Common questions

What is a 45 rpm record adapter called?

What is a 45 rpm record adapter called?

45 rpm spindle adapter
A 45 rpm adapter (also 45 rpm record insert, 45 rpm spindle adapter, 7-inch adapter or spider, the common size of 45 RPM records) is a small plastic or metal insert that goes in the middle of a 45-rpm record so it can be played on the standard size spindle of a turntable.

Why do you need a 45 rpm adapter?

It is a small metal or plastic piece that is placed in the center of a 45 rpm record. The adapter allows for the record to be played on a turntable’s 78 rpm or LP size spindle. Some 45 rpm adapters are diminutive solid circles that slide onto the spindle’s bottom. Others are larger and fit over the full spindle.

Why did 45s have a big hole?

A larger hole allowed the sudden rotational forces to be distributed over a greater distance (π x 1.5; about 4.712 inches), reducing wear and allowing the hole to stay rounder longer. This was especially important for the jukebox industry. In the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s, jukeboxes were big, big business.

What was the first 45 rpm?

PeeWee the Piccolo
The first regular production 45 rpm record pressed was “PeeWee the Piccolo” RCA Victor 47-0146 pressed 7 December 1948, at the Sherman Avenue plant in Indianapolis, R.O. Price, plant manager.

Who invented the 45 adapter?

Thomas Hutchison
These inserts, commissioned by RCA president David Sarnoff and invented by Thomas Hutchison, were prevalent starting in the 1960s, selling in the tens of millions per year during the 45’s heyday.

When was the 45 RPM adapter invented?

1950
The company first unleashed its 45 RPM adapter on the buying public in 1950, right in the middle of the Columbia/RCA speed wars of the 1940s and 50s. Columbia introduced the 12” 33 RPM LP to consumers whereas RCA opted for their own patent: the 7” 45 RPM Record.

Are 45rpm records better?

Since 45s travel faster than 33s, more waveform definition can be squeezed into the format, which takes up more room. More bumps and grooves created in pressing a 45 means better audio quality. Now, at 45 RPM’s the same audio will take up a foot and a half since its traveling faster.

Why were small records called 45s?

Despite using the same microgroove technology, 45s were often called ‘singles’ because each side normally held just one song. Since these vinyl records often stored popular radio hits, they also found their way into jukeboxes back in the day.

When was the 45 rpm records introduced?

1949
1949: The 45-rpm record is introduced by RCA. Can rock ‘n’ roll be far behind? Flat disc records began replacing the cylinder for reproducing recorded sound as early as 1887. The original standard, what we know as the 78, had a 10-inch diameter disc with a rotational speed of between 75 and 80 rpm.

When was the 45 rpm record introduced?

While this may sound clunky or cumbersome, vinyl 45s commercially introduced in 1949 by Camden’s RCA Victor revolutionized the music industry. They sounded better than shellac 78s, lasted longer and tended not to shatter if dropped.

What does a 45 rpm record adapter do?

The 45 revolutions per minute (rpm) adapter for records has much more of an interesting history than most assume. It is a small metal or plastic piece that is placed in the center of a 45 rpm record. The adapter allows for the record to be played on a turntable’s 78 rpm or LP size spindle.

What was the first 45 rpm record made out of?

The first 45 rpm inserts were introduced by the Webster-Chicago Corporation, also known as Webcor. They were made of solid zinc, difficult to insert into a record and almost impossible to remove without breaking the disc. A differently shaped, but similarly difficult-to-use metal adapter was made by Fidelitone.

Can a 45 rpm record be played on a turntable?

The SX2. A 45 adapter designed for professional DJs. A 45 rpm adapter (also 45 rpm record insert, 45 rpm spindle adapter, or 7 inch adapter, the common size of 45 RPM records) is a small plastic or metal insert that goes in the middle of a 45-rpm record so it can be played on the LP or 78 rpm size spindle of a turntable.

What kind of adapter did Capitol Records use?

A differently shaped, but similarly difficult-to-use metal adapter was made by Fidelitone. Capitol Records for a time produced what they called “Optional Center” or “O.C. 45” records. These had a triangular section molded in with an LP-size spindle hole that could be punched out for playing on 45 rpm spindles.

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Ruth Doyle