I recently made the decision to untether* from my vinyl collection.
I first bought records when I was a kid.
I started to seriously buy records in 1999 when I started to DJ at uni.
I bought a whole load of records over the next 5-8 years, mostly via mail order from Turntable Lab in NYC. I remember the day I actually went there in the flesh. It was like a mini pilgrimage to the birthplace of the music I loved. I took many records back home.
I loved everything about vinyl. Taking a record out it's sleeve, being careful not to touch the surface, blowing off any dust, setting it on the platter, lifting the needle across and letting it drop gently, before hearing that familiar warm crackle and the music began. Ahhh. Bliss.
Great things about vinyl:
- the artwork and packaging
- they are very tactile
- there is a certain calming ritual you carry out with the simple act of putting on a record
- they force you to slow down and really listen to the music
- I never skipped tracks, but listened intently to whole albums
- the warm sound
It's never easy negotiating a full record bag through airport luggage systems and I always worried whether it would arrive at my destination. Many a fellow DJ lost their entire record collection including rare gems whilst travelling, when they would mysteriously disappear on route before baggage claim. But still I kept on buying.
The not so great things about vinyl:
- it's sooooo heavy
- it collects dust
- its not portable
- it takes up alot of space
- some is very valuable - one more thing to be precious about
I made the switch form vinyl to Serato a few years back. Serato is a digital vinyl system, which allows me to play mp3s from a laptop using 2 real vinyl control records. It's the best of both worlds. I couldn't face another airport trip with the weight of vinyl hanging off my shoulder. I love the freedom this brings and it has allowed me to travel to gigs abroad with the minimum of hassle.
I have already sold a couple of crates over the years, pairing it down to the best of the best that I used all the time. This numbered around 70 pieces:
I have made the decision to part with this also.
I will miss my vinyl in many ways but feel I have made the right decision. I always have the memories of the positives.
I have already sold a couple of crates over the years, pairing it down to the best of the best that I used all the time. This numbered around 70 pieces:
 |
| The last of my collection. |
I will miss my vinyl in many ways but feel I have made the right decision. I always have the memories of the positives.
At this time I am not sure where I am going to be for how long and love to be as portable as possible with the minimal amount of kit.
The only vinyl that remains with me is the bare essentials that allow me to create for Studio Scratches:
I am glad that someone else will get pleasure from them for a while longer.
I feel lighter and there is more space to carry on creating and doing the real work.
*Note - I borrowed the term "untethering" from Ev Bogue.
- 2 Serato control records for use with my laptop (mixing)
- A few real scratch records. (Real always sounds better than digital control records for scratching.)
I am glad that someone else will get pleasure from them for a while longer.
I feel lighter and there is more space to carry on creating and doing the real work.
*Note - I borrowed the term "untethering" from Ev Bogue.
