By Oshin Hephzibah
There is an undeniable allure to the vinyl experience — from the tactile pleasure of handling an album cover to the ritual of carefully placing the needle on the groove, it’s a beautiful and nostalgic sensory journey that goes beyond mere music consumption. Invented by Edouard-Leon Scott De Martinville, the resurgence of vinyl is a testimony to the growing desire for memorable, tangible experiences that is reminiscent of a bygone era.
This renewed interest isn’t limited to classic rock or jazz, contemporary artists across genres, from incredible rising beauties like Raye and Lizzy McAlpine to pop sensations like Ariana Grande and The Weeknd, are bringing forth vinyl as a medium for their music. This shift away from digital dominance over the last couple years is a topic that’s been on my mind for a while. Perhaps it’s a reaction to the sterile, often compressed sound that we hear on streaming platforms?
It’s also quite fascinating to see younger artists take charge of the kind of releases they want — when I imagine playing Raye’s powerful vocals to Hozier’s beautiful melodies via a vinyl, it’s the warm, resonant sound that draws me in, the kind of experience that has an immersive and personal touch to it.
So What’s All the Fuss About?
Vinyl offers a very unique listening experience: an analog warmth (as described by tons of audiophiles) and richness that differs from the highly compressed sounds we come across on digital streaming platforms.
‘Music recorded via analog instruments circumnavigates the many digital processes associated with modern music. From recording rooms to mics, analog-recorded songs, for some, are a purer reflection of sound.’ (Fluance)
One of the main things that personally drew me into this kind of listening experience is the careful craftsmanship that goes into a vinyl record. From the artist’s vision to the mastering process, it results in a listening experience that is immersive as well as intimate.
Moreover, we have lately seen a trend toward loudness wars with digital platforms enabling the artificial amplification of tracks, often creating a homogenized and over-processed listening experience. On the other hand, vinyl records manage to capture the original soundwaves, nuances, and subtleties of a recording with remarkable fidelity, offering a stark contrast to the distorted and compressed sound of many digital tracks.
The Sound Quality
Now, Vinyl isn’t just a nostalgic throwback, let’s talk about its dynamic range. Though digital formats cater to specific parameters and have higher flexibility, the typical dynamic range for a Vinyl is around 55-65 dB while the pristine high-fidelity outer rings can extend this to approximately 70 dB. A direct-cut vinyl record may even pass 70 dB, owing to the kind of equipment used.
This translation allows for a more accurate representation of the music, capturing the intricacies that often get lost in the translation of digital formats. No wonder audiophiles continue to swear by the almost superior sound quality that vinyl holds — the warm, resonant sound characterized by its analog nature creates overtones and distorted natural sounds that many listeners find appealing.
Treasured Possession
We are all aware of the popularity of vinyl records back in the olden days; apart from the classic sense of nostalgia, it’s in a way, a tangible treasure. There is a profound satisfaction in owning a physical object that one can hold, admire, and collect. The album artwork, liner notes, the very act of handling the record, is a personal and innovative experience that truly allows the listener to enjoy the music in a more personalized manner.
A Counterculture Movement (?)
Steering away from instant gratification, the vinyl resurgence is undoubtedly a rebellion of sorts…and more than just a nostalgic trend. It reminds the listener to slow down, appreciate the art, while encouraging a more mindful (and fun!) approach to music consumption.
Deciphering the Vinyl Sound: A Scientific Perspective
The notion that vinyl records produce a uniquely ‘warm’ sound is captivating, surely, but the reality is a lot more nuanced. It’s clear that there is a level of engineering that goes into making these records, and of course, the science behind vinyl playback offers a clearer image on what this process entails.
Equipment is Key
A fancy record player doesn’t always guarantee a good sound. From the turntable to the stylus and vinyl pressing, several factors make up the high-quality sound that accompanies this invention.
The stylus’s shape, weight, and the tonearm’s design greatly influences its tracking ability (the process of the stylus maintaining precise contact with the record groove to accurately reproduce the sound). With the stylus materials evolving over time (from steel to diamond/synthetic materials), the tracking accuracy has improved massively and also relates to reduced record wear.
The stylus typically can come in different types, the most common being the elliptical stylus shaped like a tiny oval. The shape provides a good balance between sound quality and durability. There are numerous variations and hybrid shapes used in stylus design, each with its own specific characteristics.
Even the specific kind of polymer (PVC) used for Vinyl creation can affect the sound quality. Back in the days, we did have several vinyl records that were made from a softer compound but there was also the choice of desired sound quality, durability, and cost which affected several factors as well. Softer compounds often led to more surface noise but the sound was as warm as it could be. Modern vinyl focuses on using a harder compound as it effectively reduces surface noise, however some people still prefer the softer ones for the classic vintage sound.
The Digital Age vs Vinyl
Interestingly (but not a surprise), digital technology has massively improved vinyl quality as well. High-resolution digital recordings are being used to create master tapes, which are then maneuvered to cut the vinyl master. Again, aiding to a more accurate and detailed sound reproduction.
Pressing Perfection
This is a process that genuinely fascinates me; pressing a vinyl record is an extremely delicate process where molten vinyl is poured into a metal stamper, which also has the record’s grooves etched into it. If the stamper has any imperfection of any kind, it will be replicated in the record, which is why there is a focus on precise engineering and manufacturing process to ensure the high quality of vinyl records.
The Future of Vinyl Records
At the end of the day, both vinyl and digital have their pros and cons. From the obvious price points for accessible listening, to portable music consumption, to what really matters to you.
Digital streaming isn’t going anywhere obviously (due to its high and easy accessibility) but the resurgence of vinyl shows no signs of slowing down either, Record stores are currently thriving, we have new pressing plants opening, and increasing artists who are bringing more value to this style of listening.
It might not be the most dominant format for music consumption, however, nostalgia is a powerful thing. With more people preferring simplicity in the age of digitization, there seems to be a desire and continued appreciation for these physical and textural mediums, recreating a profound value of analog mediums within a digital world.