Before the turntable became a staple of both homes and club scenes, it took years and years of innovation and trial-and-error.
In the past, music was not so much of a leisure activity but something for group events and theatrical performances. From the 1960s to the 1980s, the turntable played a significant role in everyday life.
Turntables, however, almost completely disappeared for a time as CDs and streaming music took over. However, turntables have been gradually making a comeback in recent years. People are again listening to vinyl records and enjoying life to the fullest.
So what’s the big fuss about this music player?
What is a Turntable in Music?
Before going over its uses, let’s look at what a turntable is.
A phonograph or a turntable is a vintage standalone device that plays sound recordings. It has a motor that rotates a platter continuously.
It is similar to a record player, and that’s why we use these words interchangeably. However, one of the most noticeable differences is that it lacks built-in speakers and an amplifier. You’ll need extra parts to use a turntable to listen to vinyl records.
The possibilities for customization are limitless, based on the outputs you couple it with. Additionally, using external components results in higher quality. Usually, an external one is far superior to those with record players.
Why would anyone want to purchase this old relic, given what we now know about turntables?
What is a Turntable Used For?
1. Listening to Music that is not in Digital Form
Records, in contrast to other forms of media, have a very long lifespan. Even music from the 1930s is still as good today as it was back when you listened to it.
Additionally, the only way to listen to some vintage sounds is through records because some classical music is yet to convert to digital format.
One of the few ways to connect with classical historical music is through the turntable.
2. Sold to Make a Profit
The value of your turntable records as a resale item remains the same regardless of how you arrange your space or how your musical preferences change. This makes buying turntables a wise investment, especially now that we have had the means to listen to them for so long.
Don’t discard the turntables from the 1940s and 1950s that you inherited from your grandparents! Instead, you can sell them for a sizable sum or, even better, listen to them.
3. It Makes You Feel Like You Own the Music
You can indeed download entire albums to your phone or computer and keep a library of mp3s at all times, but it’s not the same as having a vinyl record in your collection.
With vinyl, you won’t have to be concerned about accidentally deleting (or corrupting) files or about your favorite artist or album no longer being available on your favorite streaming service.
You’ll always have access to your favorite music through a turntable. The best part is that you don’t have to make a monthly service payment; you only have to pay for it once.
4. They Give you a Different Ambiance
Having a turntable makes for better listening. It prepares you for something special, great music being played as intended, from opening the album to setting it on the platter to turning it up.
5. It’s a Collector’s Item
For a while, vinyl was considered dead, but once it came back, the records and the turntable gained value. If you’re fortunate enough to have vintage vinyl albums and phonographs still, you can sell them today for a respectable sum of money.
The items reissued right now might not be as beneficial, but who can predict how trends will change in the future? In either case, a turntable is a fantastic possession and will always be desirable to collectors.
6. It Produces High-Quality Sound
There is debate over whether digital or analog music sounds better, but analog is generally preferred. While belt-drive technologies offer superior sound quality with less motor distortion, direct-drive turntables deliver more precise and consistent speeds.
Many mixing and recording engineers convert digital tracks to analog to give the music a little more character.
Engineers rarely, if ever, do things the other way around.
7. Used to Make Creative Items
Although turntables can deteriorate over time, the good thing about them is that you can recycle them into various decorations. You can use it to create something if you are creative. It can give your home decor a fantastic vintage look.
Wrapping Up
Although there are many efficient formats for listening to songs, thanks to technology, turntables will always have a place in the hearts of true music lovers. A turntable would be a great addition to your collection right now.
All the best!
