LP vs. 45 vs. Japanese Pressing: A Beginner's Guide to Vinyl Formats

Starting a Vinyl Collection? Start Here.

Walk into any record store and you'll run into the same three categories over and over. LPs, 45s, and, if the shop knows what it's doing, Japanese pressings. Here's the real difference between them.

LPs

The standard 12 inch record, spinning at 33 and a third. A full album per side, sequenced the way the artist meant it. If you want the whole listening experience, this is the format. Our LP collection covers pretty much every genre we carry.

45s

A 7 inch single, usually spinning at 45 RPM, one A-side and one B-side. Collectors like them for rare non-album tracks and early pressings of songs that got famous later. There's also just something satisfying about the format itself. Our 45s are worth a dig if you're building a singles crate.

Japanese pressings

These have a reputation for a reason: tighter manufacturing, often heavier vinyl, and that obi strip running down the spine of the sleeve. If sound quality and collectibility matter more to you than grabbing the cheapest copy on the shelf, start here.

Our Japanese Pressing section is one of the deeper ones you'll find in Miami. If you're new to collecting, start with LPs in a genre you already love. Once you know what you're chasing, 45s and Japanese pressings get a lot more fun to hunt for. Browse what's currently in stock in New Arrivals.