Not sure how it works. I use my turntable daily and it is called a stylus not a needle.

Okay, did you ever do that thing with 2 tin cans and a piece of string. As you speak into one can, the vibrations caused by your voice get transmitted along the string down to the other can. It is then converted back to sound. A record works in much the same fashion. When Edison 1st invented it he used aluminium foil and a cylinder, He said the words " Mary had a little lamb " into a trumpet like cone which had a needle on the end. Just as the string carried the vibrations, the needle made them on the revolving cylinder, Thus when he put the needle back to the start, it repeated his words.
Modern decks are basically the same except they convert the vibrations into electrical impulses. In the same way the microphone in your mobile does. These are then electrically amplified and travel to your speakers where they are converted back into sound again. Things are further complicated by the use of stereo. This done by using not only side to side vibrations but up and down as well. so you can hear both channels. Many Hifi buffs will still prefer Vinyl to digital as it is analogue. This means you get the whole of the sound rather than an approximation of it. I don`t know if you have ever used a slide rule but that is an analogue calculator. Very out of date now but it will give you a true number for such quirky things like the square root of prime numbers. Try this on your calculator. Square root 2 and then square it back again. The answer will by 1.99999999.
When they process music into digital form. Some of the nuances of the sound are lost. Especially in mp3. Also much depends on the DAC (digital analogue converter) which is used. Some are only 12 bit as opposed to 16 bit, leaving even more sounds lost. A record gives you the whole sound all be it with the odd crackle.
I hope that explains things for you.

All I’m going to say about this post is THANKS FOR MAKING ME FEEL OLD!

[explainthatstuff.com]