Vinyl is the Superior Way To Listen To Music

In today’s age, the accessibility we have to so many forms of media is astounding. We can watch videos in 4K on YouTube. We can listen to high-fidelity music on streaming services from practically anywhere, whether it be free with ads, or relatively low-cost and ad-free.

Even before that, we were able to buy a song for $0.99 on iTunes, put it on an MP3 player, and take it with us anywhere.

And even before that, we could pop a CD or a tape into the car stereo that had all of our favorite road-trip songs to sing along to.

And even before that, we had… big 12" black discs that took up a ton of space on our shelves…

Even though turntables aren’t really portable, and vinyl discs don’t fit into your back pocket, it’s really difficult to say that music printed on a record doesn’t have something about it that makes it so refreshing, raw, and real. There’s a feeling you get when looking through a physical library of record sleeves, reading labels, finding one that’s intriguing, sliding the disc out, and putting it on a turntable, then dropping the needle and hearing those infamous crackles and pops before the music starts.

Of course, to some people, these types of sounds are annoying, and “dirty.” But to others, they are part of the music, and the experience.

Despite the fact that so much media is accessible and convenient, they have all compromised heavily on quality. Let’s face it, the audio you’re getting from a vinyl record was cut directly from the master recording tapes. There are no re-formats of audio (or video, if you’re watching YouTube). There are no losses when compressing the audio from one format to another. Plus, even though your accessibility to mainstream media might be a lot higher, you’re missing out on the quality and clarity that vinyl can offer.

The songs that you love on Spotify or Apple Music have been chopped down a ton in fidelity and quality. To most ears, it may not sound like much, but to others, it makes a world of difference.

Vinyl seems to be making a comeback, too. The experience itself is what is driving more and more people to turn to 12" black discs for their entertainment. Many artists still release their albums on vinyl, either as a special edition, or as a hard-copy of the same music you’ll hear on any streaming platform. The difference: a physical symbol, and an auditory delight.

Another small plus is that it also makes a great conversation-starter if you’re hosting a party!

You may be wondering: “How do I get into vinyl? And even then, would it be worth it? It must be expensive… Where do I even start?”

Stay tuned for more information on where to start looking for and investing in your own vinyl-listening experience!