In Defense of the Vinyl Record

Many people believe that vinyl records are a format that died in the 1990s. Contrary to that belief, vinyl records are alive and well. Sales of vinyl records have actually doubled in the last year. Even though vinyl sales are doing well, mp3 remains the most popular music format. Instant gratification is now the standard in music. Online music stores are always open and are ready to deliver whichever songs people desire to own. With the advent of speed and convenience come caveats. Mp3 files are compressed to ensure a small file size. As a result of the compression, quality is lost. Vinyl is a better music format than mp3 because it has superior sound quality, a more satisfying buying experience, and is a whole album rather than a single song.

Music is recorded in analog. When a new album is ready to be released, it is converted into digital format to be distributed via mp3. During this conversion of analog to digital, the music loses quality. The tracks are compressed; the high and low frequencies are cut out of the song. Vinyl records, however, are analog. Records have no compression, no filtration. It is the closest experience to being in the studio. Due to physical limitations, the listener will hear the occasional hiss and pop that adds warmth to the listening process. Many people choose mp3s over records because the mp3 is portable. New vinyl records will often include a digital download of the album in mp3 format, so that people can have the superior quality of a record with the portability of an mp3.

The whole experience of listening to an album has been distilled. What was once a special occasion to hold the twelve-inch record in hand has been reduced to the click of a mouse. There was a time when album artwork was larger than half an inch on an iPod screen. Buying an album used to be special. Vinyl records have that certain nostalgic experience when purchased. They offer large artwork complete with intricate details that go unnoticed on a small screen.

Another aspect of music that goes unnoticed today is the album itself. With the advent of iTunes and a pay-per-song pricing plan, the album has seen a decline in popularity. Often, a band will release an album; receive airplay for the singles they have chosen; yet the rest of the album is ignored. An album is a complete work of art. No one would rip a chapter out of a book, yet people skip over songs on albums all the time. Many people will overlook amazing albums if they already have the single. Vinyl records offer all of the tracks on an album, not just the ones played on the radio.

Vinyl records have been around for a long time. They have stood the test of time, and continue to sell every year. They have an uncompressed sound that is superior to that of an mp3. Buying vinyl records is a fulfilling experience compared to clicking a mouse. Records also provide the chance to listen to an entire album rather than just one single. When looking for a way to experience an album in all of its glory, vinyl records are worth the money.