I want to recommend records to young guitarists

My name is Shoichi Sugawara and I run a label in Fukui prefecture called 45 records.

So how do you enjoy music? Recently, subscription services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music have become quite substantial, so I think that many people are enjoying music by streaming. (I am also one of the subscribers)

However, it is also true that the demand for records is increasing as subscriptions develop. In conclusion... records are really fun! Today I decided to write this article to bring you the charms of records.

The charm of the rotating disk!!! I would especially like to deliver this to young guitarists!
There are three reasons why I recommend records to everyone.

① Because they add to the interior of the room

Yes, I'm sorry that number one has nothing to do with music (laughs). However, the jacket cannot be removed as a big attraction of records! It is much larger than a CD and has a unique warm luster. Just lean it against something and it will turn into interior decor. It seems that the inspiration for composition will come down more and more just by arranging cool album jackets around the room.

Also, when my friends come visit, I'm happy to hear it when they say I have good taste.

② Because they provide inspiration

It may be a little overwhelming with ①, but it is true that records are less convenient than CDs and subscription services. You have to connect the record player to speakers, you have to carefully drop the needle on the record, you have to be careful about how you hold the record, and so on. But, but that's good!

If you compare it with a guitar, it's like playing a Les Paul with a Marshall stack amp... You have to connect the Les Paul to the Marshall with a shield, it's hard to move because the Marshall is heavy (or rather a penance), management of vacuum tubes, etc. It's hard anyway. But the sound overcomes that inconvenience! There’s nothing more I can say.

The first time I played music on vinyl was the Beatles Help! Soundtrack, but I still remember the shock. It's a different thing from listening to digital sound sources with earphones or headphones.

Even now, whenever I get stuck in writing music or articles, I always drop a needle on a record. Every time I get a lot of inspiration.

It has become a little spiritual, but this is apt.

Also, if you darken the room and drink alcohol while playing records, you can relax the most!

③ Because you can re-recognize the enjoyment of music

Japanese use the characters "fun" and "sound" in "music".
After all music is fun!

A warmth of the sound that cannot be experienced with streaming can be felt. A pleasant, tense sound when the needle is dropped on the record. Then, after the A side has finished, return the needle once, turn it over to the B side, and drop the needle again.

This experience is so much fun!

There is also the fun of collecting. With a subscription, you can listen to countless songs from around the world with just a click or tap. However, with records, you cannot listen to them unless you have the record on hand.

What to do then?
You put on your shoes and go out…
…into the city and enter a record shop.
Find the record you are looking for.
I hang the shopping bag with the record I bought in my hand and go home excited.

(Of course, you can't always find the record you're looking for! But that’s part of the record experience.)

This series of flow is really fun, isn't it? Among record collectors, it’s called digging, but it is fun to dig and excavate appropriately. It's like getting Pokemon....

I’m attached to the records that I got even with a little effort. Music that you listen to will sooth your tired body is the best.

Postscript: Record life can be started at Sound House.

Thank you for reading this article so far. Records are good! But somehow the threshold is high... you thought! It's okay! Record life is super easy to get started!

I personally recommend these two models.

① AT-LP60X Turntable / Dark Gun Metallic

THE introductory model from the long-established audio manufacturer, audio technica. This model has good sound quality even though it is cheap! And most of all, it's super attractive to be able to play a record just by connecting the record player to active speakers! In other words, you can easily listen to records by connecting it via a cable to a component stereo AUX in. I'm glad that there are also black and red in color variations.

② ION AUDIO / Max LP speaker-equipped all-in-one USB record player

This is an all-in-one type of record player that is even easier than the record player introduced in ①. You can enjoy the record immediately without wiring. In addition, it has a USB so you can record sound sources to your smartphone or computer. The wood grain is beautiful, so it's a nice addition to the interior décor of your room.