Audio Format History

By TreyVMoore

  • The Phonograph

    The Phonograph
    First device to record sound. Sound transcribed onto a peice of paper. No way for playback, until 2008.

  • The Gromophone

    The Gromophone
    Analog sound storage. consisted of a flat dic with inscribed grooves for playback.

  • Reel To Reel

    Reel To Reel
    Form of magnetic tape that plays back audio using a reel and spindle.

  • Vinly Disc

    Vinly Disc
    Brought mainstream stereo playback and Hi Fi double sided record playing to light. Cover arts also became highly recognized.

  • Cassette Tape

    Cassette Tape
    Analog; 1/8 in. tape width; 1 7/8 . Was very popular throughout the 90s in Us.

  • 8 Track

    8 Track
    Magnetic tape sound recording that was highly marketed for car listening.

  • Compact Disc

    Compact Disc
    Sparked national debate of analog and digital comparisons. Still is the leading physical music record playing item today.

  • Mini Disc / ATRAC

    Mini Disc / ATRAC
    Sony's attempt to match CD quality but beat them in size. Represented the first sizeable use of a lossy digital format.

  • Mp3 File Format

    Mp3 File Format
    Brought digital music online and into our pockets. But aven at its highest quality of 320kbs, it was a step back from music clarity compared to analog and lossless.

  • AAC / DVD

    AAC / DVD
    Apple co-optd a new audio format (ACC) less compression than Mp3, Windows did the same with WMA format. Giving segway to their online stores. The Dvd and super Aduio CD also came into play, giving music sampling at higher rates and allowing for more channels.