Got Any Cool Vinyl?

[WestwayKid]

https://www.headphonesty.com/2024/10/vi ... last-year/

I never got into buying modern recordings on vinyl. It's not mastered for vinyl. It's just a trendy way to listen to something that likely sounds better in a digital format. I get that some people dig it, it just never appealed to me. My rule of thumb has been if it was originally issued on vinyl then it's okay, but if it's just a vinyl pressing of a digital release - no thanks.

[Dr. Medulla]

https://www.headphonesty.com/2024/10/vi ... last-year/

I never got into buying modern recordings on vinyl. It's not mastered for vinyl. It's just a trendy way to listen to something that likely sounds better in a digital format. I get that some people dig it, it just never appealed to me. My rule of thumb has been if it was originally issued on vinyl then it's okay, but if it's just a vinyl pressing of a digital release - no thanks.

I haven't been dissuaded from my belief that for most—certainly not all—vinyl is an example of conspicuous consumption, to demonstrate distinction and seriousness when the masses have shifted to streaming. It's tangible evidence of a superior commitment to music or an artist as opposed to those who listen in a format driven by convenience. That it costs an absurd amount, too, shows that the owner cares more (and, perhaps, has the disposable income to spend). It's the never-ending game of fandom as status, always raising the stakes to show who is the "real fan."

[Silent Majority]

Too fucking costly, that's why it's going down. And yeah, there's no percentage in listening to a record made after about 1987 on LP.

[WestwayKid]

The Cure are releasing their new album on cassette. The only reasons I can think of to buy it on cassette are 1) nostalgia: most of my Cure purchases back in the day were on cassette and 2) being a hipster who thinks listening to an album on cassette is cool.

[WestwayKid]

Too fucking costly, that's why it's going down. And yeah, there's no percentage in listening to a record made after about 1987 on LP.

Exactly.

My partner's friend is going through a divorce and part of the settlement is that she gets half of her husband's vinyl collection. It's apparently 8 boxes and as she put it, it's her daughter's college fund. It's all new vinyl - so the kind people pay $30 plus bucks for.

[Marky Dread]

https://www.headphonesty.com/2024/10/vi ... last-year/

I never got into buying modern recordings on vinyl. It's not mastered for vinyl. It's just a trendy way to listen to something that likely sounds better in a digital format. I get that some people dig it, it just never appealed to me. My rule of thumb has been if it was originally issued on vinyl then it's okay, but if it's just a vinyl pressing of a digital release - no thanks.

I agree with this. The best vinyl reissues are the half speed masters. Obviously made originally for vinyl cutting.

[JohnS]

Actually a lot of contemporary vinyl is pressed from masters created specifically for the medium - companies offering mastering services always offer a vinyl option. Any indie band / label who take pride in their releases can opt for it.

It's the major labels who are the culprits, reissuing back-catalogue from their legendary heritage artists in vast quantities. And sometimes they have that many remastered and reissued versions of classic albums they lose track of what they're pressing from. If they're reissuing a record in huge numbers, using outsourced pressing plants all around the world, they're bound to go with the most convenient option and send out digitised masters.

And greed comes into it too. There's been that massive scandal about Mobile Fidelity Labs, with their audiophile-quality super-pressing LPs for the connoisseur, using digital masters for years. They were sued, fined a fortune and had to reimburse buyers.

I agree, vinyl prices are sky-high and that must be affecting sales. it seems insane to spend £25-35 on a reissued 1970s LP when you can find an original copy in good nick for less. And you know it'll be a true 'analogue' mastered version.

[Sparky]

https://www.headphonesty.com/2024/10/vi ... last-year/

I would agree with their assessment that the high cost of vinyl records has partially contributed to their decrease in sales, I remember when a "value" LP was $4.99 (damn I'm feeling old!).

I don't buy a lot, usually something that catches my eye, remastered, collectors box sets, colored vinyl, picture discs and the like, often at Record Store Day or Rhino events, but none of it with the intent of every selling it to make a buck.

[Flex]

Yeah, vinyl has gotten insane on the price point (even accounting for inflation). I still buy some records from fave artists like Slim Cessna to support the band/artist specifically, but I'm pretty choosy otherwise. I don't totally agree that all modern recordings are useless on vinyl - as JohnS notes albums can be specifically mastered for vinyl, and who cut the lacquers, pressing plant, etc. can all make a difference in what you're getting - but it's much more about finding that special record as part of a hunt than it is about just getting every album you want in the format. I can stream digitally, buy a CD (usually) dirt cheap or from audiophile labels I can usually get an excellent sacd or blu ray or something if I want something that's "audiophile quality" as a physical product. Vinyl is rarely the best option for cost or quality these days.

[WestwayKid]

I've even cooled on buying vintage vinyl these days as it's gotten too pricey. I remember buying a near mint copy of Led Zeppelin II from Half Price Books maybe a decade ago for maybe $5. I saw a similar copy recently (same store) for $40. Sure, it's a classic and it's old ... but Zeppelin sold MILLIONS of that LP back in the day. It's not rare.

[motorsmell]

https://www.headphonesty.com/2024/10/vi ... last-year/

I never got into buying modern recordings on vinyl. It's not mastered for vinyl. It's just a trendy way to listen to something that likely sounds better in a digital format. I get that some people dig it, it just never appealed to me. My rule of thumb has been if it was originally issued on vinyl then it's okay, but if it's just a vinyl pressing of a digital release - no thanks.

Not always the case, some lables do however I know many smaller bands and lables put serious effort in to the vinyl mastering...unfortunately having a complete analogue master is rarer and far more expensive these days...I remember trying to go completely Analogue for the 1st Segregates ep...recorded all on tape through a analogue desk etc....then failed to afford the cost of getting the reels mastered analogue and so had to digitise it before mastering! I shame however the music was pretty ropey anyway....we did pay for Jon Astley (who remastered most of the who reissues amongst others) to do the mastering for our preach to me 12inch single and it came out great however once again it was done digitally...

[Flex]

Not always the case, some lables do however I know many smaller bands and lables put serious effort in to the vinyl mastering...unfortunately having a complete analogue master is rarer and far more expensive these days...I remember trying to go completely Analogue for the 1st Segregates ep...recorded all on tape through a analogue desk etc....then failed to afford the cost of getting the reels mastered analogue and so had to digitise it before mastering! I shame however the music was pretty ropey anyway....we did pay for Jon Astley (who remastered most of the who reissues amongst others) to do the mastering for our preach to me 12inch single and it came out great however once again it was done digitally...

I actually remember you sharing about your attempt to TRY to do AAA before - it was pretty eye opening how hard it is to even try to do a vinyl album the "right" way.

[motorsmell]

Not always the case, some lables do however I know many smaller bands and lables put serious effort in to the vinyl mastering...unfortunately having a complete analogue master is rarer and far more expensive these days...I remember trying to go completely Analogue for the 1st Segregates ep...recorded all on tape through a analogue desk etc....then failed to afford the cost of getting the reels mastered analogue and so had to digitise it before mastering! I shame however the music was pretty ropey anyway....we did pay for Jon Astley (who remastered most of the who reissues amongst others) to do the mastering for our preach to me 12inch single and it came out great however once again it was done digitally...

I actually remember you sharing about your attempt to TRY to do AAA before - it was pretty eye opening how hard it is to even try to do a vinyl album the "right" way.

Indeed mate, hopefully one day I can be part of a full analog release...but the costs are outrageous and for any of my projects that barely break even it's a nightmare!

[Kory]

Not always the case, some lables do however I know many smaller bands and lables put serious effort in to the vinyl mastering...unfortunately having a complete analogue master is rarer and far more expensive these days...I remember trying to go completely Analogue for the 1st Segregates ep...recorded all on tape through a analogue desk etc....then failed to afford the cost of getting the reels mastered analogue and so had to digitise it before mastering! I shame however the music was pretty ropey anyway....we did pay for Jon Astley (who remastered most of the who reissues amongst others) to do the mastering for our preach to me 12inch single and it came out great however once again it was done digitally...

I actually remember you sharing about your attempt to TRY to do AAA before - it was pretty eye opening how hard it is to even try to do a vinyl album the "right" way.

Indeed mate, hopefully one day I can be part of a full analog release...but the costs are outrageous and for any of my projects that barely break even it's a nightmare!

I only release digitally anymore—I was spending too much money on physical media that was just going to sit on someone's shelf and be forgotten.

[Dr. Medulla]

Or maybe sales are up!
https://www.discogs.com/digs/collecting ... up-in-2024