Vinyl records had their glory days in the past. A lot of people still have some of their music on those old round discs. No doubt, they were a great format that stood the test of time and became the primary delivery method for music at the time. Even up until now, some people still have their records on vinyl but come on! There is a need for you to digitize that record already.
Although some people keep it just for the fun of having an ancient medium in their home, the world has gone way above those big round discs. You can’t carry them around for sampling. It had meaning in the past but now is not the time for you to go around with a vinyl record.
You might be wondering what a vinyl record is. Do not fret! In this article, you will find out what a vinyl record is, a brief history of vinyl records, how it works, benefits, why you should hire a professional for your conversion process and also tips to get a professional for your conversion.
What Is A Vinyl Record?
You might be wondering if a vinyl record is something really complex that may be hard to comprehend. No! If we are to explain in simple terms, a vinyl record is a disc that has music stored in it. It is usually in the form of a round disc. They could be 10 inches or 7 inches depending on size. They could also be referred to as an analog music storage device.
They were formally called phonograph disc records or discs made up of a type of resin called shellac. Vinyls were made from polyvinyl and that was why the name vinyl became rampant. Vinyls were used in the olden days to store music but were mostly used by Disc jockeys to play music in clubs.
Brief History Of Vinyls
Vinyls known as phonograph discs were known to be a commercial form of storing music. They go way back as far as 1800. They started getting popular in the market around 1912. Vinyl records were known to outshine a fast selling music storage device called phonograph cylinders at that time.
Vinyls started going down in terms of market value around 1991. This was when compact discs started gaining ground and then people preferred to have their songs stored on these discs. Compact discs tend to be a little smaller and can be carried around by people in small cases. In the early 2000, the sales of vinyls had increased again. Most music professionals wanted to possess it for nostalgia and sound quality.
Presently, vinyls are not totally useless because they are treated as very important materials. Have you ever thought about how old artworks were treated? That is the same way vinyls are treated. They are regarded as special antiques and even the old people still fancy the idea of having vinyl.
How Does A Vinyl Work?
The working of a vinyl is majorly mechanical. You will find out how! The sound waves of the music are recorded as 3D groves in the discs. The records are then made to rotate on a turntable, enabling the stylus to move along the 3D sound vibrations produced within.
To understand better, it can be said that vinyl records convert mechanical energy into sound energy by using sound wave prints.
The changes that are made by the needle are being passed on through the means of a lightweight metal bar to a cartridge. This cartridge is known to be an electromagnetic device that contains piezoelectric crystal.
Electrical signals are converted which are fed into the amplifiers and then to the speakers as something that people can hear.
Let’s check out the various types of vinyl records.
Types Of Vinyl Records
The long-playing albums were introduced a long time ago and are known for long playback times. At least, they had playback times of 5 minutes but many times closer to 40 minutes. This was enjoyable at some point because pop and rock stars found better ways to ensure that playback is extended. One of the things to note about these 12-inch albums is that they had longer spin times. They could go as long as 45 spins. Although, the sound produced is affected by the number of spins.
These were the most popular types of vinyl between the periods of 1898 and 1950. They are not called vinyl but can be regarded as part of the whole mix process. They could be called shellac records. They spin at 78 RPM and are made from shellac resins. They come in different sizes but the most common ones are the 10 and 12-inch sizes.
Benefits Of Vinyl Records Over Other Media
Do you know that getting a vinyl at a time can be very expensive. Do not forget that we stated earlier that vinyls are now special antiques. Just like people would want to spend so much to see an ancient artwork, that is the same way you would spend to get a vinyl. If you once had a vinyl and then you’re still in possession of it, you may have something big on your hands.
Talk about a record with longevity and we’ll talk about vinyl. If you had a vinyl during the periods of 1950-1960, do you know that you can still access whatever that has been recorded on it? This is how long vinyl can last. They have the tendency to last for years without losing quality.
Of course with a digital record, you can download music and albums to your device. Unfortunately, those files can either be deleted or corrupted which means that you might have to download again or just let it go. But with a vinyl, you do not have the fear of deleting a file by mistake or having it get corrupted. The only time there can be an issue is when the record itself goes missing or becomes scratched or damaged.
Most people now want to experience vinyl and how it works out. Nowadays, it is easy for you to just tap a screen and then your music plays but the vinyl experience is something that anyone would want to try out. We know you are already thinking of having the vinyl experience. No doubt, if you have the opportunity to experience it, you should make the best out of it.
Other forms of media have the tendency to take you away from tangible connections. This can be likened to having the vinyl experience itself. You get the opportunity to be with the vinyl and make the changes as you want. With digital music, it is easy for you to change the song with a single tap but with vinyl, you have the option of changing the song by yourself through a much more tangible means. It’s one to experience.
Nothing sounds as good as an analog sound. With vinyl, you are sure to get a superior sound quality. Although the sound quality differs depending on the type of vinyl you are using, no doubt, an analog sound is one that you would enjoy and feel the energy as well.
The record process is one thing that makes you feel good. There is something about the record culture that anybody would like to experience. If you’re present during the record process or you’re doing it yourself, it’s definately something special. Check it out, even some of the millennials did not have the experience of vinyl. It would be an amazing thing for you experiencing it at this point.
Why You Should Hire A Professional For Your Vinyl Record Conversion
Converting vinyl records to digital is not child’s play. A professional has been in the game for quite a while and would have carried out that process repeatedly which makes it easier for them to do the job well. If you’re considering doing it yourself, think about the fact that you have not done it before and could be a hassle if you try doing it yourself. In other words, a professional has first hand experience.
A professional has the necessary gadgets to get the job done for you. If you’re considering converting your vinyl records to digital yourself, you might have to get all of the gadgets needed to have a perfect job. Also, the products may be expensive compared to what you would be paying to the professional to get it done for you. Why go through this stress?
Skill is very important in something like this. As someone trying to do it for the first time, you could definitely make lots of mistakes which would in turn wastes your time. A professional has the skill and technical know-how to get it done for you.
The environment matters a lot in the process of conversion, any little sound makes a big difference. You have to be in an atmosphere with less noise and that might not be possible while trying to do it yourself. A professional has access to the perfect environment that would get the job done without mistakes.
It would cost more trying to convert your vinyl records to digital by yourself than outsourcing it to a professional. Why would you want to spend more for something that could be done without stressing yourself. Expense is something to look out for.
Having seen these things, hopefully, you now know why you should hire a professional for your vinyl record conversion process. As an additional note, you’ll get to know how to pick the best company for your vinyl record conversion.
How To Pick The Best Company For Your Vinyl Record Conversion
It is important to check out the reviews of the company you’re going for. Ask around about the people to know if they are going to deliver a good job. If you find out that they are not what you’re looking for in a brand then there’s no point going for them.
Some brands may not have the gadgets needed to get things done for you in the right way. Some of them may be making use of old models of gadgets which would make having a great sound difficult. If you find out that they do not have a professional way of carrying out work activities then it is a no-go area.
Converting your vinyl record to digital shouldn’t cost so much but when you find out that you’re being charged ridiculously then you should check more and find out the company that fits perfectly into your budget.
Some brands are known for poor customer service. As an individual, if you are not comfortable with the ways by which they offer their services or their terms and conditions then you should look elsewhere.
Conclusion
As stated, the use of vinyl was highly prevalent in the past. Even though the format is not as popular, the music is still great! Converting your vinyl record to digital would be the best thing to do for yourself.
You might be thinking of trying to do it by yourself but it is not advisable to do it that way. A professional is the best person to handle it for you. This is why we have shown you the reasons you should hire a professional.
Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
Is converting your vinyl record to digital wrong?
It is not wrong to do it by yourself but you should hire a professional who would help you get it done. The reason is that trying to do it by yourself attracts a lot of processes which can seem overwhelming to you at some point. In a bid to avoid this, outsource it to a professional.
Are Vinyl Records still very relevant?
The truth is that people still have some of these things with them for the sake of old times. No one goes around with Vinyl either for sampling or to play in a clubhouse. Everything has gone digital and you should too. Vinyl was okay during the times it was first introduced but now, it doesn’t make so much sense to use them.
What do I do when my vinyl has a fault?
Faults can be caused by minute stuff. Sometimes, you might not be able to figure out the original cause of the issue. But if you see that it is becoming something you can’t handle yourself then you should take it to a professional who would help you check it and carry out the necessary tests that would make it work better.