Adorable vinyl gets an upgrade with Black Sabbath's release of a compact 4-inch single.
Introducing the Tiny Vinyl Revolution: A New Era for Collectible Records
In a world where vinyl records have long been a staple of music enthusiasts, a fresh innovation is shaking up the market. Tiny Vinyl records, approximately one-third the diameter of standard 12-inch LPs, are making waves as unique collector's items or promotional releases.
These adorable, miniature vinyl records, measuring around 4 inches in diameter, are the brainchild of Tiny Vinyl LLC, a startup based in Nashville, TN. They have designed these records to feel authentic, with jackets and art similar to 12-inch vinyl, making them an appealing addition to any collection.
One of the pioneers in this novelty format is electronic music maestro Luke Vibert, who has released an 11" single under his Wagon Christ alter ego in 1996. The latest development from Tiny Vinyl LLC sees the release of 4-inch singles, each limited to just four minutes of music per side.
These records are currently available at Target, offering music fans a chance to own a piece of this exciting new trend.
While major artists like Black Sabbath, Ghost, Motley Crue, the Rolling Stones, and Third Eye Blind have primarily released music on standard vinyl sizes, some special limited-edition or promotional 4-inch records associated with them may exist. For instance, Black Sabbath's 1970 classic Paranoid is amongst the first batch of releases in this new format.
However, precise discographies noting 4-inch records by these bands are not commonly documented in standard references and appear as rarities or custom pressings. If you are interested in a particular 4-inch release by any of these artists, it is likely a rare or fan-oriented collectible item, best found through specialty vinyl retailers or custom vinyl pressers.
It's essential to note that the playing speed for these tiny records is 33rpm on a standard turntable. Due to their small size, they have very limited playing time, typically just a minute or two per side.
The 4-inch vinyl records are a modern innovation, contrasting with the historically mass-produced formats that have dominated from the mid-20th century onward. Traditional vinyl comes mainly in 12-inch (LPs), 10-inch, and 7-inch (singles and EPs) sizes, developed from early disc formats dating back to the 1900s.
In recent years, special editions and promotional releases in the 4-inch format have gained attention, such as the 9-inch version of Nine Inch Nails' 1989 single Sin and the 3-inch records released for Record Store Day, including singles by The Beatles and the Beastie Boys.
However, it's important to remember that these novelty sizes do not conform to the typical mainstream sizes that have been historically dominant. The 4-inch records are usually played at 45 rpm, the common speed for singles and EPs, although the specific playing speed may vary for novelty or custom pressings.
In an interview with Billboard, Tiny Vinyl's creators, Neil Kohler and Jesse Mann, shared their thoughts about the product, expressing their excitement about the potential for these records to bring a fresh, exciting element to the world of vinyl collecting.
As the vinyl record market continues to grow, the introduction of Tiny Vinyl records adds a new layer of intrigue and collectibility, making them an exciting addition for any music enthusiast.
- Tiny Vinyl LLC, a Nashville-based startup, has released a new line of collectible records, dubbed Tiny Vinyl, which are approximately one-third the size of standard 12-inch LPs.
- One unique aspect of these records is that they are limited to just four minutes of music per side, making each one feel exclusive and limited.
- Major artists like Black Sabbath, Ghost, Motley Crue, the Rolling Stones, and Third Eye Blind have primarily released music on standard vinyl sizes, but some special limited-edition or promotional 4-inch records associated with them may exist.
- Music enthusiasts can find these Tiny Vinyl records at Target, or through specialty vinyl retailers and custom vinyl pressers.
- In an interview with Billboard, Tiny Vinyl's creators expressed their excitement about the product, and how it could bring a fresh, exciting element to the world of vinyl collecting.
- As collectible records continue to grow in popularity, the introduction of Tiny Vinyl records adds a new layer of intrigue and collectibility to the music and entertainment industry.
