BLOG | JUN. 11, 2025

One bright spot in an otherwise rough year

As we close the page on 2010 and its miserable economy, there was one bright spot for music lovers: VINYL. That's right, vinyl. That analog medium that just won't die. According to Rolling Stone* vinyl sales were up in 2010. It seems over 2.8 million copies of records were sold in vinyl format. That's more copies than any year since SoundScan started tracking sales in 1991. On the mastering front, I've seen this trend first hand, with an increasing number of clients directing me to create masters for digital release and pre-masters for cutting houses. In December 2010, I finished five projects that were slated for dual-release as digital and vinyl products, bypassing the CD format altogether. And I'm reasonably sure most of the projects I'm working on a short run vinyl (e.g. runs less than 5,000 units), and presumably not included in the SoundScan numbers. For years we've been hearing claims from audiophile equipment vendors that vinyl was doing well. But I've always accepted those assertions with some reservation. After all, selling 2 records is a 100% increase if you only sold 1 the prior year! The question was always "what number" constituted "improved" sales? Now we know. And while 2.8 million is not Earth shattering, it can't be ignored. Some would call it impressive considering how hard it is to find a brick-and-mortar store that sells records. Lord, you can barely find a CD at Best Buy. You sure as heck can't find an LP! I don't want to get off on a rant, but I love how Best Buy now sells keyboards, guitars, and digital recording interfaces. They want you to record music, but don't want to help anyone sell music... but that's a blog for another day... Tape Op readers represent both big name artists (whatever that means in 2011) as well as independent and regional ones. So what are you seeing? Are bands you work with talking about vinyl? If so, how are they selling them? Pre-order? Consignment? With digital? Comment and share your thoughts and experiences. As for me, I'm off to buy more cleaning fluid for my Nitty Gritty Record Vacuum Cleaner - the best $500 you'll spend if you love vinyl. (www.nittygrittyinc.com) *Rolling Stone. 3 February 2011. "2010: YEAR IN REVIEW: Touring, Downloads Stall in Worst Year on Record." By Steve Knopper, Contributing Editor. P. 17 - 18.

Tape Op is a bi-monthly magazine devoted to the art of record making.

Or Learn More

MORE ENTRIES

Talking Heads Release More Songs About Buildings and Food (Deluxe Edition)

BLOG

Talking Heads Release More Songs About Buildings and Food (Deluxe Edition)

By Geoff Stanfield

July 29, 2025

Following their debut album Talking Heads: 77, More Songs About Buildings and Food found the band working with producer Brian Eno [Tape Op#85], which...
New Music From Jamie Lidell: Places of Unknowing

BLOG

New Music From Jamie Lidell: Places of Unknowing

By Geoff Stanfield

July 18, 2025

Larry Crane interviewed Jamie Lidell for Tape Op#129, and we chatted with Geoff Swan [#43] about Jamie's 2005 album, Multiply, for episode #27 of...
Gina Birch Releases New Album, Trouble

BLOG

Gina Birch Releases New Album, Trouble

By Geoff Stanfield

July 11, 2025

We interviewed Gina Birch for Tape Op#154 around the time of her 2023 release, I Play My Bass Loud. Her new album, Trouble, again produced by Youth,...
New Album Never Enough and “Seeing’ Stars/Birds”video from Turnstile

BLOG

New Album Never Enough and “Seeing’ Stars/Birds”video from Turnstile

By Corey Reidy

July 8, 2025

With assistance from Will Yip who we interviewed in Tape Op#151, along with A.G. Cook (Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek), and Jason Lader (Jenny Lewis,...
Paramore's Zac Farro Releases "1"

BLOG

Paramore's Zac Farro Releases "1"

By Geoff Stanfield

July 8, 2025

We interviewed Paramore drummer Zac Farro for Tape Op#144, and he hasn't slowed down much since. In addition to his work with Paramore, he has...
Rival Consoles Returns with New Album: Landscape From Memory

BLOG

Rival Consoles Returns with New Album: Landscape From Memory

July 4, 2025

After a year away from actively producing, Rival Consoles (Ryan Lee West) [Tape Op#141], has returned with new release, Landscape From Memory. On...
Adrian Quesada: Boleros Psicodélicos II

BLOG

Adrian Quesada: Boleros Psicodélicos II

By Geoff Stanfield

July 3, 2025

We have kept up with Adrian Quesada through the years in the pages of Tape Op [#94], and he has been a two time guest on the Tape Op Podcast [Ep.#36,...
New King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard: Phantom Island

BLOG

New King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard: Phantom Island

By Geoff Stanfield

June 29, 2025

If you are bummed out that Edgar Winter, Thin Lizzy, Tower of Power, Chicago, Traffic, and Wings stopped making records, I have just the salve to...
Alan Sparhawk with Trampled by Turtles

BLOG

Alan Sparhawk with Trampled by Turtles

By Geoff Stanfield

June 24, 2025

Since the passing of his wife and Low bandmate, Mimi Parker, Alan Sparhawk [Tape Op#31] has been on a creative tear. His recent solo record, White...