Re:Vinyl LP Frenzy Brings Record-Pressing Machines Back to Life
by vasilipupkin on Wednesday September 16, 2015 @09:59AM
(#10226600)
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
Re:Vinyl LP Frenzy Brings Record-Pressing Machines Back to Life
by coldtea on Wednesday September 16, 2015 @10:04AM
(#10226644)
>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.
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
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).