Hacker News Reader

Comment by shampto3 | Hacker News Reader

Like a lot of people, I don't buy a lot of music anymore now that streaming is so easy. But when I do buy music, I buy a vinyl. And it's not because of the sound quality, because I can't tell the difference.

I buy vinyl because I like having a large version of the album artwork. Most vinyl albums come with a digital copy of the music, which is what I use to actually listen to the album (if not on a streaming platform). I rarely listen to the actual vinyl version.

There's not really a reason for me to buy a CD. I can just buy the digital version and store it on my Plex server if I want just the music. If I want the physical copy, I want it to look really nice so I go with vinyl.

View on HN

I don't normally like to do self promotion on this site, but this is the exact reason why me and my team (mostly me) created Vinylr.

Instead of just getting a digital download, we provide a full size copy of the album art minus the actual record, and we give you a slightly lower quality version of the digital download with some random crackles and pops added in with advanced AI to simulate the vinyl listening experience.

For an additional 20 dollars, we cut down a tree and set it on fire for you.

How is your SEO? I can't find you on Google!! (/s)

Oh man, you've got AI and an R at the end of your startup name! How do I invest?

It sounds silly, but I find it extremely comforting to know I can play back my vinyl using entirely mechanical components.

I don't expect the world to forget how to decode mp3s, or even loose the ability to generate electric to power my computers/storage to retrieve it. But, in the event all technology collapsing I've got a vibration trapped in a piece of vinyl, and I can play back by scraping a nail over it. There's something quite beautifully "pure" or simple about this. As much as analogue audio tape is doing similar, vinyl is a physical waveform.

Sure, in any world where this could happen there's going to be far more important things to worry about than playing back Paul Simon, but it seems easier to believe I could build a gramophone from first principals than a CD player. Comforting.

Vinyl is one of those things that is at the limit of human scale but still accessible - without any power you can spin a record and “hear” it by putting your ear near the needle.

Both cassettes and CDs go out of human scale and into technology.

You can't play modern vinyl on a gramophone. Well, technically you can, but you'll just destroy the record. You need shellac records if you want to play them on a gramophone, and the last one was produced maybe in the 40s.

>You need shellac records if you want to play them on a gramophone, and the last one was produced maybe in the 40s.

Some countries like India of the Philippines kept using gramophones into the late 60s. You can get shellac records of the Beatles made in India like this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/362971169801?hash=item5482c48409:g:...

No idea if the price they're asking is realistic or not.

They should really start selling CDs in 30×30cm cardboard cases. The best of both.

Or even, a 30×30cm print on thick canvas, with a download code on the back.

I don't want non-playable musical objects attached to a digital download.

I want CDs in Jewel Cases, and Vinyl in sleeves.

I have a couple of CD box sets that actually are in vinyl sized boxes. War of the Worlds (technically SACD), and a Warp Records collection. I wish it was more common!

Besides the artwork, I buy vinyl because it requires me to be present in listening.

I have to rummage through my collection, pull the record out of its cover (and maybe read it). Then I have to turn it over half way through. Also when people are over I make them do the same. It sparks conversation.

I concede I could do all of those things with digital copies but I don’t. If I’m not working, I largely listen to vinyl only now.

Exactly. Vinyl is just fun. You don't need any reason beyond that.

> Most vinyl albums come with a digital copy of the music

Been a while. What does that mean? They put a download URL or cheap SD Card in the package?

If you buy a vinyl through Bandcamp, the album automatically gets added to your account, which is pretty neat.

Depends

Most come with a URL and a download code.

Bandcamo automatically gives you the digital if you buy a record through the service.

Amazon used to have "auto rip" where you could download the digital from Amazon music if you bought some records from them. I haven't seen that in a while though

> And it's not because of the sound quality, because I can't tell the difference.

I like the form factor of vinyls a lot but... What kind of turntable do you need for not being able to tell the difference? I take it you need both a pricey vinyl turntable and recent vinyls? To me playing vinyl is linked to my young self playing vinyl and they definitely had a "vinyl sound": hisses and noises and whatnots.

> There's not really a reason for me to buy a CD. I can just buy the digital version and store it on my Plex server if I want just the music.

I do still buy CDs and rip to FLAC.

I do the same thing for vinyl, but I do it to minimise my control on the music.

I put an album on and I know I could try to find my favourite song. Instead the record plays and only needs my help when I am dine with side a.

Tbh this is vinyl's killer feature, lack of choice.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com