Back 2 Physical Media: Pt 2 - Records
Hey everyone. I've been seeing a chunk of posts about folks going back to physical and offline media these days so I thought I'd write up a few helpful posts on the matter.
When I was in kindergarten I had one of those Fisher Price record players for kids. It was brown and tan and actually played records. They sold little 45's of nursery rhymes and such to go with it. I think my sisters got the plastic version later on, but still, we had access to a real record player as kids.
I'm not sure if it broke or it ended up in a garage sale but it quietly disappeared one day. I'm not sure we even bought anymore records after that. My parents had a small collection in the living room, mostly my dads Beatles albums. It wasn't long before tapes took over.
I also don't remember seeing records for sale in stores growing up unless you went to a used music shop. The only music I listened to that even came on records in the early 2000's was techno. But by 2005 or so DJ's were transitioning from turn tables to digital media. Indie bands were starting to put out records as limited edition runs. You could only get them off their website or at a show.
By 2010 I was listening to several indie bands that put out records like this and I bought a few here and there. Record Store Day was a cool new thing that had come up where bands would put out limited release pressings and drive up collectibility. Couple that with the hipster boom around that time and now every dude in a trilby hat and mustache was listening to their favorite stomp-clap-hey record on a vintage turntable.
Today nearly every album release has about 5 limited edition variant colorways with glitter sparkle and glow in the dark chips in it. This is not a bad thing by any means. Artists make three discontinued pennies per zillion streams these days so any way to financially support them directly is good. Records can run from 24-50 dollars depending on the complexity. In many cases it's cheaper than buying the t-shirt. The band actually gets money and you get a physical copy of the music.
So whats the downside to records? Well, they are not small. Some are, if you can get a single on a 45 then they are small and cute and all that. But regular albums are 12 x 12 inches. They can't be stored by stacking them up you need to have space to place them vertically on a shelf or rack.
When listening to a record you need to babysit it. You can't wander around and do too much because once the side is finished you need to go flip the record over and set it up again. You will need to get a record player of some kind. If you are just starting out, an all in one setup that includes a built in speaker is ideal if cost is an issue.
If you have money to throw around this part of record playing can get out of hand quickly. HiFi equipment can be expensive. The turntable itself is going to run around a hundred bucks at least. You will need to plug it into an amp or the only sound you will get out of the speakers is a whisper. (I currently have mine plugged into powered speakers but those are also pricey.) Bookshelf speakers are simply a box with a driver inside so you will need to amplify the signal to accommodate how big you went on the speakers.
Feel free to dive into the rabbit hole of vintage tube amps and JBL cabinet speakers but just be aware of the price. Especially when some modern records have sub optimal pressings. Sound is produced by the needle dragging across grooves in the plastic. That vibration is what creates the exact sounds.
The sound and tone may be warmer than you are used to. There will be hum. There will be crunchy bits because dust exists and will collect on the record and the needle. You need to keep them clean and stored properly. They are also great things to just sit and enjoy. Have a cup of coffee and put a record on instead of the TV.
You don't even need to listen to them. If you just like collecting band merch and supporting them you can buy these cool frames that let you hang the records up on a wall to show off the vinyl colors and such. You can put your concert tickets in with it for extra fun.
Check out the post on cassettes here.