How do gramophones works?

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In summary, the Gramophone gains amplitude through the use of electronics attached to the turntable, specifically the phono preamplifier and power amplifier. In early sound reproduction machines without electrical amplification, horn technology is used to amplify the acoustics through acoustic impedance matching. This allows for a higher pressure and increased amplitude of sound.
  • #1
1832vin
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from what i see, only the vinyl disc is giving energy to the Gramophone; so how does it has a gain in amplitude?
does the shape has anything to do with it, because i notice the same thing with shells
 
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  • #2
1832vin said:
how does it has a gain in amplitude?

That's what the electronics attached to the turntable are for: the phono preamplifier and the power amplifier in particular. The signal that comes out of the phono cartridge itself (stylus and magnetic coil) is very weak.
 
  • #3
The original Gramophone, as per US patent 564586, used copper disks for reproduction. The stylus was mechanically connected to a diaphragm, that would vibrate and thus emit sound. The energy was stored in the spring, that rotated the disk and forced the stylus to undulate. The spring had to be wound manually.
 
  • #4
If you are inquiring about the early sound reproduction machines, such as the one featured in the famous picture of a dog looking into the horn of a phonpgraph, where there is no electrical amplification, then what is being used to amplify the acoustics is horn technology. You might be familiar with megaphones used by cheerleaders and those long horn type tubes used at soccor games - I forget the name of those things, and the bullhorn used at public address systems. Even the high frequency speaker or tweeter uses horn technology ( as does the woofer but there the absence of a noticible horn is the main feature )
The horn works by acoustic impedance matching. The sound reproduced at the narrow end is limited to a small area which gives a high impedance ( ie higher pressure ) for the reproduction. And as the sound moves through the horn it spreads out, and the wave pressure drops. If you remove the horn assembly and just try to listen to the needle scratching the surface, you will get an idea of why impedance matching is important.
 
  • #5


Gramophones work by converting mechanical energy from the vinyl disc into sound waves. The vinyl disc has grooves that are etched with a series of bumps and ridges, which correspond to the sound waves of the recorded music. As the disc rotates, a needle or stylus is placed in the grooves, causing it to vibrate back and forth. This vibration is then amplified by a diaphragm and transmitted through a horn or speaker, producing audible sound.

The gain in amplitude is achieved through a combination of factors. The shape and design of the horn or speaker play a significant role in amplifying the sound waves. The horn acts as an acoustic transformer, increasing the surface area of the sound waves and therefore increasing their amplitude. Additionally, the material and construction of the horn can also affect the amplification of the sound.

The shape of the vinyl disc can also play a role in the gain of amplitude. The bumps and ridges on the disc are carefully designed and placed to correspond to the sound waves of the recorded music. This allows for a more efficient transfer of energy from the disc to the needle, resulting in a stronger vibration and ultimately a higher amplitude.

Similarly, the shape of shells can also contribute to the amplification of sound waves. Shells have a curved and concave shape, which helps to focus and amplify sound waves. This is why we often hear a louder and clearer sound when holding a seashell up to our ear.

In summary, the shape and design of both gramophones and shells play a crucial role in the amplification of sound waves. By utilizing these shapes and designs, we are able to create a more efficient and effective method of converting mechanical energy into audible sound.
 

1. How does a gramophone produce sound?

A gramophone produces sound through a process called mechanical amplification. The needle of the gramophone picks up the vibrations from the grooves on the record and transfers them to a diaphragm. The diaphragm then amplifies these vibrations and sends them through a horn or speaker, producing audible sound.

2. How does a gramophone record sound onto a record?

A gramophone records sound onto a record through a process called sound recording. The sound is captured by a microphone and converted into electrical signals. These signals are then amplified and transferred onto a master disc via a cutting head. The master disc is then used to create a metal stamper which is used to press the grooves onto the vinyl record.

3. Why do gramophones use a needle to read the sound on a record?

Gramophones use a needle, also known as a stylus, to read the sound on a record because of the way records are designed. Records have tiny grooves that vary in depth and shape, and the needle is able to follow these grooves and pick up the vibrations that produce sound.

4. How do gramophones differ from modern record players?

Gramophones and modern record players work on the same principle of mechanical amplification, but they differ in their design and components. Gramophones use a needle and a horn or speaker to amplify sound, while modern record players use a stylus and an electrical amplifier. Modern record players also have features such as speed control and automatic tonearm movement, which are not present in gramophones.

5. Can a gramophone play modern vinyl records?

Yes, a gramophone can play modern vinyl records. However, modern records are designed to be played on modern record players, which have different settings and components. Playing modern records on a gramophone could result in poor sound quality or damage to the record and the gramophone itself.

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