 CD-4 logo | |
| Media type | Phonograph record |
|---|---|
| Encoding | Analog signal |
| Capacity | Four audio channels |
| Read mechanism | phono cartridge |
| Developed by | JVC, RCA |
| Usage | Audio storage |
| Released | 1972 |
Compatible Discrete 4, also known as Quadradisc or CD-4 (not to be confused with compact disc) was a discrete four-channel quadraphonic system for phonograph records. The system was created by JVC and RCA in 1971[1] and introduced in May 1972. Hundreds of recordings using this technology were released on LP during the 1970s.[2]
Other major record companies who adopted this format include A&M, Arista, Atlantic, Capricorn, Elektra, Fantasy, Nonesuch, Reprise and Warner Bros.[3]
This was the only discrete quadraphonic phonograph record system to gain major industry acceptance. A competing system, UD-4, was later introduced by Denon (Nippon Columbia).
In discrete quadraphonic systems, all four channels remain fully independent of each other throughout the entire recording and reproduction chain. There is no intermingling of channels as is done in matrix decoder 4-channel systems such as Stereo Quadraphonic (SQ) and QS Regular Matrix.
Though CD-4 and other quadraphonic technologies were not widely accepted by the public, CD-4 was responsible for major improvements in stereo phonograph technology. These improvements included phono cartridges with higher compliance, lower distortion levels, wider frequency range, and new vinyl compounds for records. Such new compounds included JVC's "Supervinyl", which was more durable than conventional materials, and Q-540, which was highly anti-static.
- ^ "Analog Quadraphonic Formats". analoglovers.com.
- ^ "RCA CD-4 QUADRADISCS". QuadraphonicQuad. 2019. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
- ^ "Quadraphonic Sound Reproduction". Reddiamond Audio. 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-12-17. Retrieved 2014-09-21.