You grew up with them. They provided many hours of pleasure. But times—and technology—have changed. For most of us, long-playing vinyl records are just a pleasant memory, replaced by the more practical MP3, CD and streaming audio formats.

But thanks to several recent technological innovations, now it's easier than ever to bring LPs back into your life. Convert them to digital files, and you can have the best of both worlds.

For some people, the pleasure of listening to an LP on a home stereo system is unique and irreplaceable. It's an emotional connection to a time when music was a portal to a world of new ideas and discoveries. Who can forget the first time they heard the revolutionary "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" or the extraordinary improvisations of Miles Davis?  

And younger listeners who grew up in the digital era are also discovering the pleasures of listening to records. Manufacturers of turntables and vinyl records are happy to provide products to meet the demand.

Enjoying vinyl in a digital age

Playing vinyl in a digital age may not be the most convenient medium, but for LP enthusiasts that's part of the appeal.

"There's a whole ritual around preparing to listen to one of my albums. Putting the album on the turntable, running the brush over the surface, checking the stylus for lint and then gently lowering the arm," says Chris from Massachusetts.

"Hearing the familiar pop and gentle click as the needle finds the groove, slowly stepping back to settle in my chair, the album cover in my lap, I'm ready to start re-reading familiar notes as the music begins to play."

Long before the term became commonplace in consumer electronics, music lovers enjoyed an "interactive" experience while listening to albums, an interaction that bonded the listener to the musician.  Great care was taken to create beautiful artwork for the album cover, and extensive liner notes provided insight into the creative process, as well as technical details on the recording.

As Chris notes, hearing music played on a turntable is a conscious and contemplative activity. You can't do it in a car, while you're working out or text messaging a friend. Records slow things down—and in a fast-paced world, that can be a good thing.

What's old is new again

But the great thing about technology is it gives you more choices. And for those times when you want the convenience of digital music, it's much easier to convert albums to MP3 files and CDs. New equipment and software eliminate much of the hassle and guesswork.

One method is to use an external importer box, with cables connecting your stereo system to a computer's USB port. Music is imported from the turntable, digitized, then stored on the computer's hard drive.

Several new turntable models connect directly to your computer to digitize vinyl records. These systems eliminate the need to use special cables or preamplifiers, and have recording software to help you convert your albums to MP3 and CD formats. You can even eliminate existing scratches, hisses and "pops."

So go up to the attic, down to the garage or wherever your old records are stored. And get ready to enjoy your beloved LPs all over again.


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