What do "EP's" and "LP's" stand for?

Answer 1

Extended play (or EP) is the name typically given to vinyl records or CDs which are too long to be called singles but too short to qualify as albums. Usually, an album has eight or more tracks (anywhere between 25–80 minutes), a single has one to three (5–15 minutes), and an EP four to seven (or around 15–25 minutes). Some artists, especially in the days of vinyl, have released full-length albums that could fit the definition of a modern-day EP

Due to the large capacity of new media, the matter of how long an album or LP (Long play) should be is open to debate. According to the rules of the UK Charts, a recording counts as an album if either it has at least four tracks or lasts more than 20 minutes.[citation needed] Sometimes shorter albums are referred to as EPs, an abbreviation of extended play, "extended" meaning longer than a single. The term "mini-album" may also be used.

Answer 2

Vinyl record terminology...

EP: Extended Play
Was a way of promoting a new artist or an established artist with a teaser (and cheaper) release, usually 4 or 5 songs total, with 2 or 3 on each side.

LP: Long Play
Was a full release for an artist. Had 4 or 5 songs on each side, being an "album" of music, about an hour or so total.
Originally the term was used to distinguish between a "single" and an "album". There were players where you could stack around 8 discs and they would drop one at a time and play one side, then you could lift the whole stack, flip it over and play the other sides. Kinda funny when you think about it.

Anyway, a single had a song on each side and played on a record player at 45 RPM. The "hit" song was on the "A" side, and a lesser song was on the "B" side. Some DJ's became famous for playing B-sides, and a few artists ended up with extra "hits" just from the radio exposure of the b-sides.

Most EP's played at 33 RPM, the same as LP's.

Vinyl records are mostly enjoyed by audiophiles these days, some of whom insist on analog (tape) recordings and vinyl (record) pressings, with zero digital influence anywhere in the recording. They feel it sounds "warmer" and more natural than digital, and when you compare the very first CD's to these recordings, you can hear a difference. The current resolution for digital recording however, is higher than the originals, and sounds much more natural.

Also, you will see the term "virgin" vinyl on some older recordings and high-end recordings. The old records that didn't sell were sometimes brought back to be used again -- melted down and re-pressed. The only problem there was that they left the labels on the records and this introduced ash into the vinyl. Virgin vinyl is new and fresh vinyl, and is far less likely to have any pops or clicks in the first playings of the record.

There's your crash course in vinyl history. Hope you liked it... :)

Answer 3

EP: Extended Play, LP: Long Play

Answer 4

EP: Extended Playing (record)
LP: Long Playing (record)

Answer 5

I assume you are talking about records? Vinyl?

LP is Long Play and EP is Extended Play. Also for VHS tapes.

Answer 6

EPs were "Extended Play" vinyls. "LPs" were Long play vinyls.

EPs usually had four songs. LPs would have 10-12 songs

Answer 7

EP is Extended Play
and LP is (I think) Limited Play.

It's settings on your VCR as to how fast the tape records. If the tape runs slower (on EP) then you have a six hour video tape with low resoultion and clarity. LP makes that same tape a two hour tape with high clarity.

Answer 8

"EP" stands for extended play. It used to refer to the small records that had about four songs on them instead of just one on each side. More commonly today "extended play" refers to a song that is longer than the version played on the radio.

"LP" stands for long-play or long-playing, referring to a complete album.

Answer 9

Extended Play and Long Play

Answer 10

Long Play (LP) and Extended Play (EP) ... they were acronyms telling you how long the record would play.