There's a huge amount of music in the form of vinyl records sitting in corners, attics, and other places gathering dust. They can still be bought at some used book stores. Old albums can also be bought online. Wherever your records are since your last turntable died, it's time to buy a USB turntable to enjoy a world of music so different from what is heard over the airwaves today. Today's turntables record to CD or to MP3. Play records to children and grandchildren that don't know what a record or a turntable is.
Vinyl records were a much more durable way to listen to music than tapes. Old reel to reel, 8 track, and cassette tapes haven't survived nearly as well as vinyl, due to sound bleed between the sides, stretching, tangling, and heat sensitivity of tapes. The major drawback to records, having to turn them over and change them, is eliminated by turning them into digital files.
USB Turntable Reviews
There are many brands of USB turntables available. Check online for reviews of different models to find what suits your needs. The major thing to be aware of is to choose a model that is compatible with your computer. Alternatively, they can be used with any software that is compatible with USB audio input sound cards. Scratchiness is sometimes a concern when recording to a PC sound card. Some turntables will record 33 1/3, 45, and, with supporting software, 78 RPM records.
A Gift of Music
Give a USB turntable to someone with an old record collection, or, even better, turn their collection into digital audio files for them and add an amplifier for MP3 players. Ampoids portable amplifiers and speakers are made from candy tins, and eliminate the need for headphones. One purchaser's feedback said, "These are really lovely, and surprisingly powerful, with a great sound quality. They're also just gorgeous little gadgets!" Whether you want to set the mood for a romantic evening, or have music to work by, old vinyl records are a treasure trove waiting to be rediscovered.
Music fans from casual listeners to audiophiles can enjoy music that isn't played anymore. Even all-music stations have limited playlists that get repeated often. While vinyl records may not be even a very distant memory for many, they can become a part of new memories, opening up types of music far beyond the current top music hits. Discover, or rediscover, great vocals and music for the ages. Give a gift of music to someone special. Spin the discs once again.
Corinne Shibley - Corinne Shibley studied sculpture in art history and created her own sculpture on the way to a B.A. in Studio Art. "There's something ...
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