We put the new pocket-size vinyl format to the test—with mixed results
In an exciting development for music enthusiasts and collectors alike, the innovative Tiny Vinyl format has arrived, offering a fresh take on the traditional vinyl experience. Developed through a collaboration between a toy industry veteran and the world’s largest vinyl record manufacturer, these miniature 4-inch singles are not just a novelty; they are crafted using a process nearly identical to that of standard 12-inch LPs and 7-inch singles. Each Tiny Vinyl record features a standard-size spindle hole, plays at 33⅓ RPM, and can hold up to four minutes of music per side. This unique format aims to capture the charm of vinyl while appealing to a new generation of listeners and collectors who appreciate both the aesthetic and tactile qualities of physical music media.
This fall, Tiny Vinyl is making waves in the music industry by partnering with retail giant Target for a major launch, unveiling 44 exclusive titles that will be available throughout the end of the year. The format has already attracted attention from both emerging artists, such as The Band Loula and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, as well as established names like Blake Shelton and Melissa Etheridge, who have begun to explore its potential. To showcase the format’s capabilities, Tiny Vinyl provided promotional copies from a variety of artists, including former America’s Got Talent finalist Grace VanderWaal and the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Reviews of these records have highlighted their audio quality and unique appeal, with many collectors eager to add them to their collections.
In a hands-on experience, I tested several Tiny Vinyl records on an Audio Technica LP-120 turntable connected to a Yamaha S-301 amplifier, complemented by a pair of vintage Klipsch kg4 speakers. The sound quality was impressive, demonstrating that despite their smaller size, these records do not compromise on the rich, warm audio that vinyl enthusiasts cherish. As Tiny Vinyl continues to roll out its exclusive titles and gain traction in the market, it stands poised to redefine the vinyl experience for both new listeners and seasoned collectors. The intersection of music and nostalgia found in this new format is sure to resonate, making Tiny Vinyl a noteworthy addition to the ever-evolving landscape of music consumption.
We recently
looked at Tiny vinyl
, a new miniature vinyl single format developed through a collaboration between a toy industry veteran and the world’s largest vinyl record manufacturer. The 4-inch singles are pressed in a process nearly identical to standard 12-inch LPs or 7-inch singles, except everything is smaller. They have a standard-size spindle hole and play at 33⅓ RPM, and they hold up to four minutes of music per side.
Several smaller bands, like The Band Loula and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, and some industry veterans like Blake Shelton and Melissa Etheridge, have already experimented with the format. But Tiny Vinyl partnered with US retail giant Target for its big coming-out party this fall, with
44 exclusive titles
launching throughout the end of this year.
Tiny Vinyl supplied a few promotional copies of releases from former America’s Got Talent finalist Grace VanderWaal, The Band Loula, country pop stars Florida Georgia Line, and jazz legends the Vince Guaraldi Trio so I could get a first-hand look at how the records actually play. I tested these titles as well as several others I picked up at retail, playing them on an Audio Technica LP-120 direct drive manual turntable connected to a Yamaha S-301 integrated amplifier and playing through a pair of vintage Klipsch kg4 speakers.
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