We’ve contributed more than our share of column inches to the continuing resurgence that vinyl has been experiencing in recent years, spurred by landmark releases by Jack White, the annual Record Store Day rush, and in the UK, albums by Arctic Monkeys, Pink Floyd, and Royal Blood.
In fact, over in the UK, sales of vinyl records recently surpassed one million units for the first time in almost two decades. Far from being totally supplanted by digital and streaming, music listeners hungry for a tangible connection with their favourite artists have pushed vinyl sales into figures not seen since 1996.
Sensing a trend, an Australian inventor has now launched a crowd-funding project for a desktop-sized machine which he says can cut vinyl records from MP3s and CDs in just minutes. Paul Butler Tayar and his team at Machina Pro are currently looking for $10,000 to finance the project.
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With a view to “democratis[ing] the cutting process” via what they call a ‘turn-key’ stereo cutting system, which lets you simply plug in your audio and cut straight to vinyl, Tayar and his crew are hoping to release this mini-vinyl factory to the market for a projected sale price of USD$6,500.
Of course, they stipulate that the more money they see pledged, the lower the price will drop, perhaps low enough to compete with a similar device which was showcased at this year’s SXSW conference and priced at about $4,000.
The Desktop Record Cutter (DRC), as it’s called, is automated using precision engineered technology allowing for total ease of use for new vinyl craftsmen, whilst allowing custom control, upgrades, and modification for the experienced engineer.
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While the applications for music lovers are plenty exciting, the DRC could prove a particular boon for independent labels and bands, who may no longer have to struggle to find a functional lathe in their hometown nor haggle over pricing and production with factory management.
Just think, bands and labels would be able to offer their fans vinyl options for their albums and be able to manufacture them according to orders placed and not be stuck with boxes of vinyl records and a massive bill from the lathe owner.
Readers can get more details about the Desktop Record Cutter over at the the project’s official Kickstarter page, where it’s already exceeded its goal of $10,000, receiving an incredible $30,771 from just 44 backers and with 22 days to go.
