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Making a comeback
Revival of Vinyl
Text | GoJim
Translate | Joyce Tsang
edit | Henry Lau, Richard Kelley
photo | Kimio Ng
design | Franco Au-Yeung

Revival of Vinyl

The history of sound recording can be traced back to 1857 when Frenchman Leon Scoot invented the acoustic vibration chronograph, which was also the first recorder. However, the machine couldn’t reproduce an actual sound. Instead, it only replicated the track’s sonogram on paper. It would take another 20 years for the American scientist, Thomas Edison, to invent the phonograph.

Edison’s recital of a few verses from “Mary had a little lamb”, pioneered the history of audio storage and playback.

The phonograph was able to amplify sound vibration, and convert it into energy, which in turn vibrated a metal needle. That created sound “waveforms” on the surface of a tin foil-covered cylinder and later, a wax tube. As the needle walks through the sound grooves, the vibration is exemplified through a large horn, and such vibrations are turned into sound. Edison’s recital of a few verses from “Mary had a little lamb”, pioneered the history of audio storage and playback.

From Shellac to Vinyl

Development persisted until the end of the 19th century. In 1891 German engineer, Emile Berliner, successfully improved Edison’s cylinder phonograph, by creating the disc playback format. Berliner utilised a flat round shellac disc for his recordings. Commonly known as the “shellac record” then, it is known today as the “78 RPM record”. “78 RPM” refers to the rotation speed of the record, meaning 78 revolutions are completed in one minute. With a diameter of 10 inches, these records are able to play a 3-minute long track on either side. This technical issue in turn standardized the length for popular songs and the listening habits of the general public to this day. In 1948, vinyl-made records officially entered the market, offering greater durability and more capacity than the 78 RPM record. Increasing the audio space by more than tenfold, it could hold 30 minutes worth of recorded audio information, which is why it is also became known as the “LP” (Long Play). It not only provided better sound quality, but the ease of using vinyl records vastly expanded the music industry. Since recordings began, we have experienced different audio waves, including the CD and now digital, yet, after all these years, we find ourselves travelling back and embracing vinyl again.

Vinyl records increased the recorded audio space by more than tenfold, holding 30 minutes worth of audio information, which is why it became known as the “LP” (Long Play).

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However, to live in today’s society, we can no longer abandon the convenience and mobility of our digital technology. This is why different audio manufacturers have begun implementing integrated speakers, digital archive transcriptions and Bluetooth connectivity into the turntable. This way, a new balance can be achieved between the traditional and the innovative, in order to allow for the vinyl culture to continue to grow.

Wooden Integration

Japan’s Toshiba launched its deputy company, REALFLEET back in 2002. They asked the architect and product designer, Shuwa Tei to help integrate Toshiba’s respected consumer electronics products with traditional Japanese aesthetics, for their all new Amadana series, a product line emphasising the transformation of everyday appliances into living works of art.

This artistic direction is best expressed in their latest Amadana Music UIZZ-18520 SIBRECO integrated turntable. Formed with natural wood, the veneer of the machine exhibits the full minimalist style admired by the team.

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Not only does Amadana take into account the practicality of their products, but they have also created designs that invite people to touch. These products have added wooden textures rarely seen on an electric appliance. This aesthetic in turn adds warmth to the home. This perseverance that they have is further expressed in their latest Amadana Music UIZZ-18520 SIBRECO integrated turntable. Made of natural wood, the veneer of the machine fully displays the minimalist style the team admires. The turntable design is extremely sparse; other than the tone arm, and volume control knob, there are no other unnecessary adornments. At the same time, the UIZZ-18520 SIBRECO has built-in speakers skilfully hidden on the bottom of its 4-leg base. The turntable spins at 33 1/3, 45 and 78 RPM. Users can also connect to a computer via its USB interface, so that the vinyl record’s data can convert to digital files via the music editing software, Audacity. This way, various tracks can be saved for playback on a portable device.

 

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High Quality Digital Transcription

Vinyl transcription into DSD is nothing new, as these services exist at local music shops. However, Sony’s PS-HX500 turntable focuses on bringing this professional feature into the home. This all-black turntable boasts an A/D analogue / digital converter, that when connected to exclusive Hi-Res Audio Recorder computer software, analogue vinyl disc data can easily be transcribed directly into the highest 5.6MHz (DSD128) or 24bit/ 192kHz WAV encoding specification.

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Once converted to digital, users can not only enjoy the authentic vinyl sound at home, they can also listen to ultra-high-definition digital tracks they have recorded while on the run. This duality of playback options is sure to impress the ears of music fanatics.

Even today’s turntables’ finer details have received the greatest attention. Sony’s newly developed straight-cut tonearm is implemented in the PS-HX500 as well as a two-speed belt drive system, a die-cast aluminium platter, and a 5mm super-thin rubber pad to minimise vibration and ensure stable rotation. Last but not least, the MM moving magnet cartridge is installed and tuned correctly by the factory to guarantee the needle performs optimally during playback, and the two channel stereo output is always balanced.

Once converted to digital, users can not only enjoy the authentic vinyl sound at home, they can also listen to ultra-high-definition digital tracks they have recorded while on the run. This duality of playback options is sure to impress the ears of music fanatics.

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A New Way To Connect Through Music

Apart from its eye-catching appearance, the streaming-only Trntbl vinyl player by the vinyl-by-mail subscription service Vynl also excels in the role of a multi-dimensional wireless audio device.

In addition to streaming high-quality audio to your Bluetooth speakers and Airplay devices, Trntbl also supports the Sonos professional wireless transmission format, which digitises vinyl as uncompressed music output that retains the original texture of the record.

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Trntbl’s network sharing is also a welcome step in reconnecting with the world. Trntbl can play vinyl and connect to Spotify. Its built-in “Shazam-like” function automatically recognises the album, song and artist information through network analysis and voice recognition. It can also create a playlist on Spotify, so friends can discover what you are spinning. They can even connect to your Spotify stream and listen along with you. Even though digital music formats can never replace the cultural and emotional aspects that vinyl records have, Vynl hopes to use this Trntbl function to reconnect music fans online.

Trntbl can play vinyl and connect to Spotify. Its built-in “Shazam-like” function automatically recognises the album, song and artist information through network analysis and voice recognition.

Trntbl