surface noise

American  

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.

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surface noise British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of surface noise

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Galvanized by sound in yawning subterranean caverns, she made her calling “deep listening” as a way to overcome the world’s ever-increasing surface noise.

From Los Angeles Times

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

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