Vinyl-record factories race to keep up with demand surge

DriveYourCarDownToTheSea · 12-14-2014, 08:45 PM

Vinyl-record factories race to keep up with demand surge

Quote:

Nearly 8 million old-fashioned vinyl records have been sold this year, up 49% from the same period last year, industry data show. Younger people, especially indie-rock fans, are buying records in greater numbers, attracted to the perceived superior sound quality of vinyl and the ritual of putting needle to groove.

But while new LPs hit stores each week, the creaky machines that make them haven’t been manufactured for decades, and just one company supplies an estimated 90% of the raw vinyl that the industry needs. As such, the nation’s 15 or so still-running factories that press records face daily challenges with breakdowns and supply shortages.

ladyislingering · 12-14-2014, 11:31 PM

This is very good news!

...though out of the couple hundred LPs I own, very few of them were purchased brand new.

Zhanteimi · 12-14-2014, 11:37 PM

If demand continues to rise, won't supply soon catch up, though? Basic economics.

Key · 12-14-2014, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mordwyr

If demand continues to rise, won't supply soon catch up, though? Basic economics.

It depends on if businesses are willing to go back to a format that isn't exactly the best on the market. It could have consequences for music stores that already have their mind set on selling CD's and anything above. But yes, more demand would mean more supply.

DeadChannel · 12-14-2014, 11:42 PM

I hope this means that records will be more mass produced, and prices will go down.
Although it could mean that demand will go up, and prices will go up.

Zhanteimi · 12-14-2014, 11:46 PM

I'd love to keep records, too, but, alas, that's an impossibility due to the climate here. It's too hot (no central cooling in houses) and way too humid. Oh, well.

grindy · 12-14-2014, 11:48 PM

I hope hipsters won't eventually cause the return of horse carriages.

Key · 12-14-2014, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grindy

I hope hipsters won't eventually cause the return of horse carriages.

You're implying that hipsters are the reason vinyl collecting happens. You do understand that people have been collecting vinyl records from the 70's, right?

ladyislingering · 12-14-2014, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grindy

I hope hipsters won't eventually cause the return of horse carriages.

I like the carriage part of the horse-drawn carriage, but horses poop too much.

Have you ever actually seen a vintage carriage? They're beautiful.

also, what do hipsters have to do with record collecting?

grindy · 12-14-2014, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ki

You're implying that hipsters are the reason vinyl collecting happens. You do understand that people have been collecting vinyl records from the 70's, right?

Duh.
I imply that the recent rise in collecting might be attributed to hipsters. Obviously people have been collecting vinyl since it existed.

12-14-2014, 11:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
ladyislingering Maelian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 695	This is very good news! ...though out of the couple hundred LPs I own, very few of them were purchased brand new. __________________ You and I, We were born to die.

12-14-2014, 11:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
grindy . Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: . Posts: 7,201	I hope hipsters won't eventually cause the return of horse carriages. __________________ *A smell of petroleum prevails throughout.*

12-14-2014, 11:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zhanteimi Mord Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tokyo Posts: 4,873	If demand continues to rise, won't supply soon catch up, though? Basic economics.

12-14-2014, 11:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
DeadChannel Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 1,259	I hope this means that records will be more mass produced, and prices will go down. Although it could mean that demand will go up, and prices will go up.

12-14-2014, 11:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zhanteimi Mord Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tokyo Posts: 4,873	I'd love to keep records, too, but, alas, that's an impossibility due to the climate here. It's too hot (no central cooling in houses) and way too humid. Oh, well.