Is ripping vinyl worth it?

[UncleFunky]

If a tune isn't available digitally and only got release on vinyl, it might for a reason. They might want it to be a vinyl only release. I won't play those tunes out of respect for the artist and label.

If you rip for yourself and don't share, I don't see why it would be an issue. You aren't undermining the exclusivity of the release at all.

I think Andrew Weatherall's current label is vinyl only. Not sure of the reasoning behind it.

[Bassline Brine]

If you buy it, use it.

If you have it, play it.

If a track is amazing and gets a vinyl only release, and you want to play it? Buy the vinyl, rip the vinyl to whatever format you desire, and play it.

Same goes for Mp3 files you buy: Unless it's to a select group of close friends, I really don't agree with sharing music of any sort digitally. My song and dance has changed on that since I started DJing, when I was just a musical consumer I was up with the worst of them downloading things illegally. Just don't do it if you are playing out, and don't help people who do.

This should be the same with anything you buy on vinyl and rip to Mp3.

Hell if I could afford a record press, I'd do the exact opposite. I'd take the Mp3 files I find, bootlegs and everything, and make them INTO vinyl. But I can't. So I don't.

If it's good: Play it.

[keithace]

If you buy it, use it.

If you have it, play it.

If a track is amazing and gets a vinyl only release, and you want to play it? Buy the vinyl, rip the vinyl to whatever format you desire, and play it.

If it's good: Play it.

yeeeeeeeeeuuup...

[shr3dder]

In most cases it's worth contacting the label like people have said, you'd be surprised. One of my favourite labels Untzz only does vinyl releases, but they also give away every tune for free as a 320k MP3 on their Soundcloud page....

Four Tet tends to do the same in regards to his vinyl only releases.

[backtothefront]

Pedantic point - the plural of vinyl is vinyl
Ahhhh that's better

Lol, pedant here, a bug bear of mine too

OP: If it's older vinyl, then as long as you have a cleanish setup, in terms of quality turntable, cart/stylus, and minimum audio runs, it's worth doing, but it does take ages. I've only managed a handful of tunes and rip as and when I might need the track digitally (and not available) and if there's no turntables to play it on.

[Cook]

Quite a lot of releases ive bought in the last 2/3 years have had digital download links to iTunes/web hosts in the sleeve, If it dosent come with one, ask the label, im sure theyll be willing to give it out for you to play it!

[Dohjo]

The quality is fine. Some websites *COUGH* JUNO *COUGH* sells vinyl rips.

[muldrez]

Yeah it's worth it, but do it properly first time around if you have loads of records to do. Use as good a cartridge, pre-amp and audio interface as you can get hold of, because you don't want to end it doing it twice (or three times; - a lesson learnt the hard way). It's definitely worth buying a decent hifi needle specifically for recording rather than using a DJ needle to get good quality rips.

[Karlos Santos]

If a tune isn't available digitally and only got release on vinyl, it might for a reason. They might want it to be a vinyl only release. I won't play those tunes out of respect for the artist and label.

-1

The opposite of this is playing an MP3 with DVS. Your using vinyl to play a track that was only released as MP3.

I think vinyl only releases are fine but I'm not gonna let the artist or the label make my mind up on how I play it.

I'd rather play a track and a crowd hear it than have it unplayed if I cannot use decks at a gig. You owe it to your crowd to play it, you don't owe the artist anything. It's their decision to release it on their chosen format and your decision to play it on your chosen format.

I think Andrew Weatherall's current label is vinyl only. Not sure of the reasoning behind it.

Yeah but if he or Sean Johnston plays any of those tunes they often play the wavs of them. I know Sean does because he uses an S4 and Traktor and I know this cus he has called me for advice on his setup and emails me about it.

[MeetsMandy]

Yeah but if everyone lived with that mentality the world would be shit. It's like saying 'Well I really fancy that girl but her parents don't approve of me so I'm not going to go there' ... Get my drift, If I get the chance to play some joy orbison or boddika in my sets because I've spent the money and time to rip it then I'm going to play them?