The Pros and Cons of Music Media

A sample of the music collection Sadie Tresnit has built up in recent years, spanning formats. Photo by Sadie Tresnit.

By Sadie Tresnit

In the modern day and age, we have the luxury of listening to music wherever we are. Streaming services have made it possible to constantly listen to music on the go, and hipsters have made vinyl records cool again. As a lifelong music lover and current college DJ, I take my music listening seriously. I compiled a pro/con list for all the ways people commonly listen to music today (sorry, 8-tracks). Throughout my life, I’ve listened to a mix of records, CDs, tapes, downloaded tracks, streaming services, and songs from the radio. I’m a big proponent of every one of them, but are any of them better than the others? 

Vinyl Records

A classic for a reason, vinyl records make up a huge part of my collection. There’s something really special about collecting these large physical versions of my favorite albums and looking through the inserts and cover art as I listen. I love seeing what each band decides to do with their records design-wise. In a funny way, it gives me a sense of pride to see them all lined up on my shelf. Obviously, the music is the important part, and the sound quality of most of my records is great. Since my taste skews old, I like listening to these albums in their original format, and any crackles and pops in the sound from dust on the record just add to the atmosphere. It’s also fun to seek out limited edition and/or colorful vinyl. That said, it’s certainly not a cheap hobby. Records have caught on as collector's items in recent years, and it can be impossible to find really great ones for under $25. On a college student’s budget, that can be prohibitive. Getting a turntable and speakers is another big expense. Given the popularity of collecting, it can be nearly impossible to find highly sought-after records in playable condition. This is also the format beloved by music snobs, which can be a bit irritating if you’re a young woman shopping for records and no one thinks you know what you’re doing (not that I’m speaking from experience or anything). Still, I have no plans to stop growing my collection any time soon.

CDs

Call me silly, but I’m so convinced CDs are going to come back big in a few years the way records are now. When that time comes, I’m ready to be the envy of all with my CD collection. One huge pro for CDs is that they’re currently super cheap. Sometimes I visit record stores just to browse the CD section — uncrowded, full of 90s albums, and reasonably priced. I’m not rich enough to risk money on a record I haven’t heard, but CDs give me room to experiment and expand my taste. They’re also conveniently portable, meaning I have an easy time when I decide to DJ family road trips. Unfortunately, they’re pretty easy to scratch, and a lot of what you find for sale will be damaged in some way. The other unfortunate truth is that there are some CDs that seemingly nobody wants. The record selection in a record store will change constantly, but the CD section might stay largely the same for long periods as the good stuff gets snatched up quickly while the rest languishes. 

MP3 Files

Way back in the old days (meaning 2014 or so), I got an iPod and my mom spent a whole day loading it up with every song the Beatles ever released. This was way before I really knew what an MP3 file was, but I was so grateful they existed at the time. Now that I have my own radio show (Thursday mornings from 8-10 on KWVA 88.1, tune in!), this format is a lifesaver. Who doesn’t love listening to music with no need for wifi? This was such a lifesaver for me a few weeks ago when I had my show and the university’s wifi was down. I would’ve had to scramble through our music library and play random songs otherwise (a trial I’ve survived before), but this way, I got to go on with my show as planned. MP3s are also nice because they let you transfer your music to other formats if you want. Custom mixtape, anyone? The only downside is that if you’re really into collecting, they start to take up space on your device fast. You also have to be sure that you’re downloading from a reputable source so you don’t accidentally end up with a computer virus.

Streaming Services

Ah, the convenience of modern life. When I got a smartphone, Spotify was the very first app I downloaded. Since that day, I’ve been making playlists nonstop. I can’t speak for the other popular streaming services, but I love that this one lets me discover new music every week and keep up with what my friends are listening to. Unlike the other formats here, music streaming services can be completely free, so it’s easier and more accessible than ever to explore a wide range of music. If you’re listening to an album and you realize it’s not for you, you’re not out any money. However, this freedom comes at a cost. These apps unfortunately don’t pay musicians very well, and it can be almost impossible for small artists to get off the ground this way. The notable exception is, of course, Bandcamp, which exists to promote smaller groups and pay them fairly. And the money issues don’t end there. If you want to avoid being bombarded with ads (nothing like singing in the shower and getting interrupted by an ad for rash ointment), you’ll have to pay for a premium version of the app. No such thing as a free lunch, right?

Cassette Tapes

You might be thinking that no one listens to tapes anymore, but I beg to differ. I’ve had the same boombox since I was born and it has the capacity to play CDs, tapes, and the radio. I grew up with my own collection of tapes and CDs and listened to them for hours on end. While I admit this probably wasn’t the typical experience for someone my age, it was a nice start to my lifelong music hobby. While records were too much responsibility for me, and I was too small and uncoordinated to play CDs on my own, tapes were perfect and rectangular and manageable. It’s a little sad that most people don’t use them anymore. That means it’s easy to find them for a decent price in the shops, but unlike with records and CDs, you can’t really check what condition they’re in before you buy. If you’re willing to gamble with your time and money like that, it’s a great option, but not so much if you’re trying to be cautious. If you’re looking for new tapes instead of used — your options are few and far between. I’ve noticed, though, that artists currently releasing music on tape tend to do something exciting with the format, like using colorful cassettes or one-of-a-kind photographs in the lining. 

Radio

What kind of a DJ would I be if I didn’t promote live radio at least a little bit? After a year at KWVA, my appreciation for local radio has grown immeasurably, and I was already a fan to begin with. When I was in elementary school, my friend and her parents had a radio show on the local station and my family always woke up on time to listen. Later, as a teenager, I developed an obsession with the ‘80s station. As a listener, radio introduced me to hundreds of songs I might never have heard otherwise and guided me as I was developing my individual taste. From the other side as a DJ, it’s super fun to show the people of Eugene what I’ve been loving lately and explain why. I love thinking that maybe I’ll introduce someone to their new favorite track, or that a new or local musician will tune in and hear their song on air for the first time ever. Of course, when you’re a listener, the one big con here is your loss of control. When I’m in the mood to listen to music, I’m usually looking for a particular sound/genre, if not one specific song. Turning on the radio is a gamble. Sure, you might find something new to love, but what if it’s not exactly what you want at that moment? Moreover, on commercial stations, the ads can be insanely annoying. Luckily at KWVA, you don’t have to deal with all of that.

So which medium is truly the best? It’s impossible to say, but they all have a lot going for them. We’re lucky to live in a time when we have so many options and the ability to switch between them whenever we want. As you start or expand your music collection, have fun experimenting with different formats and find which ones work well for you. Happy listening!