Aesthetics for Birds

Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art for Everyone

Spin Me Round: Why Vinyl is Better Than Digital

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What follows is a guest post by Tony Chackal. We have also published a response piece to this post, which you can read here.

Ever wonder why people prefer vinyl records over digital formats? Are they just snobs who fetishize vintage culture or elitists overly concerned with being hip? Are vinyl enthusiasts backward-looking in resisting contemporary technology? Maybe. But there are other substantial reasons to prefer vinyl to digital formats that may account for recent rebounds in vinyl sales. In this piece, I’ll highlight what I think they are.

The two central categories of recorded musical technology are analog and digital. Digital listening formats are immaterial, and so offer conveniences of portability, efficiency, and expediency. Vinyl records are material, occupy space, need to be properly stored, and require more engagement to operate. The fact that vinyl records are material allows distinctive features to be appreciated and evaluated, which are unavailable in digital formats. Let’s call this “the vinyl condition”. I think the vinyl condition offers beneficial differences in listening to recorded music. The sound is warmer, richer, and deeper. Beyond sound, the vinyl condition offers a larger number of features to be appreciated and evaluated. These include tactile, visual, and epistemic features. While a range of benefits and drawbacks exist in both analog and digital formats, I think vinyl records are preferable to digital formats because the sound is better and the overall aesthetic experience is wider and richer.

I want to underscore that by widening the framework of discussion to include other features beyond sound, I aim to avoid the overly simplistic debate about mere auditory differences between analog and digital formats. I outline four features of the vinyl condition: auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic. My aim is (1) to highlight what is absent in the aesthetic experience of listening to music through digital formats and equipment, and (2) to refute the idea that vinyl enthusiasts are mere snobs using outdated technology just for the sake of being cool.

Two notes about technology

Let’s observe two running principles in philosophy of technology held by figures like Martin Heidegger, Albert Borgmann, and Herbert Marcuse.

1) Technology concerns means-end relationships and is social activity.
Technology involves instruments used for purposes to achieve ends or goals. For example, the turntable is designed to play records and it achieves its purpose when it does so. Technology is social activity in that the ends achieved involve needs and wants of social existence. That someone uses a turntable reflects perhaps a human need to consume music, and an individual’s particular preference for vinyl. Listening to music is social when done with others, but also in the general sense of being socially produced art communicating something between musician and listener.

2) Changes in technology produce changes in social activity.
One might think that new technologies just offer novel ways to do the same things humans have always done, and while they might make activities more efficient, convenient, and expedient, these are only peripheral aspects that do not change the nature of activity itself. But philosophers discuss how these seemingly peripheral aspects may actually change the very nature of the activity. For example, the advent of recorded music technology via Edison’s phonograph changed musical listening as a social activity. Whereas before, music would be heard during live performance, rendering it transient, place-based, and time-dependent, recording technology and formats allowed people to bring music into their homes, and to have songs “present-at-hand” (as Heidegger says) in the standing reserves of their collections. Music could now be heard in one’s home, at one’s leisure; songs could be played in the order one wished; and sound elements such as bass and treble could be adjusted at the direction of the listener.

Not only did recording technology change how music was consumed, it also changed how music was produced. Music would now be written with the studio in mind, anticipating various differences arising between performing and recording. This changed, for example, the lengths of songs, often rendering them shorter, as well as offering opportunities for overdubbing, editing, and mixing so that certain sounds were foregrounded and others backgrounded. Benjamin and Adorno bemoaned the changes that recorded music introduced by claiming that it displaced the authenticity, aura, and authority of music as a live art form. I think the contemporary comparison should not be between recorded and live music, but rather between different formats of recorded music. While there are a number of analog formats—vinyl records, cassette tapes, and even CDs although typically digitally recorded are material—I treat vinyl records as the paradigmatic example. And while there are distinctions within digital formats, I use the term to cover MP3s and other digital lossy files and streaming services. In the next four sections, I discuss the distinctive auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic features that arise from the vinyl condition.

Auditory features

Because of their materiality, records offer sound qualities that digital formats do not. These include warmth, richness, and depth. Many people value those qualities and so hold vinyl records to sound better than digital formats. Much needs to be said to support this claim. First, I’ll define these terms.

Warmth arises in records precisely because they are analog, and it refers to a material quality of sound occurring when physical instruments are played. It occurs because the record is an empirical object being played by a turntable and channeled through surrounding equipment. That turntables are instruments in themselves is seen in the movement of turntabilism, which is essentially the art of scratching and mixing records. There is general warmth to virtually all analog instruments. Just as analog photography and film each carry distinctive visual warmth, seen most pointedly when compared to digital counterparts, so to do vinyl records, which is also most recognizable when compared to digital formats. Because digital formats are compressed lossy files and are not played by a physical instrument upon a physical format in the same sense that a record is by the needle on the stylus, on the arm of the turntable, through a receiver and speaker set, then this quality of warmth is absent in digital formats. To be sure, the sound of vinyl carries additional warmth when recorded through analog rather than digital technology.

Richness refers to the diversity of auditory aspects heard in vinyl records. Because of record grooves, the sound of vinyl is more open, allowing a greater quantity of features to be heard. The space afforded by the grooves allows one to locate and individuate particular instruments and sounds and observe how they contribute to the music as a whole. This way, diversity can be heard.

Whereas richness refers to the greater quantity of sound, depth refers to the greater quality of sound. Depth is afforded by the resonant quality of records arising from grooves on its physical format. Depth refers to how much of a sound or instrument can be heard. Depth can be recognized in records when comparing its sound to that of digital formats, which, because they are compressed files, preclude a certain depth from being heard. It’s key to note that the sound limitations in digital formats almost always concern the compression at their nature.

While analog defenders attest to the warmth, richness, and depth of the sound of records, many digital apologists contest this. One reason is that the debate between analog and digital technology is typically focused on recording technologies, not listening technologies. Sound differences arising from recording technologies are essential to the analog-digital debate, but those arising from listening technologies must also be included. Additionally, the sound quality of the format must be treated as one among a variety of distinctive features arising from the materiality of the vinyl condition and its associated equipment. Furthermore, digital apologists think that digital formats can have warmth, richness, and depth if heard through the right equipment. I’ll address these concerns by first introducing the formats and then contextualizing them within their contexts of equipment.

There are paradigmatic differences between the sound quality of vinyl records and digital formats. The former tends to be deeper, richer, warmer, and of a more rounded quality. The latter tends to be more clean, polished, and slick, of a more trebly, high-end quality. The sound of vinyl records arises because the grooves on the record allow for an open, resonant quality. Conversely, digital formats by their nature compress sound, disallowing the open space that allows the warmth, richness, and depth to arise. Often this debate becomes paralyzed when cast in terms of “accuracy”. Digital apologists argue that because digitization utilizes binary code, numerical precision provides a more accurate sound of the master recording onto the format. For now, I avoid this framework of numerical accuracy because it is solely focused on auditory qualities. Instead, I highlight how the vinyl condition allows a wider artistic platform and richer aesthetic experience that includes auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic features.

Philosophers like Heidegger highlight that any given technological instrument must be situated within a context of equipment because contexts render instruments functional and coherent, useful and meaningful. Equipment includes other technological instruments and their collaboration to achieve ends, and also language, conventions, and procedures that are employed in using technologies. To claim that either records or MP3s alone are superior in sound quality is problematic in lacking context. The context for vinyl records is the stationary home stereo, including the turntable, receiver, and speakers. The paradigmatic equipment for digital formats is the smart device or personal computer, and earbuds. In either case, quality of sound will be determined as much by the equipment as a whole, not the format alone. Certainly, there are cheap and often portable record players with poor sound quality, and there are records that have so much content that sound quality is compromised (it’s optimal to not exceed 20 minutes on each side of a 12-inch). While some digital format listeners have high quality home stereo systems and other audiophile technologies, this is not paradigmatic.

The equipment of vinyl includes the record and its condition, the quality of the turntable and stylus, the power and watts per channel of the receiver, and the size and strength of the speakers. Even speaker placement and size of speaker wire can produce differences in sound. While there are high quality headphones, most people listen to digital formats through earbuds, car stereos, computer speakers, or desktop speakers. Because earbuds are small and aim to bring music to one’s head, there is no space for sound to resonate and gain warmth, richness, and depth arising from the acoustics of the speaker box (along with the record grooves). Nor is there the extra power and style that arises from particular collaborations of receiver, speakers, and turntable. The equipment as a whole enables the warm, rich, deep sound to arise. Let’s call this triad “fecundity”. From these considerations, I cash out two claims. First, there are differences in sound quality of vinyl records and digital formats, which arise because of the paradigmatic equipment of each. Second, because records utilize material grooves and are used with high quality equipment and digital formats are by their essence compressed and are used with lower quality equipment, the former can have fecundity while the latter cannot. If records have fecundity of sound, and if fecundity is preferable, then vinyl records are the better format.

Tactile features

The tactility of the vinyl condition is the most obvious feature arising from its materiality. Records are physical and so occupy particular place and time. They are stored on shelves, removed from sleeves, and placed on turntables. Aside from the actual vinyl disc, there are various other physical parts to a record’s packaging. Let’s distinguish these parts from outer to inner. Polybags are the plastic sleeves that house records. Jackets are the outer sleeves typically made of cardstock and on which the front and back album artwork resides. The spine is the jacket’s side opposite its opening, where names of musicians or groups are printed. The inner sleeve, or dust sleeve, is the paper or plastic in which the record disc resides. Inserts are anything included in the jacket, such as lyric sheets, booklets, stickers, patches, zines, stencils, post cards, CDs, DVDs, or 7-inch records. Labels are the paper circles at the center of the record. Finally, inscriptions are etched into the vinyl disc at the record’s center as a unique alphanumeric code. Each of these physical aspects is part of the tactility of the aesthetic experience. Crucially, they are additional spaces of opportunity for artwork.

The tactility offers physical engagement as part of the aesthetic experience. Collectors store and handle vinyl with care, for example by avoiding dust and fingerprints. Jackets are removed from polybags, inner sleeves from jackets, and vinyl from inner sleeves. The inserts invite the collector to engage them—to read the lyric sheet, to apply the sticker, to gaze at the artwork. A collector touches, removes, places, flips, inserts, and peruses various material aspects of the packaging. In this way, records aren’t merely owned and heard, they are felt and engaged.

sandpaper jacket of The Return of Durutti Column

Consider The Rolling Stones 1971 Sticky Fingers album, designed by Andy Warhol. The cover depicted the crotch of a man clad in denim replete with an actual zipper that could be moved up and down to reveal the inside picture on the inner sleeve of a similar crotch now presented in only white briefs. The zipper allows the collector to engage it physically, to pull it up and down and enjoy a material relationality that accompanies the musical listening experience. Yet most collectors likely do this only once when first procuring the record to ensure it works, after which they would be keen to keep the jacket in mint condition. Still, this artwork, engagement, and interaction are unavailable in digital formats. Or consider also the Durutti Column’s 1980 debut, The Return of the Durutti Column, which was packaged in a sandpaper jacket that would ruin the sleeve art of any records shelved next to it. This was influenced by Guy Debord’s 1959 situationist art book Mémoires, designed by Asger Jorn, which did the same. The Rolling Stones and Durutti Column cases demand that the collector take some precautionary measures. I, for one, use three extra polybags for each album to ensure that the zipper and sandpaper do not harm other records.

The jacket itself can come in distinct shapes. Consider Public Image Ltd.’s 1979 album, Metal Box, which refers to its packaging (designed by Dennis Morris): a metal, 16-millimeter film canister embossed with the band’s logo and housing three 12-inch records. It remains one of the most unique album designs of all time. Or consider Pylon’s 1981 album Chomp, which depicted a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The top of the jacket bared serrated edges to suggest the dinosaur and bitten into it. One is invited to lightly rub their finger across to feel the sharpness of the points. The tactility generally allows for the other distinctive auditory, visual, and epistemic features to arise.

Visual features

There are also many visual aspects to the vinyl condition. Typically, there is artwork on the front and back of the jacket. Some covers become timeless, pervasive cultural images, such as Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures, designed by Peter Saville. The jackets may be gatefold, i.e. they may unfold or open like a book, and may reveal a large image across the entire unfolded jacket, such as the inner image of lightning-faced David Bowie in Aladdin Sane (pictured above). There is also artwork on inner sleeves, as well as anything inserted in the jacket. Additionally, the polybag may also be used as a canvas. The Allah-Las place signature logo sticker artwork on theirs, for example. Sometimes the inner sleeves are also the lyric sheets or where inner artwork is placed. The label offers yet another opportunity for artwork. In soul 45s of the 1960s and ’70s, often there were no jackets or inserts, but only inner sleeves and labels. This allowed Motown, for example, to develop specially printed inner sleeves with their logo, although this was an exception rather than the rule. Typically, the label itself was the place for visual features, which gave rise to distinct graphic design of text and logos for labels. It could also be used to host images, such as a picture of James Brown’s head on many of his 45s.

There is copious opportunity for artwork as inserts. There are whole sheets that may contain lyrics and photographs. Faust included a series of 10×10-inch photographs as inserts in their second record, Faust So Far. The vinyl itself can even be a work of art. There is the standard black vinyl, but also a variety of colored vinyl records. There are solid colors, as well as marbled, two-toned, or multi-colored records. Importantly, there are also picture discs, such as CAN’s “I Want More” EP. The shape of vinyl can also be manipulated from the standard circle, such as Lovelife’s 2002 heart-shaped vinyl EP. Clinic’s 2010 album Bubblegum included a gatefold jacket housing a black LP, a second pink 12-inch with acoustic versions, a lyric sheet, and also a stencil. The gatefold calls the listener to open it, the colored vinyl motivates an aesthetic gaze, and the stencil encourages one to make a print or spray a shirt.

Epistemic features

Epistemic features concern knowledge and what is needed for it. There is typically a bevy of information inscribed on discs and sleeves. This includes information about the artist, musicians, producer, recording studio, date recorded, label, lyrics, shout-outs, number of pressings, and so on. While this information is often available digitally, it arises not from the format as such, but from internet access generally. Consequently, the information often does not call to listeners, since they have to take extra measures to see it. When present on the record and sleeve, the information announces itself more loudly and transparently. As many philosophers have argued, more information often leads to an enhanced understanding of artworks, and some knowledge is even necessary to understand an artwork’s meaning. Listeners’ aesthetic experiences are benefited by the transparency of information.

Vinyl records often contain obscure information that is either not obvious or simply unavailable with digital formats. Musicians may add to the alphanumeric inscriptions at the record’s center by etching messages, slogans, and even inside jokes. Knowing the information above—about, say, an album’s producer, production studio, or musicians—can add value to one’s appreciation and evaluation. For example, there are producers who make considerable impacts on albums, such as Brian Eno, Martin Hannet, and Lee Perry. Knowing that allows listeners to appreciate what producers contribute and to recognize their particular style.

Conclusion

I’ve tried to show that vinyl records and associated equipment offer certain features of appreciation and evaluation that are unavailable in digital formats. Auditory features are warmer, richer, and deeper, and there are also tactile, visual, and epistemic features that expand the artistic platform and enrich the aesthetic experience. People prefer vinyl for these reasons and others, not merely to be snobby, vintage, or hip for its own sake, or to eschew contemporary technology. Rather, enthusiasts enjoy spinning and being spun by vinyl, like a record, right round, round round.

Note: We have also published an audio engineer’s response to this post, which you can read here.


Tony Chackal is a philosophy instructor at Slippery Rock University. He works on issues at the intersection of environmental philosophy, political philosophy, and aesthetics, and has published on food, street art and illegality, and the nature of our relationships to our environments. He DJs regularly, of course on vinyl. You can also follow him on Instagram (@thevinylcondition).

Edited by Alex King
All photos courtesy of the author

86 Comments

  1. You argue that vinyl records are superior to digital forms of music, and that there are important qualities absent from these digital forms. You hold the position that vinyl records have superior auditory, tactile, visual (artwork), and epistemic features compared to digital musical formats, and that enjoyers of vinyl records are not simply in it for the aesthetic. You stated that vinyl records have a superior warmth, richness, and depth not present in digital music. You mentioned that the physical aspects of vinyl records, such as labels, jackets, and inserts, provide a deeper connection compared to simply pressing play on digital. The artwork on vinyl records, you said, is also of value. And, last but certainly not least, you discussed that properly caring for and using vinyl records requires a certain amount of knowledge, and that there is also a relay of information between artist and user that adds to the experience of vinyl records- of course, this care is far more extensive than care for digital music, which often needs little to no knowledge at all to operate.

    While I agree with your position, and can see why you chose to argue in favor of vinyl specifically, I do think there is something about digital music you should consider. You mentioned in your notes about technology that the introduction of Edison’s phonograph made music into a social activity, as it was then “present-at-hand”. While vinyl records fall into this “present-at-hand” category, it remains that digital music is, at times, even more available, and I feel that there is something to be said about that. I think that part of what makes music so special is its association with certain moments in our lives. Having music readily available at specific times, say, for example, during a car ride with a friend, is part of what, in my opinion, makes it so valuable and meaningful. Personally, I think I would have a hard time keeping a record player in my car- and I know there are CDs, but those still would not have quite the same qualities you described that we find in vinyl records (although maybe the CDs being physical is your counterargument right there). I just thought this was something you could maybe think about/address.

    Nice work,
    N. Pierce

  2. Your argument holds that the vinyl experience is better than the digital one based on having distinct qualities that are more preferable. These qualities take shape in the “vinyl condition”, outlined by the following features: auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic. On auditory, you stated that the vinyl experience provides warmth, richness, and depth that isn’t present in digital music and provides a greater listening experience. On tactile, you pointed out that vinyl takes physical space and has physical qualities that can be admired by the viewer, such as the jacket. The jacket takes on a visual feature, providing viewers with interesting artwork and details missing from the digital experience. Finally, you mentioned there is a certain amount of knowledge required to own and care for vinyl, making ownership much more meaningful than that of digital files that require little knowledge to obtain or maintain.

    I’ve never listened to a vinyl album (sorry Dr. Chackal), so I can’t personally testify for any improvements upon the auditory experience found in the vinyl condition. Although, as an artist, I’d agree that albums having improved tactile and visual qualities is a great appeal for why people would be interested in vinyl. Personally, I enjoy using CDs when possible, which is mostly while driving. CDs provide me with a sense of ownership and nostalgia that digital music doesn’t. Also, a CD provides me with easy access to the whole album in order, which I believe is the proper way to listen to music. Although, I’d have to agree with Pierce’s point that music is also a social experience, and an aux can provide a greater bond between friends than sitting around a record player. Yet, to elaborate, I think there is certain music that is meant to be listened to digitally, such as EDM and some newer rap music, all of which are made digitally. Although I’m sure you know more than me on the subject, I thought these would be points to consider.

    Stay Snobby,
    M. Griffith

  3. You argue that vinyl is better than digital. Your argument includes qualities that you have named the “vinyl condition” which includes auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic. Although the digital experience offers conveniences that vinyl does not, such as portability, efficiency, and expediency, you argue that the advantages of vinyl outweigh these qualities. You stated that records offer better sound qualities that digital does not. Warmth, richness, and depth are lost in digital and they provide a better listening experience. You stated that vinyl is material and takes up space, and it has physical qualities such as labels, jackets, and inserts making it more engaging than digital. As for visual, it provides people with artwork which is missing from the digital experience. Lastly, you argued that knowledge and information about the music and artist are readily available on discs as opposed to digital. With digital, one must do research to gather information that is already provided on records.

    I do agree with you that records are more material and something you can engage with. When I was little, we had a turntable and a collection of records. It was fun playing them, watching them spin, and occasionally we would get yelled at by my dad for scratching one of the records by trying to play it backwards haha. A drawback to consider would be how easily records can get damaged. Even the way it is stored can cause damage, so is it easier to keep digital music free of damage as opposed to records? I don’t own any records now, which I guess means I “prefer” digital (easily available, hassle-free, etc), but I do have to agree that it does sound different than digital. I don’t think the sound is flawless and better/worse than digital, but there is something “cool” about playing records. It’s like there is a live band playing in your house which gives it a unique experience. I think you provided a good argument for vinyl over digital, so, nice work!

    B. Kramer

  4. What you have described in your argument was that listening to music on vinyl is a much better experience than listening to music digitally. You brought up the auditory features, which bring to life the warmth, richness, and depth of the music by vinyl. Tactile features that you included showed that it makes it more engaging to own vinyl since you have a physical copy in your hands of one of your favorite pieces of music. You also talked about visual features that are incorporated throughout the vinyl packaging that makes it timeless and cultural to own, and epistemic features were mentioned as well, which give the listener more information and knowledge about the artist or music that they are listening to.

    I do agree that the auditory features of vinyl are superior to that of digital, but as for the other features that you spoke of, digit out-weighs vinyl in my opinion. Tactile features almost seem negative in a way since vinyl requires much more care since the records and turntables need a space to be stored and can be damaged easily unlike digital music. It’s also fun to be in the car with friends having everyone sharing the aux, and playing music they found that no one has listened to yet, which I feel couldn’t happen with vinyl since people don’t just carry records around with them all the time, nor do people keep turntables in their cars. Also, buying multiple records can get pricey when compared to free streaming services that allow you to listen to anything immediately. As for visual features, nowadays, artists put out so much merchandise per album (t-shirts, posters, stickers, etc.) that there are many more ways to have something physical from that piece of music. However, having the sound of vinyl in a room is always a different experience, and I guess isn’t that why we’re listening in the first place.

    P. Anundson

  5. Based upon the claim, “Vinyl is better than digital,” you had posed the affirmative position with evidence of having several additional qualities that the digital format would not permit. These arguments include the auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic pros of the vinyl. The auditory argument offers three main characteristics that are more preferable that are superior to the auditory features of a digital: warmth, richness, and depth. Next, the tactile argument offers one thing that the digital could not offer: physicality. Never will one ever be able to hold digital music in the way a vinyl could be held. With this being said, the physicality becomes more nostalgic, memorable, and gives the vinyl a sense of “higher importance.” Similarly, the visual argument goes hand-in-hand to the tactile argument. However, the visual leaves room for even interactive aspects of the vinyl as well as looking at the vinyl from an artistic view. Therefore, for a vinyl you gain more than just a vinyl itself. You have obtained art, music, and a new way to think of the music in its own, catering to the aesthetic of the vinyl as well. Finally, the epistemic argument offers an intellectual appeal to the readers. At this point, the reader has captured the ideal that the vinyl offers far, far more than the digital in physicality. You often buy into the vinyl not only for the vinyl but for everything else that is included in a vinyl purchase. For these reasons, the claim “Vinyl is better than digital” was well supported as well as refuting the idea that the aesthetic is only one of many reasons that people may prefer the vinyl.

    I believe that the vinyl may have several pros; however, there are some potential questions to think about from the negative position: (1) Can digital create a social connection between musician and listener too? (MTV?) (2) Would you suggest that using the words, “aesthetic experience” could potentially refute your own refutation, “vinyl enthusiasts are mere snobs using outdated technology just for the sake of being cool?” (3) Does the digital music offer more diversity, exposure, and access to more music? Additionally, a more powerful argument may be posed by defining what “better” is referring to. I believe a rebuttal in its own section would be beneficial to rule out more arguments and define “better.”
    Could you potentially rule out arguments such as the digital format’s price, access, or why more digital copies are sold. Finally, a stronger argument may be posed by searching more of the digital format. For example, “To claim that either records or MP3s alone are superior in sound quality is problematic in lacking context. The context for vinyl records is the stationary home stereo, including the turntable, receiver, and speakers.” May be strengthened by some research of how these systems operate in comparison to the vinyl since it will most likely support the affirmative position.

    M. Perozzi

  6. In this piece, you argue why vinyl is to be preferred over digital formats. You maintain your position in saying that vinyl records have superior auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic features in comparison to those of digital formats. Those who prefer vinyl over digital formats are not merely snobby, hip, individuals who fetishize vintage culture. While digital formats offer the conveniences of portability, efficiency, and expediency, vinyl offers a superior quality of warmth, richness, and depth that digital formats cannot provide. To further support the superiority of the vinyl, arguments describing characteristics of this form of analog such as the components, artwork, and caretaking were provided. Vinyl forces listeners more so than digital formats to appreciate and evaluate aspects of the music.

    I strongly agree with the argument within this piece, vinyl is superior to digital formats. The first album I ever got and listened to was: The Beach Boys Pet Sounds. Since then, my mediocre collection has expanded all the way from Dean Martin Welcome To My World to Jethro Tull A Passion Play. While you touched on many important aspects of the superiority of vinyl, I feel that some were left out. The unique artwork, designs, and special feature that are included along with a vinyl make vinyl itself extremely appealing collectively. Half the fun of appreciating vinyl is creating your own collection, which can also offer a deeper understanding of the artists, producers, etc. Collecting can add an extra hint of nostalgia and meaning to the music. A certain vinyl can remind one of the time they bought it, in so doing an entire collection can create a timeline of emotions and experiences within a person’s life. Another point I feel should be touched on is the quality of the unique experience of listening to an album all the way through in the order that it was produced. When an album is produced, or at least a decent album is produced, one of the goals of the album is to create a feeling, story, or message. With this being said, if the artist and producers were trying to achieve one of these goals, chances are the album is to be heard all the way through in the order they chose and was produced. By listening to vinyl, being able to have this experience welcomes a deeper understanding to the music, because the goal of the artist and producers can become more apparent and clear. Overall, I too believe that vinyl provides one with a deeper appreciation, understanding, and knowledge of music as a whole over digital formats.

  7. I really enjoyed reading this. You have made many interesting points concerning the values of the “vinyl condition” by outlining auditory, tactile, visual and the epistemic features they posses. Features ranging from the warmth, richness, and depth that comes from how the vinyl record is specifically played with physical instruments. These qualities also assist in hearing a greater quantity of music or features and this also contributes to a greater quality of sound. You go on to explain how vinyl offers more than just an enhanced auditory performance. In addition to that they offer an aesthetic experience along with it by being a material form that comes with physical features, which is something a digital anything just cannot offer. You explain these physical features as the vinyl itself, jackets, inserts, labels, inner sleeves, and even the spine of the album. These things taking up time and space but in a good way. A tangible way. You explain the artwork on the jacket and even the vinyl itself is a work of art, not to mention all the other interesting things the artist can add for the listener such as the information inscribed on the discs and sleeves adding to the listeners understanding of the artists work. You certainly brought forward all the vinyl conditions best qualities.
    Let me start out by saying this was very interesting for me to read so thank you. My mom also collects records and has multiple record players. Not only that but I used to dance at a preprofessional ballet company and any of the music they played whether for warmups or live performances such as ‘The Nutcracker’ was ALWAYS played from records. Only very rarely when a guest choreographer would come in did we dance to anything from a digital device and when we did the music was not as powerful or as fun to dance to by any means. So, I am lucky enough to be able to say I have heard the difference firsthand.
    The more I read your blog though the more I started to wonder if the two should be compared at all. They both offer a user listening experience, but they are just so different in so many ways. Personally, I love to collect things, so I enjoy materialized things far more than anything digital (I don’t use computers to take notes, I prefer books to kindles, etc.) I enjoy things I can touch and feel like I own. Digital anything does not seem as safe as something physical. Records and anything that goes with them like the turntable, stylus, speakers, the artwork, inserts, jackets and the vinyl taking up space are all things that are appealing to me. These things can not be deleted, if you own it, it is yours to use when and how you want. You asked the Question “Are vinyl enthusiasts backward-looking in resisting contemporary technology?” I don’t really think so. Vinyl did appear a long time ago, but it just seems like a different way to enjoy music. It adds to the options of today. You don’t have to choose between vinyl and digital, we can use both if we wish to. They technically both achieve a means to an end. It all depends on what an individual’s preference is. If you want warmth, depth, and richness and a more unique experience vinyl is the way to go. If you aren’t concerned with that or you like the polished versions of songs for driving or when you are out away from home digital works.
    The way you explained the vinyl condition it sounds like owning, playing, and taking care of a vinyl collection is in fact an art. Contrary to what a previous commenter wrote whom said digital is more of a way to engage with friends or a more social way of listening to music. It might be in some ways but if you invite people over who enjoy vinyl or are teaching someone about them you probably get more of a musical social experience because to play the record you have to concentrate on what you are doing and really be in the moment with the music and people around you who are enjoying it. Vinyl is more mindful way of listening to music. It’s more of a present listening than a passive listening like digital tends to be. Digital has become the expected almost automatic way to listen to music. It has become so convenient, you can get any song, anytime, anywhere without taking up physical space. But we live in a distracted world as it is so when we plug in to our digital devices the music just naturally becomes part of the background, like when you listen to music while driving, or when you stream games and have music playing, or are exercising to it. It is not very often the “main” activity when you are streaming from a digital device. The technology has made it more accessible but less predominant at the same time. The music from a digital device is not the experience like the relationship between someone and their vinyl.
    Vinyl has it’s draw backs when they degrade or ware out over time after multiple uses. This will lower the quality of the sound. Just as the record wares out so does the turntables which is an inconvenience and can become expensive. Vinyl is also very fragile. It’s true too that vinyl cannot contain the same amount of data that a digital file can, and it has less dynamic range. However, that wasn’t what vinyl was made for so that’s a moot point. Another drawback for some might be you would need a record of every single album you would want to listen to but if you are a collector you wouldn’t mind this.
    I don’t really feel like comparing the two is fair because they are both so different. Some people would enjoy the epistemic features that a vinyl has to offer while others might not care or take the time to look. Digital does not offer upfront epistemic value as you said unless you look it up. I feel like the people that do look it up would be the ones interested in the vinyl condition. Again, things like this take time and not many people sadly like to take that time. Artists now a days try to express the whys, how’s, and what’s on social media because more people are likely to watch a video than look it up and read. My own opinion is I think vinyl is better in numerous ways but it’s for people willing to put in the time and effort for a more fulfilling experience. In the distracted society we live in today where most of everyone wants things done quickly and right now digital fits into the day and age a little better. It seems to be superior in this generation in terms of convenience but not in sound.

    Sorry for the extended response. I really enjoyed this,

    Alexis Ryan.

  8. In this article, you explain a theory called the “vinyl condition,” which shows how vinyl is better than digital. You explain how this is due to many factors including auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic features. A record’s warmth, richness and depth sets vinyl apart from streaming music digitally. The tactile feature explains how you not only can listen to music on a vinyl but you also get to hold the vinyl, which is great for collectors or people who want to display their music taste. The visual features, like the art on the cover, is also very attractive to consumers. The epistemic feature is that a vinyl has information about the album, the artist, producer and etc. This quality is great because having knowledge about a piece of art can help someone understand it more.

    I do agree with many points in this piece, however I hope I can give you a new outlook to why digital can sometimes be better than vinyl, especially based on the genre and goal of the artist. Not every artist wants to be rich and warm, in fact with my voice major I have spent years trying to be bright and light. I collect records and have for a while, even though my record player is probably the crappiest one possible, I genuinely appreciate vinyl and listen to them often. One of my favorite parts of listening to records is that I don’t need my phone to change the music. Which, during homework especially, I will go to change the song (usually lo-fi hip hop during homework) and boom, I see a Twitter notification and I somehow end up on Twitter for a half hour. With a record, I put one on and it plays through, without having to use my phone to adjust volume, change the song, etc. My main point would be that it depends on what genre you are listening to and that vinyl is not always better than digital and vise versa. For example, my record collection started with Alanis Morrissette’s (my favorite artist) “Jagged Little Pill”, (my favorite album.) Her voice is raw and rich, the crackle of the vinyl compliments her well and that’s when I fell in love with vinyl. I still, when I just want to cry or write, put this record on. Then I added Amy Winehouse, Lana Del Rey, Marina and the Diamonds, (clearly I have a type.) All have raspy, rich tones. While at Jerry’s Records I found a record containing Judy Garland’s Hits. It was named something like that. Even though the vinyl complimented the retro sounds, it didn’t compliment her voice. She is bright and agile, which I love, but the vinyl took away from her songbird-like voice. Then, for my birthday a friend got me Kendrick Lamar’s “DAMN.” My friends and I often bonded by smoking (sorry) and listening to records in my friend Aidan’s basement. This was when I truly realized that not every album should be listened to on record. “DAMN” just sounded way better on digital. It was definitely cool to hear and display but it just didn’t have the same powerful effect. However, I have a lot of genres that I prefer on record like 90s, Musical Theatre, SOME operas and most importantly, jazz. I usually only listen to live recordings of Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Ella. You can get a similar effect by listening to them on vinyl. I said some operas because if its a bright, airy soprano, I don’t want to hear a rich crackle tone. I want to hear her raw in an opera house or on a perfected recording. But, I love hearing low altos in operas as well as men on vinyl. It gives an eerie, vintage feel. Some aesthetic benefits to streaming digitally is being able to share what you’re listening to with a screenshot on social media. Also, I have a love for trippy music videos. A lot of songs have psychedelic music videos that help you really feel the song with all your senses. About being snobby, I disagree. I think showing appreciation for old things is great, who cares if its trendy.

    Taylor Searle

  9. In your piece you argue that Vinyl Records are of higher superior and of more value than digital formats. You label this as the “Vinyl Condition”. Throughout the text you describe the differences between Vinyl records and digital formats through use of certain distinctions between the two. You describe how the Vinyl records are material, makes your experience wider and richer, and have more features that are offered to be appreciated as to digital formats that are portable, and compress sound. You state how with Vinyl records there is more to be appreciated, like the warmer, richer, and deeper sound affects. With Vinyl records you list some benefits that digital formats lack, like the diversity of sound and the ability to hear each instrument individually, while using physical instruments rather than edited audio. Also, you cover how the records include more physical engagement, giving more appreciation towards the music. You list the visual features as well as the epistemic features. Visual features consisting of the labels, jackets and the sleeves, more to admire about the record rather than a digital format with no visual. Epistemic features consisting of the knowledge/background information on the specific piece you are listening too, which is handy to have information right in front of your eyes rather than having to research on the web. Lastly, the knowledge it takes to properly care for one of these records and the steps to playing one. It definitely takes more effort to play a record that just pressing play on a digital format.
    I really enjoyed this piece, I’m not very familiar with records, but this piece gave me a new insight to the topic and learned some really good points between records vs. digital formats. Although I agree with a lot of the points presented, like the value, physical engagement, and the unique parts of the record, myself personally put more use into digital formats. I believe the reason is just like you presented at the beginning is because they are portable and don’t take much time to operate. I feel as though it is because it’s an easy way to listen to music while you’re out and about and still gives you the opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the music even when you don’t have the ability to play records on the go. I really enjoyed the framework of this piece and the order you chose to present your ideas, it was very easy to follow and interesting at the same time. I feel like you covered points necessary for this topic and did very well at making it clear and to the point, while fully explaining the topic presented.

  10. First off, I really enjoyed reading this article because I’m not very familiar with records. After reading this, I can see why you feel the way you feel about vinyl. You write this article to argue that vinyl is a better source of music than digital formats. In the article, you argue there are four major aspects of a vinyl record which include auditory, tactile, visual and epistemic. Starting with auditory, you say vinyl gives off a feeling of richness, warmth and depth which is not shown as strongly in a digital format. Next, you argue about tactile. You say that a vinyl record takes up more space and has more significant meaning such as a personal item. You then argue that a vinyl record has a better visual presentation than a digital format of music. You give examples such as graphic designs and logos for labels. Lastly, you talk about how information is more easily accessible in the sleeves or on the disk of a vinyl record. Unlike a vinyl record, you have to take extra steps to find information on the music or artist you are listening to while using a digital format.
    Personally, I have never listened to a vinyl record not because I did not want to but because I never had access to one. You make some good points about vinyl records, I can agree there. The only thing I could think of that vinyl does not have it easy accessibility. Even though have never listened to a vinyl record, after reading this article, I can agree that it is better than a digital format of music. I can also say that a digital format of music can provide a warmth feeling depending on what kind of device you are listening on. After reading this article, I am more than interested in finally listening to a vinyl record!
    – m knezevich

    • Jake Pollak
      In the article the writer expressed a strong opinion on how vinyl is a more complete sound and form of music compared digital music. Throughout the review topics including auditory, tactile, visual and epistemic to further push the theory that vinyl is a more sustainable form of music. The writer explains that when listening on a turntable it has a better sound because of the material and openness of the music. Saying it sounded, “richer, warmer, and more rounded quality”. Additionally, when you have a record it comes with art as vinyl have developed from dull to expressionism through time. Another feature that was important is the epistemic because it shows that when you have access to a vinyl you get perks like song titles, producers, writers, and more. He adds, “While this information is often available digitally, it arises not from the format as such, but from internet access generally.” Overall, the writer exemplified many features of the vinyl being inherently a better form of music.
      Prior to reading the article I was biased because throughout my life I have slowly developed the habit of collecting vinyl. As I read I agreed that the form of music in vinyl provides many aspects of the true nature of music. The vinyl has always appealed to me because of how prevalent it has stayed throughout history, especially with the formation of digital music. Although, I believe that digital music has a large impact and is developed in a format where you can have access to achieving acknowledgement of their own music and access to much more music. Lastly, I believe that vinyl has a chance of making a larger return in the future because I believe that the world consistently is becoming a larger platform of people expressing themselves how they want to.

  11. This article lays out a compelling argument for the superiority of vinyl over modern digital music. The four features of vinyl that allow it to eclipse digital music, auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic, all show the unique features of records that are not present in modern listening. The richness, warmth, and depth of the music on a vinyl record is absent in audio files, which are more hollow in their sound. The tactile features of a record set it apart from digital media in that the music is no longer abstract. One can hold it and feel it in their hand. The medium also allows for artwork that digital media cannot. While digital music can have art attached to it, it cannot be interacted with in the same way as a vinyl record, which allow for creative canvases that really make each one unique. Vinyl has an advantage over digital music epistemically because the physical medium allows for a great deal of information to be advertised all over the record, inside and out, front and back.
    I certainly agree with everything the article states regarding the visual, tactile, and epistemic advantages of vinyl. However, while vinyl of course has its own unique and, in my opinion, superior sound, could it not be said that the digital format has allowed for a greater breadth of sounds to be added to music that could not have existed if not for advances in technology that led to digital music. Could it be that certain genres are best played on vinyl? Absolutely. However, music has evolved with the mediums of its time. Would vinyl be the most suitable method to listen to a screamo or heavy metal album, which is best listened to at a high volume rather than in the more casual setting associated with vinyl listening? Consider dubstep, a genre that I am not particularly fond of but that millions are fond of. The sounds of dubstep necessitate the use of a computer and digital audio equipment, followed by a great deal of synthetic changes to the original sound. Would it not follow that if one favors a digitally synthesized sound, it would be best listened to in a digital format? While listening to The Beatles or Bob Dylan on vinyl is most likely the best way to indulge in their work, I feel that it is likely that more modern genres may be better listened to on modern platforms.

  12. In this article, you explain why you believe vinyl records are superior to digitally recorded formats. You argue this through the use of four “vinyl conditions”: auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic. You explain that vinyl offers a better quality of music because of its warmth, richness, and depth. It is more enjoyable to own vinyl because its tactility allows one to physically interact with his or her favorite albums. A vinyl record is usually decorated in a way that is specific to that band or album, thereby making it more visually pleasing and engaging than digitally formatted music. The band information, as well as all the different companies that were a part of making the album, is included on the actual vinyl itself making it more epistemic because this information is right at one’s fingertips.

    I do not know much about vinyl records, so I cannot really offer personal feedback that would challenge your stance. I do agree that owning vinyl would be more visually pleasing, and I can see why those who are passionate about vinyl enjoy the physicality of it; however, for a person who is not as enthusiastic about this kind of stuff, the lengths one must go to to store and maintain upkeep of the vinyl might seem like more of a burden than enjoyable. One can also only listen to vinyl wherever the required machine to play a record is, thus making it more inconvenient than digitally recorded formats that can be listened to anywhere. I do agree that vinyl is more epistemic; the likelihood of people taking the time to look up the information about digital formats is less likely than one simply reading what is on the vinyl in his or her hand. I cannot comment on the sound quality difference because I have only listened to vinyl very few times. Overall, I think you made a very sound argument. There are positives and negatives to both formats of music. I am honestly more intrigued to listen to vinyl now.

    C. Sullinger

  13. In this article, the author describes why vinyl is better than digital. The article includes four arguments: auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic. The auditory argument discusses how vinyl includes sound elements such as warmth, richness, and depth that digital music simply cannot capture. The tactile argument discusses the advantages that a physical object can offer with respect to aesthetic qualities. The visual argument discusses that vinyl can also allow for more artwork which allows for more creativity with the work. The epistemic argument describes how having a physical object allows for more information to be included. The author uses these four arguments to support his claim that vinyl is better than digital.
    So is vinyl better than digital? Well there are advantages to digital music. Vinyl can take up more space while you can have thousands of digital songs in a small, portable device. There also is more ease with acquiring digital music as it can be one click away; vinyl requires more effort to get. For the average music listener, digital is clearly the way to go as it is far more convenient and simple. But if one wants to truly experience music in a more profound way, they must use vinyl. The author expressed in this article different aspects of vinyl such as sound quality and art that simply cannot and will never be captured in a digital file. Those passionate about music will want to display their records as they are a form of art unlike digital music. In addition, the sound quality is unmatched. Listening to vinyl does not compare to digital music; there are so many qualities of vinyl sound that digital will never capture. In conclusion, while there are certainty advantages to listening to digital music, true music lovers should listen to and collect vinyl.

    Kayla Bloom

  14. In this article, you’re basically weighing the pros and cons to having technological forms of media or physical. The examples portrayed are that in forms of music, either on vinyl or a digital platform like Spotify. You categorize vinyl records into Auditory, Tactile, Visual, and Epistemic features. In auditory, you highlight the warmth, richness, and depth factors that physical records provide in terms of sound. For Tactile, you highlight how a record has physicality to it and how having something to hold and touch has a better aesthetic to it. For Visual, it is highlighted that the visual appeal to a record is like “artwork” and can set the mood from color and shape. Then lastly, for Epistemic, you showcase the knowledge from seeing titles and words on the cover or record itself. In conclusion, your argument states that all of the aspects of the record give a different viewpoint to music that digital forms can’t.
    I can understand where you are getting this viewpoint from, and I agree with the fact of records having a different aesthetic than digital. However, it all comes down to the music itself. Having something physical to hold gives you a different feel right off the bat, however if the album itself sucks then the entire listening experience is pointless. I for one, listen to albums on Spotify that can make me feel 20 different emotions at once. The overwhelming feeling of euphoria can be accessed on any type of platform. I also find the feeling of listening with headphones to be better than listening on a stereo. By having the music going directly into my ears, I have a stronger feeling a connection to it than if it was just playing in the background. Therefore, I think that you have a very strong point that many people will agree with completely. I just have a personal preference to digital listening than physical.

  15. Spin me round is an article about the differences between vinyl and digital forms of music. In this article, you talk about the differences between the two types of music and compare and contrast them. You lay out an argument for why you feel that vinyl is superior to digital music in multiple ways. These ways are tactile, visual, and epistemic features that vinyl has and digit lacks. To analyze how vinyl is better you go over the qualities that vinyl music has which are warmth, richness, and depth. Your argument here is that vinyl is a physical form of music so it increases the aspects of warmth, richness and depth due to the physical attributes of the record. The next part of the article talks about the tactile features of vinyl compared to digital. You talk here about what makes up a vinyl record. These attributes include the poly bag, jacket, spine, inner sleeve, inserts, labels and inscriptions. Your argument for this section is that the physical tactile experience one has with records cannot be replaced by the digital format. The physical experience is an important part of owning a record. The next section is about the visual features of the album which are the cover art and the vinyl art itself. Lastly you discuss the epistemic features that come with a record. These include lyrics, band factoids, and studio information.

    I consume my music a lot like people that like analog music do. I normally listen to music around my house with a speaker or in my car. My father has a vinyl collection that he occasionally listens to. I think I’m on the fence with your argument. On one hand I consume my music in a way that people that like analog music do. On the other hand I think there are some benefits of digital music that are just too convenient to dismiss. First off, I can see the pros of listening to vinyl records, and the benefits of analog music. I like owning physical copies of all my favorite albums. I like being able to leave a CD in my car that i can reliably enjoy and comeback to. The benefits of having a collection is a tactile feature that I agree with. There isn’t the same level of satisfaction looking at a digital collection of music as there is looking at a collection of physical albums or CD’s. While CD’s don’t have as many features as vinyl, the do offer most of the same benefits. I love the album art. While you can see album art on digital music, physical copies have the luxury of having both a front and back cover to work with. They can also pint art on the inside or even the CD or record. I enjoy the creativity this allows the artist. I have a CD entitled “Plagues” that has one continuous cover on the front and back and then the CD inside has art that coincides with the outside cover. You miss out on this benefit when you buy digital music. On the other hand, I’m not sure i can agree with your argument that vinyl sounds all that much better. I have not listened to a record in a long time. That being said, I believe that with a good speaker the difference in sound quality is minor. I want to talk about the benefits of digital music before i give my final opinion. Digital music offers a convenience that analog music can’t. It offers portability and variety. A digital collection is much easier to take with you than an analog collection. There is also the option of variety. It is very convenient to load up Spotify and be able to choose a song from any artist at any time. Now there is the fear that a song or artist can disappear from these streaming sites without warning. This is a argument for why I think owning a collection of my favorite music is important. The other big pro of digital music is the cost. It is expensive to buy vinyl records and make a collection. Because of this cost, it becomes hard to experiment and try new artists in a way that someone that listens to music digitally can. This cost I believe is the one reason why I choose to consume my music digitally over an analog style. I like a lot of the appeal that comes with owning a vinyl collection. I can see the benefit of having a collection because I have a small CD collection. I do not think it is possible to justify the expense of going vinyl when digit music offers so much more variety and ability to explore genres. I think the best way to consume music is to listen and explore all sorts of music digitally. Then when you have some favorites, buy a physical collection of the music you like. Records offer a unique sound quality, but I think they will always be a niche instead of the norm no matter how good they sound.

  16. In this article, it is argued that the vinyl format is better than digital formats. The first argument for the case of “the vinyl condition” is the fact that it has such a rich sound to it that you cannot get from the digital format. Although as I read further into the article it is clear that this isn’t the only upside to the vinyl condition. There is a basic description of the three other features of vinyl condition then laid out including; tactile, visual, and epistemic. Then we go into more detail of the tactile features, talking about the fact that vinyl offers this aspect of physical engagement as part of the aesthetic experience. I think the visual aspects of this argument are quite clear. These covers have beautiful pieces of art on them, including some that become timeless images to our culture. Last but not least we talk about the epistemic features, and in a broad sense, this talks about knowledge and the information that these vinyls include.
    Although I have never listened to vinyl myself, I can remember the days of CD’s. Even though these CDs were digital there was a physical process of getting and listening to these CDs. I remember the excitement that was the process of buying a CD. The moments in the car to the store where you imaged how you would feel listening to it, the first time you saw the art on the cover at the store. Then when you finally got to pick it up and pay for it you just got even more excited that, wow, you finally get to listen. I can’t personally say that vinyl is better than digital, but with the experience it provides, I sure feel like I would want to get to know a little better.

    Gina A.

  17. In this piece, you argue that vinyl records are preferred over digital formats because the sound is more enhancing, and they offer a large number of features. Throughout this piece, you describe four key features that are available in vinyl records but are not available in digital formats. One of the features that occurs from the vinyl condition is the auditory feature. It was stated that you believe that the sound quality of vinyl is better quality compared to digital formats because vinyl records are material objects, thus causing the warmth, richness and depth of the music to be heightened. The second feature that you mentioned were the tactile features. You mentioned that records are physical objects, so they take up particular space and time. It was also stated that the tactility of vinyl offers physical engagement as part of the experience, causing the record to not only be owned and heart, but to be felt too. The tactility of vinyl is an important aspect because it allows for the other three features to arise. The third feature of the vinyl condition that you outline are the visual features. On the jacket of the vinyl, there are many different types of artwork. The label and inserts are also a way that artists can express their artwork. The final feature that you express are the epistemic features. These features revolve around the idea of knowledge and why the specific vinyl is needed. This information consists of the artist, producer, date recorded, recording studio, plus other specific information. This is a very important feature because having more information causes an understanding of the specific piece of art.

    I have enjoyed reading this piece. I have personally never listened to a record, but I enjoyed learning more about the topic. I do agree with you that vinyl records are superior to digital features, but only in some respects. I agree with you that the auditory aspect of vinyl is superior. I feel that the sound would be better due to the general makeup of the record itself. It is not just a piece of technology, but rather it is an uniquely designed object used to make the music more enriching. I also agree with your point that the epistemic features of a vinyl are important because it helps the listener to further understand the art behind the specific piece of music. However, I disagree about the tactile aspect. I like the idea of a record being physically engaging, but I feel that so much work goes into making sure the record is in good condition and is handled with care. This idea of having to use such a large amount of care when handling vinyl records pushes me away from using them. I also feel that in today’s society, so many people use technology. Sometimes it is more convenient to use the digital formats of music. I also disagree with you about the visual aspect. I feel that in today’s society, artists can still express their work on merchandise that they are sell. I also feel that by wearing a specific T-shirt with an artist’s name and other information about them, it helps others to find out about their music by being a walking advertisement. While reading this piece of work, I feel that you explained each point very well and made it clear to the reader. I really enjoyed reading this and I am interested in listening to a record in the future.

    Grace Margita

  18. In your argument, you discuss qualities of music only available in the physical format as opposed to digital, which you identify as the “vinyl condition”. The four aspects of the vinyl condition include auditory, tactical, visual, and epistemic. You describe the sound of vinyl as richer, warmer, and deeper, qualities that physically cannot be attributed to digital formats. Also, you argue that the mere physicality of vinyl provides an experience in and of itself that is unavailable when you can simply press the play button on Spotify. Artwork on the jackets of records, as well as the knowledge of caring for vinyl and its equipment contribute to the visual and epistemic values physical formats of music hold. While these four descriptors do highlight the attraction to vinyl, digital music formats carry a variety of unique assets.

    Digital music is more versatile and available, as well as promotes the globalization of different genres of music. To begin, digital forms of music are more financially accessible and inclusive. The purchase of a record player, in addition to the price of each individual album can become too costly for people of lower income but still enjoy music. Digital formats are often less expensive for more music, for example, Spotify is free with ads and has millions of songs available. Also, digital music has increased the sociality around music far more than vinyl has. Instead of sitting around someone’s record player, music now can be shared online through music videos, in a car through an aux cord, on television channels such as MTV, or at social gatherings through a stereo system. Digital music is more mobile and transferrable, an attribute necessary in the age of technology. If music remained at what you believe is the superior state of music, the industry would become unsuccessful. I believe that this accessibility has also increased our global sense of music. People today can listen to hundreds of artists across the world in minutes, making us more in-tune (if you will) with other cultures and can create a bond between artists and listeners that otherwise may not have been able to be created. Although I am a consumer of strictly digital music, your argument in favor of physical formats has heightened my knowledge of such. However, I do believe there are many strengths that each format holds that are important to be discussed.

    Danielle Blide

  19. Your argument of analog versus digital music will make us stand at opposite sides of the argument. You prefer the analog style where you go onto explain “the vinyl condition”. I prefer digital style for reasons I will explain later. This argument relies mainly on four elements you have thought to be most pressing which consists of auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic. The first element, which is probably the first difference that is brought up between the two, are the qualities of the sounds that each has. You point out the fact that because vinyl are more of a materiality than digital music, they have a nature of sounding warmer, richer, and have more depth. This point is very hard to argue due to the sheer physical aspects of each device. Because vinyl is an analog, it has the ability over digital music to, “refer to a material quality of sound occurring when physical instruments are played”. This is referring to the warmth feature you spoke of earlier. Moving onto the tactile features, like you said, they are the most obvious part of a vinyl’s materiality. When I think of a vinyl, images of a turntable and the all the different sleeves I have seen that are used to hold different vinyl inside come in to my mind. I have also seen big shelves that are dedicated for the purpose of collecting vinyl and displaying them as a collection. This is the most prominent difference between analog and digital music. Your third element were the visual aspects of vinyl. You pointed out that on the sleeve of the vinyl, it would contain cover art on the front and back. There are also many cover arts that would become infamous because of how recognizable and common it is to see. A great example of this would be the cover of the album “Abbey Road” by The Beatles. The final element of the analog versus digital debate is the epistemic feature. You describe this as the meaning of knowledge that applies to vinyl. This means that it takes more knowledge and experience to use and maintain a record player than it does and iPhone in Apple Music.
    As I said earlier in the first paragraph, I honestly prefer digital and here is why. The first element you brought up was the auditory value of each. While the record player has the warmth feeling and has the somewhat static tone to it that everyone loves, I don’t’ think it is totally worth it. My opinion is that everyone should like whatever they want because sounds and music are 100% opinionated and I believe that also applies to the clarity of the style. I love digital music because it has such clarity and you can only hear the music and not the static of the record player. I know some people love that noise more than life itself but personally, I would much rather prefer the digital version that doesn’t have the noise while the song is playing. The next feature is tactile and I think that digital is far more superior in this element of the argument. I find that songs that are digitally played are much safer and easier to operate, let me explain. Record players are much more difficult due to them being less efficient when it comes to skipping, fast-forwarding, and adjusting volume. This feature it totally subjective, however I find that the digital version doesn’t as much a hassle as vinyl. Onto the third element, I do agree that vinyl collections and the covers beat the digital music in visuals. There is just a different feeling to hold a really cool album in your hands with the art blown up to scale. However, these collections could cost a fortune and you are them limited on what to listen to, while I can look up and play any song I’d like for $4.99 a month and play instantaneously. The last element, epistemic. I don’t think you will like hearing this, but I believe that it isn’t very beneficial to understand everything about a record player and I feel like the people who would get angry at the statement are the people who think they are above everyone else because they have a dusty vinyl collection and a record player in the corner of the room. I just find that digital music is much more accessible and easier to share with others or even play in the car. I just hope that people who do have record players and love vinyl don’t judge or act superior to the people who don’t use them. I hope this brings up another argument or at least a few points to address.

    Dylan Hildebrand

  20. In your piece, you claim that vinyl-based is better than digital format music. In order to support your claim, you examine four specific aspects of the “experience” of vinyl formatted music which are: auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic features. You claim that audibly, vinyl has a warmer, richer, more inviting sound than digital format music. Also claimed is the notion that vinyl’s physical existence, or its occupation of space imparts a more enjoyable experience because it is an object for which it must be cared. Then there is the visual experience that you claim elevates vinyl to a higher stature than that of digital by way of specific artwork created for the album covers, inserts, and so on. Lastly, the epistemic experience, or knowledge of the “behind the scenes” of the album containing, as claimed, potentially obscure bits of information that could contribute to the overall experience of a vinyl.

    I want to start off by saying that vinyl is a quality listening experience for those who have not yet had the chance to experience it. That said, I cannot necessarily support your notion that vinyl is inherently better than digital format music simply because of the experiences outlined above. Firstly, I believe it is a little disingenuous to compare Mp3/streaming/etc. digital music to vinyl. In doing so, you leave digital compact discs (CD’s) out in the cold. CD’s offer or at least can offer many of the same experiences that a vinyl can, such as the physical, visual, and epistemic aspects, but with digital sound. However, stepping back to the original argument, many items here can be either tacked up to personal preference or are actually shared by both formats. Take the visual aspect for instance. Digital streaming or mp3 music, if purchased and consumed legally, still provides the artwork of whatever album is being chosen. While it may not be right in front of you to hold in your hand, it is still there. The extra information that a vinyl cover can provide may also be found in a detail section of whatever digital platform is being utilized. In regard to sound, while vinyl may or may not have a deeper, richer sound, how one feels about said sound is entirely subjective. Not everyone consuming the music prefers, or even cares for, the deeper tones that vinyl has been claimed to provide. One more thing that cannot be discounted, is digital’s convenience and ease of access. The fact that vinyl requires bulky equipment to experience in the first place hinders the argument. If you love the sound, art, etc. but must be in one place to experience it, then what good do the other points do if the overall experience is inaccessible? My point overall is this: aside from the ability to hold it in your hand, your aspects chosen to show the superiority of vinyl are entirely subjective to you. Also, in order to completely compare the analog and digital music experiences, I believe digital CD’s must be included. To not include its offerings is to, I believe, unfairly handicap the argument for digital format music. In objective totality, both provide the same song. If the lyrics, melody, etc. remain the same between the two, then any notion of superiority is entirely subjective to the listener, making neither format inherently better than the other in an objective argument.

    Allie Gehlmann

  21. This article is established on the position that vinyl is a superior to digital. While personal preferences are one thing, the argument being presented is grounded with facts supporting the claim. There are four main areas that enshroud the argument: auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic. For the claim that vinyl is superior to digital in audio quality, vinyl is described as being richer and warmer than digital because of many factors such as the physicality of records. A record player operates by running a needle on grooves making it an instrument itself. The tactile features of vinyl make them more interactive to the user. There are many examples of a record having an interactive feature such as the zipper on the cover as mentioned. Each physical aspect gives the user a new opportunity to connect with the record and possibly understand the music more. Visuals of records adds to the experience when compared to digital music. As stated, records can be different colors or have images on them. Each component of a vinyl record’s physical being has the opportunity to add an enhancing visual effect. Digital does not have as much of an opportunity to work with visuals. In addition to auditory, tactile, and visual features, the epistemic features of vinyl also make it superior according to the article. Many vinyl records include easily accessible information about the music, artists, and much more about the overall record. People are more inclined to take notice of this information when they have it in front of them rather than going online and researching it. All in all, vinyl can add to the appreciation a listener has about music.
    While I completely agree with the argument that listening to vinyl is a better experience than listening to digital music, there are important counterarguments to consider. A person listening to a vinyl record may not care to read the information that it provides although it is easily accessible. On the other hand, a person who listens to music digitally may be an avid fan of a group and feel the need to read all about them online. It could possibly be argued that only a devoted vinyl listener would care to read any additional comments even if it is right in front of them. Additionally, digital can hold its ground when considering any artwork that may be found on a cover. Album covers for digital music can be found online. Also, music videos provide a new type of visual to the digital music experience that vinyl records are incapable of, and they have the possibility to make the listener find a different meaning to the song. Another detail overlooked about digital is the data that can be tracked. For example, Spotify does a recap on each year a user listens to music and gives statistics such as top five artists, amount of time spent listening to music, top songs, and much more. This can give users an idea of who they like to listen to more and the different trends they follow. With these arguments being presented, I still consider vinyl as a superior form of listening to music as I frequently listen to records and find it to be more enjoyable in every aspect of the experience.

  22. In this piece, you argue that vinyl is superior to digital due to its overall sound and aesthetic. While you argued using personal opinion, you also included factual evidence like auditory, tactile, visual and epistemic features. When it comes to auditory features you claim that the warmth in vinyl is more significant over digital as it includes more physical aspects and it also is more inviting and rich. The tactile features are more obvious as the whole process of listening to vinyl is more engaging than with digital since you have to take care and properly store your vinyl in specific ways that you would not otherwise have to do with digital that you could just pull up on your phone. For the visual features, vinyl is very eye-catching to the viewer when you walk past. So not only is the music art but the physical vinyl is a piece of art in itself. Then when it comes to the epistemic features, vinyl seems more accessible than digital. Not only is general knowledge including the artist, date recorded, features, etc, vinyl also includes more “obscure” information that is more personal to the artist that you would not be able to just lookup on the internet.

    While I definitely do agree with many of the points made in your argument, I must say as a teenager in today’s society I do see a lot of great things that come out of digital music. I do think that the experience between both formats is special in their own way. Listening to vinyl allows you to go through and pick out whichever catches your eye first and then proceed to put it on a record player which I think is pretty cool. But when it comes to digital there is more than one way to listen. You do not have to be in one specific place at a certain time, you could be sitting in your room or the car and as a student stated previously it also allows you to create a more social environment when you get the aux involved. You stated in your argument that the information on vinyl is easily accessible as you pick up the vinyl and it is right there, but when it comes to digital your just a click away from looking anything you want up on the internet. But I must say that one point you made in your argument definitely stood out to me when you pointed out the overall artwork on vinyl. When I am in the bookstore and I walk through the aisle of vinyl, I really enjoy going through and acknowledging the artwork that I think today’s digital format is lacking. So after reading your article and agreeing with some of the points you said, I think that I would still prefer digital due to its efficiency and experience.

    Stephanie Skeba

  23. In this article, the author looks to argue the benefits of vinyl as opposed to digital methods of listening to music. This belief is supported by four main points, auditory enhancement, tactile features, visual features, and epistemic features. Starting with auditory enhancement, the author claims that vinyl adds warmth and richness to the music. Warmth is described as the creation of sound through physical means, this creates a more real listening experience. The second auditory benefit described was richness, which is created by the records “grooves” and in result creates more sounds than digital formats can create. Moving onto tactile features which are the physical interactions involved in playing a record, such as getting the record off the shelf and putting the record onto the record player. This experience gives the listener a more engaging experience. Music is “felt and engaged” as opposed to only “owned and heard”. As for visual features, this refers to the artwork involved with the record. Artwork can be found on the record itself, the outer sleeve of the record, along with artwork on the inside of the sleeve., along with many other ways to display artwork. This is beneficial because it adds more to the listeners experience, giving visuals that digital formats cannot provide. The last point made is the epistemic features involved with records which are the knowledge associated with the records. Information is located on the sleeves and discs which otherwise wouldn’t be immediately available for digital formats. This information adds more to the listeners experiences, giving more background information.
    Personally, I have absolutely no experience with vinyl. So, I don’t feel like it’s my place to oppose any of the information that you’ve provided. Me and my friends listen to music all the time, it’s something that is a social event for us and making it more of an activity rather than queuing up songs is very appealing. What interests me the most about vinyl would have to be the artwork involved with it. Cover art has always been something that draws my attention and I can imagine myself spending hours just staring at different “sleeves” and all the additional art you get with vinyl. While purchasing a record player and starting a vinyl collection isn’t in the cards for me right now, I will say you’ve inspired me to look more into the subject.

    Ian McNaught

  24. In this article you very clearly state that vinyl records are more preferable than digital formats. You use your own personal opinion along with facts and details about vinyl records to prove why they are better than digital. The four features of vinyl records that you discuss are auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic features. You expand each feature into details that help support your claim. With auditory you include that the sound includes warmth, richness, and depth and go further into those qualities to explain how it makes a difference compared to digital. The tactile features you explain are the many parts and accessories that come along with a record player and how the physical aspects create an “aesthetic experience.” It is something you can feel and engage with. Visual features include the artwork on and all around the record itself. The artwork allows for creativity and personalizes each record to the musician who created it. Epistemic features include information from the musicians to add value to their records. Listeners can better appreciate the record when the singer includes messages or inside jokes along with their album.
    After reading this article it has definitely opened my eyes up to different aspects of vinyl records I never thought of before. I’ve always seen them as a cool vintage aesthetic but have never felt the need to own one myself. However, I do not agree that vinyl records are better than digital. I disagree because it is more sufficient and just overall easier to listen to music digitally. Vinyl records also carry a lot of cost with them, where as digital you can listen to on your phone for free. You gave enough information and details as to why vinyl is better than digital, but did not expand so much as to what digital format entails and why it doesn’t compare to vinyl. Digital formats are very different than vinyl in each feature you described, I cannot agree that digital offers those same effects. You support the aesthetic benefits of vinyl very well but I did not take away any aesthetic benefits of digital. Some benefits of digital in my opinion are that you can listen to whatever you would like, whenever you would like. You can watch music videos and performances of your favorite artists and still have an appreciation behind that.

  25. In your article you make an argument to why vinyl format is better the digital format. You first go into detail to how vinyl has more warmth, richness, and depth to it then digital does. You explain how the sound is all around better from vinyl rather then digital. After that, you then explain how vinyl includes the feature of tactile, visual, and epistemic. You argue how vinyl includes tactile features which include the physical appearance. A vinyl record includes polybags, jackets, spine, inner sleeve, inserts, labels, and inscriptions. Next, you explain the visual aspect of vinyl records. You explain how vinyl records include artwork, inner artwork, and lyrics; which you can not get from the digital format. Last, you argue the epistemic feature and how it makes vinyl better. You explain how the epistemic feature allows you to experience and learn things that a digital format does not. You state how vinyl records have the artist, musicians, producers, recording studio, date recorded, labels, lyrics, meanings of songs, and even inside jokes.
    My grandparents have a large collection of vinyl records, and I completely agree with you that vinyl is better then digital. I believe that vinyl has an all around better sound and quality then digital does. I believe that you made a great case to why vinyl is better then digital, and I agree with almost everything you said. Although, I do see why some people might prefer digital over vinyl. Digital allows people to enjoy music much easier. Music is very important, especially in a social event. One of my favorite things to do is listen to music with my friends. Whether we are just sitting around or on a car ride, digital format makes listening to music much easier and possible.

  26. In your article you argue that vinyl is a better source for music compared to digital as is has a fuller and more complete sound. The points you happen to make for vinyl being better is within the auditory, tactical, visual and epistemic features that come with it. When it comes to the actual sound, you explain that it offers a higher quality of music that encompasses a certain warmth, richness and depth that doesn’t come with digital sound. Tactically, a vinyl is something physical, you are able to hold and interact with it on another level than it just being a way for you to listen to music. Visually, album art can change the appeal, it goes from being just a vinyl to being a piece of artwork there is an aesthetic appeal to the form it is in compared to digital. Finally, on an epistemic level, you highlight the knowledge and information that come along when you are listening and interacting with music in this way.

    I myself don’t often listen to vinyl’s, mainly because of the affordability and ease of access that comes with digital music, but I can understand the points you made here from the few times that I have been able to listen to them. Being able to have music, not only to be able to listen to it, but also be able to interact with it in a more physical form is something that is very appealing. In addition, the quality of sound in most cases is better coming from a vinyl than a digital copy. Over all the points you make are good but even though vinyl is generally a better way take in music, the digital form will still prevail on the basis that it is easier to access and afford.

  27. You argue that vinyl records are better than digital formats of music for its auditory, tactile, visual and epistemic features. For your auditory argument you argue that records have more warmth, richness and depth because of the different way they are recorded, and how they are played on equipment. For your tactile argument you discuss how physically interacting and engaging with vinyl records enhances the aesthetic experience, and how different aspects of albums, like jackets, inserts and polybags can be canvases for artwork. You further discuss how jackets and other parts of the album like labels, can be used for artwork under your visual features argument, and how they enhance the overall experience. For your epistemic argument, you discuss how vinyl records provide more information about the album that includes facts about the artists, musicians, producer, and the recording studio, among others. You argue that all the features mentioned contribute to a better and more enjoyable listening experience.

    My cousin has a record player in her apartment, and her and her roommate collect vinyls. They are the only people I know my age who have enough records to call it a collection, and I enjoy perusing through them. I enjoy the auditory, tactile and visual aspects of the vinyl records like you mentioned. I think the thing I appreciate most about her collection is that I’ve gone with her to record stores to buy some and it was a very fun and engaging experience. Because of my exposure to her collection, I feel I have been able to thoroughly appreciate your argument. I also love album art and physically collecting things like concert tickets because I am reminded of the concert and the experience. I agree with almost every aspect of your position, but feel as if I have to side with digital music because of its accessibility.

    The only aesthetic benefits of digital that I can think of is being able to listen to it whenever you want and music videos. I enjoy listening to music when I workout, drive or go on a hike. Listening to music with earbuds when being in nature is an awesome experience for me, so I can enjoy the visual aspects of being in nature with music. Although the sound quality isn’t as good, I still enjoy it. I also love listening to music in my car by myself and being able to listen to it as loud as I want, without worrying about bothering my roommates. The accessibility of digital music is also useful for discovering new music. I listen to a variety of genres of music, and although you can certainly listen to multiple genres on vinyl, the ability to look up and listen to whatever you new music you want is exciting. I also enjoy the aesthetic experience of music videos, because I like watching visual interpretations of music. However, I think you offer a very strong, multi-layered argument for records.

    Also I looked up the album Chomp, by Pylon, and I listened to a few songs on YouTube and it is amazing, and I can’t imagine how life changing it is on vinyl.

  28. You argue that vinyl records are superior to the digital way we receive music today. You emphasize that the fact that vinyl records are material allows features to be appreciated and evaluated, unlike digital media. You call this “the vinyl condition”. Highlighting “the vinyl condition”, you argue the sound is warmer, richer, and deeper. The four main aspects of vinyl that you argue make it better than traditional digital media are auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic features. Audio features include the sound. Tactical features offer physical engagement as part of the aesthetic experience. Visual features refer to the artwork on and around the record. Finally, epistemic features entail information about the piece that you would not get digitally, such as, information about the artists, musicians, producers, recording studio, and countless other articles of information that you would have to search for digitally.

    I both agree and disagree with your position on why vinyl is better than digital media. Growing up I was not subjected to vinyl at all so when I am near a vinyl record playing it offers a level of listening that I would not receive anywhere else. Although this experience is great and all I think I am going to stick with my iPhone and AirPods for a couple of reasons. First, as you mentioned, the convenience of playing whatever I want whenever I want is unmatched. Anytime I want to play a specific song I can just “Hey Siri” it and bam there it is rather than searching through your vinyl records and doing the whole process. Next, I am able to share my music with others. I can just send a song here and receive a song there and that kick starts a conversation or relationship. Sure, you can hand someone a vinyl record but that costs money and seems like a hassle. Sound is compromised digitally but with the new technologies of headphones coming out sound does not seem like a major factor. If I brought home a date from an expensive steak house and threw a vinyl record on sure that would be a killer move but how many times will that arise, I think ill stick with apple music.

    Colin Cai

  29. In your article you approach the differences between vinyl and digital music by using four categories which were auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic features. Vinyl records receive their warmth and richness due to the simple fact that there is more equipment involved with playing records. You can feel the different instruments and melodies more thoroughly when the records are being spun right in front of you. Next you note the tactile effect of vinyl and how there is a higher quality to the music when you can physically feel what is creating that particular sound. Proceeding this you speak on the visual appeal of the records. Almost all records display artwork on them allowing for an even deeper lure that pulls people in. Lastly you touch on the epistemic aspect of vinyl records. You remind us that many times the records display more personal information about the music like shout outs to the artist or the studio where it was recorded.
    Although I appreciate the art of collecting vinyl records I am a member of generation Z and that means that I enjoy the simple conveniences in life. I feel that the capability to find just about any song that you would like to hear at the touch of your fingers is just plain old wicked. I cannot combat the fact that there is a certain quality of sound and feel that records offer that digital music cannot match. However I find the trade off to be more than worth it. If you can get passed the fact that you are looking at a screen then there is an argument that you are receiving the same visual pleasure of an album cover that you would with a record.

  30. In the above article, you exhibit a strong and convincing argument as to why vinyl records will forever be superior to digital CD’s and tracks. The most significant reasons being the main arguments that are listed. When listening to music, the listener wants the best possible sound that they can acquire, and vinyl records generate just that. A track with more warmth, richness, and depth are more enjoyable to listen to, and the listener receives more in their listening experience. However, evidently some consumers obviously do not quite care as much about the quality of the sound of their music in the name of convenience. This can be backed by your argument made about the tactile features of vinyl compared to digital. One must actually care for and tend to their music equipment as stated, which many people are either to lazy to do, or simply just indifferent, amongst other potential reasons. In your argument, you present factual information as to the higher quality of the sound. The warm qualities create what is essentially the ability to feel the sound, the background noises made more prevalent due to the richness, and the overall higher quality due to the shear depth of the record. Based off of this argument, it seems as if it would be nearly impossible to present the positives of digital music in a more convincing manner. Furthermore, your argument also outlines the significance visual appearance of vinyl records compared to CDs. After all, many musicians regard their music as their art. The visual aesthetic of album covers tend to contribute to the overall themes and feel of certain albums. Such as Nirvana’s 1993 “In Utero,” or Pink Floyd’s 1975 “Wish you Were Here,” or Led Zeppelin’s groundbreaking 1969 self-titled debut.

    While your argument is certainly correct regarding the higher quality which is received from vinyl, a strong counterpoint to be made is overall accessibility. Some of my first memories are that of my mother and father in the car, quizzing me on which song was playing on the radio at the time, which certainly impacted my overall taste and liking for the music in which I do. Nearly everybody listens to music in the car, singing their heart’s out as if nobody but them or their friends can hear on a long road trip on a summer day with the windows down. While the overall sound of vinyl may be superior, the accessibility of digital music allows more time for listening and appreciating music, creating unforgettable memories in the process.

    Having in a interest in vinyl is certainly more of a hobby. A wonderful hobby, though I digress. Searching for records down at Dave’s Music Mine on East Carson Street in Pittsburgh, finding the ones you love, and going home with your friends to give them a listen is a personal experience of mine. However, on the trip back, we would listen to songs from the same album through apple music through the car stereo, and then comparing the two sounds after hearing both. And then, coming to realize it isn’t always about the sound of the music, but the experiences and memories made from the music.

  31. In this article you explain what you call “The Vinyl Condition” . You explain how there are four categories and these four categories are auditory, tactile, visual, and last but not least epistemic features. To start off with auditory, you explain how vinyl has warmth and richness that is unmatched by digital. You explain how you can really hear the different instruments, and melodies that are used in each individual song. In tactile you explain how each vinyl record has a physicality to it and has to be stored and put away. You explain how it has a certain aesthetic to it. When explaining the visual feature you go on to talk about the artwork on the covers of each of these records as-well as in the center of the record itself. You explain how the artwork is timeless and shows the culture of the time it was made. The epistemic feature you explain how the records and sleeves contain information such as the artists background info, the producer, and even the recording studio.

    I can see where you are coming from with these arguments, however, I personally think that digital is better. Most people nowadays listen to music when they are on the move whether it be on a form of public transportation, walking to work or class, or driving in there car and would not be able to bring along the equipment needed to listen to vinyl with them. Also, the sheer cost difference between the two forms, if you wanted to purchase all of your favorite artists albums it would probably be between 15-30 dollars per album. With digital you can pay a monthly fee of 5-10 dollars and have access to nearly every song by every artist. In this day and age I believe most people would choose digital simply because of the cost and convenience of it. I also would like to argue that digital music does have some of these features, obviously not all of them. I personally use Spotify and nine out of ten songs have an album cover that displays on the screen when listening to that particular song. This album cover plays the same roll as the sleeve of a vinyl record. Very few, but some of these album covers even include some of the epistemic information such as the producer, or the recording studio. Now, the auditory feature is where I am having trouble, but with todays technology I do find it hard to believe that the sound is much different between the two. However, I personally have never listened to a vinyl record so I can not confirm nor deny which if either of them has better audio. I do in fact want to point out that even though I prefer digital music, I do enjoy the aesthetics of records being stored in the room and honestly wish I had a vinyl record player and some records simply because of the vibes.

    Daniel Kwiatkoski

  32. As I read your article, I found that you appreciate vinyl records over other digital formats for many different reasons. In the article you express how there is a distinct difference in vinyl format of music and the digital format of music. These distinct aspects in which you included was the auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic features. The first distinct aspect you talked about was the auditory features. In the article you defined terms such as warmth, richness, and depth within the sound of the music. You stated that the warmth is absent in digital formats. Therefore, they are present in the vinyl records because they are played by a “physical instrument upon physical format” (Chackal) and the material quality carries additional warmth. Furthermore, you talk about the richness of the vinyl records because they are allowing a greater quantity of features to be heard. The auditory aspects are diverse and create a greater quantity of sound. As the “richness refers to the greater quantity of sound, the depth refers to the greater quality of sound” (Chackal). You described how depth can show how much of a sound or instrument can be heard. The next distinct aspect you discussed was tactile features which basically includes the physical state of the vinyl record. This vinyl record offers a physical engagement between the record and yourself. Furthermore, you stated that the records occupy a particular place and time because they can be stored on shelves and placed on turntables. The next aspect you discussed was the visual features and how they have a lot of them. You explained how the records could be made like a book or reveal a large image across the entire front. Unlike the digital formats, the vinyl records have artwork, jackets, and inner sleeves that can contain the lyric sheets or other inner artwork can be placed. Discussing the last aspect, epistemic features, you stated that they concern the knowledge and what is needed for it. Musicians may add inscriptions like inside jokes or slogans. Furthermore, you talked about the information inscribed on discs and sleeves. Some of the information included the lyrics, musicians, label etc. giving the vinyl more value and appreciation.

    I’ve never really recall listening to a vinyl record. Although, I went on Youtube and listened to a vinyl record. It probably didn’t sound anything like it would sound in person, but it gave me a sense of direction. Furthermore, I would agree the vinyl records do have a better sense of warmth, richness, and depth. Sort of giving you that feeling of being inside the music. Vinyl music seems great, although, I feel like over time the records could potentially get damaged or broken which could cause controversy even though the vinyl records may not be too expensive (depending on the record). But I enjoy music and if I was honestly into vinyl records, I would most certainly cherish my records, and enjoy the physical engagement that it hands to me. Even though it is nice to have that physical engagement that creates sentimentalism, I also like to listen to music on the fly. The digital format allows me to take my music to the gym, work, grocery shopping, or even just long walks during the day. This has to be one of the obstructions for me compared to the vinyl records. Also, I believe the digital formats help give a sense of different beats that create a nice bass. This bass with the digital format also gives you a sense of being inside the music. Even though it may not have that sort of richness or warmth, it seems to give a different meaning of the art of music as well. Overall, the vinyl records compared to digital format in my mind have their pros and cons. Although, if you are just chilling in your living room with some coffee, and play some vinyl records…I would prefer to listen to music this type of way rather than through the digital formatting.

    Donovan Wichowski

  33. You hold a very compelling argument that a vinyl experience is better than the digital experience based on having distinct qualities that are more preferable outlined by the following features: auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic. Auditorily the vinyl experience provides warmth, richness, and depth that is not in digital music, and provides a better listening experience. Tacitly vinyl takes physical space and has physical qualities that can be admired by the viewer, such as the jacket. The jacket takes on a visual feature, providing viewers with interesting artwork and details missing from the digital experience. Finally, you mentioned there is a certain amount of knowledge required to own and care for vinyl, making ownership much more meaningful than that of digital files that require little knowledge to obtain or maintain.

    Though you have a great argument I believe you have looked over many factors. Even if all arguments you hold are true there is the fact that an overwhelming amount of people can not obtain, afford, or be bothered with gathering all necessary items to play as many songs you can have digitally. Personally I have over two thousands songs on my phone and from data have listened to over 165 thousand minutes. This simply would not be possible with vinyl. Because of the monumental power that digital music has to offer I would have to disagree and claim digital is the overwhelming preferable and better platform to enjoy music.

  34. I understand that in this article you are arguing that vinyl music is much more appealing than digital music. It is clear that you justify this argument by explaining the superiority that vinyl records have over digital music in the categories of auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic features. You go on to explain how auditorily you can’t get the same warmth, richness, and depth that vinyl records possess, from digitally formatted music. You then go on to explain how you can gain a physical connection with a vinyl record because it is something that takes up space and can be stored. You simply can not have a physical connection with digital music, therefore you believe vinyl records have more value in how they can be admired for its aesthetic. You also state that visually, vinyl records are far more appealing to the eye than digital as vinyl records are works of art. Artwork can be found on the front and back of the record’s jacket and can sometimes even be on the record itself. So when you buy a vinyl record you are not only just buying music but a piece of art as well. Lastly, you spoke upon the epistemic features that vinyl records reigned supreme over digital music. You explain that vinyl records carry along knowledge about the artist, musician, producer, label, lyrics and so forth because it is inscribed into the discs and sleeves while digitally you would have to look up that type of information.

    I respect your stance on this matter, but I do have to disagree with your arguments about a few features. A lot of the music that I hear today would not sound as pleasing if it were played off of a vinyl record simply because the music is digitally altered so there’s no need for the warmth and depth than a vinyl record possesses. Also, the fact that vinyl records are physical and must be taken care of seems like a hassle when I could just listen to any song I want at any time, digitally, without having to make sure my music is in good condition. Also, I feel like the artwork for albums such as Travis Scott’s ‘Astroworld’ and NBA Youngboy’s “Realer’ are much more appealing visually than a lot of vinyl records. In addition, for something that can be quite the price, vinyl records seem to be far too inconvenient as you can not listen to them anywhere you please, while you can listen to digital music anywhere, anytime, for free.

  35. Your argument holds that the vinyl experience is higher than the virtual one based on having awesome qualities which are more preferable. These characteristics take form within the “vinyl situation”, mentioned by the following features: auditory, tactile, visible, and epistemic. On auditory, you stated that the vinyl revel in presents warm temperature, richness, and intensity that isn’t present in digital song and presents a extra listening enjoy. On tactile, you mentioned that vinyl takes physical area and has bodily qualities that can be widespread by the viewer, which includes the jacket. The jacket takes on a visual function, offering visitors with interesting art work and details missing from the virtual revel in. Finally, you stated there may be a positive quantity of knowledge required to personal and care for vinyl, making possession a whole lot more meaningful than that of digital documents that require little know-how to achieve or preserve.

    myself don’t frequently concentrate to vinyl’s, especially because of the affordability and simplicity of get admission to that incorporates virtual tune, but I can recognize the points you made right here from the few instances that I were able to pay attention to them. Being capable of have song, now not simplest on the way to concentrate to it, however additionally be capable of interact with it in a extra bodily shape is something that is very attractive. In addition, the nice of sound in maximum instances is higher coming from a vinyl than a virtual replica. Over all of the points you make are properly but even though vinyl is commonly a higher manner take in track, the virtual shape will still be triumphant on the idea that it’s miles simpler to get entry to and have enough money.

  36. Your central argument is that vinyl is superior to digital forms of music. You point out that the vinyl condition is auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic, all features you believe digital forms fail to do justice. You say that digital forms cannot give listeners the same experience that vinyl can because sounds on vinyl are warmer, richer, and deeper. You acknowledge that digital forms may give listeners the convenience of portability and efficiency, but are still not ideal because they do not allow for the aesthetic and sound quality that vinyl does.

    I disagree with your argument, for the most part. While I do agree that vinyl can sometimes offer a higher audio quality than digital, I do think that you are missing some things about digital. Vinyl cannot always offer the accessibility that digital forms do. It is not easy to use vinyl in all situations, like car rides, dorm rooms, school, and others. In high school, sharing music with my friends during lunches or study halls was very important to us, and you cannot just whip out a record player in the middle of the classroom. I also want to point out that not every person who listens to music particularly cares about the quality of the music, just that it is there. Sometimes, for me and my friends at least, the fact that it is there for us to listen to is enough. We don’t really care if we understand where the inspiration for the songs came from or who the producers are or any of the things you proposed in your epistemological section. We just want to enjoy music together. Digital forms also provide an ease of access that vinyl does not, specifically streaming services. Streaming platforms, like Spotify, allow one to explore new types of music without spending an unnecessary amount of money on something they do not even know if they will like. Spotify also gives listeners the opportunity to explore lyrics or even tidbits of music videos while listening to certain songs. Overall, I think that vinyl is a good platform for listening, occasionally, but it would never be my choice over digital for everyday use.

    -Sam McArdle

  37. As referred from this piece we are seeing a resurgence of consumers buying vinyl records, but why? I personally think that vinyl records would be the most inconvenient way for listening to music, therefore there is an art form to enjoy it for most. Thus, you gave parts to an argument on how a vinyl can be superior to a digital format in today’s age. As you donated, vinyls are a tangible item which may mean they have a better edge over digital music. The features you argued were auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic with three of them being beyond the superior sound quality vinyl provide.
    Within your argument, I would have to agree the vinyl are superior to digital music in those regards. But outside of your argument I personally have a problem with vinyl, and this is because those participating in vinyl are temporary consumers. This is just coming from my own judgement, and I do think at least for now it’s considered cool to own a few vinyl records for aesthetic purposes. Correct me if I’m wrong, but vinyl and record players are being sold again because of demand. When this demand goes away the vinyl that were mass produced today will go into landfills once more or back onto thrift shop shelves. One aspect to your argument that I wouldn’t disagree with is on epistemic features of a vinyl. You essentially said that without the convenience of reading the information on the vinyl then “the information often does not call to listeners, since they have to take extra measures to see it”. I hope I can assume your meaning, in that without owning a vinyl to a musician, you would have to look up this extra information but has less of an impact on a person. From the process of researching for yourself, but I do not think this scenario can applied to everyone. I personally think that is someone were to go through the extra measures of looking up this information they would treat it as the same form reading it from a vinyl record. And if the musicians themselves strongly wanted the end listeners to know this information, then it should not be hard to just add this on to digital albums. In the form of a pdf in the download, or an extra information section on a streaming platform.

    -Christina Ratliff

  38. Your argument suggests that the vinyl experience is preferable to digital. The article mentions the strengths that material records have over digital. You talked about the auditory, tactile, visual, epistemic aspects of the vinyl conditions. Within auditory, you mentioned the warmth, richness, and depth of material records. These sounds are specific to vinyl, and can’t be discovered through digital. You highlight the importance of the tactile feature in vinyl. The idea that they are stored on shelves, removed from their sleeves, and then placed on turntables. Nostalgia. The packaging of records is what attracts so many people to them. Next, you highlight the visual features of the vinyl condition. Usually, there is artwork on the front and back, and most are unique. And for the epistemic features, the vinyl condition holds a bit of knowledge. It’s interesting that musicians might add inscriptions at the records center, which add value to people’s appreciation of the vinyl condition.

    Though your points are strong, I don’t agree with you. Personally, I prefer digital to material. One of my favorite things to do is drive around and listen to music with my friends. The best way to do this is through digital music. It would be nearly impossible to place a record player in my car and store my records there. I think the aesthetic of the vinyl condition is cool, and I understand it. But for me, it is too much work to ensure proper storage and use to protect them. Also, it takes longer for newer songs to be on a vinyl than it does to be uploaded to Soundcloud, apple music, spotify, etc. Digital platforms are often much less expensive, and easier to come across. I think you hit strong points in the article through your argument, but I disagree with your position.

    A. Labeka

  39. To start, your argument is essentially that, digital holds less of a value and an aesthetic, and why vinyl is higher ranking and superior. You start the piece by touching on the fact that vinyls are auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic, while digital music fails to bring any of that to the table. You go on to talk about the warmth, richness and depth, under the auditory section, that vinyls hold over digital forms. The tactile and visual sections speak on the artwork that is able to be done on vinyls because of “the jacket” and the amount of space on them. You also touch on the accessibility and convenience of digital music but talk about how it does not still provide the same type of aesthetic that vinyl allows. Then finally you talk about the responsibility that comes with vinyl and how you have to keep up with it so they are about to stay in shape and be able to be played.

    I would disagree with your argument that vinyls are superior to digital music. Although the aesthetic might be more appealing to a certain amount or group of people, I feel that wireless, hands free, and slick and shiny are more appealing. Although that might just be because of my generation, I feel this is the case for many people. Digital music allows a more convienent way to listen. Whether that is in your car, on a run, in your apartment, or anywhere. Vinyls are stationary and require lots of maintenance while digital is mobile and relatively easy to transport. also, the argument on sound quality may not be entirely true for a few reasons. As time progresses, the speakers and headphones are becoming more and more advanced. You are now able to physically feel the bass in some songs through some devices and it can make you feel like you are actually there and present while you are listening. However, it ultimately comes down to the person perceiving the music and what is in their best interests.
    Christopher Butz

  40. You argue that the vinyl listening format is superior to the digital format due to the fact that it does offer many features that digital music simply cannot. Vinyl’s audio features are deeper, richer and warmer than digital because they are not a compressed file, but rather a material thing. And because they are a material thing, this creates many new experiences which digital does not offer. Such as tactile benefits, being able to physically hold and feel the grooves in the record itself. Vinyl also offers a very real aspect of collectability and value over time that digital mediums lack.
    But, from my point of view, digital is still superior to vinyl because many of these perceived benefits also come with their own individual drawbacks. Digital is well, digital, it is portable and immaterial. There is no worry of care or damage, there is no extra cost to care for it, no extra space needed to store it. All of these extra steps are needed to optimally listen to a vinyl record. Vinyl records are much more expensive because not only must you purchase the record itself, but you need to purchase protective coverings and you must purchase a device on which to play the record. In terms of the aesthetic and tactile benefits, to me these are simply unnecessary. Both of these products are marketed to be listened to, not held or touched. Digital also provides what I perceive to be the best benefit for a musical medium which is portability. You can have access to nearly any song in existence sitting in your pocket or at your fingertips and the most setup you are required to do is plug in your earbuds or connect to a stereo and youre ready to go.
    V. Sacriponte

  41. Auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic features are outlined in this article. Each of these are a specific and unique feature that differentiates vinyl and digital music. Because vinyl is a material thing, it brings more of an engaged form of listening in that you buy, store, and play these records instead of downloading them to a phone. Also, because records are not digital recordings the sound provides a “warmer, richer, and deeper” sound. In a world where technology has taken over many aspects of our lives, using vinyl is a way to bring us back to earth a bit and allow us to use mindfulness.

    While I agree that technology is taking over and that vinyl does have a more quality sound. I also would agree that people who listen to and enjoy vinyl are not snobs trying to prove something, but I don’t necessarily think vinyl is better than digital. I would make the argument that they are extremely different. While vinyl provides a more tangible, aesthetically pleasing, and satisfying means of listening, digital music is easy and available to almost everyone. Caring for vinyl and a player is hard work and not a lot of people have the diligence to take the proper care. My main point is that music is music and people will enjoy it any way they can, and they should. Both vinyl and digital music offer a listening experience tailored to a certain person, that elicits the type of emotion warranted.

  42. Your work holds the position that vinyl is more superior than the modern style of listening known as digital. While digital is appealing to today’s society in the sense that it is more convenient, you argue that vinyl’s qualities clearly outweigh the former in a variety of ways. The characteristics that make up the composition of vinyl are classified as the “vinyl condition”. This includes the four key features of vinyl, which are auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic. Vinyl not only provides more openness, but also a sound that has more warmth, depth, and richness when compared to digital. When an individual receives a record, they do not just listen to it. They are responsible to care for the record. They are able to feel all of the physical features that make up each album. When one buys vinyl, they get to enjoy and admire the artwork on each side of the album. Viewing the drawings or jokes written on or inside the album establishes a specific and personal connection between the artist and the individual. By experiencing the album’s physicalities and obtaining the knowledge from each album first-hand, one may better understand the work and appreciate everything the artist put in to create the unique piece.

    I concur with your argument in the sense that vinyl creates a more personalized, sensory experience in comparison with digital audio. The ability to apply all of our senses when we come across a work establishes a special connection between us as the consumer and the production we are grasping onto. While digital might not provide the same physical pleasures along with the “warmth, richness, and depth” that is associated with vinyl, there are fewer limitations on the dynamic range of sound when it comes to digital. Most engineers mastering vinyl more often than not have to alter the original music by cutting out extremely high or extremely low pitches. From this, the listener hears a more restricted range of frequencies or pitches. Additionally, most vinyl records have a substantially less playback time. Digital is not only more accessible, but it can also play for hours on end according to your personal music preferences at the time being. While I agree that listening to vinyl is a more genuine and tasteful experience, convenience holds higher priority than quality in the eyes of a modern consumer.

    J. Bonetti

  43. In this article, your main point was that using vinyl to listen to music is better option than listening to it digitally. Throughout the article you explained why vinyl has a better sound, and the total aesthetic experience is richer than any digital form. Also, you addressed the point that people who listen to vinyl aren’t snobs, since some may believe that they only do it appear cool. You emphasize that vinyl is better than digital music in the aspect that they have better auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic features than digital music. Looking at them from an auditory standpoint, vinyls have more depth, richness and warmth than digital. In tactile features, you said that the vinyl offers physical engagement as part of the aesthetic experience, while the digital offers none of the physical aspect. In visual features, vinyl has artwork on the front and back and other aspects that digital doesn’t. In epistemic features, vinyl would have information about the authors and other interesting information that isn’t usually included in any digital music information.

    I believe that you have a great argument and have used many good examples. Although that I haven’t ever listened to a vinyl, I am now quite interested in listening to one to see if I can hear the difference. I think vinyl records seem interesting and have a lot of value, but I disagree with some of your points. In today’s society we are always on the go, including how we listen to our music. The hastle that we would have to listen to music if someone would only listen to vinyl records is large. Digital music offers connivence that goes along with the rest of society. There are things such as Spotify and Apple Music where the majority of the population can listen to music at their fingertips. Although I think digital music is more convenient , I think the artistic appeal of vinyls is unique. The artwork that you see on vinyls is something that you will never get on any digital music. In general, I think that vinyl is unique and is something that everyone should at least know about. Although in today’s society I believe that digital music better fits our society.

    Holland Tolliver

  44. Your argument touches on four main reasons why listening to vinyl records is so much better than listening to music digitally. The main points that were touched on throughout the article was the fact that vinyl has an overall better sound when playing the music, the process of listening to a vinyl is an overall better experience and has a much better aesthetic compared to when you are just listening to your music digitally. Also, you argue that vinyl records have superior visual artwork and many epistemic features compared to other digital formats. Finally, the last point that you touched on is the fact that it takes a very special person with a good understanding of vinyls to properly take care of them and keep them in the best condition as possible. Since vinyls do take up a large amount of room when putting it on display, only a special type of person can admire the way it looks and the different artworks that are on the covers of the albums. You just simply cannot get the feeling of holding or feeling a vinyl from the digital or online experience. Listening to a vinyl compared to a digital version of the song is just an overall completely different experience.

    I believe that you made a very valid argument with many great examples to back up your points. I have listened to a few vinyls in my day and I have never had a bad experience with them, but I would personally just rather listen to my music digitally. I listen to my music very frequently throughout the day and I am always on the move. If every time that I wanted to listen to my music and I had to pull out a record player and vinyl, it would just be so much less convenient than listening to the song through a speaker or through ear phones. It takes two easy clicks on my phone to pull up my music app and chose the song that I would like to listen to. This generation is all about having everything right in our fingertips and having your music digitally just makes it that much easier. On the other hand, I do agree with you on the fact that the aesthetic of the vinyl album covers is a great feature and cannot get that experience and art work by just looking at it on your phone. I love a lot of the art that is on my favorite artists albums, and having something to show for it would just be an overall different experience. Overall, I think that listening to a vinyl is a unique experience that I would do once in a while, but I would much rather just listen to music digitally.
    Katherine Innes

  45. Your argument outlines the reasons why music coming from vinyl outlets and the systems connected with vinyl are offer a better sound quality than music found in digital formats. The aspects of music not found in digital but vinyl formats you name the vinyl condition and the four features of this condition are auditory, tactile, visual and epistemic. There was a time when music could only be enjoyed in its most raw, authentic form. But when changes in technology allowed for the introduction of recorded music Benjamin and Adorno claimed it, “displaced the authenticity, aura, and authority of music as a live art form.” You argue that vinyl makes an effort to preserve the warmth, richness and depth of quality sound quality that can be experienced through live music. The materialism of the vinyl, the album cover, the sleeve, the lyrics, and the artwork all contribute to the physical aesthetic that one can experience from vinyl but not digital. Because of the grooves in the record being scratched by a needle, listeners experience a fuller and more realistic sound that could never be found in digital formats, which are compressed and streamed. You argue that vinyl has a “fecundity” that digital formats do not.
    My family is comprised of many music lovers. My brother specifically has an extensive collection of vinyl records that he likes to play. He’s only eighteen but he owns a record player. Because of him I can agree with most of the points that you made. The sound quality from vinyl is superior to digital formats due to the full-bodied sound, the warmth and depth heard, and the visual appreciation of the album artwork. I’ve experienced how the physicality of vinyl creates a physical aesthetic for listeners to connect to and enjoy that I could never get from apple music or Spotify. However, one specific point that I think you should consider is the visual aspects that may be available in digital formats. I’m thinking specifically about YouTube and other video platforms that stream music videos. Streaming of music videos with digital sound quality may have a visual superiority over vinyl. This could be something to consider.

    Dayne Fields

  46. Your argument that vinyl preference is justified by more than class elitism and vintage culture fanaticism is supported throughout the article by four criteria: auditory features, tactile features, visual features, and epistemic features. Within each of these features of music, you highlight several areas of having the most importance within its feature and argue that vinyl is the superior condition for all of these. For example, you argue that within the realm of auditory features of both vinyl and digital, vinyl is superior at creating warmth, richness, and depth in the music being played. You also recognize that digital formats do have practical advantages but argue that, because vinyl is superior in these four criteria, it is the superior medium over all.

    I think you have done an excellent and commendable job at justifying vinyl’s superiority in the four criteria of music you covered and the subsections within each you dictated as most important. Additionally I believe you’re over all direction with this article toes the line between offering reasoning for why some people prefer vinyl and outrightly stating that vinyl is superior. There are dozens of features to music from tone quality to performability by which music and its condition can be held to. The phrase comparing apples to oranges ought aptly evoke the idea I am trying to express here. Yes, while vinyl is better at achieving warmth and richness than digital, it is worse in the category of accessibility. I agree with your assessments as to why vinyl is better in these for features, but have no opinion on whether or not it is better overall than any other medium. In conclusion, while I think your argument strays into the area of calling the vinyl condition superior over all, I think you successfully reigned the argument back in and successfully accomplished what you set out to do in the article.

  47. In your article, you argue that listening to vinyl is better than listening to digital. You show that you have an appreciation for this hobby/experience. The four aspects of the vinyl condition include auditory features, tactile features, visual features, and epistemic features. When covering these four conditions throughout the article, you made claims for each one explaining why you choose the side you’re on. Auditory offers better sound qualities, including warmth, richness, and depth. Tactile offers an aesthetic experience for the listener and viewer to engage in. Visual offers the piece that is missing from the digital experience; artwork. Lastly, epistemic features includes having the ability to see all of the information about that vinyl right in front of you instead of having to look for it digitally.

    I understand your position on why you think vinyl is better than digital. I have listened to vinyl a few times before and I agree that the sound is exceedingly better than any average digital device. I also agree that the look and aesthetic is very appealing. I have always wanted to have vinyls or records because of some movies or shows I’d watch. Having to make space to store them would be a problem and I’d imagine buying vinyls would get pretty expensive pretty quick. Digital is just a much easier option nowadays and it will always be accessible to listen to no matter where you are.

    S. Fischer

  48. Within your article, you argue that listening to vinyl is better than listing to digital. Through out your article it talks about four main point for a reason why vinyl is better than digital these include, that vinyl has an overall better sound when playing the music, the process of listening to a vinyl is an overall better experience and has a much better aesthetic compared to when you are just listening to your music digitally. Also, you argue that vinyl records have superior visual artwork and many epistemic features compared to other digital formats, The last of the four main points you touched on is that you said that vinyl music contains obscure information within it so it might be hard to understand unless you really know what you are looking for. Your over all belief is that vinyl music is superior to the music that most people listen to today that is digital.

    I personally can agree and disagree with your argument because I have listened to vinyl music before with my grand father and although I thought it was pretty good and that I do agree that the sound of the music is more pure than digital. however, I believe that digital music is still over all a better. It is just easier to use, You don’t have to pull out a different record if you want to play a different song all you have to do is simply hit a button on your phone. Also I think that digital music is more accessible because you can go onto almost any smart device and be able to play music off of it. I’m not a big music person but I would have to say that when you are looking to purchase vinyl music it could be a little expensive since the music is on a actual record. Were Most of the music that is produced digitally is mostly free and the only time that you actually have to pay is when you want a subscription to the app or website and even then for students its only a few dollars a month. I just think that overall Digital music is just easier to use and is more accessible than vinyl music is.

  49. You make a point to “avoid the overly simplistic debate about mere auditory differences between analog and digital formats,” although, you frequently attempt to strengthen your position by illustrating auditory differences. The outline defines how auditory features of vinyl are warmer, richer, and deeper compared to digital. The argument against digital is supplemented with tactile, visual, and epistemic features which “expand the artistic platform and enrich the aesthetic experience.”

    The strongest proponents of this argument are about aesthetics and emotion. You do point out some important supporting arguments on behalf of aesthetics, but eschew how digital lacks some of these features which I find to be false. I present a more definitive explanation of some auditory and physical features you refer to throughout your article. Warmness is referring to the overall analog sound and the lower end frequencies. The coinciding adjective would be referred to as brightness, generally associated with digital and higher sounding frequencies. Utilizing mastering and filtering, you can intentionally balance out these extremities to compliment one another, getting both a warm and bright sound. Using analog mastering equipment, it is said to be extremely difficult to perform. In fact, many analog produced tracks are remastered because of their inadequate mastering. Also, reproductions of older music over to new records is usually digitally processed before it is reproduced, so as to lose some of its sought after “authenticity” that analog recording and producing brings to vinyl. Digital mastering of a track before the physical production of the record has been common for many years. Transitioning to focus on digital streaming services which are doing more to mimic the aesthetic of vinyl by providing information about music and artists in the form of appearing and disappearing script over top of the cover art being played, this feature counters your epistemic position about the lack of information directly provided by digital albums. To counter your argument that the paradigmatic digital equipment needed for a heightened listening experience isn’t obtainable by most users, a pair of $50/$100 Audiotechnica headphones and a trial version of a “high fidelity” streaming service like Tidal provides an unprecedented experience available to any consumer. With the introduction of high fidelity streaming (or lossless compression streaming) being introduced to the consumer market, your assumption that uncompressed digital music isn’t available to consumers is rendered invalid in your argument that only vinyl produces a rich, uncompressed recording. Epistemically, analog and digital achieve merely the same thing. Auditorily, digital is only slightly superior to analog by technical comparison. Impeccable sound can be achieved by both mediums, no doubt. Here, I’ve only made a few surface level comparisons and conjunctions. I cannot, however, provide an answer as to which one is better, as this is a subjective matter. Each form has their own unique features, contributing to your first aim expressed in the intro. This entire argument stews down to one thing. Subjective reasoning. More specifically, the experiential part of it. Your position would be better accompanied with the support of how distinctive the vibe is that’s associated with the listening experience opposed to a digital listening experience. What is your story? I would love to hear about how you were introduced to vinyl, how you approach the experience, and how you have/could influence others to feel how you do about it in order to place myself in your shoes and perceive the same senses you have when experiencing vinyl. There is certainly an appeal to vinyl and the new(ish) wave of culture surrounding it that I can get behind.

  50. You argue that overall vinyl records are better in comparison to digital audio. The four vinyl conditions you outlined were audio, tactile, visual, and epistemic. Under the audio condition you argue that the sound is warmer, richer and deeper with vinyl records. Next under the tactile condition you explain the dynamics of how vinyl records are kept, mentioning that they are physically engaging and visually appealing. Under the visual condition you discuss how unique each cover can be and how there can be art work on the poly bags as well as on the inner cover. Visually, you argue that vinyl records are more aesthetically pleasing. Finally you discuss the epistemic conditions of vinyl. There is information about the artist, and the album itself on the record and cover.
    In response to your argument, I agree and disagree with you saying vinyl is better than digital. I personally have never heard music from vinyl, so it is hard to compare the difference as far as the audio goes. However, I agree with you in the sense that they allow a listener to connect more with an artist. Having a tangible item with information, lyrics and artwork is a lot different than seeing someone’s album cover on the Spotify app. Having an artist write hidden messages or inside jokes to their listeners makes them feel more real. There is nothing in this world more powerful than human connection and that is what the tactile, visual and epistemic conditions achieve. However, personally, the portable and easy access to music I have with digital technology is unbeatable to me. I love being able to put my headphones in and press play whenever I desire. Vinyl is great and connects with not only the people creating the music but with our past, but it is limited which is its downfall.

  51. You argued that Vinyl records are better than Digital listening formats. “The Vinyl Condition” refers to the benefits of listening to recorded music. Also, the visual experience as well as the auditory experience that you get from the Vinyl features. Then you mention the social aspect of Technology when a turntable is involved in the equation. Listening to music turns into a social event when done with others. You can discuss the music while also making that connection to what you are listening too and how that relates to the musician. Music use to be heard during live performances then technology was created where you can bring music into your home which changed the social activity. Technology also changed the way music was produced. Music was written in the studio and the process continued until the song was completed. Then you talked about the auditory features of the records verses the digital formats. Warmth arises in the record when physical instruments are played. Richness refers to the different sounds that are heard in the record. The digital formats compress these sounds which doesn’t allow the richness and fullness of the song to be completely heard. There are many records available where the sound is compromised, and the listener can’t fully enjoy the experience because of the digital format. The tactile features of a record is a huge part of the aesthetic experience. Collectors handle Vinyl records with care because of their covers. You concluded that Vinyl records have certain features that digital formats don’t including auditory, tactile, and visual.

    I personally agree with your argument, I own Vinyl records myself and all the aspects that you listed are the reasons why I bought them in the first place. At first, they were something cool to look at and collect however, once you listen to them and compare the quality to the digital it doesn’t compare. The tactile features are what interested me in the first place, the artwork on the covers were so interesting. When I first started to get into Vinyl, I talked to my Mom about them and how much she enjoyed listening to them as a kid. Once I bought the records my friend already had a record player, so I went over to his house and listened to the ones I purchased, and I’ve continued to buy them ever since. Therefore, I agree with your argument that Vinyl records are a much better experience than a digital record.

    Sydney Schmit

  52. The central argument of this article, being that vinyl is better than digital, is strong in the four ways described, along with the support of the author’s argument. The four arguments include auditory, tactile, visual, and epistemic, each having strong arguments for vinyl versus digital. Auditory advantages come in the form of warmth, richness, and depth of a vinyl record. Having analog-recorded music allows for a deeper warmth that is not found in the way digital songs are recorded. There is also a physical richness that comes from the grooves of the vinyl record itself. Also with vinyl, different from digital, there is a different experience for listening. Those listening to a record that is analog are more intentional with listening and interpreting. Tactile refers to the physical makeup of records; this includes packaging, storage, and handling. From the jacket sleeve to the shelves, there is much more physical space taken up by vinyl than by digital albums. This also adds to the intentionality of listening and handling of the records. Visually, vinyl is superior simply due to the nature of cover art and other ways to incorporate style. Not only can artists design the artwork of the jacket, but things can be done to represent current culture, or anything else, that the artist finds important. The same can go for digital cover art, but there is something about the overall aesthetic of vinyl cover art. As for the epistemic appeal, analog records have so much more going for them than digital. Not only is the information regarding the creation of the record, but it is at the listener’s fingertips, readily available. While the same information regarding the musicians, songwriters, producer, label, or artist are all available online, people do not seek this information out as much. The accessibility of the information regarding the vinyl record leads to a greater appreciation and understanding of how much goes into creating an album.

    Though this is not a subject that I have a wealth of knowledge in, I do think now that I have a better understanding of the beauty of vinyl. Though I have not been a “record-listener,” I see how people can appreciate the art that comes in and through vinyl records. I do think that one way that this article and argument could be improved is by taking a look at what makes digital enticing to people and more about how technology has changed the way people have evolved their listening habits. I think since technology has changed how society works and acts that it would be beneficial to take more time to discuss how people’s perceptions of listening to music have changed along with the tech world. Some of the aesthetic benefits of digital music include ease of listening or the ease of compiling playlists. Though some people recognize the intentionality that comes with listening to vinyl, kids today would not have as much appreciation for the art as the author or others may have.

  53. The debate over vinyl and digital audio has been raging for as long as the internet has been around. In this article, you take the stance that vinyl records are better than digital audio. Outlined in your article were the four vinyl conditions, which are audio, tactile, visual, and epistemic. The argument that you make is that compared to digital audio, vinyl has a warmer, richer tone and is overall deeper. Because vinyl records are something physical, your argument is that they have a tactile dimension to them, based on how people enjoy preserving and taking care of them. Visually, vinyl records are aesthetically pleasing with cover art and the overall look. Finally, the epistemic condition of vinyl includes information about the artists, albums, and other information tied to the vinyl.
    Now for the fun part, my personal opinion. As someone who has grown up listening to (new) digital audio, and listens very frequently to music, I have experienced both digital and vinyl music. My dad’s friend has a vast collection of vinyl records and many times I have sat through a history lesson about his collection and heard the whole “vinyl sounds the best” speech, many times. Sure, vinyl has a different sound to it, and it sounds warmer and more comforting. Does that make it better audio? No. The “warmer” aspect of vinyl is simply the extra noise that is a product of imperfections in the way that the music is “stored” on the record. I’ve come across this debate many times on the internet and I have researched into it before. The general consensus is that if you take an unaltered MP3 file and add an artificial hiss to it, it sounds “warmer” just like a record. The extra hissing noise (again, which comes from imperfections in the vinyl) is the only reason that people think vinyl sounds warmer and more comforting. Vinyl is not magic, it is just simply SOUND. Based solely on the fact that the warm feeling can be replicated onto an existing digital file, it proves that the sound (and I’m only arguing for the “warm” sound) is equal. Vinyl is objectively not “better” if both are able to achieve the same warmness.
    The other aspect of sound, which almost everyone agrees on, is that digital is more exact and much clearer. Modern recording instruments and new, modern speakers allow for this. Not to mention that digital audio allows for loudness, which vinyl simply cannot compete with. A good pair of quality headphones absolutely blow away any vinyl recording that I have ever heard, hands down. That is my opinion.
    Now, as you explained, there are different dimensions, or conditions, to vinyl. Above I talked about sound comparisons, so I’ll focus on the other three now. Starting off with the tactile condition, let’s compare it to the old Nintendo system that we used to own. There was something special about dusting off the old case, searching through the games to find the right one, putting it in, realizing it doesn’t work, then blowing into the cartridge to clear it, and then booting up the game. It was like some sort of ceremony and it holds a special place in my heart. That’s what I imagine vinyl people feel when they decide to play music on them. However, not once when I’m playing 1080p 144hz high-definition, objectively better quality (and in my opinion, more fun) games online with friends and strangers, did I say to myself “I wish I could touch it.” Sure, there is something about actually physically owning something that allows a sense of ownership and having something, but in the case of records, you trade quality for tactile-ness. Also, just to finish this part off, I’ll add in that you can take digital anywhere, and the quality stays mostly the same.
    Briefly, I will agree that vinyl records are cool to see around the house, and they definitely win when it comes to aesthetics. Very cool as functional decorations. “And that’s all I have to say about that.” (Forrest Gump)
    Now, as far as far as the epistemic conditions go, I see it as arguing that an encyclopedia collection is better than the internet. Vinyl records are interesting because they each contain unique information that is located on the actual covering. This is cool and interesting because it gives owners a glimpse into a deeper understanding of the music. Like you mentioned, there is even some obscure information located on it. However, in the age of the internet, this argument simply doesn’t hold any water. Maybe back in the 90’s and early 2000’s (which is where this debate started, by the way, because back then, digital audio SUCKED compared to now and that’s why people said vinyl is better) there wasn’t a reliable, fast way to find out the same information. I would say that I can find out the same information in a few clicks, or taps, but actually I can yell “Hey Google, tell me about (insert artist here)” and know the same obscure information. Information is information. That doesn’t make vinyl better than digital, any more than books are better than a website.
    Now, to summarize, I strongly believe that digital is superior to vinyl in terms of sound quality. “Warmness” can be replicated. When you say that “richness” and “depth” are superior to digital, I believe that it is superior to OUTDATED digital audio (again, going back to the 90’s and 00’s when CDs and low quality sound files were the norm). You can’t honestly tell me that vinyl can detect and record audio that modern recording studios can’t, even with their equipment that most definitely ranges into the tens of thousands of dollars, maybe even higher. The richness, depth, and warmness arguments are all outdated. Tactile-ness and aesthetics? Vinyl wins. Epistemics? Book vs E-book. Maybe vinyl wins if the power goes out.
    What do I think about this argument? It’s definitely in the top 5 in my list of “Most Inane Arguments,” alongside when people who debate craft beers and different flavors of wine.
    You may be asking yourself “if he thinks the argument is inane, why would he spend 30 minutes, going above and beyond, typing up an essay on a simple extra credit assignment?” I wanted to give you my honest opinion, instead of just pretending to like what you wrote for the extra points (even though it was well written with a good layout and visuals). I don’t want you to think that I dislike your interests, I think that collecting anything unique is very interesting and important. However, when someone starts to argue that one thing is better than another, it interests me and I like to give my opinions, especially if I know a little about it. I enjoy challenging people with different perspectives when I can. I hope you enjoyed the read, and maybe if you really enjoyed it, you can throw me 15 points instead of the usual 10.

    • You’re entire post is INANE simply because you agree Vinyl sounds warmer and richer while you use an excuse that is sounds better because of noise. Digital is flat. Oh yeah, digital apologist say analogs better original wavelength is beyond human hearing. Preposterous. Digital has FAKE separation making inane people think it sounds better. Vinyl reveals sounds lost in digital.

  54. Music today has become taken over by technology and some often forgot that vinyl records exist. In your argument, you believe that Vinyl records are better than digital audio. Your article “The Vinyl Condition” shows that the 4 conditions of vinyl are audio, tactile, visual, and epistemic. The sounds within vinyl are much brighter with a rich tone. The physical records must be protected because they are all very dimensional and have physical traits and characteristics to each one. They also are very collectible because of the unique artworks and aesthetic differences. The epistemic dimensions previews information about the albums and artists. Vinyl is superior in the aesthetic area and that is something that will never be taken away from these special pieces. I can tell that you are very passionate about this music and it is comforting to see that people enjoy these types of arts.

    As for my opinion, I love music and listen to it every single day. Surprisingly, I have never had the opportunity to listen off of a vinyl record. Vinyl records seem like something that would be a never-ending collection and I would like to experience them someday. I watched a few videos to hear the sound of the records and the sound is very smooth comforting. Although the sound may not be as good as the music we have today, these records all have a story to them which makes it special. I do think you are missing some awesome music in the digital area but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Everyone has different tastes and that’s ok. Today will music, we miss the physical touch of having the pieces and the unique artwork that comes along with it. Digital has more convenience to it, but vinyl has way better stories to tell because it doesn’t rely just on the music. In conclusion, I completely agree that vinyl provides better experiences for those who listen to music than just simply listening digitally. Hopefully one day I will be able to enjoy music through the sound of vinyl.

    Austin Young

  55. John Longstreth,

    In this article, it explains why most people prefer vinyl over digital formats. This article also explains how the people that prefer vinyl over digital formats are not just old snobs that are against the advancement of technology. The reason why they prefer vinyl is because it is the better option to go with overall. This article also goes into the reasons why vinyl is better because vinyl records are material, occupy space, need to be properly stored, and require more engagement to operate. Lastly, this article goes into vinyl condition and how it offers beneficial differences in listening to recorded music like being able to hear something on that record that you would not be able to hear on the digital format version of the song.
    In my opinion, I would disagree with this article because I think more people would prefer the digital format version over the vinyl version when it comes to music. With all the advancements in technology you can have available at your fingertips you are able to keep all the music you ever want to listen to right in the palm of your hand. I think digital formats offer the same listening experience as vinyl records because if you get the live version of a song in digital format you are able to hear pretty much all the same sounds that you would be able to hear on the vinyl version of the song. I think you are missing all the cool things that digital has to offer. For instance, if you were at a party and wanted to play your favorite song you would have the able to do it if you had the digital version of the song, and at the same time you couldn’t play your favorite song if you had the vinyl version of it.

  56. An excellent article!!

    Analogis is an always was better than any digital crap!!!!!

    The sound is better and just everything about it is better!!!

    I collect records,8 tracks and cassettes 🙂

  57. Oh my god.
    This dude made his students read this pretentious nonsense and leave replies for class credit.
    Lame.

  58. It’s interesting that people never bring up the resolution limit of vinyl. True analog is infinite, vinyl has a finite limit of groves it can pack in at the rated speed. Therefore records themselves aren’t analog at all, but the cartridge certainly is.

  59. Not a very balanced article. Monoline bass, de-essing and a lower dynamic range are just a few ways in which vinyl is inferior. Full fat digital is superior in terms of audio quality, whether vinyl fans like it or not.

    The source material is the single most important item affecting the quality of the audio in either format. Both have the ability to sound fantastic when the source is treated with respect and mastered properly. Digital harshness was the result of poor mastering and ridiculous amounts of compression in the 90’s and early 2000’s.

    • Dynamic rage beyond human hearing LOL. Vinyl captures the EXACT wavelength – period. Vinyl sounds better whether digital fans like it or not.

  60. Written by someone who has no clue what instruments or voices recorded actually sound like. Digital is a far more accurate representation of what was recorded. You may like your music colored by someone of use prefer a high res photo to watercolors.

  61. Garbage. Hot. Garbage. There is no part of vinyl that is better than digital regarding sound quality and intent of the artist. Period. Anyone who says differently, is wrong.

  62. Just to be to the point. Good digital is fantastic. Digital is the primary means of recording today. Super quiet and clean. So it just becomes a goal to get it back as well as it was recorded to begin with. Buy a good cheap DAC and discover just how clean a lossless recording can be. A good cheap DAC is the Topping E30. Cheaper than a decent turntable cartridge and will deliver the sound much more purer than any Turntable I’ve ever heard.

  63. Earth is flat, moon landing didnt happen and vinyl sounds better….ugh.

    Any absolutist about this is full of crap. Having kids write an essay defending you is beyond pretentious. Hope you didnt get money to write this garbage.

  64. I can’t argue against anyone who prominately displays their collection of Monks records to argue the case of vinyl. I’ve got a lot of CD’s and hundreds of records. I always go to the vinyl when I have to choose a title that I have in both formats for the simple reason that my ears are happier that way.

  65. To be clear, not all digital is compressed & lossy. Redbook CD is neither – most complaints tend to be related to poor mastering or in some cases, sub-par D/A filters and associated analog sections. However, in general, I prefer LPs to CD or FLAC / MP3.

  66. Agree with Sack, Matt, Hall, and others. This all depends on what you mean by “digital.” When I think of digital, I think of preserving sound in binary form so that it cannot degrade over time. This can be done a thousand different ways, both good and bad, but in the purest sense, good/high-def digital (uncompressed, with adequate sampling rate and dynamic range) can perfectly replicate the sound from any source within human hearing limits, including a vinyl source with its associated “warmth”, “depth”, and “richness.” It’s just math.

  67. CD quality music is technically uncompressed. Hook up a good CD player or play music from Hi-Fi/Master streaming platforms on a computer to the same system you use for LPs and you can easily argue the digital format’s paradigm is much more than just an evolution of the Sony Walkman’s. It is also the evolution of the Hi-Fi system.

    At this point you really have to get into the mechanics and engineering of the sound technologies to talk about which offers superior sound. So then, if it comes from a digital master, and you can just listen to the digital master, it really does just come down to the physical product and the experience it offers.

    With a computer hooked up to your stereo you can look up articles, visual media and other in-depth information about the album you are listening to. This can be seen on a bigger surface (e.g. living room TV screen and wireless keyboard with touchpad, or a coffee table tablet that can be passed around can do something similar) and in a more dynamic fashion than with an LP’s package. Of course the drawback is that it is not a perfectly crafted “closed-garden” kind of presentation, users squinting at the screen, fiddling around with peripherals and digital interfaces et al.

    A Blu-Ray release could do this with standardized controls though and the format often includes higher bit rates and bit depths (not that the differences should be noticeable unless you have speakers used to fill a very large venue).

    At least there are two paradigms in digital audio. At most, LPs risk being supplanted by Hi-Fi digital unless a more scientific argument can be made in terms of quality of sound.

  68. Great piece!

  69. I am old enough to remember why we left it behind. Worked as a recording engineer. 90 db in 90db out, no loss when bouncing tracks and if I wanted to hear snap, crackle & pop I would eat a bowl of rice krispies. Crappy mastering doesn’t mean vinyl is better.

  70. “Richness refers to the diversity of auditory aspects heard in vinyl records. Because of record grooves, the sound of vinyl is more open, allowing a greater quantity of features to be heard. The space afforded by the grooves allows one to locate and individuate particular instruments and sounds and observe how they contribute to the music as a whole. This way, diversity can be heard.”

    This makes no sense at all.

    • What a load of BS. Vinyl is a terrible sound reproduction method. You cannot argue with physics and digital does not have any of the physical limitations that vinyl has. 90 dB in 90 dB out.

  71. If you want an explanation of the limitations of vinyl records watch this YT presentation that explains it exactly. Vinyl is not as faithful to the original recording as digital. The reason people like it is the same as tube amplifiers. Human hearing drops off at either end as you age, Thus the old audiophile adage, “No highs, no lows it must be Bose” which leaves the midgrange frequencies where vinly lives. If you like it fine but do not try to say that it is a better method to reproduce music this has been proven to be fallacious.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzRvSWPZQYk&t=246s

  72. That was a whole bunch of words defending a format that’s absolutely not good at all. The only thing that shitty vinyl has over today’s music is the album covers, other than that you are absolutely fucking lying to yourself

  73. Pingback: My Primal Vinyl  – Tom Eytan

  74. The initial comments are hilarious. It would appear that you assigned reading this to a class and that they were required to write a response as a comment… and most if not all chose to do so between 2-5am, presumably the night before a morning class! I enjoyed the piece. Thank you.

  75. You have very well captured the entire thing about the Vinyl rather than the typical comparison on the basis of, for lack of words, Algebra. I mean, numerically understandable points of comparison. This is very well written.

    I come from another understanding of the concept of Vinyl Records being better than Digital Media. I have experienced one more thing. Listening to live music, even with mediocre set of equipment, is more fulfilling than listening to digital music. I discovered something being very fundamentally different in case of Vinyl Records as compared to Digital Format. When the stylus rides in the groves of the vinyl records, it literally ‘generates’ or ‘plays’ the music from the record in the form of a tiny electrical voltage. This is the closest one can get to live music. The digital music is not really being played or generated, it’s more of reading recorded data. In my humble opinion this does something that brings the listener closer to live music.

  76. Many people choose to buy a vinyl because it is a way to have a memory of the artist forever, and many artists offer signed vinyl. If you are thinking of putting out new music, you should make some vinyl for your biggest fans apart from merchandising.

  77. Everything this fellow says is false.

  78. “‘The sound is warmer, richer, and deeper. ”

    What on earth does that even mean? Is that a convoluted way of saying even though the quality is lower, the reproduced sound is further from the original and the sound is significantly softer (instead of being sharper) it just sounds ‘better’ because nostalgia? Is anything in this article based on actual facts instead of just personal feelings?

  79. I came upon this discussion after a frustrating discussion with friends about why the availability of an almost infinite quantity of music from digital sources, seems to me to be less enriching than assembling a collection of records over a lifetime that reflects one’s own personality and changing tastes. For me, this has nothing to do with which medium produces the best sound quality. If I want to listen to a CD ecording of Nigel Kennedy playing the Bruch Violin Concerto that I purchased in 1988, I can lift it off my shelf and it will instantly transport me back to that year. The thought that I could listen to almost anyone else playing the same concerto via Spotify would be of no interest to me unless I specifically wanted to make a study of different interpretations of that piece of music.
    When someone waves their wi-fi speaker at me and asks “what would you like to listen to? Anything at all,” I typically have a brain freeze trying to sift out a single possibility that is most appropriate for this moment in time from the entire and almost infinite cannon of recorded works. I would rather have a rummage through my shelf of CDs. Is that what a “playlist” is? It seems to me that a digital playlist can also be infinite, since I don’t have to agonise whether I can really afford to splurge on Ashkenazy’s complete Beethoven Piano Concertos, or, having allowed myself that luxury, to hurry home from the record shop before indulging in the pieces perhaps at a rate of one per night – deferred gratification. Perhaps this is an old-fashioned concept when I download the complete set this very instant and stay up all night listening to it.
    I also wonder what people mean by the phrase “listen to music”. I suspect that most of us don’t really listen in the way that we might listen to, for example, someone giving a lecture, or reading a book. Dare I suggest, that, unless present at a concert, for most of us music is part of the background of our lives while our brains are engaged in some other activity, rather than being aware of key, tempo, rhythm, or the subtlety of lyrics.
    My argument, really, is that, just as less is more, so more is undoubtedly less.

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