Created by Berlin-based design studio The Product, this set of three unique turntables was built for the premiere of Volkswagen’s new Beetle at the 2011 IAA motor show. Instead of vinyl, it uses discs with concentric geometric patterns to produce music.
While the patterned discs sit below a glass surface where they endlessly spin, the turntable’s arms are still accessible, and can be placed anywhere over the discs. The needle at the end of the arm, which is typically used to play or scratch vinyl records, was replaced with an optical sensor that detects the patterns on each disc. As they’re detected, they’re turned into electronic music through a piece of software called Ableton Live.
Now I have my doubts the Soundmachines is going to replace the revered Technics 1200 anytime soon, but who’s to say this technology wouldn’t be embraced by the DJs of tomorrow? Maestro Fresh Wes might even have to re-write this song. [The Product via Creative Applications]
Ozoneocean
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:10 AMThis seems rather primitive actually, as if people were trying to reinvent played sound recordings all over again…
What I thought it was about was replacing a standard turntable needle with a light sensor as a way to ply vinyl records without the risk of damage or problems with dust crackle and all that stuff that you get with your needle. THAT would be cool.
david
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 9:39 AMFYI, laser turntables already exist. They are crazy expsensive, but they bascially use a laser and a light sensor to read the grooves in standard vinyl records without damaging them.
Telextial
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 10:00 AMAwesome. Now the question is, do I have any records of good enough quality to warrant a machine like this? Sadly, the answer is no.
Julien
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 10:08 AMFurther to that, they’ve never taken off for serious listening, as they don’t actually sound all that amazing.
It’s probably fair to say that their main use would be in archives, for playing very rare recordings, where the aim is to minimise the risk of damaging the old discs.
Osiris Fox
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:38 PMHahahaha, this article is somewhat light on detail, and it seems like the author didn’t fully understand what the device is. Never mind that these devices have been in use for quite some time already (professionally.)
The device in question uses optical discs to beat sync MP3′s being played in Ableton. Thus, the physical turntable is used to control the virtual turntable.
The sensor reads the optical disc to determine a BPM, and of course plays the virtual table MP3 at that same BPM.
It really is amazing sound engineering, but very expensive. Thing is, it gives the mix that vintage vinyl mix feel to it, and also, any MP3 can now be mixed as if it is a vinyl.
The classic setup with modern power and flexibility.