Why Techno Vinyl Records Are Such A Successful Fusion
Techno vinyl records might at first seem a contradiction in terminology, with techno music encompassing all that is technological, computerized, digitized and that which relates to the future. On the other hand, vinyl reminds us of pre-computerized simplicity, reduced quality of sound, imperfect music reproduction and an age that had yet to be introduced to compact disks and MP3s.
But this apparent fusion of old versus new is ideal, and many techno enthusiasts still seek the vinyl format of modern techno music. Why is this? What can possibly be the appeal of techno music and older vinyl formatting? The answer is, perhaps, that although techno, like so many other forms of computer generated or computer synthesized music, can be clinical and harsh without the softening realism of vinyl, it is those very imperfections and background noises which seem to bring the music alive. To the new, younger generation this can sometimes seem strange, but for those a little older, who can appreciate the subtler benefits of music media, vinyl brings a whole dimension to any music form, and helps to bring a sense of warmth and tangibility to modern, synthesized sounds.
Of course, plenty of recording studios, artists and DJs have tried to emulate the sound and effects of vinyl through computerized, synthesized forms. Yet to the real connoisseur, such differences are more than obvious. Above all, vinyl records increase the opportunity for individuality, performance and spontaneity - all missing from performances generated solely through disks, files and computerized storage.
Techno itself can be a hard form of music to define, although others might argue that its definition is very simple. It is one of the more mainstream forms of computer synthesized music, or computer generated music, with its roots simultaneously in house, trance and jazz. There are elements of house and hard house music, whilst at the same time some of the soothing, more melodious aspects detectable within trance music, and electric trance in particular. But there are also strong influences from the world of jazz, and since techno began in Chicago, this relationship between jazz and computerized music is perhaps not so surprising.
Because of the varied ancestry which techno music has enjoyed, and the difficulty in defining it as a discrete music style, there have been many attempts by music artists to break in to the nightclub music scene through the use of techno music, or at least through branding their music as techno. In some cases this has been successful, but in many cases it has not, with techno fans simply viewing the music as pop songs with a jazzed up a beat. Nonetheless, techno music as a genre has become one of the more widespread music styles to break out of the rave, techno and trance scenes and hit great popularity both in and away from nightclub scenes.
For the aficionados of the techno world, vinyl records will always be around and will always be the medium of choice. There are certainly DJs and music fans who have techno music in many other forms and formats, such as CD and MP3, and there are many advantages and benefits of having music in this form. Perhaps the most obvious is the ability to carry it around, and portable music has definitely become something of a fashion, with technology providing this facility. Vinyls are far less portable, but despite this apparent drawback, remain popular and distinctive.
When it comes to techno music vinyl offers something real, something less than perfect - something individual. It is easy to see technology as capable of punching out identical, flawless results time after time, but this is to misunderstand the nature of techno music. Techno is not about flawlessness or perfection, it is not about sterile, clinical digitization - it is about music, and about enjoying it, and if that means keeping vinyl alive, then that is, after all, what music should always be about.
Barnaby Milne is a musician, DJ and avid collector of music from the 70s to today, particularly techno vinyl records and for techno music vinyl is his top recommendation.
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