In today's world, the most common way to enjoy music is through digital streaming. This method has its pros and cons, but the most beneficial thing is that digital music is easily available, which is why it is so popular. However, there is another category of music lovers who prefer the classical way of listening to music. They claim that this is the best way to listen to music. I am talking about people who are madly in love with vinyl records and prefer them over digital streaming music.
Although vinyl records are not commonly used, they cannot be ignored due to their specialty. Today, we are going to discuss vinyl records and try to decode the reason for their existence. A vinyl record is a flat disc that stores analog sound. It's also known as a record, gramophone record, or just vinyl.
The first vinyl was launched commercially in 1930. Vinyl records are available in various sizes, such as 7 inches, 10 inches, and 12 inches. The 12-inch records are widely used due to their benefits. This record size offers better dynamic range, which improves overall sound quality.
It started with a 7-inch record but it has shorter playtime usually up to 6 minutes per side whereas a 12-inch record can play up to 20 minutes of music per side which is suitable for longer recordings.
Let's explore the different types of Vinyl records available
1) LP Vinyl records: Long Playing Vinyl records are the most commonly used. These are 12 inches in diameter and can record a greater number of minutes, making them suitable for albums and long recordings.
2) EP Vinyl: Extended Play Vinyl records are smaller in size, usually 7 and 10 inches. Before the rise of 12-inch records, these EP Vinyl records were popular, peaking in the 1930s due to their smaller size, which made them more portable.
3) Some other types of Vinyl discs are flat discs and colored Vinyl, but they are less popular compared to LP. Flat discs are almost obsolete due to their low durability.
What device is used to play vinyl records?
Phonographs, gramophones, and turntables are all devices used to play vinyl records. The phonograph is the oldest of these devices, which was later modified and became known as the gramophone.
Although many people use the terms "record player" and "turntable" interchangeably, they are not the same thing. The turntable is actually just one part of the record player setup. We will discuss these in detail in the future, but for now, it's worth noting that turntables fall into two major categories: belt drive turntables and direct drive turntables.
Vinyl record Vs digital
The most crucial part of this article is understanding the difference between vinyl and digital music. Why do some people still prefer vinyl records over digital music? Whatever the reason may be, one thing is for sure - vinyl records are gaining popularity again.
According to a report, almost 30% more records were sold in 2020 compared to the past. This indicates that people are showing more interest in listening to vinyl records. But what is the reason behind this trend? My guess is that these people are audiophiles who are madly in love with high-quality audio.
The most obvious reason for preferring vinyl over digital music is that you get an analog copy of the sound with the vinyl recording, which are the original sound waves. These sound waves were recorded by the artist and when you listen to vinyl, you get almost the same sound waves.
This means that you feel like you are actually present in the recording studio or live concert. However, don't take my word for it. What I mean to say is that when you hear vinyl, you actually listen to analog sound waves, whereas digital music is in binary language or the language of 0 and 1, which means that it is the transformed original sound.
Many audiophiles argue that vinyl produces a warmer sound compared to digital, and that's the reason they prefer vinyl records over digital music. In my opinion, it's a personal choice and we can't argue on that.
You may have a different taste than mine, and we both aren't wrong, but I think vinyl has a rich history, and many people feel nostalgic while listening to music with vinyl records. You might have seen on television in a classical movie, a rich man playing a gramophone and listening to a vinyl record by pressing a stylus on the record.
So, it's mostly an emotional part than any technical aspect being involved, but don't you think it's not that much convenient to store or preserve vinyl records? My honest opinion is yes! It's a little bit challenging to keep vinyl records in a fine state. Over the period, they also lose quality due to frequent wear and tear they have to face while playing them with a needle.
Is it worth buying vinyl records?
When it comes to the question of whether it's worth buying vinyl records, there are pros and cons to consider. Those who love vinyl records have their reasons for buying them. Here are some reasons why some people say it's worth buying vinyl records.
1) Vinyl records capture audio signals in analog form, which reproduces a better and warmer sound.
2) Collecting vinyl records and listening to them on a record player connects people to the rich history of music, and they can actually feel that history through collecting the records.
3) Some people believe that collecting vinyl records can be a profitable business. There are still many audiophiles who search for old records and are willing to pay good money to obtain them. If you have a collection of vinyl records, you can earn a handsome profit by selling them.
When it comes to vinyl records, there is no right or wrong answer. It's like asking which music genre is the best or what type of music you love. Some people believe that classical is the best, while others love pop or hip hop. Similarly, it's debatable whether digital streaming or playing vinyl records is better. It's completely a personal preference, and everyone should respect the choices of others.