What ever happened to vinyl records?
Remember when your favorite band released a brand new album and how excited you were to buy it and listen to it? The album cover was as much a part of the experience as the music itself. The one album I remember the most, was Candy-O by the Cars. Brilliant graphics and awesome music.
Currently, vinyl records are on a come back. New music and previously released music are now being offered on vinyl as well as digital platforms. Used music stores are a go to for searching out vinyl editions, that have not been out for years. Record players are also once again available for purchase, after many years of being off the market.
So why are vinyl records on a come back? Maybe it’s the listening experience. There are people on both sides of the divide in terms of which provides a better listening experience. On the one side, you have digital music (CDs and Streaming) and on the other, you have analog and vinyl. Some people feel vinyl offers a warmer, more realistic listening experience.
Digital music (think birth of the CD) was created to solve all the inherent flaws in analog music. What are the flaws? The speed of the tape used to record the music would sometimes vary. Hiss or noise was sometimes introduced into recording and production process. Cutting and splicing a tape, during the editing process required great skill and patience. These flaws would then naturally transfer to the vinyl record, during the manufacturing process.
Digital music creation is much easier and less expensive than analog music creation. It has also enabled Indie artists like myself, to record and produce our own music without the cost of expensive equipment and a large studio. It only requires a digital audio workstation and a PC. Interestingly enough, artists now have the ability to create vinyl records with a small production run through Disc Makers which is kind of cool. I’ve not gone there yet, but maybe someday. Have an awesome day. Cheers!