Can anyone explain the vinyl renaissance?

[IPunchCholla]

I find myself on Pacific and Martin a lot more. There must be five cannabis dispensaries within a mile or so on Martin.

Those Tanglewildians and Thompson-placians like their pot

 

[AdrianusG]

all the extra resolution vinyl has is where you need it for stereo surround detail, there's actual physical emphasis on the highs, the phase info at the top is very much more there on a record. all the advantage it has in resolution goes to the place you want it for matrixing new channels. bass swings the mids and highs all over the place on a CD just because of how bitstreams are quantized, the bass has a pull, it takes cycles away from the highs, on vinyl the bass is bound and gagged in the corner. but that's not to say a CD can't have better multichannel formats burned onto it or a better mix in general but it's a big loss to not have ANY stereo bass below 150? uh... that's a lot to ask. yay my perfect bass heavy album sounds like a TV show! whole lot of really good low end just get tossed on a record and i don't deny that. must be a lot to ask to have a better processing for the different formats. should be able to virtualize every format ever over modern systems. like a retrotink for movies & music. stereo is a hundred years old pretty soon... i'll have been here for about half of it. i could repair all your midi devices. i think i know what a tortilla look like. am maybe more familiar with measures and bars..
you sample the raw unfiltered Phono signal and all of a sudden you have so much more to work with than the CDs give you.

if you buy old records for under $5 a pop . you don't feel so bad about a $15 stylus until you start buying new records. i started collecting them with a TTUSB. old records are still just as much fun to play and you don't have to cry about them not being as perfect as the day you bought them anymore.

really prefer the newer SACD cases with the rounded corners and the button... those i think are my favorite of all the new sleeves. that and the mini LP formats that are packed just like a CD sized gatefold, the 45 sized SACD are nice, but kinda big, the disc they put the disc on is a good idea tho.. one of those in a paper jacket more square than the digipacks. miniLP with the 45SACDtray sized to miniLP. in an inner sleeve. would be better than CD plastic case is blegh, i hate those things. all they do is break. junk. i like the paper jackets, anything that fits in with the majority of the music from the last couple centuries i mean CDs are still just a blip and they already slowing down and vinyl is picking back up. really comes down to there just not being a better analog. tape and vinyl and CDs are like... we've been sorting out the strengths and weaknesses this whole time tyvm

Uh Huh

 

[HalSF]

Ehm, not a very convincing argument!, that same can be easily said about CD's, actually it's even more convenient since you can listen to the entire album, without even swapping sides
and they are around a lot longer than "streaming"

Not only is pointing out the way vinyl listening discourages skipping tracks and encourages steadier listening a convincing argument, but dinging it demonstrates this thread’s reflexive animus against even the most anodyne advantages of vinyl in a way that goes far beyond reasonable, rational criticism like vinyl noise. The obsessive endlessness of this thread is driven in large part by digital-cult tribalism.

 

[Robin L]

Not only is pointing out the way vinyl listening discourages skipping tracks and encourages steadier listening a convincing argument, but dinging it demonstrates this thread’s reflexive animus against even the most anodyne advantages of vinyl in a way that goes far beyond reasonable, rational criticism like vinyl noise. The obsessive endlessness of this thread is driven in large part by digital-cult tribalism.

Uh Huh.
I probably stuck it out longer with vinyl than just about anybody else here. 1968 to 2019. I like LP covers, after that it all goes downhill.

 

[J.M. Noble]

Uh Huh.
I probably stuck it out longer with vinyl than just about anybody else here. 1968 to 2019. I like LP covers, after that it all goes downhill.

... and yet the presumption behind the title of this thread, namely that there is a "vinyl renaissance" by several objective measures, remains true.

Your comment does nothing to explain it.

 

[Robin L]

... and yet the presumption behind the title of this thread, namely that there is a "vinyl renaissance" by several objective measures, remains true.

Your comment does nothing to explain it.

I've made many posts about that. This one just pointed out how long I was invested in LPs and LP playback, over 50 years. I've got a fair idea of what LPs can and cannot do.

As regards the resurgence of popularity for the older format there's a lot to be said for a physical object in an attractive package when otherwise one would be streaming. Nothing tangible about streaming. No bragging rights, no PDA for the musical artist on display.

 

[MatrixS2000]

Your comment does nothing to explain it.

Agreed, it does, however, prove HalSF’s point about digital-cult tribalism is true. As soon as something that is remotely positive for vinyl is posted, someone is sure to post something to knock it down.

A post regarding vinyl’s clicks and pops in 5,4,3,2,….

 

[Robin L]

Agreed, it does, however, prove HalSF’s point about digital-cult tribalism is true. As soon as something that is remotely positive for vinyl is posted, someone is sure to post something to knock it down.

A post regarding vinyl’s clicks and pops in 5,4,3,2,….

I don't think it's "digital cult tribalism". One can simply prefer one over the other. Nothing "cultish" about that.

 

[MatrixS2000]

One can simply prefer one over the other.

Of course. I never said anything about taking away your choice of preferred format.

Nothing "cultish" about that.

Skipping a track on vinyl is much harder than on any digital format. You know this with your 50 years of vinyl experience.

This difficulty is what leads to the steadier listening habits for vinyl spinners. It's true (and obvious to anyone) that you can listen to an entire digital album, but it completely misses the point. The ease of skipping songs in any of the digital formats makes it more probable to have fragmented listening sessions. Ignoring this reality contributes to the comments about digital-cult tribalism.

 

[J.M. Noble]

I don't think it's "digital cult tribalism". One can simply prefer one over the other. Nothing "cultish" about that.

There's something cultish about posting it to a thread where those notions aren't relevant.

 

[goat76]

Skipping a track on vinyl is much harder than on any digital format. You know this with your 50 years of vinyl experience.

This difficulty is what leads to the steadier listening habits for vinyl spinners. It's true (and obvious to anyone) that you can listen to an entire digital album, but it completely misses the point. The ease of skipping songs in any of the digital formats makes it more probable to have fragmented listening sessions. Ignoring this reality contributes to the comments about digital-cult tribalism.

I often listen to entire albums even though I stream my music, so having to change sides on a vinyl record would likely be more distracting for me.

A few years ago, I read somewhere that Tidal looked into the listening habits of their subscribers, and a significant part of them did often listen through the full length of the albums.

 

[MatrixS2000]

I often listen to entire albums even though I stream my music, so having to change sides on a vinyl record would likely be more distracting for me.

Absolutely, I do the same. I will go one step further, it's much easier to listen to an entire discography from an artist on a digital format - something I do often. But, that’s still missing the point - with digital, you're just a button push away from skipping a song or jumping to another artist. This ease of choice doesn't exist with vinyl. You can still do it but it takes much more than just a push of a button.

A few years ago, I read somewhere that Tidal looked into the listening habits of their subscribers, and a significant part of them did often listen through the full length of the albums.

Playlists are a digital phenomenon. Can you imagine the frustration of trying to listen to only one song from an album, selecting the next album for the next song, etc for a two hour listening session? You would probably not listen to any music as you would be constantly searching for or setting up the next song! Although you and I and probably many others here listen to entire albums on digital formats, you cannot deny that playlist are a popular feature of digital playback. Playlists do not exist in the vinyl world. The closest thing in the vinyl world is a purchased assorted album that someone else curated for the masses (ie it is not personalized to you) or stepping outside of the vinyl world for playback and creating your own mix tape.

 

[Count Arthur]

Agreed, it does, however, prove HalSF’s point about digital-cult tribalism is true. As soon as something that is remotely positive for vinyl is posted, someone is sure to post something to knock it down.

A post regarding vinyl’s clicks and pops in 5,4,3,2,….

Or on vinyl: 5 - click,4,3 - pop,2,….

 

[MatrixS2000]

Or on vinyl: 5 - click,4,3 - pop,2,….

Or on digital: 5 - song #1, 4 - artist #2, 3 - song # 2, 2 - artist #4 (you did a double artist skip)

 

[Robin L]

Playlists are a digital phenomenon. Can you imagine the frustration of trying to listen to only one song from an album, selecting the next album for the next song, etc for a two hour listening session?

Playlists evolved from mixtapes. And mixtapes were made by patient, tweaky folk like me, carefully cuing with one hand while engaging "record" with the other. The aspects that make the playlist phenomena of the present different are that we now have choices for playlists frequently made via algorithm independent of personal selection, and the current ability to make much longer mixtapes/CD homeburned music type compilations than in the 1970s or the early "oughts".

 

[Galliardist]

Absolutely, I do the same. I will go one step further, it's much easier to listen to an entire discography from an artist on a digital format - something I do often. But, that’s still missing the point - with digital, you're just a button push away from skipping a song or jumping to another artist. This ease of choice doesn't exist with vinyl. You can still do it but it takes much more than just a push of a button.

Playlists are a digital phenomenon. Can you imagine the frustration of trying to listen to only one song from an album, selecting the next album for the next song, etc for a two hour listening session? You would probably not listen to any music as you would be constantly searching for or setting up the next song! Although you and I and probably many others here listen to entire albums on digital formats, you cannot deny that playlist are a popular feature of digital playback. Playlists do not exist in the vinyl world. The closest thing in the vinyl world is a purchased assorted album that someone else curated for the masses (ie it is not personalized to you) or stepping outside of the vinyl world for playback and creating your own mix tape.

Playlists do not exist in the vinyl world? Ask any DJ who worked with records.

As a student, I had the occasional pleasure of DJing in an album environment, and have been there, under pressure, with only one deck working for most of a five hour event: while the "regular" DJ was swapping parts and soldering the other deck in the console trying to get it to work Fortunately it was a prog event and I did slip in a couple of entire sides along the way. But you can change an LP and get to a track far faster than you might think, certainly quicker than replacing a CD and selecting a track by buttons, when you need to.

 

[MattHooper]

Ehm, not a very convincing argument!, that same can be easily said about CD's, actually it's even more convenient since you can listen to the entire album, without even swapping sides
and they are around a lot longer than "streaming"

That’s right.

That’s the difference of physical media. Some people can get the same type of experience out of playing a CD.

 

[AdrianusG]

That’s right.

That’s the difference of physical media. Some people can get the same type of experience out of playing a CD.

Exactly that, hence my comment that "not skipping" would be a good reason to turn to vinyl is not valid per-se, it is and has been available many decades with CD's, that's all i meant.
If someone wants to go back to vinyl (for whatever reason!), fine by me.

 

[beagleman]

I feel like we are now saying one HAS to listen to a whole side (segment) of an album on vinyl based on being "Forced" to, due to lack of wanting to get out of a chair and use the cue lever. OR fear of damaging the stylus or vinyl from constantly moving tonearm to songs one prefers.

Back when I had ONLY vinyl, I considered that a huge downside and would often drift out of the room during the couple songs I did not like, then maybe come back in as soon as one I loved started. I am not sure that is an advantage in reality.

I simply never devoted 20 minutes of solid time to listening to a few songs I loved and a few I did not care for, due to lack of inconvenience.

 

[Thomas Savage]

After a little chat with Google AI I finally got to what I belive is the reason for the vinyl resurgence. Now this isn't why most of you guys might like vinyl, it's the reason why contemporary generations are looking backwards in so many respects . So folks in their 20s and generations coming newly into their 30s .

You've hit on a very important point. A sense of cultural confidence, or lack thereof, plays a significant role in how generations perceive and interact with technological and architectural advancements. Here's how this relates to the current trend:
The Shift in Cultural Confidence:
* Mid-20th Century Optimism:
* The 1950s and 60s were largely characterized by a sense of optimism and belief in progress. Technological advancements were seen as unequivocally positive, symbols of a brighter future. There was a strong sense of cultural confidence that "the new" was inherently better.
* This optimism was fueled by post-war economic growth, scientific breakthroughs, and a general sense of societal advancement.
* Contemporary Cultural Anxiety:
* In contrast, contemporary generations often grapple with a sense of cultural anxiety. This can stem from:
* Environmental concerns: The realization of the negative impacts of industrialization and unchecked technological growth has shaken the belief in endless progress.
* Economic instability: Concerns about job security, income inequality, and the future of the economy contribute to a sense of uncertainty.
* Social and political polarization: Deep divisions within society can erode a sense of shared cultural identity and confidence.
* Digital Disillusionment: The negative aspects of digital technology, such as social media addiction, privacy violations, and the spread of misinformation, have created a sense of disillusionment.
* The Search for Stability:
* In the face of these anxieties, looking to the past can provide a sense of stability and familiarity. Older styles of architecture, design, and even technology can evoke a feeling of "simpler times" and a perceived sense of authenticity.
* This is not necessarily a complete rejection of all new things, but rather a more cautious and selective approach.
How This Differs From the Past:
* The key difference lies in the prevailing cultural narrative. In the mid-20th century, the narrative was one of unwavering progress. Today, the narrative is more complex and nuanced, with a greater awareness of the potential downsides of technological and societal change.
Therefore, it is true that a degree of cultural anxiety, and a reduction in cultural confidence, is a contributing factor to the trends of modern generations looking to the past.