Category Archives: Audio

ION Audio Profile Flash Turntable

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Here’s another consumer-grade turntable you can use to convert vinyl to MP3 portability. The ION Audio Profile turntable has a slot for a USB or flash drive, and the entire process seems as simple as starting the turntable and hitting “record” to get the process moving.

The chief draw for the ION Audio Profile turntable is that you don’t need a computer to record the audio. I haven’t used one of these yet, but in doing my research on this unit I discovered several favorable reviews stating that the audio quality is good for the average user. Some complain about rotation speeds on this unit and others like it being different that “true” 33RPMs, but typical listeners won’t complain, based on what I’ve read.

My main complaint with all these vinyl-to-MP3 recorders is that a degree of babysitting is needed to make them work properly. There’s either no silence sensor to split an entire album side into separate tracks without user intervention, or what is there isn’t really accurate or even able to be calibrated. I’m naturally coming at this from a busy/lazy person’s perspective–most users probably don’t mind the small amount of manual labor needed to break the recordings up into tracks.

All in all, I’ve seen this model get mostly favorable reviews and I’m contemplating a purchase of this simply because it’s got the computer-free recording feature. The built-in preamp lets you connect to most RCA stereo line/aux inputs, and it’s got a handy 1/8in stereo line in for recording from other sources–a nice touch.

What I’m most interested in is a hands-on, top-to-bottom review of this unit and others like it from a hard core vinyl junkie (not necessarily an AUDIOPHILE, mind you). If that’s you and you want to contribute a review of this or any other model turntable, please get in touch as I’d love to have some guest blog posts or even regular contributions from passionate vinyl lovers.

Drop me an e-mail at jwallace (at) turntabling (dot) net.

–Joe Wallace

How It’s Made on Making Vinyl Records

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We continue our reports from Vinyl Road Rage tomorrow–there are plenty of record stores still to come from our road trip–but first, have a look at this fun clip on how vinyl records are made, courtesy of the Science Channel’s How It’s Made show.

Embedding was disabled so we can only link to it (see above) but the clip is definitely worth a look. One beef we have with these clips though–is it really necessary to explain that vinyl is making a comeback each and every time the subject comes up?

Other than that, this is a great piece…it’s always fun to see what it takes to actually create a vinyl album–it is NOT easy or cheap to do, so any band that takes the time and trouble to go beyond digital has our respect.

That might actually be a big part of why weirdness on vinyl is so special–somebody BOTHERED, and the fact that the end product is so strange makes the entire exercise more unique. Stay tuned for more Vinyl Road Rage tomorrow.

Alex Day of Chameleon Circuit on Vinyl Records

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Chameleon Circuit had not appeared on the Turntabling radar until just today when this fun YouTube video popped up. For anyone with a passing interest in Doctor Who, this band is probably already a known quantity–they write songs about Time Lords, the TARDIS, etc. and have dubbed their sound “Time Lord Rock”.

Anybody obsessed with both Time Lords AND vinyl records is tops in our book. Behold Alex Day of Chameleon Circuit holding forth about the glories of vinyl. Yes, this is a GREAT vid clip for anyone maybe a bit mystified as to why a certain die-hard segment of the population can’t get enough of the black wax. One of us! One of us! Gabba gabba hey.

–Joe Wallace

Peter King’s Home-Made Record Lathe

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Lately a lot of my free time has been dedicated to researching how to build a home-made DIY record lathe. I’m fascinated by the video clips I’ve seen of people making their own records using sheets of acetate or transparency film for flexi-discs, cutting records on compact disc, even plastic plates!

The thing about home-made records that is the most intriguing–the end product does not have the indefinite lifespan that ordinary vinyl does–every play potentially reduces the lifespan of the DIY recording. This ‘destructible music’ is a wild concept–and one that is strangely attractive to me. I plan on investigating this further as it would be great to put out some crazy Turntabling Records RECORDS and see what happens.

In the meantime, here’s a look at Peter King–who apparently has a very good reputation in these circles and even cuts records for others using his setup–operating his own DIY record lathe. Amazing stuff. This video is a bit chaotic and crazy, hoping to locate some more instructive or informational clips to pass on here. I think the band having its record cut is some kind of Power Electronics noise outfit, like you’d find in the pages of As Loud As Possible.