What are the different types of recordings?
There have been many types of recording formats created during the past 125 years. Today we think of the CD as the state-of-the-art but it is not the only format collected. Next to the CD the other major format is the vinyl disc (“record”). These, mostly, come in two formats: the 45 (“donut”) and the 33 (“LP”). The number designation refers to the rotation speed during playback. Other formats are Cassette tape, popular especially during the 1970’s and the 1980’s as well as the 8-track, which was almost exclusively used in North America during the 1960’s and 1970’s and is now extinct. The other format that was very common, especially before 1950’s was the 78. The 78 is not playable on most modern hi-fi equipment and you require a gramophone (or electric version).
