What is an LP vs EP?

Back in the 20th Century, the term EP stands for Extended Play Record. It referred to a type of vinyl record that was played at a different speed than the standard play records (SPs and LPs). The difference between EP and LP is that an LP is 'Long Playing' and generally has more than 8 tracks.

What is an EP vs LP vs album?

LP - Summarized. To provide a quick recap: LP in music means Long Play and is a full length album. EP in music means Extended Play and is a half length album.

What does LP mean in music?

LP stands for 'Long Play. ' These are longer than EP's, originally needing two vinyl per release until the 33 1/3rpm 12-inch record was released. LP's can have 20+ songs on each release and the definitions can vary depending on who you ask.

What is a single LP?

By Brian Clark Last Updated: December 21, 2021. A single is a song that has been released, usually ahead of time, to promote an album in most cases. An EP stands for 'Extended Play' which is a half-length album released by a band or artist. An LP stands for 'Long Play' and it represents a full-length album.

Is EP and album different?

An EP contains four to six songs with a total running time of 30 minutes or less. An Album is a release that contains over 30 minutes of music, a continuous DJ mix, or six different tracks from the same artist.

Single, EP, LP, Album: What's the Difference?

Is vinyl and LP the same?

So, is vinyl and LP the same? LP means Long Play which refers to a full-length record. Vinyl is a word used now interchangeably with record or album. LP technically refers to the length of a record which can be between 10-12 songs.

Is 7 songs an EP?

If a product contains four to six songs, and has a total duration of 30 minutes or less, it is generally classified as an EP. Therefore, an album is typically seven songs and runs over 30 minutes. However, a three-track release can also be specified as an EP, if the artist or label nominate this as the product type.

Is an LP an album?

As music became available in digital formats, LP music soon referred to track numbers. In most cases, an LP album is a 10 to 12-track album. Similar to LP, many artists continued using the term “record” to describe or refer to an album even when they were only released on CD or digital recording.

Why do artists release singles before the album?

Artists at the major label level usually put out a single first, unless they're dropping one of those “secret” overnight albums. The lead single rallies the fans, gets press talking, and builds energy for playlists or radio.

Is 7 songs an album?

Albums can contain up to 100 tracks, and have a maximum duration of 2.5 hours. Any release with seven (7) or more tracks will be considered an album in iTunes; Any release that has one to six (1-6) tracks but is over 30 minutes will be considered an album in iTunes.

Is an EP a mixtape?

Shorter Mashup of Tracks vs. Longer Curated Song List. Second, a mixtape is a mashup of an artists' hits or a few tracks of new music. Due to their format, they are typically also more limited in length than albums are, falling into the category of an EP.

What is EP music?

“EP” stands for “extended play.” An EP is effectively a mini-album. It's a collection of songs that runs shorter than a traditional album but is longer than a double-sided (2-song) single. They traditionally have a tracklist between 3-6 songs, with a runtime under 30 minutes.

How many minutes is an LP?

A vinyl LP can hold over 40 minutes of music a side. But, the sound quality isn't good at all. So, to make a great sounding record I have to be concerned about the playing time, and how the music itself sets the parameters for sound quality.

Can an EP go platinum?

In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America, the organization that declares releases "gold" or "platinum" based on numbers of sales, defines an EP as containing three to five songs or under 30 minutes.

Can an EP have 10 songs?

An EP is considered 1-3 songs with one song of at least 10 minutes in length and a total running time of 30 minutes or less. Or an EP is considered 4-6 songs with a total running time of 30 minutes or less.

Why do artists release EPs?

What Is an EP Used For? Musicians release EPs for a variety of reasons, but they are most frequently used as promotional tools to grow a fan base. EPs often introduce new bands, keep interest in an artist alive between the release of full-length albums, or help promote a tour.

Why do artists put two songs in one?

These were often made for the jukebox – for one record with two popular songs on it would make more money – or to promote one artist to the fans of another.

Is it better to release singles or albums on Spotify?

Is it better to release singles before albums? Yes, I think new artists should focus on releasing singles instead of albums. It's much easier to get potential fans to listen to one or two songs than 30 to 60 minutes of music. A small band releasing a new album is not as newsworthy as established artists.

Why is music released on Fridays?

Releasing on a Friday gives popular artists the best chance to maximize their chart potential. Billboard tracks sales from Friday to Thursday each week, so a song or album released on a Friday has the advantage of being tracked for all seven days of the weekly cycle.

Should an EP have a theme?

Since you're putting these songs on the same release, aim for a consistent style. You may also want to have recurring themes in your lyrics to tie the songs together. The songs on an EP should feel like they belong together. Otherwise, you might as well release them as singles!

Is EP a mini album?

An EP is another name for a minialbum. The "extended" in "extended play" (hence EP) is in reference to the fact that it is longer than a single.

What is an SP record?

SP is short for Standard Play. Standard play allows you to record information onto the tape the way it was intended, with no quality loss. By default, VCRs and camcorders will record your footage as standard play. On a standard VHS tape, recording footage in SP mode will yield 2 hours of video.

What makes a song a single?

In music, a single is a type of release, typically a song recording of fewer tracks than an LP record or an album. One can be released for sale to the public in a variety of formats. In most cases, a single is a song that is released separately from an album, although it usually also appears on an album.

Can an album have 8 tracks?

In the latter case, here are some other classic albums featuring eight songs and no wasted moments: Born to Run, Ride the Lightning, Raw Power, Astral Weeks, Remain in Light, Kick out the Jams, Trans-Europe Express, Young Americans, Come on Pilgrim.

Can an album be less than 30 minutes?

From the Ramones self-titled debut in 1976 to Kanye West's ye, the best albums under 30 minutes span a variety of genres, not to mention eras. Even Bob Dylan—who wrote multiple songs over 10 minutes long—managed to squeeze an entire album in under 30 with Nashville Skyline.