Origin of turntable speeds

Netlist · 13th October 2007, 03:05 PM

I seem to recall a post or even a thread explaining the origin of turntable speeds but can’t find it.
I’m particularly interested how 33 1/3 rpm and 45 rpm have become standards and if and how they are related to each other.
Does anyone remember?

/Hugo

percival007 · 14th October 2007, 08:08 AM

Hi there,

see here for a pretty comprehensive explanation.

http://members.tripod.com/~Vinylville/spindoc.html

Cheers, Percy.

Glowbug · 14th October 2007, 08:19 AM

Those were the speeds the squirrels were trained to...

hailteflon · 16th October 2007, 05:10 PM

I recall reading more than once that the actual numerical rpm choices were the result of gear drives. Before the mid-40s the gear drive was common. 33, 45, and 78 are all whole integer gear ratios. I have never done the math. I assume that there was some sort of motor shaft/rpm standarad that they were stuck with.

33 rpm was already the standard for transcriptions and sound tracks. It is not the ideal speed for LP and has been a curse from day one due to the inner groove distortion.

Once again, I have never done the math. I read this. Mark

13th October 2007, 03:05 PM	#1
Netlist diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003	Origin of turntable speeds I seem to recall a post or even a thread explaining the origin of turntable speeds but can’t find it. I’m particularly interested how 33 1/3 rpm and 45 rpm have become standards and if and how they are related to each other. Does anyone remember? /Hugo

14th October 2007, 08:08 AM	#2
percival007 diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	Origin of Turntable Speeds. Hi there, see here for a pretty comprehensive explanation. http://members.tripod.com/~Vinylville/spindoc.html Cheers, Percy. __________________ "An AudioPhool and Proud of it!!"

14th October 2007, 08:19 AM	#3
Glowbug diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hillsborough, NC/McLean, VA	Those were the speeds the squirrels were trained to... __________________ Jim J.

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16th October 2007, 05:10 PM	#4
hailteflon diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006	I recall reading more than once that the actual numerical rpm choices were the result of gear drives. Before the mid-40s the gear drive was common. 33, 45, and 78 are all whole integer gear ratios. I have never done the math. I assume that there was some sort of motor shaft/rpm standarad that they were stuck with. 33 rpm was already the standard for transcriptions and sound tracks. It is not the ideal speed for LP and has been a curse from day one due to the inner groove distortion. Once again, I have never done the math. I read this. Mark

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