Industry Insights: Vinyl Revolution
April 25, 2008 03:37 PM Filed in: INfo &
INsights
Despite the media being saturated with doom and
gloom, the physical medium of music is experiencing
some what of a renaissance. The physical medium in
question is vinyl. Yes, vinyl!
No longer is collecting vinyl the exclusive hobby of old white guys with pony tails, driving around in their convertibles verbally regurgitating about the good old days. Break through the thin façade that mainstream media erect and peer through into the Indie and DJ music scene and you will discover that the vinyl market is about to re-enter the arena as a potential healthy revenue source.
No longer is collecting vinyl the exclusive hobby of old white guys with pony tails, driving around in their convertibles verbally regurgitating about the good old days. Break through the thin façade that mainstream media erect and peer through into the Indie and DJ music scene and you will discover that the vinyl market is about to re-enter the arena as a potential healthy revenue source.
What was the catalyst to spark such a rebirth? You
only have to look at the evolution of the manner in
which we experience music to see that the digital
revolution is somewhat of an anomaly. We first had
vinyl, the 8-track, then tapes and finally the CD. At
each of these steps the quality of sound has
progressively increased. That was until the advent of
the mp3.
It seems that in today’s society, the public just doesn’t care about the quality of the reproduction of the music. They want more music, quickly, wirelessly, Bluetooth-y and iPod-y, an overwhelming example of style over substance.
Or is it? Looking over the demographic changes in the music industry it is apparent that current generations of music lovers are constantly looking back over their respective shoulders to their forefathers, in a bid to establish their own musical identity. I once heard an analogy that every artist is merely an impersonator of what came before. However, a great artist unashamedly rips off and makes better. It was true with the Beatles and old school Rock and Roll, Nirvana with Punk/New Wave… the list is endless.
I don’t care what anyone says art and music have been forever sucking from the same teat. What better platform to appreciate art than on a 12 inch vinyl cover. The mere size of it meant when you bought an album, it filled you with the sensation that you hold something very important in your hands, something revolutionary, music that is capable of changing your life. The fragility of the vinyl medium meant you had to actually take care of your music. Yes, you as a consumer had to CARE!
Despite the fact that CDs offer a more expansive and dynamic range, the trend appears to be during the mastering procedure to compensate dynamics for pure power of volume. Vinyl does not offer such room for manipulation. Hence, the recording may not be as slick but has something that contemporary recording artists have a distinct lack of, character.
Vinyl offers a warmer, richer sound with subtle nuances that are impossible to digitally re-produce. Have faith, the kids ARE alright – Vive la révolution !
- Mohan
It seems that in today’s society, the public just doesn’t care about the quality of the reproduction of the music. They want more music, quickly, wirelessly, Bluetooth-y and iPod-y, an overwhelming example of style over substance.
Or is it? Looking over the demographic changes in the music industry it is apparent that current generations of music lovers are constantly looking back over their respective shoulders to their forefathers, in a bid to establish their own musical identity. I once heard an analogy that every artist is merely an impersonator of what came before. However, a great artist unashamedly rips off and makes better. It was true with the Beatles and old school Rock and Roll, Nirvana with Punk/New Wave… the list is endless.
I don’t care what anyone says art and music have been forever sucking from the same teat. What better platform to appreciate art than on a 12 inch vinyl cover. The mere size of it meant when you bought an album, it filled you with the sensation that you hold something very important in your hands, something revolutionary, music that is capable of changing your life. The fragility of the vinyl medium meant you had to actually take care of your music. Yes, you as a consumer had to CARE!
Despite the fact that CDs offer a more expansive and dynamic range, the trend appears to be during the mastering procedure to compensate dynamics for pure power of volume. Vinyl does not offer such room for manipulation. Hence, the recording may not be as slick but has something that contemporary recording artists have a distinct lack of, character.
Vinyl offers a warmer, richer sound with subtle nuances that are impossible to digitally re-produce. Have faith, the kids ARE alright – Vive la révolution !
- Mohan