You’ve seen the headlines. Vinyl is back, baby! Record sales are their highest since MP3s became a thing and vinyl is selling far better than CDs, tapes, or any other physical media still around. No one’s quite sure why folks are returning to LPs. Sure, streaming a playlist directly to your favorite Bluetooth speakers is extremely convenient. But, there’s something to be said for the full album experience. And, the act of hunting for, finding, and playing a coveted album, especially if it’s not available to stream, is very gratifying.
So whether you’re an avid vinyl collector or looking to start crate digging, you might need some guidance. The world of record collecting is vast and at times daunting. But, with a little help, it doesn’t have to be.
We’ve put together a handy guide to the world of vinyl records with tips on where to buy records online, what all those esoteric vinyl terms mean, and which albums you should buy first.
Welcome to Cool Material’s comprehensive guide to all things vinyl.
Essential Vinyl: 30 Albums Every Record Collector Must Own
Although streaming reigns supreme in the music world, the physical medium has returned with a vengeance. Vinyl record sales have been at an all-time high since the advent of the streaming age. And everyone from your younger cousin to your cool neighbor probably has, at the very least, a modest…
Starting a Record Collection? Here’s Everything You Need
At this point, it's not exactly a secret that vinyl is having a moment. You've likely seen figures tossed around that record sales are their highest since the advent of the MP3 age. Vinyl has been outpacing all other physical media as well. There's already plenty of speculation around why…
Where to Buy Vinyl Online
There's nothing quite like dropping in to your local record shop and digging through crates to find the records you didn't even know you needed in your collection. But, you simply can't beat the convenience of the internet. Maybe you're looking to expand your collection with a curated subscription. Maybe…
How to Clean and Care for Your Vinyl Records
You've finally taken the plunge and started your very own record collection. You've picked out your favorite LPs, you've acquired the essentials, and you've gotten the best vinyl gear. So, what next? I'm stating the obvious here, but vinyl records are a physical medium. Unlike those lovely MP3s on your…
The Best Ways to Store and Display Your Vinyl Records
You might think that deciding you want to start collecting records and picking up some of the essential vinyl albums is all you have to think about, but that's just the beginning. You have to think about the best turntables to play your collection on. Then you have to think…
Learn the Lingo: Record Collecting Terminology
The vinyl collecting community has returned with a vengeance over the past few years. As vinyl sales continue to climb, more and more casual listeners are becoming crate diggers. Maybe you've been interested in picking up a few records. But, before you purchase your turntable setup, before you pick up…
