Nostalgia strikes: cassette tapes are back on track, and we couldn’t be more happy about it!
There is no point in denying that everyone loves a comeback tale! Now, who is excited about this news? Because we definitely are! Cassette tapes were a huge thing back in the 70s and 80s, and even if they were dormant for a long while because everybody was keen on CDs and digital MP3 formats, in 2023 they’re coming back on track!
That excellent, vintage Walkman you used to have and play your favorite ABBA recording on can be a thing in 2023! And hey, it’s understandable if you’re a tad confused about this, but in this article, we will list all the reasons why they’re awesome, plus how to enjoy them again. Gather all your friends this summer, and let’s start the party!
1. Cassette tapes are the best musical experience
We at Home Tech Revolution can’t think of any other better method to enjoy your favorite artist. Why? Well, think about it like this: in the past, we used pencils to rewind the most-listened-to song from the tape since, in most cases, the player was of poor quality and almost broke the tape itself.
While listening to cassettes, it’s harder to skip tracks because it takes too long; therefore, you must be present when listening to the songs in the order that the artist intended. And there is also a unique character to the sound of a tape, as many experts have noted. When compared to CDs or streaming, music on tape does have a “warmer” tone, which is frequently favored over its digitally recorded counterpart.
2. Portable music cassette player
What would be the best way to listen to your old tapes? Of course, by using a classical Walkman or a portable music cassette player. They are super handy and let you listen to music while you enjoy your walks around the neighborhood or travel by train, plane, or subway. Just make sure you use some strong and durable batteries that are also rechargeable since they last longer than regular ones.
Your old Walkman failed while you were trying to listen to that ABBA cassette tape? No problem, because on Amazon you can find a big variety of Walkmans for some incredible prices! Check out this Reshow Portable Cassette Player, which is available for only $36.99. Hurry up, because the offer might not last long.
3. Use your laptop to listen to cassette tapes
Did carrying a Walkman around the city sound like a hassle? Well, there are a couple of other ways to enjoy your cassette tapes. You can easily use your personal computer for that! All you need is a PC tape player that supports USB. Launch your favorite audio editing application after attaching the player, then start playing audio.
Using editing programs like GarageBand or Audacity, you can change the sound of the cassette tape and the playback. To remove muttering or crackling from the tape, for example, or to add effects like reverb or echo. Your recordings may also be easily copied, so you can listen to them anytime and anywhere you choose.
4. Boombox
Do you remember the time when you used to crank up the volume on your boombox? Heh, what a time to be alive! Those were the times when people enjoyed carrying it around the block to have fun and enjoy the music everywhere. Plus, all the boomboxes had incredible prices, and you can find a few on Amazon.
A boombox was a terrific portable way to listen to music when you were away from home, though, of course, you couldn’t match the audio quality of a home stereo system. Although you can get the same offer from the 1980s, the modern boomboxes have significant upgrades. For instance, Bluetooth may be used to broadcast your cassettes to an attached speaker. And if you already have an obsolete boombox at home but it isn’t functioning correctly, you should probably replace it. According to experts, repairing something costs twice as much as replacing it entirely.
…psst! Check out this amazing CD Player Boombox Cassette Player Combo with Bluetooth from Greadio that costs only $63.90!
5. Listen to your favorite cassette tapes with a smartphone, iPad, or tablet
Do you have a huge pile of vintage cassette tapes in your house but no device to listen to them anymore? All you need is a smartphone or tablet. How is this possible? Let’s see: Using a cassette adapter is one method. This little device plugs into the headphone socket on your phone or tablet. The cassette player on the adapter’s other end is where you insert your cassette tape.
Another option for playing an audio tape on a phone or tablet is to use a Bluetooth cassette player. These players are designed to work with Bluetooth-enabled tablets and smartphones. Typically, you can buy them online or at electronics retailers.
6. Convert them into MP3s
Well, this isn’t a viable option for many music collectors, especially for those who love their cassette tapes but don’t want to give them up. However, there is a great method to convert your tapes into mp3 files so you can listen to them anywhere on your phone or laptop. The gadget is called the BlumWay Cassette, and it’s probably the fastest device for conversion.
With this converter, you can instantly transfer your cassette’s MP3 files to a USB flash drive, where you can then upload them to your desktop or laptop. You may set it to an automatic setting, which creates a new file for each song on a tape when there is a pause. Additionally, it can automatically reverse so that you don’t have to physically flip the tape over to continue converting the music from side two.
With these methods, you can enjoy your favorite music from cassette tapes over and over again. But now, why are they making a comeback, and people seem to be super hyped about them? Let’s see 3 reasons why they are super appreciated even in 2023!
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Collectability is the main reason cassette tapes are coming back
I bet that you have some old cassette tapes in the attic that you forgot about. But now it’s time to take them out into the sunlight and enjoy them again. While there is a bit of nostalgia in their return, it seems that a lot of young artists are keen on releasing tapes with their albums. Is this a bad thing? Well, from a quality point of view, it may be, but that’s something that might differ from one user to another.
Some people say that cassette tapes are overrated and too old to become a thing again, while others love to collect them and even extend their collections by paying a ton of money for vintage ones.
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Price
The second reason why cassette tapes are making a comeback is because they are so cheap to make. It costs around $1.50 to produce a tape, which is a great deal for both labels and artists.
Another reason why cassette tapes are coming back is that they are way more affordable to buy compared to vinyl or CDs, which makes them a great choice for all music lovers. A lot of artists, including Florence and The Machine, sold more copies on cassette than vinyl, for example.
Let’s be honest: it’s much easier to handle cassette tapes while touring than vinyl, for example. They are less robust and fragile because we all know how “nice” luggage is dealt with at the airport.
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Down to the memory lane
A little nostalgia never harms anyone! It’s cool to travel back in time and smile with your whole face as you recall your younger years. For those of us who formerly listened to cassettes, it is pleasant to turn one on, and it is interesting to see that they are returning to popularity. The good news is that you will now understand exactly why someone is using a Walkman the next time you see them sporting one on the street like it’s 1988.
What was your favorite hit that you listened to over and over again on cassette tapes? Tell us in the comments!
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