surface noise

noun

, Audio.

1. extraneous noise caused by physical wear or a physical flaw on a phonograph record or in a pickup system, rather than by a flaw in the equipment.

surface noise

noun

1. noise produced by the friction of the needle or stylus of a record player with the rotating record, caused by a static charge, dust, or irregularities on the surface of a record

Word History and Origins

Origin of surface noise¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Often what I hear beneath my desire’s surface noise isn’t problematic, only human: the vulnerability in having a life tangled up with others.

From New York Times

I treasured wear-and-tear; trusted damage and distress; and savored the authenticity of tape hiss and surface noise.

From Washington Post

A brittle material, shellac became outmoded around 1960 as it often creates unusual levels of surface noise and can quite literally break apart in your hands if not handled appropriately.

From The Verge

Garden Street was bleak, save for the aural sunbeam of Aretha singing through the surface noise of well-worn vinyl, assuring us that God would take care of everything.

From Salon

For one thing, there is no surface noise, since the laser reads only the numbers, not any dust or grime on the disc’s laminated surface.

From Time