Reasons You Want Your Turntable to Have a Repeat Function

Vinyl has seen a big-time resurgence over the past decade. 

Whether it's due to the tactile listening experience that directly contrasts with streaming (which offers hyper, almost fast-food levels of accessibility), the visual component of the record player being a set piece to the room's vibe, or the ability to collect and display your favorite music almost as decoration in its own right, there are countless reasons why vinyl and the communities surrounding it are past the point of making a comeback and are firmly in the “stronger-than-ever” stage of their upswing.

With more people getting into vinyl, many either hit thrift shops for an old player or rely on antiquated product lines. However, these options by definition, haven’t kept up with the wants and needs of the modern listener. One of the biggest missed opportunities that product lines as little as a few years old don’t offer is automatic playback.

In this article, we'll explore why vinyl players with automatic playback can be a modern necessity, the benefits they offer, how they work, and tons more so you can decide which type of record player is right for you.

Let's get into it.

Understanding the Repeat Function on Turntables

In most record players, whether from our parents' generation or even newer ones, it's common for the speakers to pick up that, incessant and perpetual, if not a touch iconic, white noise hum when the record's over, as the arm lifts and the record winds to a close. But with an automatic repeat function, smart technology brings the arm back to the start of the playhead, allowing the album to start again from the top.

Victrola's new Automatic Turntable offers fully automatic playback with intuitive controls and one-touch operation, creating an effortless, seamless listening experience you can sink into for hours on end.

The continuous repeat function allows for nonstop enjoyment of all your favorite records, whether 33 1/3 or 45 rpm. This makes it ideal for extended listening sessions, entertaining friends, or background music—use cases we'll explore in depth in this article.

Additionally, the Automatic can stream via Bluetooth output, so you can play music wirelessly to pretty much any speaker and headphones, merging a timeless listening experience with modern convenience. 

But let’s talk about what this all means for you and how it can fit into your life (AKA – Why We Think You Need It and What You Should Play On It!)

It's Perfect For Parties

Vinyl record players with automatic repeating functionality are as much a conversation starter as they are music players, making them the perfect double threat when hosting parties. They not only play your favorite music continuously, ensuring the background ambiance is uninterrupted, but they also serve as a centerpiece for wherever you're hosting friends, family, co-workers, or colleagues.

There's no better way to connect with someone, especially when small talk is running thin, than by swapping stories about your favorite music and vinyl, and that’s simply not something you can achieve by pouring over your Spotify library of saved songs (how uninspiring is that?!). But combing through a wall or shelf of your vinyl is a tactile ice breaker that paints the room both visually and sonically.

Vinyl We Recommend For Parties

"Graceland" by Paul Simon

Paul Simon's Graceland is one of the best party albums ever. It's got a wide range of different music and everyone knows at least a couple of the songs included, and there are a lot of great sing-along and dance-along songs, but it's not so aggressive that it dominates the soundscape of the place, room, or party that it's being played at.

It's one of our favorite albums, and we play it at every party we host. It's a perfect fit for a variety of different parties.

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"Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac 

Rumors by Fleetwood Mac has many of the same properties as Graceland mentioned above, but it does take a softer side. The tumultuous relationship between the band and many of its leading members sparks often, almost always sparks, different types of walks down memory lane, antiquated gossip, and so much more. 

There's just such a story that's baked into Fleetwood Mac that most people don't really give any mind to until this album resurfaces in their psyche, which sparks tons of different conversations, both out of respect for the band, but then also just the gossip associated with their history and their discography both of the band and the side projects of all its members.

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"Damn" Kendrick Lamar

This album packs more punch and has more attitude than the previous two, but it's still one of the best party albums we’ve ever heard. It's iconic and one of the greatest albums of the past generation. Like the others, it's diverse and has a great narrative flow, keeping the energy and vibe dynamic throughout its playthrough. 

Plus, the latest gossip surrounding Kendrick Lamar serves as another conversation starter, especially his recent beef with another of the biggest rappers of our time.

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It's Great For For Chores

The only thing that makes weekend chores bearable is listening to some of my favorite music while you do them.

Chores can take a few hours, which is a significant part of your weekend, so if you're doing dishes, tidying up after the kids, gardening, or cleaning the patio, you might as well treat yourself to the best audio quality of music while doing so and, for many reasons, vinyl is the best medium to achieve just that. 

But when trying to wrap up the chores as quickly as possible, the last thing you want is to constantly run in, out, or across the house to switch the vinyl you're listening to or restart it from the top.

The Automatic turntable's repeat functionality enhances the continuous listening experience, allowing you to dial in, complete your chores, and then move on to the fun parts of your weekend!

Vinyl We Recommend For Weekend Chores

Daryl Hall & John Oates: Rock N Soul Part 1

If you're powering through weekend chores, there's nothing better than a good dose of Hall & Oates. While Rock and Roll Soul Part 1 might not feature all of the duo's most iconic songs, it offers a collection of uncut gems and lesser-known tracks, often remastered for added punch and clarity, which really shine on high-end speakers. It's those surprise curations and lesser-known songs that make this album more than just a trip down memory lane.

It brings an energetic, timeless, if not surprising, sound that's easy to listen to on repeat, especially the live version of "Wait For Me," which is the final track on the album.

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Bryan Adams: Classics

Bryan Adams is easily one of the greatest Canadian rockers of all time. There's stiff competition up there with legends like Neil Young, but Bryan Adams has an iconic vibe—energetic, edgy, and just super vibey. It's the perfect soundtrack for weekend chores.

While his fourth studio album is often hailed as one of his best, there's nothing wrong with rinsing through the classics. "Summer of '69," "Heaven," "Run to You," and "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" are some of the greatest rock songs that I remember from my childhood, with my parents enjoying them as well. 

They really help soundtrack those tedious weekend chores.

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Dean Martin: All Time Greatest Hits

I'm leaning heavily on the classics and greatest hits albums here, but Dean Martin is another artist who holds a special place for me. I always think of him as the suaver version of Frank Sinatra. His greatest hits album features many timeless tracks, including "Bad Woman Blues," "Spanish Lullabies," and "I Need a Hero."

I dig way more for his softer yet still sultry voice than the other Rat Packers. No disrespect if you're a fan of them, but for me, Dean Martin takes the cake and helps me power through those monotonous chores before the real weekend fun begins.

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It's The Secret Sauce Of Every Chef

Cooking, whether for yourself, your family, or friends, is as much a personal expression as it is a communal experience. It's a way to provide and bring everyone together in the same space, and music perfectly complements that. But the last thing you want is a record to stop just as you're elbow-deep in chicken stock or bouillabaisse. 

The Automatic Turntable's repeat functionality keeps the music playing, so you can keep cooking, spicing, and filleting without worrying about re-washing your hands for the fifth time.

Vinyl We Recommend For Cooking

Miles Davis: Kind Of Blue

When I'm looking for music to cook to, I want a tender mix of funk, attitude, danceability, and listenability. Kind of Blue by Miles Davis hits all those notes in its five tracks. Despite its short runtime, it packs a ton of energy and unique swag. With the automatic playback, you can listen from dusk until dawn without ever getting tired of the vibe it brings to your space.

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Anderson Paak: Malibu

Anderson Paak and Kaytranada both bring new funk and R&B vibes that add energy without overwhelming your speakers. Their music is sexy, swaggy, and easy to sing along with, making it easy to sink into the groove while cooking and prepping for dinner.

Malibu is by far my favorite Anderson Paak album, and I rarely go a week in the kitchen without listening to it at least once. I usually follow it up with a Kaytranada album because they just go together like peas and carrots.

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Bruce Springsteen: Born to Run

There's nothing more quintessentially Americana than Bruce Springsteen, and his Born to Run album is one of the best American sing-along albums ever. Released in 1975 through Columbia Records, it marked a major turning point in Springsteen's career.

It only takes a few listens to know all the songs by heart and they’re literally some of the most impressionable and resonant songs of our time. Even if you think you don't know them, they're probably so ingrained in your memory that you'll find yourself singing along while cooking burgers, whipping up pasta, grilling vegetables, or whatever else you're doing in the kitchen.

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It Lets You Work Deeper

Lately, there's been a lot of research about how music can help improve concentration. Whether you're reading a book on a rainy day or working on spreadsheets, music can help you stay focused, work more efficiently, and stay alert.

It can be much more engaging than the ambient sounds of rain or the drone of the fan and lights in your office. Having relaxing, cyclical music playing on your vinyl player can speed up your workflow and output overall. The repeat functionality on automatic turntables is ideal for keeping you in the zone when the record ends.

When you're deep in concentration, even a small disruption can pull you out of that coveted Flow state, and it can take 20 to 30 minutes to get back into that flow again. The repeat function, which restarts the record right from the top, can be a game changer, helping you stay in that deep work mode longer.

This means you can finish your work and move on to other tasks or continue reading more in that same session if you're eager to finish your latest novel.

Vinyl We Recommend For Deep Work

Call Me by Your Name (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

This one might seem like it's coming out of left field, but this soundscape-driven album creates a fantastic backdrop that really lets you sink into your concentration and focus. While it doesn't have many big-name, energetic songs, it has a great trajectory, starting with more ambient tracks and moving towards a Giorgio Moroder-style vibe. 

The album offers a wide range of styles, keeping you engaged in its dynamic flow without being so attention-grabbing that it distracts you from what you're doing.

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Bill Withers – Still Bill

This album is perfect for setting the vibe when you're getting into deep work. Even if you're not a huge fan of Bill Withers, you'll find that if you enjoy timeless tracks like "Lean On Me," you're on the right track with him. 

The album isn't too long—it's a short, curated selection that's easy to throw on and rinse through, especially with the automatic playback feature. You won't break your flow as you're lulled into the daytime, concentration-inducing lullabies of Bill Withers.

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Interstellar (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

I see a trend here with the different styles and music choices for various experiences, and the Interstellar official motion picture soundtrack by Hans Zimmer is another perfect pick for focus and concentration. 

This album is ambient, yet isolation-inducing in the best way. Zimmer, a master at his craft, creates a texturally dense, emotive, and evocative soundscape that you can listen to on repeat. Each track seamlessly blends into the next, forming a long-form emotional experience through music with minimal vocals or distractions, perfect for creating a calm and immersive environment to get lost in your work.

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Do You Need Automatic Playback?

The resurgence in vinyl's popularity has sparked a lot of new tech and innovation, and the best example of this is the automatic playback feature. This feature is the real X-factor for modern vinyl enthusiasts and those new to the game and looking to dive a little deeper into hobby. It helps you work more deeply and concentrate better since you're less likely to break that flow state. It even improves your cooking experience by letting you focus on the food without constantly resetting the music. 

We’d even go as far as to say it makes you a better host at your dinner parties (or at least a more present one since you won’t have to run back and forth to the record player to ensure it keeps playing). 

This simple piece of tech adds so much to the listening experience. It really is ushering in a new wave of tech-driven vinyl lovers and marking a new chapter in vinyl’s upswing. If all this sounds like you or somebody you know, check out our Automatic turntable. They are the leading models on the market, and you won't find a better vinyl player, especially for under $200.