In this article, we will give you Five major reasons why vinyl is making a comeback.
Vinyl was dethroned by CDs in the 1980’s.
There was a visible decline in vinyl sales between the years 1988-1991.
Though collectors and audiophiles were the only ones left who bought this format, they stayed loyal which built that solid small market for the format.
The format never really went obsolete, because people still look, buy, and use them even in this generation.
But nobody expected it to boom!
During the pandemic, we saw the highest spike of vinyl sales where it finally surpassed CD sales.
So the question here is, why are vinyl records making a comeback?
Here are five possible reasons why.
5 Reasons Why Vinyl is Making a Comeback
Table of Contents
#1. SOUND QUALITY
According to some people and even audiophiles, vinyl records have a far more superior sound quality than digital audios altogether.
This may have been claimed by people due to the format being an analog one, where no musical information is lost since its grooves are the exact replica of the tracks’ soundwaves.
The vocals of the track are said to have more flavor and nuances when they are on vinyl than on CD.
However, some audiophiles don’t have the same sentiments as the others. For them, the difference of the two formats are negligible and barely noticeable.
Related Article:
Vinyl Mastering Guidelines & Tips to Get the Best Sound Quality
_________________________________________________________________
#2. COLLECTIBILITY
Thanks to the possibility of customizing vinyl records and their packaging, the format has become a fun item to collect.
Many times do people look for unique rare looking records that they could display in their homes.
When I say unique looking records I mean the records themselves. Some have different shapes or colors.
There are some that hold pictures and something within like glitters or liquid.
There are even glow-in-the-dark ones, and that’s what makes collecting them exciting.
That’s not the only thing they look for though.
The vinyl records’ jackets and inner sleeves are other collectible items that collectors consider in buying a vinyl album.
Related Article:
50 Of The Grooviest Glow In The Dark Vinyl Records
_________________________________________________________________
#3. LISTENING EXPERIENCE
Aside from the high sound quality it offers, another reason why it gives a different listening experience is that it’s a format that needs contact with something to create the sound.
Due to this, vinyl listeners need to take care of their vinyl records.
They have to handle it with care, remembering to hold them on the edges, clean them before and after playing them on the turntable, and storing them somewhere temperature and humidity is perfect for them.
This process itself makes the listening experience different, because it somehow involves the listeners in keeping the sound quality pristine.
Additionally, most vinyl records have two playable sides. Since records’ grooves need contact with a needle for sound to be produced, the listener will need to get up from their seat.
They have to flip the record to the other side and place it again on the turntable to hear the other half of the album.
This is something unique to vinyl records and that’s what makes it an even more engaging listening experience.
_________________________________________________________________
#4. OWNERSHIP
This is something that only physical albums can give because digital albums are not tangible.
So even if you buy the album, if it’s digital, there really isn’t any physical ownership unlike physical albums have.
With a physical album you can say, “I own a Taylor Swift album” which is not used with digital albums.
For digital albums you can only say, “I bought Taylor’s Fearless album on iTunes”. See the difference? “Own” versus “buy” and that makes a big difference.
_________________________________________________________________
#5. MORE BACK FOR BUCK
Last reason would be the value.
Just like houses and lots, vinyl records appreciate over time. The rarer they are and the older the pressing, the higher the value of the copy you have.
Of course, the vinyl record should also be in favorable condition for it to be sold at a high price.
Thanks to its tangibility, and the ownership that you are entitled to, you get to make a profit out of it.
All you need to do is buy a limited copy or first pressing copy, listen to it, take care of it, and wait for 5 years or more and try selling them online.
I’m pretty sure, newer fans of the artist would grab the chance to buy that from you.
With vinyl records, the listening experience is guaranteed to be different.
It also has a great sound quality and pleasing visuals, and it can be owned and sold for a bigger price.
No wonder fans are enjoying and loving the experience of listening and collecting vinyl records.
How about you? Are you now a vinyl convert?
_________________________________________________________________
James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD, custom vinyl records and merch company in LA.
