The Biggest Music Comeback of 2014: Vinyl Records

[mjzee]

Nearly eight million old-fashioned vinyl records have been sold this year, up 49% from the same period last year, industry data show. Younger people, especially indie-rock fans, are buying records in greater numbers, attracted to the perceived superior sound quality of vinyl and the ritual of putting needle to groove.

But while new LPs hit stores each week, the creaky machines that make them haven’t been manufactured for decades, and just one company supplies an estimated 90% of the raw vinyl that the industry needs. As such, the nation’s 15 or so still-running factories that press records face daily challenges with breakdowns and supply shortages.

More here: WSJ

Also:

What Weird Vinyl Orders Are Doing to Old-School Record Production

[Big Beat Steve]

There must be another recent discussion on this very topic around here.

As for the machine situation, it should be remembered that that article linked above of course is US-specific. I understand there are companies both here in Germany and in the Czech Republic (catering to the demand here in Central/Western Europe) that are firmly entrenched in the vinyl pressing business and to the best of my knowledge their machinery equipment is not made up of historic relics only.