Ever drive past a record shop and wonder if anyone still listens? Many people listen to vinyl, and this is not just for the average collector. In the last few years, vinyl sales have outsold CDs by leaps & bounds!
Even though CDs have become less popular in recent years due to the many music platforms available, this doesn’t explain why so many people still prefer vinyl records.
What are the benefits of listening to vintage music?
1. Superior Sound
Emile Berliner, an inventor of the gramophone, invented vinyl in 1887. Although technology has advanced to reproduce sound, records have not changed much. This is due to their superior sound quality. You can buy vinyl records from online or physical vinyl store.
Vinyl has an analog sound that reverberates, creating a warm sound you won’t hear on any other medium. With a lossless format that doesn’t compress too much, the music and vocals sound more like live performances. Most songs are masterfully recorded with higher dynamics than digital or CD, allowing you to hear the full dynamic range.
2. Record Culture
Although you might not believe it, vinyl can bring you a culture. Audiophiles have been collecting and listening to vinyl for years. This has created a bond that they would never have known otherwise. This connection doesn’t only benefit boomers or hardcore collectors. Over 70% of the market comprises millennials aged 35 and under.
3. Physical Connection
You’ve probably heard it before: The digital world often disconnects us from our tangible connections. Vinyl is physical, and you can hold an album with a beautiful cover design. Vinyl allows you to feel a tangible connection with the music that you love in a way digital or CDs can’t.
4. Vinyl Experience
The experience is what sets vinyl apart. It’s as easy as a tap on a screen or clicking on a computer to access digital music. Vinyl allows you to feel the tactile experience of removing the vinyl from its sleeves, putting it on the turntable, and hearing the distinctive crackle.
This means that music should be your primary activity and not something you do in the background while you do other things. You can then relax and listen to your favorite tunes, and you will be transported to another place.
5. Music Ownership
You can download music to your phone or computer and have a collection of MP3s at any time, but that’s no way to replace owning vinyl records. Vinyl is a great alternative to streaming, as you don’t worry about files being accidentally deleted or corrupted.
You’ll always be able to listen to your favorite music if you own it. The best part is that you only have to pay once for the record and not with a monthly fee.
6. Longevity
Records can last for a very long time, unlike other media. Even records made in the 1930s can still be enjoyed today. A lot of vintage music isn’t yet digitally converted, so records are your only option to enjoy some of these old sounds.
Records are one way to connect with the past in a world full of changes and connections that seem fleeting.
7. Sell Value
Your record’s resell value doesn’t diminish no matter how you organize your space or change your musical tastes. Recordings are a good investment because they can be listened to for decades.
Don’t toss the records that your grandparents had in vinyl records. They can be sold for a substantial sum, or you could give them a chance.