Music is undoubtedly here to stay. It is impossible to go through a day without hearing music, unless of course, you live in the middle of the woods in a cabin, even so, you would still hear the birdsong, can be considered as music, it’s inescapable.
The origin of music goes back to ancient man, the Sumerians had their own music, as did the Egyptian’s, and the Romans. All of these ancient empires derived enjoyment from hearing music, writing music, and poetry, it was in the 19th century that famed inventor Thomas Edison first created the phonograph, known today as the record player. The evolution of music has by all accounts followed very closely with the evolution of man from primordial hunters to technological giants.
Record Players Decreased in Popularity At The End of The 20th Century
The sale of phonographs boomed in the early 20th century and they soon became a staple of every single home. High specification record players can produce a sound unlike any other according to Top Record Players; however, toward the end of the 20th century the CD fad started, and although the sound was more distorted, it was more convenient. The crisp sound of record players, however, will never be defeated by the digitally created sounds of CD players, which is why record players are seeing a huge increase in revenues!
The Musical Bounce Back!
The advent of CD-players saw a sudden boom that is dying out more and more. While CD-players are very convenient and can cost a lot less than a good quality record player, they are quickly becoming obsolete. Music is either played VIA Bluetooth or USB most frequently in our current age.
However, the aesthetic and unique sound produced by record players is quickly seeing a rise in popularity, and people are quickly digging out their grandparents’ old rock ‘n’ roll vinyl’s, settling into their armchairs with a glass of bourbon, and enjoying the nostalgia as their fathers did before them.
CDs are digital recordings and do not capture the entire sound wave. Some sounds, such as the beat of a drum or ring of a triangle will be heavily distorted and changed as they move too quickly for the rate. CDs take the recording contained within and convert them to an analog that feeds into your amplifier. Whereas, a record has a carving that reflects the recording’s initial waveform. It can feed into your amplifier with no conversion necessary.
A Huge Return to The Record Player
In recent years, record players have developed a cult-like following, and teenagers and adults alike have gained a newfound affinity toward them, whether for nostalgia, aesthetics, or the crisp and memorable sound produced. It is clear that record players are here to stay! Many musicians have been quoted as saying that they still frequently listen to vinyl records hearkening back to the olden days of rock ‘n’ roll and the boom of music. Record players produce a unique archaic sound unlike that digital whirr produced by a CD. This unique sound is perhaps why people are so passionate about promoting the use of record players.
2017 saw the highest sale of vinyl records since the early 1990s. 14 million vinyl sales were made in that year alone; vinyls have amassed their own subculture which is evident when you see that half of all vinyl buyers in 2017 were 25 and under. Many teenagers and young adults have taken to wearing vintage clothes, furnishing their houses with vintage furniture labeled as shabby chic, and now, of course, purchasing vintage records and record players. Retro is the name for this subculture, and undoubtedly, retro sells.
As with most things in life, there is always a subculture catered around collecting and reselling. Vinyl’s and record players are not any different in this aspect, having a large following of collectors whose life mission and resolve is to purchase as many vintage and classic records by notable musicians as they possibly can afford, and are afforded to them.
One would assume there is a certain level of pleasure that can be derived from listening to a vintage vinyl record that was distributed over a half-century ago on a vintage vinyl player, more so for those who subscribe to that particular subculture.
Why Should I Get A Record Player?
In an age where we spend most of our time listening to music and watching television, convenience has become everything. Most people listen to music via Bluetooth and on USB, as previously mentioned, which appears to be very impersonal. Another benefit of owning a record player and vinyl records is that you own the record, and the player, which will go up in value as the years go on.
For all of these reasons, it makes little sense not to go ahead and purchase a record player and collection of vinyl right now! If you’re still unconvinced, just imagine what people would say once they see you own one. You might even peak their interests and get them interested in buying one for themselves.
