Twenty Thousand Hertz cover image

Twenty Thousand Hertz

From Vinyl to Streaming: How music formats shaped our world

Jun 21, 2023
29:42

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The evolution of recorded sound from the phonograph to streaming involved various formats such as tinfoil cylinders, wax cylinders, disc records, magnetic tape, 8-tracks, compact cassettes, CDs, and MP3s, each offering different features and benefits.
  • While MP3s currently dominate music streaming, the rise of lossless formats indicates a growing appreciation for superior audio quality, with advancements in storage technology making lossless audio more accessible and comparable to advancements in video quality.

Deep dives

Evolution of Recorded Sound: From Phonographs to Magnetic Tape

The podcast explores the evolution of recorded sound, starting with the invention of the phonograph in the 1860s. The phonograph visually recorded sound on paper but couldn't play it back. Thomas Edison later introduced tinfoil cylinders that could be played. Wax cylinders and then disc records gained popularity. The advent of magnetic wire and tape revolutionized recording, with magnetic tape offering longer recording times and better sound fidelity. The introduction of 8-tracks and compact cassettes provided portable and affordable options. CDs replaced tapes, followed by MP3s, although they sacrificed quality for convenience.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner