Vinyl Is Poised to Outsell CDs For the First Time Since 1986

[two sheds]

Not that they use for storing music on hard drives, not really, no. Everything is streamed. It’s only us old duffers who still have lovingly filed folders full of mp3’s.

But ... but ... but ... what happens when the apocalypse hits and the web goes down permanently? That's the reason I've got 180 Gig of R4 plays too

 

[Fozzie Bear]

Why don't you answer my question? How come new turntables have continued to be released from what was supposed to be the 'end of vinyl'? You don't think those people buying those expensive items wouldn't be buying any new records? Pick a copy of What Hi-Fi/Record Collector or whatever from any time in the last thirty years and you'll see there was plenty of new vinyl being released.

Well you haven’t answered mine? But ok.

In the 1990s turntable production was overwhelmingly geared towards dance music. This receded in the noughties as DJing in that genre became less reliant on vinyl.

Alongside this there has always been an extremely niche high end market for very expensive turntables. This existed way before the recent boom in vinyl production and as far as I can tell it’s end users were also very fetishistic about original pressings in mint condition which is a rich man’s game.

The recent revival has also stimulated the production of turntables to meet the demand. Most of these are terrible and aimed a young people.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Young djs do

Yeah, but that’s a tiny percentage overall. And I’ve seen a lot move to using streaming as their source - it seems to be one area where Tidal is doing OK.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

Good job no one was talking about a 'vibrant music industry. '

That’s ultimately a better conversation to have than formats though? It’s good to get some insights from people like KillerB and beesonthewhatnow about what’s happening now.

 

[ska invita]

Yeah, but that’s a tiny percentage overall. And I’ve seen a lot move to using streaming as their source - it seems to be one area where Tidal is doing OK.

I don't doubt you but can you name who? Genuinely curious. Wedding and commercial pub djs perhaps, but beyond that?

 

[editor]

That’s ultimately a better conversation to have than formats though? It’s good to get some insights from people like KillerB and beesonthewhatnow about what’s happening now.

Not sure what special insights they can offer. The record sales speak for themselves as do the continues existence of multiple independent pressing plants and turntable manufacturers, catering to a diverse market. And as a working London DJ for 15 years - and a touring musician - I think I know a bit about what's currently being used in (some) clubs.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I don't doubt you but can you name who? Genuinely curious. Wedding and commercial pub djs perhaps, but beyond that?

Oh, none of the big names, they can all afford to have lackeys sort their files for them. But what I call the “jobbing” DJ’s - weddings, corporate, gig warm ups, pubs etc - as long as the venue internet is fine, why bother using anything else?

 

[editor]

I don't doubt you but can you name who? Genuinely curious. Wedding and commercial pub djs perhaps, but beyond that?

Unless you can download the tracks, DJ via streaming is a very risky proposition.

 

[editor]

Oh, none of the big names, they can all afford to have lackeys sort their files for them. But what I call the “jobbing” DJ’s - weddings, corporate, gig warm ups, pubs etc - as long as the venue internet is fine, why bother using anything else?

Because wi-fi can- and will - go down. And yes, I have first hand experience of this. You'd be insane to entrust an entire gig to streaming only.

 

[killer b]

Even thinking about djing via streaming only make me feel a bit panicky. There is no way I'd consider it.

 

[editor]

Not that they use for storing music on hard drives, not really, no. Everything is streamed. It’s only us old duffers who still have lovingly filed folders full of mp3’s.

Loads of DJs still download MPs for CDs/USBs or hard drives

 

[editor]

Even thinking about djing via streaming only make me feel a bit panicky. There is no way I'd consider it.

It would be wildly risky and unprofessional.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Even thinking about djing via streaming only make me feel a bit panicky. There is no way I'd consider it.

First time I did it was nerve wracking. Every time since felt normal.

I think this is again partly down to our age - we come from a generation that had shitty dialup and early slow broadband. But if you’re a teenager who’s grown up with nationwide 4G on a phone that can quite happily sustain connections of 50meg or more I’d imagine the thought of it not being good enough to use wouldn’t even cross your mind.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

fwiw I’ve spent the last few weeks testing kit to wirelessly stream entire gigs. In HD. It works.

 

[editor]

First time I did it was nerve wracking. Every time since felt normal.

I think this is again partly down to our age - we come from a generation that had shitty dialup and early slow broadband. But if you’re a teenager who’s grown up with nationwide 4G on a phone that can quite happily sustain connections of 50meg or more I’d imagine the thought of it not being good enough to use wouldn’t even cross your mind.

It's really got nothing to do with age. I DJ multiple venues and know from regular first hand experience that wi-fis can and will go down. I've also played multiple venues all over Europe and further afield and it's really not unusual for the venue's wi-fi to be shit/unreliable/broken.

A DJ really would be asking for trouble if their entire set relies on efficient wi-fi in every venue.

 

[killer b]

First time I did it was nerve wracking. Every time since felt normal.

I think this is again partly down to our age - we come from a generation that had shitty dialup and early slow broadband. But if you’re a teenager who’s grown up with nationwide 4G on a phone that can quite happily sustain connections of 50meg or more I’d imagine the thought of it not being good enough to use wouldn’t even cross your mind.

what kind of DJing are you talking about here though? A set that matters for a dancefloor, or background music?

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

It's really got nothing to do with age. I DJ multiple venues and know from regular first hand experience that wi-fis can and will go down. I've also played multiple venues all over Europe and further afield and it's really not unusual for the venue's wi-fi to be shit/unreliable/broken.

A DJ really would be asking for trouble if their entire set relies on efficient wi-fi in every venue.

Sure, there are places it’s crap. But as every day passes by the tech gets better and it’s going to become more and more normal.

 

[two sheds]

Couldn't you stream but with some mp3s in reserve?

Not that I'd have a clue

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

what kind of DJing are you talking about here though? A set that matters for a dancefloor, or background music?

I’ve personally done a 1500 capacity corporate party entirely using Spotify as my source, using laptop/controller etc. So a gig that “mattered”.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Couldn't you stream but with some mp3s in reserve?

Of course.

 

[editor]

Sure, there are places it’s crap. But as every day passes by the tech gets better and it’s going to become more and more normal.

Any DJ putting their entire set at every venue in the hands of the existence of 100% reliable wi-fi would soon find himself/herself making a total fucking twat of themselves on stage.

Easier just to shove a shitload of tunes on a USB drive/hard drive as well as streaming, if that's what they need.

 

[editor]

I’ve personally done a 1500 capacity corporate party entirely using Spotify as my source, using laptop/controller etc. So a gig that “mattered”.

Your personal experience of DJing a single corporate party off Spotify really doesn't support the argument that it would be wise for jobbing DJs to entrust their entire gig to streaming. Regardless of their age.' I've yet to see a non-vinyl DJ who doesn't have a hard drive/USBs stuffed full of tunes. In fact I've yet to see any rely entirely on streaming either.

 

[ska invita]

Any DJ putting their entire set at every venue in the hands of the existence of 100% reliable wi-fi would soon find himself/herself making a total fucking twat of themselves on stage.

Easier just to shove a shitload of tunes on a USB drive/hard drive as well as streaming, if that's what they need.

With Oasis Hits, Marley Legend and Bowie Legacy on vinyl just to be sure (180gm)

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Your personal experience of DJing a single corporate party off Spotify really doesn't support the argument that it would be wise for jobbing DJs to entrust their entire gig to streaming. Regardless of their age.' I've yet to see a non-vinyl DJ who doesn't have a hard drive/USBs stuffed full of tunes.

I have done slightly more than one...

All I’m saying is it’s perfectly doable now. And is only going to get easier and easier as time moves on. It won’t be long before I’m seeing network connection speeds/failover specs as a part of riders.

 

[killer b]

It won’t be long before I’m seeing network connection speeds/failover specs as a part of riders.

ah well, there's a thing. you work at a place where people specify riders.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

I have done slightly more than one...

All I’m saying is it’s perfectly doable now. And is only going to get easier and easier as time moves on. It won’t be long before I’m seeing network connection speeds/failover specs as a part of riders.

I remember DJing vinyl in the noughties and for a good while you were really taking a chance on having two turntables that were both up to the job. So it Is about what the industry standard is I think. That’s more likely to be connectivity than turntables in future I reckon.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

ah well, there's a thing. you work at a place where people specify riders.

Even at the small venue I look after you get basic ones - “have you got Pioneer CDJ’s”, “do I need to bring my own amp” etc. Soon that will be “have you got 30 meg down” and so on.

There’s always going to be markets for other options. Vinyl won’t ever go away and tbh neither will CD’s, hell there’s apparently even nutters out there who DJ with cassette tapes But as more and more people use streaming as their primary listening source, so will more people use it for DJing and performance.

 

[ska invita]

On the subject of internet and DJing this is worth being aware of

DJing & the Data Wars: How cloud DJing will transform the industry forever

Data is the new currency and DJing is about to get rich. The endless stream of data generated from cloud DJing will go on to affect labels, artists, producers, agents, manufacturers and fans. We explore the implications of this new data war and what happens when the DJ booth suddenly goes online

djmag.com

" It’s the year 2025. You’re having dinner with a friend, and your phone vibrates with a notification — Charlotte De Witte is playing your record, right now, in a club in Tokyo. Through the app, you are presented with choices of what you can do next: watch your track being played live, favourite the moment to watch later on-demand, or follow De Witte’s DJ set to get notifications of the full tracklist, and save it to your own producer profile. Another notification pops up – because you registered with your local Performing Rights Organisation, De Witte’s play of your track has earned you royalties, which have been paid to you in real-time. ..."

Its more about Shazam algorithms spotting what tunes get paid and PRS but still,,,

 

[editor]

This is a nice read

'I've been listening to 300 vinyl records to get me through lockdown'

Listening to all her records took Anna Doble back to her youth - releasing memories and emotions.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[editor]

And in a slight twist on the OP:

UK vinyl spending on track to overtake CDs for first time since 1987

Record labels are on track to make more money this year from the sale of vinyl records than the once-mighty CD for the first time since the 1980s, as pandemic music buying habits accelerate the revival of the classic LP.

UK record labels enjoyed a 30% boost in income from the sale of vinyl records last year to £86.5m, the highest total since 1989, as fans unable to attend live music because of pandemic restrictions spent their spare cash on building up their record collections. The number of vinyl records sold, led by classics such as Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours alongside new releases from Harry Styles and Kylie Minogue, also hit a three-decade high of 4.8m last year.

Vinyl’s exceptional performance despite retail lockdowns confirms its role as a long-term complement to music streaming,” said Geoff Taylor, the chief executive of the BPI. “2021 is likely to be the year in which revenues from LPs overtake those from CDs for the first time in well over three decades – since 1987. In addition to the immediacy and convenience of streaming, fans want to get closer to the artists they love by owning a tangible creation.”

UK vinyl spending on track to overtake CDs for first time since 1987

Sales surge as music fans indulge in classic LPs during coronavirus lockdown

www.theguardian.com