Caught this on NPR the other day.

CD sales are declining, but there has been a resurgence in vinyl. Audiophiles are drawn to records because there aren't any anti-piracy restrictions and people claim they just sound better than their digital counterparts.

Putting a New Spin on Vinyl Records (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9598796)

Up 10% doesn't mean much. The DJs have left it. Audiophiles, the ppl who have ALWAYS said it sounds better, have been buying. Now... why people would want a TT that turns the record to mp3 is nuts. They say they want quality sound and then compress it so it sounds worse than a CD. Come on.

There is no telling how long I've been saying that to every DJ I came into contact with.
I also said, "I came to hear vinyl records on Turn Tables! If I wanted to hear a CD, I'll go listen to one in my car!" Then brings the arguement of "as long as you have it in one format or another, and its playable... who cares"
I care, because I want to be immersed into my music, not be annoyed by such awful quality.  :P

See this is the same argument I've used against things like Final Scratch and Serato Scratch Live....Why use an old technology to control a new one?

I can see why people use it....But from where I'm standing,  it just makes no sense.

Cause it combines the best of both worlds, its new technology and I can spin lots of drum n bass lot easier on Final Scratch than Ableton Live.  Drum n Bass tends to make it sweat and get annoying audio defects in the warp mode.  FS, SSL and TS are good for just mixing music like it always has been with a DJ.  Live is good for Live PA and DJs who want to be able to throw something and be able to something different with the song, since you can do tons of things with it like on the fly remixing.

I think I need to take this moment to remind you all that according to the Tastyfresh user agreement...Religious debates are not allowed ;)

That being said...Long live FS and SSL!

Well...I didn't mean to kill this thread...I was only being facetious...;)

i dont think vinyl will ever fully die. I know i will always spin it i find it way more fun than cds in everyway. I love going to record stores and spending a few hrs looking for rare records and white labels.

when i see doc martin or jeff mills or someone step up to 3 turntables and start spinning RECORDS, i love that

when i see the laptop or cds, i'm often less than impressed

a lot of people i know that aren't djs and just go out feel the same way, when they see a laptop or cds they often think the person isn't even really playing the music as they have no idea at all about the technology

i am very much aware of what they're doing with a laptop or cds, but i still like to WATCH the dj spin WAX

when it comes down to it, they're still just playing someone elses music (most of the time), but for some reason i enjoy seeing real records being tossed onto real turntables

this is coming purely from a spectator's perspective and what i've heard from other spectators/ravers/clubbers/etc...

just an opinion.

What if they encode it to FLAC (http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?title=Flac) or WavPak (http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?title=WavPack)?


Just as conductors conduct music they may not have written, no?

that wasn't my point, but sure.

I haven't heard of a consumer vinyl to digital device that will do that. I have seen them convert directly to CD or mp3 though.

Hi Gents,

Being the only label since late 02 telling people that vinyl is dead and just a matter of time that the CD format will be gone as well. We are in the digital age gents and so its time to stop the arguements. You can't stop technology & Progress.

Cheers!

Zero
Fiberlineaudio.com Recording Label

 ;)

It's true we're living in a digital age. But for me I compare music to books. even if books will be (or allready are) digital available. I'll still buy old school books. I will still buy old vintage. I think DJ-ing is more than technology. The progress of a culture is something different than digital inovation.

Anyway, maybe it's this: the Ipod and recordsleeve both exist as one of the icons, but representing different sides? Would ableton become an icon? just some thoughts . . .

GL

The only though is this: Which one allows the record companies to have LESS over head and sell more product: Mp3 or Vinyl?

The answer is clear and I hate to say it, the consumer won't get a choice. Period.

aS A LABEL OWNER,  i HAVE TWO CHOICES....

1.  Press 100 records for $500 with full art on the labels and sleeves, pray that I sell 41 copies at $11.99 to break even,  and hope that my distributor doesn't jerk me around.  BY the way,  if those other 59 records don't sell,  I'm just stuck with them.

or....

2.  Get my own distribution deal with sites like AudioJelly,  Trackitdown and Play Digital,  do a quality mastering of my MP3 and put my MP3s up for sale at $1.99 each.  If my track doesn't turn out to be as popular,  I've invested no cash,  and I'm not left with a bunch of records sitting around.

thats why Final Scratch, Serato Scratch Live, and Traktor Scratch are the best thing for people who like vinyl.  Best of both worlds, vinyl and mp3 technology.

Hm, it's not that I want to debate if the consumer has a choice. . . because I still have a choice. I will buy the new cinematic orchestra on exclusive 39 euro ltd vinyl edition. Maybe I've the luck to live in a city whit the choice to dig the crates endlessly.
I don't know much about the situation in the US.

But isn't there a relation between DJ culture and counterculture? And how can we stay independent?

you still have to make wise choices and quite frankly, the wise choice is mp3. The problem is the startup cost like Oneel said. You have to invest and RISK more as a small indie label to put out a physical product. If it doesn't sell, you're stuck with product AND debt. You can't be successful that way.

There are so many mp3's out there that it's probably going to be EASIER to remain underground and counter culture. Why? B/c ppl still have to know that you exist ;) If they don't know this, then they won't go looking for your music.

Why not both?

A few labels now offering a Vinyl and MP3 hybrid (http://www.zeropaid.com/news/8774/A+few+labels+now+offering+a+Vinyl+and+MP3+hybrid)

Why? $$$$$ is the answer. Labels that can afford to do both will. Read Oneel's post for more details on why most won't go this route.

It's not a matter of providing both, it's a matter of one format not being as profitable as the other and being more risky by nature.

Did you view my link, Dave? It talks about vinyl records that include mp3s.

I know it's hard when one start a label. And I know MP3 changed the possibilities for me as a artist. That's not what I question.  ;)

But I think we as DJ shouldn't declare vinyl death. For super elctronic I don't mind playing an MP3. . . but I play also old jazz, bossa, classical, dub as well. The medium does play a role and I feel connected to a tradition. In this sense I make choices and the shops / labels I buy also. Most distribute multiple ways (vinyl / Cd / Mp3).

Yes. Did you read mine? ;) Seriously. It's not about the media type you supply your customers, it's about the cost of investment vs the potential return on that investment. Period. Giving the mp3 out with the vinyl is FINE, but... you still have the cost of the vinyl pressing and distribution problems.

Sure, but the market is changing. CD sales dropped yet another 20% last year. Vinyl might be up, but up from how far down? The physical market is in it's death throws for multiple reasons. Technology time and time again has surpassed tradition and simply doesn't respect it. Music used to be unrecorded. Then came sheet music. Then came the first recordings and sheet music wasn't needed as much and it keeps on going. Today, the mp3 is replacing the CD and vinyl. This won't be stopped.

I didn't see a link. 0_~


Understood.

vinyl vinyl!!!! 

Vinyl isn't dead,  but everyone's seriously considering turning off the ventilator