Why are people buying vinyl records in 2021?
It used to be the only way people could listen to their favourite music at home was using a record player and a vinyl disc. Those days are long gone now, and the rise of digital gives people access to thousands of albums and songs on demand anytime they want.
But through all this vinyl hasn’t gone it’s making a comeback with almost 27% of album sales being a result of vinyl purchases in the US alone in 2020. It’s not just America, in the UK the record stores are filling up with new customers and vinyl exclusive events an ever-common trend on our high streets. With all this going on we thought we’d look at why more people are listening to vinyl, any recommendations we have for new people getting involved and talk about some of the best places to buy in our city!
Why Vinyl?
A common argument for vinyl over digital for years has been the superior sound quality a wax record offers its listeners. However, with a new wave of young listeners getting in on the scene of this vinyl crazy is it still for the same reasons? We asked a number of vinyl collectors why they are switching over to LP’s and there were several different answers!
Collecting
Some people are just mad about collecting! Everyone enjoys music and with so many events such as record store day where vinyl albums get pressed on limited run pressings it’s no surprise people buy just to collect these rare editions of their favourite artists. Some people we spoke to collect vinyl albums without even having a record player.
Support Artists
Another factor and people supporting their favourite artists. It’s been said that music artists don’t get much of a cut when it comes to the music streaming services plays of their tracks. A number of collectors buy vinyl as a way of support, with a larger cut of the purchase of an album going back to the artist.
The Sound
As mentioned above many people state they hear a clear superior quality when listening to their favourite albums on vinyl. Some don’t say the sound quality is necessarily better but simply they prefer it. The sound of the needle drop and slight crackle noise that plays over tracks add to the album as a whole and give warmth to the listening experience.
The Ritual
One thing that comes up a lot in the vinyl community is vinyl brings a physical presence and ritual to music you can’t get with digital. One person stated they loved their record because they can hug their music! It’s the routine of care that surrounds playing a record, taking it out the sleeve being careful to not touch the grooves lining up the needle. The process is just as enjoyable as the music itself.
The Look
Another common reason is simply just the look and style of records with an old-fashioned appeal and retro aesthetic. As this vinyl trend grows more and more classic albums are getting reissues, but not just a regular reissue. Colour variants are taking over. Splatter vinyl, marble vinyl, glow in the dark the list goes on. People are getting more and more obsessed with the look and colour of the vinyl just as much maybe even more then the sound. Even the record players themselves are getting more and more distinctive with new wacky designs.
Tips & Recommendations
It can get a bit complicated setting up a record player, but YouTube has a great number of video’s available for people to make sure you’re setting up your player right. The simplest way of putting it is you need four components to play a vinyl record. A turntable, an amp, a receiver, and speakers. But don’t worry if that sounds like a lot some parts are bunched together and some are even an all-in one design so you can just plug and play! You can spend anything from £75 to £1,000+ on a player set up but as with anything the more you spend the better the quality will get so find a balance that right for your wallet.
You will have to keep investing in your set up. Okay so you’ve got your player set up and you’re listening to music that’s great! But be aware you will at some point have to replace your vinyl needle as these wears down over time. It’s recommended your needle should be replaced roughly every 1000 hours of use so not all that often! They’re different kinds of needle for different players so speak to your local audio store to find out what needle you’ll need once the old one starts the wear down.
Invest in some storage! Vinyl records can take up a lot of room as your collection grows and it’s important to store them the right way. Records should always be stood up and never stacked on top of each other. Stacking records can cause them to warp out of shape and ruin the sound completely. A popular go to for storage is the Kallax range of shelves in Ikea that are the perfect shape for the LP’s and affordable! Also, avoid storing records near heat or in direct sun light. Vinyl and heat are to things that don’t mix well, the heat can cause your records to misshapen and warp badly as well.
Make sure vinyl stays clean! If you’re buying second hand or even new records always check them for dust and particles across the surface. Records work by the needle tracking along the vinyl grooves if dusk or dirt get in these grooves, you’ll hear it and it may cause songs to skip. You can get fantastic cleaning machines, but they often come with a big price tag. You could instead buy a range of vinyl cleaning brush’s sprays wipes! Whatever’s your preference it’ll help get the best sound out of your records and it isn’t going to cost an awful lot.
Discogs is a must if you’re looking to catalogue your collection. It’s free to use and holds the largest database of vinyl records in the world. You can simply make an account and scan your records barcodes to start managing your collection. It’s also a great marketplace to look for those hard-to-find records you can’t grab locally!
Where to buy?
Well, if you’re looking to get into collecting records, you’re not short of locations in Cardiff! Hears just a few of the many stores below. Be sure to check out our Music Store guide for more!
