Where can i find out what music devices where used in the early years such as a-tracks, cd, tapes, etc?

Question

i need to find out what music devices were used in the early 50's late 90's

Answer 1

"early years" is funny, since sound recordings have been around since the mid-1800s.
It started with wax cylinders. In the first half of the 20th century (say, 1900 - 1940) home music playback was performed through the Victrola -- a sometimes crank up music player (they were later electrified) with diamond needles that played hard, thick records at 78 RPM.
Later came the "LP" vinyl records that played at 33 RPM. They were cheaper to produce, higher fidelity, could contain more content, and lasted longer (because there wasn't a diamond needle on the vinyl surface). At the same time, in the 50s or so, the "single" or 45 RPM record also became popular (I believe, because of their cheap cost). These had the big hole in the middle and only had one song per side (the single, and the "B side").
Of course, LPs, 33 RPM records, are still popular with some people. Most major music companies discontinued their sale when CDs really became strong, but there are still some artists who prefer that "analog" sound that you get on a record.

In the 60s and 70s, high fidelity home entertainment systems became popular, so you had better drivers, speakers, and media (including the reel-to-reel tape players, which were bulky, expensive, hard to manage, but cool and "hi fi"). The transistor radio meant that radio could now be portable -- you didn't have the big thing in the middle of the living room, but you could listen privately by yourself.
70s brought 8 track tapes -- big, and bulky, but high fidelity (sort of like the reel-to-reel, but easier to manage and transport). These also were playable in cars. More portable music.
the 70s and 80s brought casettes -- recordable, portable (like the first walkmans) and cheaper than 8 tracks.

the end of teh 80s, and laser technology, brought the CD. The first truly digital consumer music players; quality shot up.

Of course, there were other media in and around these times, too. For example, there was Digital Audio Tape, which was used all the time by professionals but never caught on as a consumer good. Sony, in the late 90s -- introduced teh Mini Disk, another recordable disc format that also has been used by professionals (cheap media, portable, digital recording) but didn't catch on as a consumer piece (I don't think albums were ever really released on MD; sony just thought that you'd record your albums to MD and carry around 5 or so CDs worth on on MD).

And of course, the 21st century brought MP3s and the iPod.

Answer 2

Good Lord Man. I've had probably over 100. Everything from Record Players (You know those little 60's jobs for the 45's in a box) when I was a kid to My 30MB Ipod and home theater system for My PC now. I had a big Pioneer Home Stereo with tower speakers back in the 90's. Probably at least 15 Boomboxes in the 80's. Not even going into all My various and sundry Car Stereo rigs over the past 20 years. I remember the stereo I had in College. It had a cassette deck, a record player, and a 8 track player in it. I would lay in the floor and put the speakers about 4 feet from My head on both sides and listen to Pink Floyd and Yes. I probably wore out at least 10 Walkmans in the 80's Great Q Fonz

Answer 3

It's 8 tracks and 50s to 90s is a long span. Good Luck!

Answer 4

First were vinyl records, then 8-track tapes, then cassette tapes, then CD's.

Vinyl records remained popular through the 8-track era.

Answer 5

My dad used to play music on a reel to reel player...