If you’ve paid a visit to a music store recently, you may have noticed an increasingly large vinyl section. This isn’t just old vinyl the store is trying to unload, however, but new vinyl that has just been pressed. Classic albums are being re-released to reach a new generation, and many new bands are putting out special editions of their newest works on vinyl. To be sure, the current generation’s fascination with all things retro contributes to the recent explosion of interest, but there is more to vinyl than just the hipster retro factor.
The Sound
Any fan of vinyl knows that sound is all important. MP3s, while the current king of the musical world, have compressed sound that comes across as flat and lifeless. This may be adequate for someone blasting the latest pop hits on a pair of cheap earbuds, but for anyone who appreciates audio quality, the warmth and dynamics of vinyl — when played on quality speakers–presents an unparalleled audio experience.
The Look
Album artwork represents some of the most creative pieces of art of the 20th century and beyond. Soulless digital files rarely come with art included, and even compact disc cases are far too small to effectively display some of the fantastic artwork found on albums.
The Collectability
While so much entertainment today is presented in a solely digital format, some people have rediscovered (or discovered for the first time) the joys of tangible collections of music. The satisfaction of having a large physical collection of music can’t really be quantified, but those who collect know the emotional satisfaction of having their favorite music on display. Vinyl can be shared and passed down to later generations, though it is absolutely essential to care for a collection through proper handling, storage and a high quality record cleaner. . If you’ve paid a visit to a music store recently, you may have noticed an increasingly large vinyl section. This isn’t just old vinyl the store is trying to unload, however, but new vinyl that has just been pressed. Classic albums are being re-released to reach a new generation, and many new bands are putting out special editions of their newest works on vinyl. To be sure, the current generation’s fascination with all things retro contributes to the recent explosion of interest, but there is more to vinyl than just the hipster retro factor.
The Sound
Any fan of vinyl knows that sound is all important. MP3s, while the current king of the musical world, have compressed sound that comes across as flat and lifeless. This may be adequate for someone blasting the latest pop hits on a pair of cheap earbuds, but for anyone who appreciates audio quality, the warmth and dynamics of vinyl — when played on quality speakers–presents an unparalleled audio experience.
The Look
Album artwork represents some of the most creative pieces of art of the 20th century and beyond. Soulless digital files rarely come with art included, and even compact disc cases are far too small to effectively display some of the fantastic artwork found on albums.
The Collectability
While so much entertainment today is presented in a solely digital format, some people have rediscovered (or discovered for the first time) the joys of tangible collections of music. The satisfaction of having a large physical collection of music can’t really be quantified, but those who collect know the emotional satisfaction of having their favorite music on display. Vinyl can be shared and passed down to later generations, though it is absolutely essential to care for a collection through proper handling, storage and a high quality record cleaner.