The data is in: Physical music sales are UP in 2021!
It may be hard for skeptics to believe, but physical albums were up a robust 37.5 percent compared to this time last year, from almost 28 million units to over 38 million units. Read the post.
vinyl
The art and science of vinyl records
Excerpted from “The Musician’s Guide To Vinyl,” we review a brief history of vinyl records and share some basics when it comes to mixing for your vinyl release. Read the post.
The vinyl manufacturing process at work (watch the video!)
Whatever your relationship to music is, the manufacturing process for CDs and vinyl is just plain cool to see in action. Let’s take a look! Read the post.
Are we witnessing the rebirth of physical media?
With the explosion of music streaming, physical media appeared to be out for the count. However, the majors are now reporting physical music revenue growth compared to 2018. Heck, even cassettes are making a comeback. Read the post.
You need to sell merch — here’s why
Why pass up the chance to make additional revenue, build your artist brand, and cement a special connection with your fans?
Read the post.
Happy Birthday to the 33 1/3 Microgroove LP!
Wired.com posted a little bit of music history today. On this day in 1948, "Columbia Records puts the needle down on history’s first successful microgroove plastic, 12-inch, 33-1/3 LP in New York, sparking a music-industry standard so strong that the digital age has yet to kill it." According to the post, there were several attempts to bring the microgroove plastic albums to market dating back to the early 30s, but technical difficulties, the Great Depression, and World War II forced its delay. Read more.
Album sales were up in 2011 – is the music industry back?
Music sales are up. That was the big news at the beginning of the year, and it’s an encouraging sign that maybe things have leveled off in the music industry. Sorting through the numbers, there are some interesting things to note, and other curiosities to get you thinking. Total albums sold in 2011: 330.6 million. That’s up 1.3% from 326.2 million in 2010, and it’s the first increase since 2004, which is the big reason why this is welcome news. Read more.