Collecting vinyl records is the new cool. But with all the different releases, special editions, and limited edition releases available on vinyl, it’s hard to know what to search for.
This article will explore how you can start your very own vinyl collection by discussing what you need to know before doing so. We’ll also go over some of the many ways that collecting records can benefit you in terms of comfort and enjoyment.
But first, let’s talk about the basics. What is vinyl?
What Is A Vinyl Record?
A vinyl record is a phonograph record with an analog audio recording on it. These recordings are stored on the record in analog form and then played back by an audio turntable connected to a receiver or amplifier.
Vinyl records have had several different iterations throughout the years, but they’ve essentially always looked the same.
Why Are Vinyl Records Still Popular?
You might be wondering why vinyl records are still popular. After all, CDs and digital music files can store and play back audio files at near-miraculous speeds, but they don’t capture the fact that listening to music on a vinyl record is a truly unique experience.
While the sound quality of digital music files isn’t bad, people enjoy listening to their favorite albums as they used to be released on vinyl just because it feels more natural.
That’s why vinyl is still as popular as it is, even though the format has been replaced by other digital formats.
Why Would Anyone Want To Collect Vinyl Records?
If you think about it, having a collection of vinyl records can do wonderful things for you in terms of your enjoyment and comfort. And the best part is that there’s no real reason to buy all of these records except for your own personal satisfaction.
If you love music and enjoy listening to it on a vinyl record, then there’s no real reason that you shouldn’t start collecting records instead of CDs or digital music files.
See the History of the 45 rpm Record
Here are the reasons you should know before starting collecting vinyl records:
Why should I buy vinyl?
Vinyl records are pretty much the pinnacle of the music industry. They are superior to CDs because of their beauty, their packaging, and their physicality. But the aesthetics are just a part of why vinyl records are great. The act of listening to music in a physical object, such as a record, gives you the opportunity to focus your attention on a particular side of the album at a time.
I know vinyl is analog, but what does that mean, exactly?
This is the reason that analog sound recordings are so much more appealing than digital recordings. The analog signal is continuous, which means that the varying part of the signal is a representation of another time-varying quantity. The groove of a vinyl record is like a drawing of the sound wave in a single continuous line through the entire side. Your turntable essentially reads that and decodes it in real time, which results in the sound you hear from the speakers.
Does analog and vinyl really sound better than digital media?
Sometimes. It depends on a lot of factors, and most of them have to do with the quality of your turntable, amplifier, and speakers, and we’ll get to that stuff in a little bit. If you’re listening to a vinyl record, CD, or high-quality digital file of the same song on a good stereo system, you probably won’t notice a lot of difference between what you’re hearing unless there’s a problem with the actual physical media — scratches, dust, defects. There have been many studies that show that the untrained ear can’t discern these differences, and that those who favor one format have a confirmation bias based on their preferences or values going into the test.
Why do people like the sound of vinyl so much?
There are a lot of reasons. The sound quality is great, and that’s one of the primary reasons people like it. But it also has to do with the way the vinyl sounds in your hands! That’s where the unique physicality of vinyl comes into play.
The overall quality of vinyl records and analog recordings can be attributed to a number of factors, including the sound of the needle hitting the vinyl, the structure of the record, and the fact that analog recordings can capture a much broader dynamic range than digital recordings. Analog recording is less detailed than digital recording. The gaps in data result in a slight abstraction of sound that is often very pleasing to the ear. You get a very similar difference between images captured on film as opposed to digital cameras – purely digital recording can feel too precise, cold, and clinical, and lose the “warmth” and humanity many people associate with analog technology.
Is Getting Into Collecting Vinyl Expensive?
This will come down to personal tastes and your desired outcome. I should tell you that if you want to get into collecting rare vinyl records, it can be very expensive. If you’re looking to buy or start a collection of your own, here are some things that you should know before getting started:
What Are You Going To Buy
You’re going to have to decide what it is that you want to buy first. When I was younger and got into collecting vinyl records, I only focused on buying promotional records, cover variations and first pressings of my favorite LPs.
See also: Must Have 45s for Your Record Collection
The reason for this was simple: I didn’t have a lot of disposable income, so I had to buy what would give me the most entertainment for my money. Promos are usually the best place to start when you’re collecting vinyl records because they are generally cheaper than other records and are often limited in their production.
How Much Are You Going To Spend
When I got into collecting vinyl records, my girlfriend started calling me “Bill” because I started spending hundreds of dollars on records every time I went to a show or the record store. The first record that I ever bought was The Beatles’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, it was pretty expensive record for me at the time (It still is, in fact).
That is the reason why I said that a lot of people who start collecting vinyl records end up spending a lot of money. You can get some really nice albums, but they are generally very expensive and there are plenty of other beautiful records you can get for just a few dollars.
Where Can You Buy Vinyl Records?
If you’re going to buy your vinyl records online, then I recommend eBay. A lot of people use it to sell merchandise and will also buy your vinyl records there.
The bottom line is that vinyl record collecting is a hobby that you can be passionate about, as long as you have a dedicated space in your home to house your collection. I love collecting vinyl records, but I don’t really buy them all the time.
Conclusion
Music is one of the most important things in the world. It has to be heard and enjoyed. The experience shouldn’t be limited to just one kind of technology, culture, or art form. Vinyl records are a testament to that belief. Vinyl records are still the preferred method of audio playback for music lovers and people who value the tactile experience of listening to music.
You can enjoy the same quality of vinyl records at a fraction of the price when you go for used ones. I hope you enjoyed this article. Please share to your friends to share some vinyl love. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.