Pocket-Size Vinyl Put to the Test: Our Verdict
▼ Summary
– Tiny Vinyl is a new 4-inch miniature vinyl format developed through a collaboration between a toy industry expert and the world’s largest vinyl manufacturer.
– The format is pressed similarly to standard vinyl, plays at 33⅓ RPM, and holds up to four minutes of music per side with a standard spindle hole.
– It has been adopted by various artists and is launching with 44 exclusive titles at Target this fall.
– The author tested the records on multiple turntables, including high-end and portable models, to evaluate playback across different hardware.
– Automatic turntables cannot play Tiny Vinyl records due to their small size, which prevents proper stylus placement and triggers automatic returns prematurely.
The world of physical music media has a surprising new contender: Tiny Vinyl. These four-inch singles are the product of a unique partnership between a seasoned toy industry expert and the planet’s foremost vinyl manufacturer. Using a production method almost identical to that of their larger 12-inch LP and 7-inch single cousins, these miniature records feature a full-sized center hole, spin at 33⅓ RPM, and can accommodate roughly four minutes of audio on each side.
Artists from various backgrounds are already embracing the format. You’ll find releases from emerging acts like The Band Loula and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, alongside established names such as Blake Shelton and Melissa Etheridge. For its major retail debut, Tiny Vinyl has teamed up with Target, with plans to roll out forty-four exclusive titles before the year concludes.
To evaluate the real-world performance, we tested several promotional copies provided by the company, including records from Grace VanderWaal, The Band Loula, Florida Georgia Line, and the Vince Guaraldi Trio. We also purchased additional titles from store shelves. Our primary listening setup involved an Audio Technica LP-120 direct drive manual turntable, a Yamaha S-301 integrated amplifier, and a pair of classic Klipsch kg4 speakers. For a broader perspective, we also tried them on a portable Crosley suitcase-style player and, just for fun, on a miniature RSD3 turntable designed for three-inch records.
The musical range available on Tiny Vinyl is impressively diverse, spanning hip-hop, rock, country, pop, indie, and even show tunes.
A significant limitation arises with automatic turntables. The four-inch diameter is practically the same size as the label found on a standard LP. Consequently, most automatic turntables are incapable of playing these small records. Their mechanisms are calibrated to place the stylus only on 12-inch or 7-inch records. Even if you could manually position the tonearm, the automatic return function would likely engage before the needle ever reached the grooves containing the music. While some higher-end automatic models offer a manual mode override, the vast majority are simply incompatible with this new miniature format.
(Source: Ars Technica)