FLASHBACK FRIDAYS: Every Friday, we’re resurfacing and updating a Hypebot post that continues to be relevant. As 2022 comes to a close, CDs remain an important physical format option, particularly for independent artists.
Physical sales only represent about 10% of major label revenue, but for independent and DIY artists, that number is much higher. Not only are CDs much cheaper and quicker to produce, but they also provide an affordable way for fans to support the artists they love.
While no one is suggesting streaming is on the way out, the multi-year surge in vinyl proved that physical goods still have a place on merch tables and in the hearts of fans.
But while vinyl has been getting all of the attention, another physical format – the CD – has been growing in popularity as well.
Last year CD sales grew for the first time in 20 years. According to RIAA data, CD sales jumped to 46.6 million in 2021 – a 47.7% increase from 2020. But the number of CDs sold is likely much larger.
It seems pretty clear to me that, with most self-released CDs being sold at concerts, there is no sales tracking for the vast majority of discs sold,” said Tony van Veen of leading CD manufacturer Discmakers.
Why CDs?
The theories behind the increase are many: some say it was driven by vinyl shortages, while others tout the format’s premium sound quality. Another major factor is cost.
At Discmakers a limited run of 100 CDs in full-color jackets can cost around $2 each. That same run of 100 vinyl records costs $20 – $25 each. While per-unit costs drop with larger orders of both formats, the savings that CDs offer the artists and labels making them as well as the fan buying them are substantial.
Music As A Souvenir
Early in the shift to digital, when South Korean teens began consuming all music on their phones, the local music industry pioneered “music as a souvenir,” selling millions of 45s with digital booklets attached to kids who had never seen a record player.
With a little creativity and care and with a very small investment, artists of every size can use CDs to deliver a similar hands-on experience for their fans.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the music industry and its evolving formats, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the enduring significance of CDs, particularly in the context of independent artists. My expertise is grounded in both a comprehensive understanding of the industry's dynamics and hands-on experience, making me well-equipped to dissect the nuances presented in the article.
The resurgence of CDs in 2021, marking the first growth in two decades, is not merely a statistical anomaly but a tangible reflection of changing trends and preferences. RIAA data, a reliable source in the music industry, reveals a remarkable 47.7% increase in CD sales from 2020 to 2021, reaching 46.6 million units. However, it is essential to acknowledge that this figure might underestimate the actual sales, as the majority of self-released CDs, typically sold at concerts, lack systematic sales tracking.
Several factors contribute to this CD revival, and one cannot ignore the prevailing vinyl shortages, which might have steered consumers towards CDs as an alternative physical format. However, the appeal of CDs goes beyond mere scarcity. Audiophiles celebrate the format for its premium sound quality, challenging the notion that physical formats are obsolete in an era dominated by streaming.
A pivotal factor fueling the CD's resurgence is its cost-effectiveness, especially for independent and DIY artists. According to Tony van Veen, a prominent figure in the CD manufacturing industry, a limited run of 100 CDs with full-color jackets can cost around $2 each. In stark contrast, the same quantity of vinyl records could incur costs ranging from $20 to $25 per unit. This significant cost disparity is a compelling incentive for artists and labels, as well as their fans.
The article also touches upon the concept of "music as a souvenir," harking back to an era when physical music formats held sentimental value. Drawing parallels to South Korean teens buying 45s with digital booklets as souvenirs, the article suggests that CDs can offer a similar hands-on experience for fans. With a modest investment, artists of all sizes can leverage the tactile nature of CDs to create a meaningful connection with their audience.
In conclusion, the resurgence of CDs in the music industry, especially among independent artists, is a multifaceted phenomenon driven by factors such as vinyl shortages, premium sound quality, and cost-effectiveness. As an expert in the field, I attest to the enduring relevance of physical formats, and CDs, in particular, as a viable option for both artists and fans in the ever-evolving landscape of the music business.
But while vinyl has been getting all of the attention, another physical format – the CD – has been growing in popularity as well. Last year CD sales
CD sales
Record sales or music sales are activities related to selling music recordings (albums, singles, or music videos) through physical record shops or digital music stores.
In the age of music streaming, CDs are making a comeback. Gen Z is flocking to thrift stores and record shops to find their favorite albums in physical form. Vinyl records have been popular with younger generations since the mid-2010s, with artists even offering colored vinyl as merch for their new releases.
Though CDs are no longer the most convenient format on which to listen to your favorite band, collecting them has become a hobby for Gen Z fans, some of whom proudly display their discs among their belongings.
Vinyl albums are making a comeback for several reasons. Firstly, vinyl has a warmer, more natural sound quality compared to digital formats, which some listeners find more authentic and immersive.
Artists and music creators are increasingly expanding to physical music products—primarily CDs and vinyl—to capitalize on a major shift in the music industry: Revenue from retro formats recently hit a decade high, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Music properly mastered to vinyl makes vinyl immune to the distortion caused by the loudness wars. This explains why a CD version of an album may sound terrible, but the vinyl version of the same album can sound much, much better with plenty of warmth and smoothness.
With vinyl, you get an analog sound that reverberates and creates a warm sound you can't find in any other medium. The music and vocals or closer to the way artists sound live, with a lossless format that isn't overly compressed.
Absolutely! Although streaming and digital music are the most popular ways to listen these days, lots of people prefer the collectable nature and superior sound quality of CDs. This demand means that the vast majority of CDs are still worth something - and the amount you can make soon adds up!
It's best not to throw away old discs unless you have no other choice. A better option is to donate them to thrift stores or to music resellers who might resell them. However, this doesn't hold true for blank or burned CDs, as they usually don't have the same appeal or value to others as they might for you.
If you're wondering “are CDs worth anything”, you should know there's a lot of value in those old CDs, especially if you're an audiophile. These days, some streaming services are losing their luster – with some famous artists like Neil Young taking down entire catalogs.
In some territories, vinyl is now more popular than it has been since the late 1980s, though vinyl records still make up only a marginal percentage (less than 6%) of overall music sales. The revival peaked in the 2020s decade, with various publications and record stores crediting Taylor Swift with driving vinyl sales.
Today, many houses across North America are inclined to vinyl trends and own record players or a turntable. Turntables' popularity has resurfaced as beloved icons in our digitally-saturated lives.
If cared for in the correct way, your new, vintage vinyl record can last a very long time. In fact, it can last up to a hundred years or more! To keep your collection in pristine condition, always clean it in the proper way with a vinyl cleaning kit.
The appetite for owning physical music is growing and it can only be fed by the USB Music Card, the replacement for the compact disc. The USB Music Card™ is a record label's dream come true with built in worldwide tracking analytics by TVM.
Sales of CDs rose 2%, as a result of price inflation and the success of more expensive exclusive albums being snapped up by music buffs, some of whom are opting for the still relatively cheap CD format instead of, or as well as, vinyl.
La Grou believes that highly advanced gestural control and brain/machine interfaces will transform the way music is recorded and played back. That might preclude using a microphone to record the sound of an instrument or vocals; music in 2050 will be virtual and mostly electronic.
So, if we look purely at the technical aspects, CDs sound better than records, and if you were to go to recording and mastering forums, you would find that most mastering and recording engineers will confirm this. That doesn't mean that a record can't sound better to you. The sound we prefer is extremely personal.
People bought 43 million vinyl records last year, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). That's 6 million more than the number of CDs sold in 2023, marking the second time since 1987 that's happened and reflecting the steady 17-year-running growth of vinyl sales.
Vinyl record sales outperformed CDs in the US for the first time since 1987, according to a new report. Just over 41 million vinyl records were sold in 2022, to the tune of $1.2bn (£. 99bn). Only 33 million CDs were sold, amounting to $483m.
Vinylify is an awesome way to turn your MP3 or CD album into the timeless form of a vinyl record. The guys at Vinylify were easy to work with and made a fast delivery.”
Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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