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But if you wanted that type of sound, you could record it digitally. There is no reason why that type of sound has to come from a vinyl analog record. Is ther

But if you wanted that type of sound, you could record it digitally. There is no reason why that type of sound has to come from a vinyl analog record. Is there ?

coldtea 11y ago
And people DO do that: using several compression, old mikes, tube amps, EQing, recording techniques, etc to make digital releases sound like vinyl/low-fi of yore. In fact one of the hottest selling audio plugin categories are "tape saturation" (which mimic 2-inch tape distortions, not that far from mimicking vinul). E.g.: https://www.u-he.com/cms/satin https://www.u-he.com/cms/satin When it comes to vinyl, there's also other factors: the patina (crackle) etc, adds connection to the times you've played the record, the fragility and tactile feel, plus it's a physical, collectible artifact. Plus, at least for now, the fashion factor. While a audio-file collection will be useless in 20 years (already is with things like Spotify giving access to most music), a good condition LP will mostly increase in price. In 50 years? A current pressing could be worth $200 or more (especially since most bands do small 1000 units or less vinul pressings).
- vasilipupkin 11y ago
  I get that it's fashion. It just surprises me, given there is no reason for it, as far as the actual quality of the signal goes. I mean it's one thing if you are collecting antique vinyl from the 1930s or something. But collecting modern recordings just seems bizarre to me. I am not judging, I am just amused. Also, Spotify doesn't give you the same quality sound as an audiofile collection of CDs, due to compression
  - coldtea 11y ago
    >I get that it's fashion. It just surprises me, given there is no reason for it, as far as the actual quality of the signal goes. I think one way to see it is that it being in vinyl (with all the romantic, old-music-industry, analog etc ideas it conveys) is also part of the signal. As in, the signal is not the pure musical signal, but also the cultural one (the vinyl being emotional, nostalgic, romanticized, fashionished, fetishised, etc). >Also, Spotify doesn't give you the same quality sound as an audiofile collection of CDs, due to compression That's just a matter of time and better broadband connections. For most people, given their speakers/headphones quality, it's more than enough.
teh_klev 11y ago
To try and explain....it's like the difference between fake "stressed" furniture which inside is just mashed up Ikea woodchip with a veneer stuck to it and the real deal. There's also the joy and relaxation of kicking back and watching the vinyl spin on the table whilst playing, it's mesmerizing and hypnotic.
- coldtea 11y ago
  I guess that the world is split between fetishists (who enjoy the things for multiple levels) and functionalists (who enjoy them only for their core utility).
  - vasilipupkin 11y ago
    well, I enjoy album art and browsing for music and remembering where I got it - all the reasons cited for buying vinyl. So, it's not just the pure functionality for me, either. But you can get all those same things with CDs as well. So, I do find the vinyl fashion perplexing.
    - coldpie 11y ago
      I've been thinking about your question. I suppose one appeal for me is that I understand how vinyl works. Putting a CD in isn't that much different from hitting Play on your MP3 player: you queue up your song, hit play, and music just happens behind the scenes, you can't watch it. But with vinyl, you can see it in action. I occasionally just sit there and watch the needle and cartridge and tone arm move across the surface of the record, imagining how the tiny vibrations of the needle are transformed into electrical amplitude, increased by the amp and played out of speakers. It's fun and, today, novel to be able to understand a whole system like that and observe each part doing its task.
      - vasilipupkin 11y ago
        I see. Does that account though for the dramatic growth in LP sales. I mean is that why most people buy LPs nowadays?

But if you wanted that type of sound, you could record it digitally. There is no reason why that type of sound has to come from a vinyl analog record. Is there ?

coldtea 11y ago

And people DO do that: using several compression, old mikes, tube amps, EQing, recording techniques, etc to make digital releases sound like vinyl/low-fi of yore. In fact one of the hottest selling audio plugin categories are "tape saturation" (which mimic 2-inch tape distortions, not that far from mimicking vinul). E.g.: https://www.u-he.com/cms/satin https://www.u-he.com/cms/satin When it comes to vinyl, there's also other factors: the patina (crackle) etc, adds connection to the times you've played the record, the fragility and tactile feel, plus it's a physical, collectible artifact. Plus, at least for now, the fashion factor. While a audio-file collection will be useless in 20 years (already is with things like Spotify giving access to most music), a good condition LP will mostly increase in price. In 50 years? A current pressing could be worth $200 or more (especially since most bands do small 1000 units or less vinul pressings).

vasilipupkin 11y ago
I get that it's fashion. It just surprises me, given there is no reason for it, as far as the actual quality of the signal goes. I mean it's one thing if you are collecting antique vinyl from the 1930s or something. But collecting modern recordings just seems bizarre to me. I am not judging, I am just amused. Also, Spotify doesn't give you the same quality sound as an audiofile collection of CDs, due to compression
- coldtea 11y ago
  >I get that it's fashion. It just surprises me, given there is no reason for it, as far as the actual quality of the signal goes. I think one way to see it is that it being in vinyl (with all the romantic, old-music-industry, analog etc ideas it conveys) is also part of the signal. As in, the signal is not the pure musical signal, but also the cultural one (the vinyl being emotional, nostalgic, romanticized, fashionished, fetishised, etc). >Also, Spotify doesn't give you the same quality sound as an audiofile collection of CDs, due to compression That's just a matter of time and better broadband connections. For most people, given their speakers/headphones quality, it's more than enough.

teh_klev 11y ago

To try and explain....it's like the difference between fake "stressed" furniture which inside is just mashed up Ikea woodchip with a veneer stuck to it and the real deal. There's also the joy and relaxation of kicking back and watching the vinyl spin on the table whilst playing, it's mesmerizing and hypnotic.

coldtea 11y ago
I guess that the world is split between fetishists (who enjoy the things for multiple levels) and functionalists (who enjoy them only for their core utility).
- vasilipupkin 11y ago
  well, I enjoy album art and browsing for music and remembering where I got it - all the reasons cited for buying vinyl. So, it's not just the pure functionality for me, either. But you can get all those same things with CDs as well. So, I do find the vinyl fashion perplexing.
  - coldpie 11y ago
    I've been thinking about your question. I suppose one appeal for me is that I understand how vinyl works. Putting a CD in isn't that much different from hitting Play on your MP3 player: you queue up your song, hit play, and music just happens behind the scenes, you can't watch it. But with vinyl, you can see it in action. I occasionally just sit there and watch the needle and cartridge and tone arm move across the surface of the record, imagining how the tiny vibrations of the needle are transformed into electrical amplitude, increased by the amp and played out of speakers. It's fun and, today, novel to be able to understand a whole system like that and observe each part doing its task.
    - vasilipupkin 11y ago
      I see. Does that account though for the dramatic growth in LP sales. I mean is that why most people buy LPs nowadays?