Why I Love Vinyl - And You Should Too!

This post is dedicated to Vinyl Records.

I love vinyl. I love vinyl more than I love apple pie a la mode. More than sunsets on the beach. Even more than a lot of people I know.

I have been an all-vinyl DJ for 8 years now, and have been told several times that I'd "have to" go to digital. Have to? Go to digital? That's like telling Paula Deen she'd have to stop using butter. It's against my religion.

Why have I chose to live purely in the analog world? Don't I need to use a computer to DJ?

Well I'm glad you asked.

1. Vinyl is REAL

I'm not talking about "keeping it real" here (more on that later). I'm saying vinyl is a physical object. Not just some file sitting somewhere in my computer. A file is zero's and one's. I can hold a record in my hand. I own it. It's mine. I can take it out whenever I want. And my computer doesn't even have to be on!

2. Vinyl Has Monetary and Sentimental Value

How much are the 100,000 mp3s on your computer worth? Hmmm. Hard to say. You may have bought them for a dollar (or so) each, but are they really WORTH anything? Well, my vinyl collection- it's worth a lot. And it'll be worth more the longer I have it.

There is so much more WORTH to vinyl that's not monetary. I remember exactly where I was, who I was with, and what the weather was like when I found a record I had been searching for for years. How excited I was to have the record in my hand, see the cover, play it, and take it home, and play it again and again! Every time I take the record out I feel that same emotion. It brings back great memories. Which brings me to my next point...

3. Digging

Digging for vinyl is an experience in itself. For one- there's the excitement of finding records you've been looking for. But digging is also a social experience. You are in a store with like-minded people- being around people who love music as much as you do is enlightening. Digging in the crates also teaches you more about the music itself. You may pick up a record and listen to it and open up your world to a whole new artist or genre. Digging itself is an art- ask anyone who's done it!

4. It Sounds Better

Music on vinyl sounds richer, fuller, and just better. I once played at a club and the owner came up and told me that their sound system sounded awesome that night. It's because they were used to digital DJs, and in comparison, vinyl was superior!

5. The Original Art of DJing Was On Vinyl

If you don't know where you've come from, you won't know where you're going. Respect the pioneers, learn the craft, and pay homage to them.

6. It Makes Me A Better DJ

Ask any DJ and they'll tell you- mixing on vinyl is more difficult. That's why I suggest everyone starting to DJ learns on vinyl. You'll be a better DJ at the end. I use my ears to mix, not my laptop. There are "DJ" programs out there right now that do all the work for you. It's a sad state of affairs. It's the difference between play "Rock Band" and actually knowing how to play guitar.

7. I Don't Want To Look Like I'm Checking Facebook

Sure, this may be a more vain reason, but seriously. Have you seen these DJs with their head in the laptop the ENTIRE night? Man, what are they doing? Playing solitaire, reading emails, working on an Excel Spreadsheet? There's a crowd out there- you might want to check them out!

8. I Care About The Music I Play

Every single record I own I actually LIKE. And I get hired to play the type of music I like. On the other hand, if I were a Wedding DJ- catering to the bride and groom who want "The Chicken Dance"... well... I can understand why some DJs go that way. I don't want to own any Lady Gaga records. So I don't play those gigs. On a side note: DJs you do have a choice! Get gigs that hire you to play what you want to play!

9. My Records Will Never Crash

There are so many examples I could use here. I'm sure you've experienced dead air at a show. Even Top DJs at Top Shows have succumb to the crashed laptop. This would never happen if the DJ brought vinyl. If you're going to play a laptop- BRING BACKUP MUSIC.

10. People Have To Know What Good DJs Sound Like

I think people these days are getting used to dead air in the club. Bad mixes. And DJs who play on iPads. *shudder* That's why I'm writing this article. Join me in the vinyl revolution. Demand talented DJs in the club. They can be vinyl or digital DJs, just make sure they're good- and professional, and please make sure they're actually doing the work- and not the computer.

S. Leung is affiliated with Calsound.com [http://www.calsound.com/home.php], an online retail store for DJs by DJs since 1997. Calsound sells everything a DJ needs from DJ equipment to music and accessories. Get 10% Off your vinyl record purchase by using coupon code 'VinylLover'