The manufacturing process of vinyl records has changed for pressing plants as the format revival rages on, but a new machine is now looking to bring the practice to the homes of record nerds everywhere.
An analog vinyl lathe dubbed the Phonocut looks to make the record-making process "idiot-proof," as company co-founder Florian "Doc" Kaps told Wired, allowing users to cut 10-inch records in real time.
The machine, which is about the size of a regular turntable, allows users to connect a digital audio source of their choice and use an accompanying app to help format the audio to fit two sides of the record. From there, a diamond stylus will etch the sound wave into the surface of the record.
"People love records, but they don't know anything about how they are produced," Kaps told the site. "We have to inspire them to think about it and raise their awareness for the possibilities of what they can do with it."
On Phonocut's website, its creators have shared sample audio of how their finished product stacks up to both a digital recording and a record cut in traditional fashion by legendary engineer Bernie Grundman.
"We really want to change the world of the music industry and offer a new option," Kaps adds. "It will never replace streaming or anything, but it will inspire people to create real beautiful, tangible pieces of music again."
The Phonocut will be available for a limited pre-order through a Kickstarter campaign on October 15, with the price set at €999 (about $1,461 CAD). Further details can be found here.
Take a trip to one of Canada's newest record pressing plants in our Music School feature.
An analog vinyl lathe dubbed the Phonocut looks to make the record-making process "idiot-proof," as company co-founder Florian "Doc" Kaps told Wired, allowing users to cut 10-inch records in real time.
The machine, which is about the size of a regular turntable, allows users to connect a digital audio source of their choice and use an accompanying app to help format the audio to fit two sides of the record. From there, a diamond stylus will etch the sound wave into the surface of the record.
"People love records, but they don't know anything about how they are produced," Kaps told the site. "We have to inspire them to think about it and raise their awareness for the possibilities of what they can do with it."
On Phonocut's website, its creators have shared sample audio of how their finished product stacks up to both a digital recording and a record cut in traditional fashion by legendary engineer Bernie Grundman.
"We really want to change the world of the music industry and offer a new option," Kaps adds. "It will never replace streaming or anything, but it will inspire people to create real beautiful, tangible pieces of music again."
The Phonocut will be available for a limited pre-order through a Kickstarter campaign on October 15, with the price set at €999 (about $1,461 CAD). Further details can be found here.
Take a trip to one of Canada's newest record pressing plants in our Music School feature.
