Until the mid-1970s, vinyl records were the most popular format for music recordings. As the cassette tape and then the compact disc gained widespread use, vinyl records fell from popular demand. Today, vinyl records are still manufactured and sold to audiophiles, collectors and DJs.
Vinyl records are the preferred medium for most DJs, as they can be manipulated by hand for adding effects to music. Vinyl records are analog, and so are musical performances, so many audio enthusiasts feel that records preserve the original sound better than CDs requiring digital mastering.
Vinyl records have limitations for lower-range frequencies, but outperform compact discs for higher-frequency recordings. Vinyl records are prone to sound distortion due to warping or wear due to direct contact with the record player's needle. Compact discs have better performance with lower frequencies and must be recorded with care to avoid undesired high-frequency problems. Due to the indirect playback process, compact discs have fewer problems with wear and durability.