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Vinyl Records: Timeless Plastic Innovation
With Undying Charm in Today’s Music Industry
Even though vinyl records were invented centuries ago and have weathered the advent of newer technologies—be it the CD era, MP3 files, or streaming services—the vinyl record is making a remarkable comeback. Today, it is regaining popularity, amassing a growing number of enthusiasts who are not only listening but also actively collecting. Artists themselves are increasingly releasing their music on vinyl. In 2022, vinyl record sales saw an astonishing 17% increase, starkly contrasting to a 20% decline in digital download revenues.
In this Vinyl Article, we invite you to explore the fascinating world of vinyl records, a classic form of plastic.
Before Vinyl Records Came Along
The journey to the vinyl record began in 1877 when Thomas Edison invented the phonograph—a device capable of recording and playing sound through phonograph cylinders. This invention marked the world’s first record-playing machine.
Decades later, Emile Berliner, the father of the record, advanced the technology. This German inventor developed the Gramophone, shifting the sound recording format from cylinders to disks, known as shellac records. This change made records more convenient to use and store, allowed for longer recording times, and improved sound quality. However, shellac records had limitations: they were thick, heavy, and easily breakable.
In 1930, the development of vinyl records began, gaining widespread popularity when Columbia Records started recording and releasing music in this format in 1948. Vinyl records continue to captivate audiences to this day.
Get to Know Vinyl Records
Vinyl records are made from a type of plastic known as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), which offers several advantages:
- Lightweight, making them convenient for transportation and storage.
- Not easily damaged or broken.
- Sturdy enough to produce sharp, clear grooves for sound.
- Resistant to scratches from the stylus of the record player.
- Capable of being produced in limitless colors.
| 12-inch Records
· Also known as Long Play (LP) records · The most popular size · Can hold an entire album of songs |
7-inch Records
· Also known as single records · Previously popular for distribution to radio stations · Can contain one to two songs per side |
Vinyl records have gained immense popularity among collectors and music enthusiasts due to their durability and unique sound quality. With proper care and maintenance, a vinyl record can last several decades or even a century. If you no longer wish to use your vinyl records, it is recommended to either sell them or donate them to keep the joy and value circulating.
Did you know?
The most expensive vinyl record ever sold was auctioned off in 2015 for USD 2 million, equivalent to over 60 million Baht. It was the enigmatic album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” by the legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan from Staten Island, New York. The album was produced as a single copy, and its owner is prohibited from using it commercially or publicly disclosing its content until 2103. The album has since been resold to an undisclosed buyer for an undisclosed price.
Proper Maintenance
Proper maintenance can prolong the lifespan of your vinyl records:
- Avoid direct sunlight and extremely high temperatures, which may warp the record.
- Store the records away from dust by using plastic sleeves instead of paper sleeves, and use ziplock plastic covers to prevent dust from settling in the grooves.
- Avoid moisture. If you wash the records, allow them to dry thoroughly before storing them to prevent mold growth.
- Store the records vertically to prevent warping.
Vinyl records are not just durable and long-lasting; they bring us joy and serve as a way to preserve and pass on musical culture. They possess a classic charm and unique characteristics, making it unsurprising that they continue to be popular today.
Sources :
- เดลินิวส์ ออนไลน์ – ค้นความคลาสสิกร่วมยุคสมัย ศาสตร์และศิลป์ ‘ซองแผ่นเสียง’ (25 Jul 2023): https://www.dailynews.co.th/articles/2558036/
- หอสมุดแห่งชาติ – แผ่นเสียงในสยาม (30 Aug 2022): https://www.nlt.go.th/service/1498-%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9C%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1
- Coda Plastic – A History of Vinyl: The Plastic of Pop (11 Jan 2018): https://www.coda-plastics.co.uk/blog/a-history-of-vinyl-the-plastic-of-pop
- GQ Thailand – 9 วิธีดูแล ยืดอายุแผ่นเสียงให้ยาวนานยิ่งขึ้น (4 Mar 2016): https://www.gqthailand.com/culture/article/9-ways-to-take-care-of-vinyl
- Impress Vinyl – How Long do Vinyl Records Last? How to Extend its Lifespan (16 Nov 2022): https://vinylpressing.com.au/blog/vinyl-pressing/how-long-do-vinyl-records-last-how-to-extend-its-lifespan/#:~:text=Under%20ideal%20circumstances%2C%20vinyl%20records,affect%20a%20vinyl%20record’s%20longevity.
- com – ก่อนจะซื้อหรือสะสม เราทำความรู้จักกับแผ่นเสียงกันก่อน โดย อนุสรณ์ สถิรรัตน์ (16 Sep 2016): https://www.sanook.com/music/2381073/
- The Gen C, Urban Living Solutions Blog – แผ่นเสียงไวนิล (Vinyl) ประสบการณ์เอ็นเตอร์เทนคลาสสิก กับกระแสฮิตปี 2023 (25 May 2023): https://www.ananda.co.th/blog/thegenc/%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9C%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A5/
- The Sound of Vinyl – The History of Vinyl Records: An In-Depth Guide (5 Jan 2022): https://thesoundofvinyl.us/blogs/vinyl-101/the-history-of-vinyl-records
- Vinyl Record Life – What Is Vinyl? This Is What Records Are Made Of: https://www.vinylrecordlife.com/this-is-what-vinyl-records-are-made-of
- Vogue Thailand – เรื่องราวเบื้องหลัง Once Upon a Time in Shaolin อัลบั้มลึกลับของ Wu-Tang Clan ที่แพงที่สุดในโลก (30 Nov 2021): https://www.vogue.co.th/lifestyle/article/behind-story-of-once-upon-a-time-in-shaolin
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