Analogue V's Digital - Finding the perfect balance

Whilst most people will agree that digital music has been popular in more recent years, analogue music is definitely making a fierce comeback, or for those avid collectors, they will say it never really left!. Yes, it’s fantastic having a digital platform for your music, especially whilst on the move, but is the experience the same? In today's blog I want to look into both digital and analogue music, look at the pros and cons

of each and give you an insight into my

experiences of these formats.

I grew up in a quiet, sleepy village in Cheshire. I lived at home with my parents and younger brother, and like most families we had a record player at home, I would watch my dad in awe sifting through his record collection, deciding what he wanted to listen to first (usually on a Sunday morning), knowing the mood by the genre he picked, being fascinated by the technology, enjoying the sound, and of course the artwork they included. As I grew older I was given permission to play my dad’s records (very carefully of course), using them as a study background through my GCSE’s and A Levels. The memories are like warm hugs of family time and a much simpler period in my life.

Like most families we accepted the change and moved towards digital formats, putting the records in storage, and embracing the new technology. The convenience of slotting a Compact Disc (CD) into your stereo was amazing, the portability of your music collection was effortless, so why wouldn’t you embrace the change? The technology was masterminded from the collaboration of two powerhouses of the time, Sony and Philips, and became commercially available from 1982. Obviously the CD industry didn’t peak until much later, and then began to decline again with the introduction of music downloads in the late 90’s.

People started to download to USB sticks, MP3 players, iPods and bluetooth devices, music was streamed & shared, and not from the platforms we know and love today, but from ones that were secretly bringing the music industry to its knees. Do you recall Napster? Or Limewire? (Yes showing my age now).

Napster was the first of its kind, and it took the music industry a while to realise the damage it was having. Initially on the radar of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Major companies such as Warner, Sony and Universal to name a few came together to file a lawsuit against the peer to peer network for the distribution of music. After losing its battle with the labels, Napster then began to receive complaints from the artists directly (Most notably Metallica). In 2001 the RIAA forced Napster to shut down its network.

The Napster name was acquired by Roxio and they rebranded it as “Napster 2.0”. It has seen many changes over the years and is currently still trading as a music-on-demand platform, offering a monthly subscription service. Not the outcome I was expecting in all honesty! With analogue music you either own it or you don’t, there is no option to illegally obtain a copy for free (Although there are bootlegs out there, but you still have to purchase them).

I am not adverse to the “digital age”, far from it, I adore owning the latest technology, fascinated with a new gadget, it really excites me knowing how far we have progressed. I think it is fabulous that we now have so many avenues in which to promote music. If it were a competition of ease of use, adaptability and transportability then digital would be hands down the champion. With apps created by

Apple, Spotify and Tidal your favourite song, artist or album is merely a click away. You can place your phone in your pocket and go for a walk, take the bus or ride the train/tube and you have an instant personal soundscape. The simplicity of an algorithm that offers recommendations, opening your ears to a new artist or reminding you of a forgotten one, and then being able to create your own playlists for your mood, genre, or a specific event - What's not to love?

Digital storage is far easier than analogue, CD’s do not degrade with each laser reading. They are less sensitive to humidity and temperature changes, although they are still susceptible to scratching. Vinyl needs to be stored correctly, cared for and played on specific equipment. They ideally need a “controlled environment" keeping temperature and humidity levels consistent and free from dust. They require specialist cleaning fluid (or deionised water) and microfibre cloths, and they unfortunately will degrade with repeated playback. They need space and require your attention, which in today’s modern, fast-paced world both are in short supply. So if you require convenience, adaptability and reach, digital music has the undeniable advantage. But if you are after quality and authentic charm, analogue is your companion. The capacity of music you can store digitally is phenomenal, you can store them on your phone or device, or the “cloud”. A downside to vinyl is that a record capacity is determined by the diameter and playback speed. So a 12” record with slower playback allows for more capacity, but even so this is still very restrictive.

Analogue and digital music are two completely different and distinct worlds!

So what makes digital so good? And how does it work? 

I hold my hands up and admit I didn't fully understand how a CD was made, so I carried out some research before starting this blog. Digital music (CD’s) work in a binary language, the music is then split into sequences of ones and zeros, creating a “blueprint” of the sound. When the CD is played the blueprint pulls this data together. This process then provides you with a clean sound without interference. Downloads are even simpler: you click a button and the required song, album or playlist is added to your phone or device.

Now analogue on the other hand works through vibrations. The needle of the record player dances over the grooves, setting off vibrations and transforming them into soundwaves. The result is a natural and continuous sound. Many older records were cut from analog tapes with high sound quality. Later reissues could sometimes be from digital files which unfortunately lose the perfection you expect from a record. Personally, I believe that understanding the differences helps you to appreciate the music on a much deeper level.

There is something incredibly haunting about analogue music for me, it strikes deep. More than just the music, it feels almost like a ritual? So you hold the vinyl, you feel the weight, see the grooves texture, the glisten of the sheen. Then you have the sense of anticipation as you carefully position the record onto the turntable. You hear the distinct sound of the needle hitting the first groove, and maybe a subtle crackle before the initial music starts. It is a unique and sensory experience, akin to reading a physical book to a digital e-book, they both tell the same story but the connection is more immersive.

The physical presence goes far beyond just the content. The emotional connection a record can offer is immense. Extra content from the artist perhaps, the visual aesthetics, the appreciation for the craftsmanship maybe? In the digital age, the appeal of holding a tangible piece of music is refreshing.

The depth and tactility of analogue music is what arguably sets it apart from its digital counterpart.

When you purchase a download, there is a single image of the artist, maybe the lyrics? On a CD you may get a small booklet that also acts as the front cover, but for me analogue music wins when it comes to the artwork. The imagery is larger, therefore there is more canvas to fill. Sometimes the artwork is computer generated, sometimes a print of a watercolour, or a photo, there may be a poster, printed insert, embossing, foil work. The possibilities are almost endless! Digital music just can’t compete.

Now let's talk about money! When it comes to comparing analogue Vs digital there is a noticeable difference in cost. Obviously the cost of records, turntables, accessories and associated maintenance can make this a far more expensive option. Adding a further premium to the price, there are rare, speciality or limited edition record releases. Digital music definitely provides a budget-friendly alternative. Subscribing to a platform for a monthly fee which then offers a plethora of music at your fingertips, downloading a single song at a far lower cost than buying a 7” single. There are no maintenance costs involved, only the occasional app upgrade requirement. But many vinyl enthusiasts see analogue music as an investment, a tangible asset with beautiful artwork, or the sentimental value it offers.

So while cost is an influential factor when deciding between analogue and digital music, I think it is crucial to remember that each has its own unique allure, and for some this goes beyond mere financial consideration.

Something I hadn’t really considered before is the environmental impact of music formats. But having read into this in depth, I believe it is worth mentioning, even if only in brief. The process of creating a vinyl record is thirsty and demanding. The record is made from unrecyclable plastic (polyvinyl chloride) in a process that produces approximately 0.5 kg of CO2 per album.(Ref: Time.com) With the increasing popularity of vinyl records, both artists and consumers are asking about the impact of production on climate change and the environmental effects. The industry has already introduced vinyl records made from recycled plastic which they call “random colour” or “eco-mix”. The eco-mix currently costs the same as a single-coloured record, and is believed to retain the same sound quality (I can’t comment as I have never played one). More artists are following suit (Billie Eilish being the most well known to date) and the industry is pushing towards a more sustainable outcome.

After production we then need to contemplate the additional costs. Shipping, handling, packaging, onward delivery. All adding to the carbon footprint. Now this doesn't mean that digital music is off the hook, from a physical presence, it is yes, but when you download or stream a song this requires use of the internet and powerful servers behind the scenes, which leads to a high energy consumption, ergo electronic waste. As music lovers we need to be considerate, and play our part in supporting the industry in the right way, afterall we only have one planet!

From researching for this blog and gathering my own experiences, there is undoubtedly a debate as to which format is superior! Analogue provides a “full-bodied” authentic sound, and digital offers consistency. Analogue music is renowned for its rawness, offering an organic listening experience, while digital formats open your senses to a clean, crisp sound. So which is superior?

Ultimately the decision rests in your hands, you are the master of your own musical universe. Your perception is what determines the superiority of the format and amplifies the joy of your own music experience. Personally I prefer the authentic sound quality of vinyl, the artwork, and physically holding the media in my hands (Yes I am a physical book lover too), but I will continue to use both formats depending on my day to day activities, analogue whilst I am stationary, and digital for when I am travelling. As is human nature, each of us will have our own opinion and I expect the debate will always stand.