On the record itself, songs are engraved so that low frequencies are cut in volume while high frequencies are boosted. The RIAA curve is an equalization filter applied to vinyl records and then corrected in record player amplifiers in such a way that the listener is never aware that any change has occurred. It’s extremely relevant and of importance to anyone that samples from records, creates remixes of old recordings, or just has an interest in the history of the studio recording industry. If you’re a rap beat producer, you especially need to read through this. In some cases you’ll continue working and never notice the problem. It’s easy to hear what’s going on but it’s even easier to think there’s a problem in your gear (if you aren’t using professional equipment). Without knowledge of this RIAA filter, things get whacky fast. It’s interesting to think about but one of the largest money-making genres in the music industry still uses turntables daily. This article starts as a history lesson that merges into an explanation of why this RIAA equalization still matters today. While the exact year is fuzzy, we accept that as the year that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) established the RIAA curve standardization for records and record players.

Today we’re going back, way back, all the way to 1954.

Riaa equalization audacity