Music and recorded media date far back into the 1800s; they pioneered a new way to enjoy recording, music, and stories. They also paved the way for the entertainment industry to produce audio for fans, from CDs to audiobooks. But vintage media has recently made a resurgence in the world of digital media today.
Thanks to appreciative lovers of collecting, older methods of music and entertainment have begun to make a reappearance in modern society. Although the standard for enjoying your favorite band or movie is digitally streaming, people still appreciate cassette tapes. So here are a few reasons why people still collect cassette tapes today.
Cassettes Offer Nostalgic Factors
People have an exciting draw towards things that make them reflect on the past. It was an innocent time where you dreamed of being anything you wanted without restrictions. Nostalgia has a hold over people that like to look back fondly, even over times they weren’t a part of yet. So one of the reasons why people still collect cassette tapes is for nostalgic satisfaction.
Collectors tend to visit secondhand stores to find older media to enjoy. The sound quality is fuzzy and may lack, but it has charm for any music collector. The versatility in cassettes is not only what music they have, but the portability is an added benefit.
Niche Demographics Love Them
Fun fact: did you know that a handful of retro video game consoles used cassette tapes? A great example is the Commodore 64, which was an 8-bit home computer released in 1982. Some classic cassette games they had included Arkanoid, Lode Runner, and Beach Head.
Cassette collectors fit into an incredibly niche demographic. They tend to have a deep appreciation for retro electronics and traditional ways of life. Even today, a game like Celeste came out in 2018 with a limited-edition cassette tape of the soundtrack. Collectors love the idea of having something that so few others have, so it’s a great way to cater to music appreciators.
Affordability and Unique Production
Cassette tapes have a rich history in the entertainment industry. It was a step up from vinyl records during its heyday, and its portability was its primary draw. Taking music on the go was a new concept at the time, and people couldn’t wrap their heads around it, so it was an instant success.
Cassettes are astoundingly cheap, making them an ideal medium from a margin perspective. Producing a cassette tape is affordable and is an excellent alternative for newer bands or musicians to save money. So finding old cassettes of your favorite bands is easy to afford and not challenging to find.
Music and story lovers adore the idea of cassette tapes. They can go anywhere, they’re sturdy, and they carry a lot of history. So visit your local record shop or thrift store and see what you can find.
