Music Packaging

[djdavejohnson]

Anyone still buying CD's? Why does it seem like every other release these days comes packaged in cardboard? Is it just me that gets slightly irritated by this?

I much prefer the plastic cases. They actually fit into my CD racks. The cardboard ones droop down, this upsets my ever so slight OCD tendencies.

Cardboard should only be used for vinyl packaging. End of.

P.S. I'm in a cracking mood. For me just one of life's minor inconveniences.

[fatyeti24]

how long before CDs become the hipster way to listen to music?  we've got the vinyl revival, for some bizarre reason cassette tapes haven't completely vanished, so it's only a matter of time before kids born this millennium start fetishising the most popular format from just before their birth.

 

and when they do... i've got hundreds of the fucking things (in all forms of packaging) taking up space in the spare room that i've lugged from one home to the next, refusing to throw them away cos they cost me the equivalent of a decent car to acquire (and are currently worthless)... come on, cyclical fashion tropes, make it worth my while!

[fatyeti24]

sorry OP i kind went off on a tangent there.  but your answer is probably down to production costs or something.

[djdavejohnson]

6 minutes ago, fatyeti24 said:

how long before CDs become the hipster way to listen to music?  we've got the vinyl revival, for some bizarre reason cassette tapes haven't completely vanished, so it's only a matter of time before kids born this millennium start fetishising the most popular format from just before their birth.

 

and when they do... i've got hundreds of the fucking things (in all forms of packaging) taking up space in the spare room that i've lugged from one home to the next, refusing to throw them away cos they cost me the equivalent of a decent car to acquire (and are currently worthless)... come on, cyclical fashion tropes, make it worth my while!

I can't explain the cassette tape love. When I got back to work after this year's fest, a guy I work with had gone to see that man Lionel in the local teams stadium (Colchester if you're interested). Apparently Lionel was rolling off the music formats, to which the cassette tape got the biggest cheer! I'm sure the audience demographic wasn't the most representative mind.

8 minutes ago, fatyeti24 said:

sorry OP i kind went off on a tangent there.  but your answer is probably down to production costs or something.

Yeah every bloody thing is these days. Still, I'd rather pay the extra 10p or whatever it it they would need to add on! 

[dizzymoo]

5 minutes ago, fatyeti24 said:

sorry OP i kind went off on a tangent there.  but your answer is probably down to production costs or something.

Probably right Yeti. Cheap CDs always come in cardboard sleeves, and get scratched much more than they would in plastic cases. Can't agree with your point about them being worthless though. I play CDs  a lot in my car as the sound quality is far better than anything my phone/mp3 can produce. 

[fatyeti24]

i've only got a cd player in the car these days, but as i was in the spare room the other day and came across my cds, i grabbed one off the pile to play on the journey into town last night.  an old Mixmag covermount by Claude Von Stroke from about 9 or 10 years ago.  very enjoyable it was too, and i'd expect not too easy to find on Spotify.  those little shiny discs still do have the occasional value to me, it seems!

edit - yes dizzy, it seems the car is keeping the cd going!  

Edited July 9, 2016 by fatyeti24

[Charm]

Likely to be a green initiative as cardboard is recyclable and plastic is known to have demonic qualities.  
Charm x

[djdavejohnson]

1 minute ago, Charm said:

Likely to be a green initiative as cardboard is recyclable and plastic is known to have demonic qualities.  
Charm x

Oh I appreciate the reasons behind it, and commend green initiatives, just doesn't do anything for my admittedly selfish desires! 

[Charm]

17 minutes ago, djdavejohnson said:

Oh I appreciate the reasons behind it, and commend green initiatives, just doesn't do anything for my admittedly selfish desires! 

It's fine to be selfish sometimes and you are right it has turned them into a less pleasing product. 
Charm x

[Guest]

Semi related; I just made two car CDs, one a retrospective of Glastonbury 2015 and the same for 2016. Very pleased with my CD compiling skills that I had the genius to finish 2015 with Hot Chip's Dancing In The Dark and its All My Friends outro, then 2016 begins with All My Friends.

[djdavejohnson]

1 hour ago, Charm said:

It's fine to be selfish sometimes and you are right it has turned them into a less pleasing product. 
Charm x

I think I read a while ago the recycling process of plastics is getting better too, although don't hold me to that. Once I put the green bags out my knowledge of what happens afterwards is somewhat limited!

57 minutes ago, GETOFFAMYLAWN said:

Semi related; I just made two car CDs, one a retrospective of Glastonbury 2015 and the same for 2016. Very pleased with my CD compiling skills that I had the genius to finish 2015 with Hot Chip's Dancing In The Dark and its All My Friends outro, then 2016 begins with All My Friends.

Haha nice one! I remember the days of CD compiling. Still have hundreds from when I was DJ'ing. There were a few gems that gave me a buzz.

[Watergirl]

I still buy CDs and I actually prefer the cardboard. I think it's prettier and doesn't crack.

 

[djdavejohnson]

12 minutes ago, Watergirl said:

I still buy CDs and I actually prefer the cardboard. I think it's prettier and doesn't crack.

 

I tried my best to get on with them, but within a couple of days of purchasing my first cardboard album I took it with me to the the car, sat down, and popped the CD in. Thought I'd have a little read of the insert. Lo and behold, not there. Had a look for it upon my return, found it, but it was wet. Wasn't happy. Nobody likes to be unhappy.

[WS_Jack_III]

14 hours ago, djdavejohnson said:

Anyone still buying CD's? Why does it seem like every other release these days comes packaged in cardboard? Is it just me that gets slightly irritated by this?

I much prefer the plastic cases. They actually fit into my CD racks. The cardboard ones droop down, this upsets my ever so slight OCD tendencies.

Cardboard should only be used for vinyl packaging. End of.

P.S. I'm in a cracking mood. For me just one of life's minor inconveniences.

My brother and I were discussing this earlier. I hate the cardboard packaging for CDs too, usually end up getting all scuffed on the edges.

[Avalon_Fields]

I prefer the cardboard ones, the plastic covers are just as likely to be damaged, cracking, and drives me crazy when the little buttons the cd sits in break. The cardboard seems more authentic ie closer to the LP look and more often than not greater effort has been put into the whole package, like for example the Zeppelin reissues last year. Yes they need care, but no more, probably less, than the resurgent vinyl and large cardboard packaging!

I'd better dig out my old hoard of cassettes from the loft if they're back in business....

 

[djdavejohnson]

8 hours ago, WS_Jack_III said:

My brother and I were discussing this earlier. I hate the cardboard packaging for CDs too, usually end up getting all scuffed on the edges.

Exactly - it's very annoying when an edge/corner gets scuffed, there's nothing that can be done.

3 hours ago, Avalon_Fields said:

I prefer the cardboard ones, the plastic covers are just as likely to be damaged, cracking, and drives me crazy when the little buttons the cd sits in break. The cardboard seems more authentic ie closer to the LP look and more often than not greater effort has been put into the whole package, like for example the Zeppelin reissues last year. Yes they need care, but no more, probably less, than the resurgent vinyl and large cardboard packaging!

I'd better dig out my old hoard of cassettes from the loft if they're back in business....

 

That is true, the plastic cases do break quite easily, however the key for me is you can replace a broken plastic CD case. Once your cardboard case gets a dent or a tear, it's buggered.

Weirdly I don't get the same irritation with vinyl. I think because they're much bigger it's harder to scuff than the smaller CD versions. Plus generally you wouldn't tend to put them in as many situations where they could get scuffed, i.e. in your glove box. They also cost more and retain a higher value - I think, for me anyway, this helps ensure I take greater care when handling them.

Cassettes - keep them in the loft. I don't really know why but they actually offend me somewhat. If you do insist on listening to them then you should only ever bring one down at a time, to ensure other peoples feelings are respected

Thankfully I can't ever see there being a similar revival of that particular format!

Edited July 10, 2016 by djdavejohnson

[Avalon_Fields]

They've seen the light....hastily returning to their place in the loft! 

[djdavejohnson]

1 hour ago, Avalon_Fields said:

They've seen the light....hastily returning to their place in the loft! 

There's a few gems in there!