There are millions of people who prefer the sound of vinyl over CD.  In fact, many claim that vinyl stores accurate uncompressed audio, which can easily surpass the quality of CDs when using the right audio equipment.  The recent advent of SACD (Super Audio CD by Sony), and DVDAudio are attempts to decrease the amount of compression that is used to store audio on a standard CD.  Of course, CDs are far more convenient than vinyl.  They are less likely to scratch, more portable, and provide the ability to skip tracks.

Today’s generations of teenagers and young adults have little or no experience with vinyl.  For them, it is hard to imagine a music store full of vinyl records instead of CDs.  But as they become curious about their musical heritage, they begin to “discover” vinyl.  Their pop culture is filled with hip characters in movies and television shows who collect vinyl records.  As one example, most of the shows premiered on WB (Warner Brothers) television which are geared towards teenagers and young adults, feature cool 16-22 year-olds who have large collections of vinyl and occasionally buy vinyl as gifts for their friends

In the late 1940’s, the 45-RPM record replaced the 78-RPM record. The 45 was smaller, less breakable and could be made and sold more cheaply. Despite these advantages, it took ten years before the 78 became obsolete, and in the meantime, record companies sold their product in both formats. In 1982, the major record companies introduced the compact disc, which offered a smaller size, “perfect” sound, and less likelihood of damage in day to day use. As the compact disc offered a much larger profit margin than did the long-play record album (LP) the record companies were eager to rid store shelves of records once and for all. Given that the 78 lasted ten years after the introduction of the 45, it seemed likely that the LP would be gone from the market by 1990. The expected disappearance of the LP never happened. Despite the efforts of the music industry, music fans and collectors not only continue to buy records today, but sales of records and record-playing equipment are on the rise.

An “LP” or “Long Play” vinyl record usually stores about 30-60 minutes of audio.  LPs are 12 inches in diameter, and are protected by a 12.5 inch square cover which includes artwork, and information about the audio.  LPs play at 33 1/3 rpm..  Unlike fragile 78’s, LPs are remarkably flexible and less likely to break.  This is the most common form of a vinyl record. Here are some of my favorite vinyl record albums, which I still prefer to listen to on my turntable with my Stanton needle:

A “7 inch” vinyl record is only seven inches in diameter as the name suggests.  They are also called “45’s” because they play at 45 rpm, slightly faster than LPs.  These smaller records usually contained a hit single on the “A” side, and a bonus song on the “B” side.  This is how terms such as “B-rate Movie” or “B-rate Actor” (meaning widely unknown  and/or not very popular) came about.  For whatever reason, the songs on the “B-Side” didn’t always make the full album.  Thus, sometimes the only way to legally obtain these songs is to own the 45.  45’s were sometimes accompanied by a picture sleeve which housed them.  45’s also have a large hole in the center, and require a special piece to fill the hole when playing on a standard record player.  For decades, jukeboxes used 45’s to play hit singles.  Most jukeboxes were probably only setup to play the A-side.  45’s had a limited life in a jukebox because after being moved around enough, they eventually wear down, become faint and produce audible static.  The 7 inch can only hold about 2-4 minutes of audio on each side.

1. Price. Price is always a factor when consumers buy anything and the prices of new and used record albums are less than the prices of new and used compact discs, respectively. Used CDs may sell for $5-8; used record albums sell for $3-5

2. Physical size. A lot of people prefer the larger size of record albums. They don’t store as easily as compact discs, but the covers and lyrics are easier to read, and the product feels more substantial. Buyers feel like they’re getting “more” for their money, even if it’s just extra weight. I remember meeting The Moody Blues years ago in New York City. I asked them to autograph a vinyl LP cover of Days of Future Passed which I happen to have with me. I knew that I was going to meet them backstage because I won a contest. So, I packed up my favorite vinyl LPs. I could’ve brought all my C/Ds for them to autograph. It would’ve been easier for me to carry, but I brought the L/Ps because there was something more meaningful about it. When I gave it to Justin Hayward to autograph, he could tell that I was a fan that went far back with them.  

3. Sound. The digital sound of compact discs has a certain cleanness and purity to it, but many listeners find the sound of compact discs to be “artificial” or “metallic”, lacking the “warmth” of the sound of a record. Arguments have been going on for years, and fans of compact discs claim that there really is no difference in sound, but millions of record fans would probably disagree.

4. Nostalgia. A lot of Baby Boomers grew up listening to records, and records have a fond familiarity to them that listeners like.

Unfortunately, there are thousands of albums on vinyl, that will never make the official transformation to CD.  Artists who were big in the 50’s – 80’s may have had several hit albums, but the record companies will cherry-pick which albums to release on CD based on which is guaranteed to produce the largest profit.  Another reason why some albums aren’t making the transformation is because of all the legal red-tape involved.  Many artists would like to independently release their material on CD, but simply don’t have the right to do so based on the often ridiculous contracts and agreements.  But there is hope – today’s artists have a lot more rights.  For example, most contemporary artists can decide to play at a club or concert for profit without having to get approval from their record company.  In the past, that would have been almost impossible to do.

deletereply welshdoug wrote on Jun 25, ’08 I loved my LPs – I still do. They are arranged alphabetically by artist and chronologically by release date (as are my CDs and Cassette tapes, and believe it or not, my bookshelf! I think I’m turning into Adrian Monk!). Those gatefold sleeves were works of art in themselves weren’t they? – especially the one I use as my page theme. Another favourite sleeve was (is) Grave New World by The Strawbs. The inner sleeve is breathtaking. I’ll never get rid of my LPs, even those that I’ve replaced with CD copies because the vinyl’s  scratched and unplayable. They are works of art, and hold so many memories.

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Jun 25, ’08 Thanks for your comment on this, Doug. I knew I couldn’t be the only one who feels this way about our L/Ps. Maybe they’ll go back to making them again. They certainly were cheaper, and they had warmer sound.

deletereply terryridgway wrote on Jun 26, ’08 Hi Laura, I agree with both you and Doug, Vinyl/LP records are a big part of my life, better sound ,better quality and the covers..some of them were just magical .. Roger Dean ones were superb.. .As the legendary DJ and presenter John Peel once said ” Somebody was trying to tell me that CDs are better than vinyl because they don’t have any surface noise. I said, “Listen, mate, *life* has surface noise.”

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Jun 26, ’08 I don’t really mind the surface noise. I have alway preferred the warmer sound from records. One thing I have always loved about albums is the wonderful artwork on the covers. If the lyrics are printed, it was easier to read, too. Albums were more of a collectors item. Something to be treasured.

deletereply nemo4sun wrote on Jun 26, ’08 i’m with you 🙂

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Jun 26, ’08 I still use my old Stanton needle.

deletereply seth360 wrote on Jul 1, ’08, edited on Jul 1, ’08 great Blog Sis, For me it’s a love hate relationship with the cd.. I like not having to worry about the needle skipping or scratching… I dont miss the hiss, pops, & scratches on vinyl And I always wished for a way to skip certain songs with a turntable..they did come out with some right before cd’s caught fire but they were way too expensive.. That said what I do miss is a lot of what people have already mentioned especially vinyl lp’s warmth.. One thing that wasnt mentioned was the first time you played an lp….that virgin play was something my friends and i looked forward to…All the care of setting everything up perfectly, making sure the stylus was properly aligned, doing your best to stabilize the the turntable and making sure the volume/bass/treble were just right so you didn’t have to get up and risk the DREADED BOUNCE.. LOL.. That first pristine play was sooooooooooooo money….(as they say today)

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Jul 1, ’08 Yeah, there’s good and bad in everything. Maybe they could re-invent records that have the LP size that contain the pictures and lyrics AND a remote control to select tracks, while maintaining that warm sound. I think there would be a lot of money in that.

deletereply seth360 wrote on Jul 1, ’08, edited on Jul 1, ’08 Final note: SACD and DVD-A formats (which died like betamax & recently HD_DVD) did edge closer to mimicking vinyls warmth… I loved the sacd/dvd-a 5.1 surround discs and i have quite a few but people just didn’t want to once again invest in another player to play them or re-buy cd’s again in the new format…not to mention that most players if they offered the capability to play them made you have pick a format since most didn’t play both…. SACD/DVD-A are superior sounding formats to standard cd’s but just like betamax which was better than VHS it to has become the victim of bad timing & can’t compete with the established market share of standard cd’s… I also think blu-ray might not catch on either for all the reasons stated above

deletereply seth360 wrote on Jul 1, ’08, edited on Jul 1, ’08 lauritasita said Maybe they could re-invent records that have the LP size that contain the pictures and lyrics AND a remote control to select tracks, while maintaining that warm sound. I think there would be a lot of money in that. Sis, Perhaps…but with the proliferation of mp3’s and online downing the cd is even having trouble sustaining itself.. Even before dvd’s there were  laser discs which were the size of lp’s, that format also faded to the past for the more compact dvd format we use today… That said there are a growing, yet still cultish group of purists who are attempting to reintroduce the digital generation to the art of analog vinyl lp appreciation… In last months edition of Sound & Vision magazine there is a very extensive article about it…I subscribe to the mag but its also on their website… here is the link for those who are interested…there are also reviews of new VERY sophisticated turntables if anyone wants to drool (with prices that will make you cringe i might add) http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/features/2860/sound-visions-vinyl-listening-club.html

deletereply seth360 wrote on Jul 1, ’08 Thanks again Sis for another night of great conversation & learning

deletereply seth360 wrote on Jul 1, ’08 PS: my stylus of choice was Pickering  🙂

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Jul 2, ’08 I still use my Stanton needle, by the way. I should have changed it years ago, but I never had to.

deletereply seth360 wrote on Jul 2, ’08 Stanton = old fart needle LOL… Sorry Sis i just had too…(smiles)…

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Jul 2, ’08, edited on Jul 2, ’08 Don’t laugh…that’s the needle I bought the turntable with !Yeah, I know…it’s like my father’s old 1964 Studebaker.

deletereply seth360 wrote on Jul 2, ’08, edited on Jul 2, ’08 who made your turntable? I’m guessing it was one of the original Gramophones LMAO… (ohh I’m in BIG trouble now) ….laffs!

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Jul 2, ’08, edited on Jul 2, ’08 It was made by JVC. Are they even around anymore ? I think I got it at Crazy Eddie.

deletereply seth360 wrote on Jul 2, ’08 JVC =_Japan Victor Company And yes they are very much still around…they make a host of consumer electronic equipment.. says to self:  I think I’m in the clear from the Gramophone wise crack

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Jul 2, ’08 Oh, you mean this thing ?

deletereply seth360 wrote on Jul 3, ’08 See i knew you had one of those! Nite Sis… be well & be safe