleeves. Records slide in and out easily with less rubbing against the playing surface.

The part at the end of the tonearm that holds the cartridge.

The sleeve that holds the record itself, protecting the playing surface while it's stored inside the jacket.

Light surface marks caused by a record rubbing against a paper or card inner sleeve.

The printed cardboard cover a record comes in, sometimes called the album sleeve.

A flexible, durable plastic. Thicker polyethylene makes a soft, substantial outer sleeve that stands up well to everyday handling.

The blank spiral at the outer edge of the record that guides the stylus in before the music starts.

A 12" record, usually played at 33⅓ RPM.

The final stage of preparing recorded audio before it is used to produce a record. For vinyl, the mastered audio is used to cut the grooves that ultimately become the pressing.

A code etched into the dead wax that identifies the specific pressing. Collectors use it to identify editions.

A measurement of material thickness (µm). The higher the number, the thicker the sleeve.

Mono combines audio into a single channel, while stereo uses separate left and right channels to create a wider soundstage.

A pressing fault where the vinyl doesn't fully fill the grooves, often causing a tearing or buzzing sound.

A clear protective sleeve fitted over the record jacket to protect the artwork and cover from scuffs, dust and shelf wear.

Boosts the very quiet signal from a turntable cartridge to a level your amplifier can use.

A record with an image printed into the vinyl itself.

The spinning surface the record sits on during playback.

The base of a turntable. It supports all the other parts and helps reduce vibration for steady playback.

A highly transparent plastic used for outer sleeves. Its crisp, clear finish keeps album artwork easy to see.

How records are made: hot vinyl is pressed between two metal stampers. It also refers to a specific production run, as in "first pressing".

Soft PVC sleeves can contain chemicals (plasticisers) that slowly migrate onto records over time. This can leave a hazy film on the surface and add noise during playback.

The plastic most records are pressed from. Soft PVC is sometimes used for sleeves, but it's generally avoided for long-term storage.

Sits on top of the record to hold it flat against the platter, which can help with slightly warped records.

A machine that wet-cleans records more thoroughly than cleaning by hand, removing dirt from the surface and grooves.

A system used to describe the condition of a record and its jacket. Common grades include Mint (M), Near Mint (NM), Very Good Plus (VG+) and Very Good (VG).

An outer sleeve with an adhesive flap that closes the open edge and can be opened and resealed between uses.

A common name for premium inner sleeves that include a paper layer for added structure. In Spincare Audiophile sleeves, the paper sits between two layers of HDPE, so the record only ever touches smooth plastic.

A circular mark or worn patch on a record jacket, caused by the outline of the record inside.

An inner sleeve with a curved bottom edge, which helps it slide into an album jacket or printed inner sleeve.

How fast a record spins. 33⅓ RPM is the standard for most 12" LPs. 45 RPM is used for 7" singles and some audiophile LP reissues. 78 RPM is the speed of older shellac records, made mostly before the 1960s.

Where a record jacket has torn along its edge. It's common on older jackets or records shipped without proper protection.

Scuffs and wear on a jacket's surfaces, edges and corners from storage and rubbing against neighbouring records.

Brittle records made from natural shellac resin, the standard format for the first half of the 20th century. They usually play at 78 RPM, hence the nickname "78s". They're best dry-cleaned, as some cleaning fluids can damage shellac.

Usually a 7" record with one or two tracks.

The natural pull of the tonearm towards the centre of the record while playing. Most turntables have an anti-skate setting to balance it.

When the stylus jumps out of the groove, often because of dust, damage, a warp or incorrect setup.

When an inner sleeve folds or catches as the record is pushed back into the jacket.

Records with decorative multi-colour effects pressed into the vinyl.

A traditional square-cut inner sleeve that sits neatly inside the record jacket.

The metal plate, made from the original master recording, that presses the grooves into the vinyl.

Electrical charge that builds up on a record, attracting dust and sometimes causing clicks and pops.

Dust, fibres and debris that collect on the stylus during playback and can affect sound quality.

The tiny tip that sits in the groove and reads the music.

Crackle or hiss from dust, static or wear, separate from the music itself.

The arm that holds the cartridge and stylus, and lets them follow the grooves.

The downward pressure the stylus puts on the record, usually between 1.5g and 2.5g.

A deep-cleaning method that uses sound waves in a fluid bath. It's popular with serious collectors.

Describes materials designed to give some protection against ultraviolet light, which can cause fading over time.

The weight of a vinyl record, usually measured in grams. Many modern LPs weigh around 140g, while 180g and 200g pressings are commonly marketed as heavyweight or premium vinyl. Heavier records can feel more substantial and may be less prone to warping, but weight alone doesn't determine sound quality.

The angle the stylus sits at in the groove, usually adjusted by changing the tonearm height.

When a record is no longer flat, so it rises and falls as it spins. It's usually caused by heat or poor storage.

Cleaning a record with a cleaning solution, by hand or with a machine, to loosen dirt from the surface and grooves.