How Did Wax Cylinders Work

The diaphragm is connected to a stylus and pressed into a cylinder covered in wax (or alternatively a thin layer of tin foil). When a handle is turned, the cylinder rotates and also moves very slowly along. The stylus pushes into the wax and, when the cylinder is rotated, cuts a groove.

How did they record on wax cylinders?

All cylinder recordings were acoustically recorded as were early disc recordings. From the mid-1920s onward, discs started to be recorded electrically which provided a much enhanced frequency range of recording. Also important is the quality of the material: the earliest tinfoil recordings wore out fast.

How did gramophones work?

The Gramophone Player Like other record players, gramophones read the sound with a small needle which fits into the groove in the record. That needle is attached to a diaphragm, which in turn is attached to a horn. … These vibrations are transmitted to the diaphragm, which itself vibrates, creating sound.