Audio Recording Devices Over The Years

Audio recording devices have been created in a variety of different ways and formats over the years. Over time, the methods have allowed for mixing, altering the speed and pitch of the sounds and created smaller, more efficient devices. In the early days, just capturing the acoustical sound was a huge accomplishment. Early machines were quite large and cumbersome. As the years have marched on, techniques have improved and the sizes of the devices have gotten much smaller and compact. Here are some examples of the progression.

- Acoustical: An acoustical method was one of the earliest for music. With this technique, the sounds were captured by a mechanism that consisted of a diaphragm, needle and a cone.

- Phonautogram: This machine was invented by Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville in the mid 1800s. This mechanism recorded sounds but couldn't play them back right away. It consisted of a metal plate, paper and an engraving device.

- Phonographs: A phonograph is similar to the Phoautogram only in an improved version. The phonograph was created by Thomas Edison. It was made of tin foil and a needle on a stylus.

- Gramophone: The gramophone was invented by Emile Berline in the late 1800's. This machine created grooves on a disc's flat side in order to create the recording of the sound. This was called a gramophone record and was an early version of the LP record albums that evolved later.

- Electric recordings: Instead of diaphragms and cones, electrical devices emerged in the 1920's and 1930's. Electrical devices created a more realistic recording and introduced the use of microphones to capture the sounds.

- Magnetic recording: Magnetic wire and tape became popular for both voices and dictation in the music, office and secretarial world. This was a time period when amplification and splicing could be achieved.

- Multitrack: Multitrack devices began as 2-track, then 4-track and evolved into 8-tracks. Automobiles began to have 8-track players so that motorists could listen to tunes while driving. These were rather large and clunky but were revolutionary and amazing for the time period.

- Cassettes: Cassettes are much smaller versions of the multitrack tapes that could be listened to in cars or at home. These could still become tangled but they were much more convenient than the larger multitracks.

- VCRs: VCRs are recorded tapes that have both image and sound and can be played at home or in office buildings. Viewers would have to rewind them after a movie was over but they were still quite useful. These devices, though becoming archaic, are still around.

- CD: CD stands for compact disc. These are small metallic discs that play the music or books that is recorded on them.

- DVD: A DVD is a metallic disc that looks similar to a CD but plays a movie complete with imagery and sound. They can be purchased, checked out of the library or ordered through the mail via Netflix or other such companies.

Audio recording devices have come a long way over the years. In the early days, just capturing the sound was revolutionary. Today, gadgets and machines are more efficient and realistic and the technology continues to progress.