Why Do Music Lovers Still Prefer to Buy Records?

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.

Each year in January, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is held in Las Vegas. At this event, audio and video manufacturers show off the latest and greatest in their product lines. An unusual sight this year was not the large number of cutting-edge compact disc players, but the largest number of record turntables that had been seen at the event in years! Sales of both new and used records are hot, and equipment manufacturers are eager to reintroduce the turntables they quit making years ago. Why are record sales increasing when compact discs are supposed to provide perfect sound in an unbreakable format? There are several reasons:

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

    • New record albums continue to be released every day. Aided by artists who are still recording who demand that their albums be released as both records and compact discs, such as Diana Krall, Pink Floyd, and Metallica, record album sales continue to thrive. Despite industry efforts to kill the format back in the 1980's, It appears that the record album will continue to live on, well into the twenty-first century, and music fans couldn't be happier about it.

    ©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.

    Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm that operates several retail Websites, including AluminumChristmasTrees.net, a site devoted to vintage aluminum Christmas trees and accessories, and RarePinkFloyd.com, a site devoted to rare records, compact discs and by the band Pink Floyd.

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Buying A Guitar

    There are many things to consider when buying a new... Read More

    Polychords and the Jazz Improviser: How to Practice & Apply Polychords to Improv

    In the world of music, many Jazz improvisers and Classical... Read More

    Jazz Yatra

    Jazz is arguably the most argumentative form of music (even... Read More

    One Way to Improve Your Music Journalist Relationship

    Boy, I really detest how some people do websites. Bands... Read More

    How Any DJ Can Increase Their Gigs and Profits By This Simple Strategy

    The DJ industry is very competitive. There are many DJ's... Read More

    How to Make State-of-the-Art Video Singles Cheaply

    When it comes to promoting their new music releases, I... Read More

    Art of the Recording Engineer: From Michael Jackson to Mutant Radio, Matt Forger Speaks Out

    Interviewed by Scott G (The G-Man)G-Man: When people think of... Read More

    5 Sure Fire Ways to Get Radio Play for Your ?Independent? Music!

    You have to find radio airplay time if you're going... Read More

    A Guitar Lesson To Help You Test Your Note Knowledge

    In this guitar lesson we look at a great way... Read More

    Rabbitt Productions - Up & Coming Atlanta Producer

    When you think of music in Atlanta you generally think... Read More

    CD Review: Amber - My Kind of World

    Pop/Rock Recording Artist Amber, who has scored seven #1 Billboard... Read More

    Your First Guitar

    Congratulations, you just bought you first guitar! Now that you've... Read More

    Guitar Players...Get a Balanced Guitar Practice Diet

    Do you have a wide variety of things that you... Read More

    3 Secrets To Understanding What Makes Music Tick

    It's no secret that virtually everyone loves music in some... Read More

    Acoustic Or Electronic Drums - What Is Your Choice?

    A debate rages on in the drumming world! You might... Read More

    Thomas Jefferson and the Chinese Gong

    While Richard Nixon's diplomatic visit to China may have created... Read More

    Music Downloads: Free & Low Cost Ways For Musicians To Get Their Music Known All Over The World

    Music downloads are highly compressed audio files transferred onto a... Read More

    The Life and Music of Beatle George Harrison

    Propelled into fame as one of the Beatles, along with... Read More

    What is Guitar Tablature and Can I Find It Online?

    The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments... Read More

    Guitar Practice - Make It Your Priority!

    Every student realizes that guitar practice is important if they... Read More

    Playing The Piano Using Chord Symbols Instead of Being Tied To The Written Sheet Music

    Piano improvising and arranging is an art but definitely not... Read More

    Zen and the Art of New Age Piano

    We all want to be in the moment. That's where... Read More

    Choosing a Jazz Band for Your Party

    In many years of arranging jazz bands for all sorts... Read More

    Acclaimed Songwriter and Performer Michael Alan Releases New CD: Searching for the Heartland:

    New York born singer songwriter Michael Alan, who records with... Read More

    Patriotic Music: Surprising Secrets About Those Flag-Waving Sounds

    Whether played by a marching band, an orchestra, or a... Read More

    The Joy of Spontaneous Expression

    Do you remember finger-painting as a child? How fun it... Read More

    How to Find Musical Ideas

    The Russian Composer Igor Stravinsky once said: " A good... Read More

    The Secrets of Correctly Stringing Your Guitar

    Why do you care about stringing your guitar you may... Read More

    Visualization Techniques for the Pianist

    Controlling the images of the mind through image projection has... Read More

    The Need To Perform

    I can't believe how much of the year has gone... Read More

    New Age Music - How Its Made

    Different styles of music have different "sounds." We can all... Read More

    Arranging for New Age Piano

    A while back, I wrote an article that compared flower... Read More

    Dont Go Tubthumping

    I have always had a big problem with my addiction... Read More