From levitating records to a sound from a cardboard box - 6 interesting gadgets for vinyl
Vinyl records are again popular. Listening to music from a smartphone and universal digitalization did not reverse the trend to retro. Vinyl today is becoming not only a source of "tube" sound, but also a collectible - as well as some unusual and funny "vinyl gadgets" that we have combined in this compilation.
Photo Ky0n Cheng PD
Japanese company Audio-Technica, known for the production of headphones, in 1983 introduced a new model of portable audio player Audio Technica AT-727 , called Sound Burger. The device had a small size (290 x 99 x 65 mm), a built-in headphone input with two connectors, and also could not work from the network - the battery charge lasted for 12 hours of battery life. All these qualities allowed music lovers to listen to their favorite recordings at speeds of 33 and 45 rpm, being anywhere. In addition, the model was released in three fashionable colors and had an unusual light construction .
In the early 80s, many audio lovers began to switch to portable Walkman players from Sony. The development of Sound Burger was a response to their appearance. The manufacturer has positioned the player as a device that provides sound level Hi-Fi. However, he did not have enough portability - it would hardly be possible to put the Sound Burger in his jeans pocket, and in order to enjoy the sound, it was necessary to put the player on a solid flat surface.
By the way, you can read about other Audio-Technica players in our article on the history of vinyl.
The world's smallest portable player was released as a Volkswagen toy van in the 1970s and continues to be made to this day. The principle of its work is different from the standard turntables of vinyl: it does not twist the record, but itself rotates around it. The device fits a 9V battery, a pickup unit and a built-in speaker. The light weight of the van puts pressure on the needle, and it is pressed against the surface of the plate. In this case, the device loses records only 33 rpm .
Many Soundwagon bought for fun, as the needles on it are not the best quality, which is reflected in the sound and condition of the plate. For the same reason, the player is also called the Vinyl Killer.
Korean designer Rhea Jeong came up with her concept of a record player called Void, possibly inspired by Soundwagon. Void is a small red ball that rotates around a vinyl record and acts as a pickup. When you turn on the device, the plate literally rises into the air above the black base unit. The set includes a magnetic player plate with a control system. It also “transfers” the plate into the air while playing music.
It is assumed that after turning on the Void, it will be possible to control the levels of heights using touch sensors on the front side of the base unit. The idea of Rhea Jeong has not yet received a real embodiment. However, players using magnetic levitation already exist; for example,Mag-Lev Audio . During its sound, the vinyl platform rises into the air and is highlighted from below.
Spinbox manufacturers are positioning their device as a budget way to get acquainted with the world of vinyl records. When ordering, you are delivered cardboard packaging with ready-made components. You will need to assemble the player yourself: connect the modules with each other inside the package, and then put the supporting disc on the resulting body with the electronic “filling”. Assembly instructions are located on the inside of the package itself, the process will not take more than half an hour. Included are a built-in amplifier and a pair of speakers, as well as headphone jacks. As a result, the assembly will turn out to be a player that plays records from 7 to 12 inches at standard speeds of 33 and 45 rpm.
In Spinbox has its own page on Facebook and websitewhere information about music meetings for device owners is published. Spinbox founder Stephen Ying ( DJ Questionmark ) takes an active part in them and sometimes arranges DJ sets right on the streets.
The idea of creating a “cardboard player” is not new. Back in the late 1950s, the British company for the production of postcards invented a super-minimalist toy turntable for vinyl records.
In general, ideas for self-creating players using unusual materials are not uncommon. For example, Teenage Engineering’s Swedish sound equipment design studio made a turntable designer from foam.
In the late 1980s, the Japanese company Edison Laser Player (ELP) released a turntable that read information using a laser. At the same time, the sound reproduction system in the player remained analog.
Photo Pdproject PD
The advantage of the optical reading method was the absence of plate wear. In addition, the use of a laser to read information made it possible to play sound in good quality, even if the recording was damaged, and the plate was broken.
Laser Turntable was losing vinyl at 33, 45 and 78 rpm, with only classic black for the player. The mass production of the players stopped for a long time due to the high cost (in the 2000s the average price of the players was $ 11-15 thousand), as well as on the wave of popularity of the CD and resumed only in 2016.
The company Bandai known among collectors audiogadzhetov creating a portable player 8ban plates. This miniature device was designed for three-inch vinyl with songs from anime series such as Ultraman and Speed Racer . The plate has a thickness of 1 mm. On one side can be recording up to 4 minutes, recording rotates at a speed of 33 rpm. The device can be controlled using the off / on / volume buttons and the pitch button. There is no audio output in 8ban, so the only way to listen to recordings is a tiny player speaker.
Plates of this format usedband white stripes. During one of the tours, the group sold an album with 7 recordings and a player. These plates and the device itself sometimes appear as rare lots on Popsike or eBay.
By the way, we have started the summer sale. “Audiomania gives a heat”, which will last until July 1 .
Here we offer discounts of up to 80% on almost 700 products from different categories: acoustics, turntables, headphones, portable speakers, microphones, etc. Accessories and turntables for vinyl in different price categories are also involved in the sale.
This is a good opportunity to purchase at a discount what you have long looked for yourself or as a gift for friends and relatives.
Photo Ky0n Cheng PD
Sound burger
Japanese company Audio-Technica, known for the production of headphones, in 1983 introduced a new model of portable audio player Audio Technica AT-727 , called Sound Burger. The device had a small size (290 x 99 x 65 mm), a built-in headphone input with two connectors, and also could not work from the network - the battery charge lasted for 12 hours of battery life. All these qualities allowed music lovers to listen to their favorite recordings at speeds of 33 and 45 rpm, being anywhere. In addition, the model was released in three fashionable colors and had an unusual light construction .
In the early 80s, many audio lovers began to switch to portable Walkman players from Sony. The development of Sound Burger was a response to their appearance. The manufacturer has positioned the player as a device that provides sound level Hi-Fi. However, he did not have enough portability - it would hardly be possible to put the Sound Burger in his jeans pocket, and in order to enjoy the sound, it was necessary to put the player on a solid flat surface.
By the way, you can read about other Audio-Technica players in our article on the history of vinyl.
Soundwagon
The world's smallest portable player was released as a Volkswagen toy van in the 1970s and continues to be made to this day. The principle of its work is different from the standard turntables of vinyl: it does not twist the record, but itself rotates around it. The device fits a 9V battery, a pickup unit and a built-in speaker. The light weight of the van puts pressure on the needle, and it is pressed against the surface of the plate. In this case, the device loses records only 33 rpm .
Many Soundwagon bought for fun, as the needles on it are not the best quality, which is reflected in the sound and condition of the plate. For the same reason, the player is also called the Vinyl Killer.
Void
Korean designer Rhea Jeong came up with her concept of a record player called Void, possibly inspired by Soundwagon. Void is a small red ball that rotates around a vinyl record and acts as a pickup. When you turn on the device, the plate literally rises into the air above the black base unit. The set includes a magnetic player plate with a control system. It also “transfers” the plate into the air while playing music.
It is assumed that after turning on the Void, it will be possible to control the levels of heights using touch sensors on the front side of the base unit. The idea of Rhea Jeong has not yet received a real embodiment. However, players using magnetic levitation already exist; for example,Mag-Lev Audio . During its sound, the vinyl platform rises into the air and is highlighted from below.
Spinbox
Spinbox manufacturers are positioning their device as a budget way to get acquainted with the world of vinyl records. When ordering, you are delivered cardboard packaging with ready-made components. You will need to assemble the player yourself: connect the modules with each other inside the package, and then put the supporting disc on the resulting body with the electronic “filling”. Assembly instructions are located on the inside of the package itself, the process will not take more than half an hour. Included are a built-in amplifier and a pair of speakers, as well as headphone jacks. As a result, the assembly will turn out to be a player that plays records from 7 to 12 inches at standard speeds of 33 and 45 rpm.
In Spinbox has its own page on Facebook and websitewhere information about music meetings for device owners is published. Spinbox founder Stephen Ying ( DJ Questionmark ) takes an active part in them and sometimes arranges DJ sets right on the streets.
The idea of creating a “cardboard player” is not new. Back in the late 1950s, the British company for the production of postcards invented a super-minimalist toy turntable for vinyl records.
In general, ideas for self-creating players using unusual materials are not uncommon. For example, Teenage Engineering’s Swedish sound equipment design studio made a turntable designer from foam.
Laser turntable
In the late 1980s, the Japanese company Edison Laser Player (ELP) released a turntable that read information using a laser. At the same time, the sound reproduction system in the player remained analog.
Photo Pdproject PD
The advantage of the optical reading method was the absence of plate wear. In addition, the use of a laser to read information made it possible to play sound in good quality, even if the recording was damaged, and the plate was broken.
Laser Turntable was losing vinyl at 33, 45 and 78 rpm, with only classic black for the player. The mass production of the players stopped for a long time due to the high cost (in the 2000s the average price of the players was $ 11-15 thousand), as well as on the wave of popularity of the CD and resumed only in 2016.
8ban
The company Bandai known among collectors audiogadzhetov creating a portable player 8ban plates. This miniature device was designed for three-inch vinyl with songs from anime series such as Ultraman and Speed Racer . The plate has a thickness of 1 mm. On one side can be recording up to 4 minutes, recording rotates at a speed of 33 rpm. The device can be controlled using the off / on / volume buttons and the pitch button. There is no audio output in 8ban, so the only way to listen to recordings is a tiny player speaker.
Plates of this format usedband white stripes. During one of the tours, the group sold an album with 7 recordings and a player. These plates and the device itself sometimes appear as rare lots on Popsike or eBay.
By the way, we have started the summer sale. “Audiomania gives a heat”, which will last until July 1 .
Here we offer discounts of up to 80% on almost 700 products from different categories: acoustics, turntables, headphones, portable speakers, microphones, etc. Accessories and turntables for vinyl in different price categories are also involved in the sale.
This is a good opportunity to purchase at a discount what you have long looked for yourself or as a gift for friends and relatives.