vinyl | designboom.com https://www.designboom.com/tag/vinyl/ designboom magazine | your first source for architecture, design & art news Fri, 12 Sep 2025 08:33:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 tiny vinyl makes four-inch portable records that play a song on each side using any turntable https://www.designboom.com/design/tiny-vinyl-four-inch-portable-records-play-song-turntable-miniature-09-09-2025/ Tue, 09 Sep 2025 09:45:58 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1153402 each pocket-sized record holds up to four minutes of music per side, which is ideal for singles or special releases.

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customizable miniature record Tiny Vinyl for artists and fans

 

Miniature and portable record Tiny Vinyl can play a four-minute song on each side of the four-inch disc using any standard turntable. Each record holds up to four minutes of music per side, which is ideal for singles or special releases, and the record measures just four inches across, compared to the standard 12-inch LP format. Tiny Vinyl uses traditional record pressing techniques adapted for smaller formats. The manufacturing process, which uses bio-attributed vinyl, creates authentic grooves that hold audio information just like full-size records.

 

Each pressing run receives sequential numbering with TV numbers printed on both the packaging and the disc itself for authentication and collectibility tracking. In total, the miniature record Tiny Vinyl weighs only 15 grams, lighter than a standard LP’s 140 grams, and its compact size allows it to fit in pockets. Despite its small size, it maintains the classic vinyl record appearance with grooves, center labels, and the familiar black disc format. Artists can also customize vinyl colors and packaging design just like the traditional 12-inch LP jackets and discs.

miniature record tiny vinyl
all images courtesy of Tiny Vinyl

 

 

Vinyl made from renewable plant materials

 

The miniature record Tiny Vinyl uses 100 percent bio-attributed vinyl, a significant departure from traditional petroleum-based vinyl production. It derives from renewable plant materials instead of fossil fuels, and the manufacturing process creates vinyl that remains chemically identical to traditional vinyl. This material choice reduces the carbon footprint while maintaining audio fidelity. Tiny Vinyl records play at 33 RPM on most manual turntables without requiring special equipment. 

 

The records work with standard turntable needles and cartridges, but the turntables with automatic features like auto-stop or auto-return may struggle because their tonearms cannot reach the record’s center while maintaining contact. Users must disable these automatic features or make sure that their tonearm can reach the platter center during playback. Each side of the miniature record Tiny Vinyl holds exactly four minutes of audio content. It may be considered a limitation, but it also makes the format ideal for singles, promotional tracks, or special versions. 

miniature record tiny vinyl
miniature and portable record Tiny Vinyl can play a four-minute song on each side of the four-inch disc

miniature record tiny vinyl
the disc still plays using any standard turntable

miniature record tiny vinyl
each record holds up to four minutes of music per side

the disc uses traditional record pressing techniques adapted for smaller formats
Tiny Vinyl uses traditional record pressing techniques adapted for smaller formats

the disc weighs only 15 grams, lighter than a standard LP's 140 grams
the disc weighs only 15 grams, lighter than a standard LP’s 140 grams

miniature-portable-record-tiny-vinyl-turntable-designboom-ban

artists can also customize vinyl colors and packaging design

 

project info:

 

name: Tiny Vinyl | @tinyvinylrecords

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miniot’s upright wheel 3 spins and plays vinyl records using light instead of magnets or coils https://www.designboom.com/technology/miniot-wheel-3-turntable-player-vinyl-records-light-magnets-coils-08-18-2025/ Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:40:56 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1150431 most record players convert stylus vibrations into electrical signals using magnets and coils, but this device measures the stylus position using light instead.

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Light creates sounds in Miniot’s Wheel 3 turntable

 

Miniot designs Wheel 3, an upright turntable that spins and plays vinyl records using light instead of magnets or coils. The device uses optical technology instead of magnetic systems to read the records, which means it replaces traditional magnetic cartridges with an optical stylus system. Most record players convert stylus vibrations into electrical signals using magnets and coils, but with Wheel 3, it measures stylus position using light instead of magnetic fields. The record player has a diamond needle that sits in the record groove. When the record spins, the needle moves. A small piece connects to the needle, and light shines on this piece. 

 

When the needle moves, the piece blocks different amounts of light, and then the embedded sensors measure these changes and turn them into music sounds. This method works better for low sounds than magnetic systems. The needle weighs less without magnets, so the one on Miniot’s Wheel 3 turntable follows the record groove better. For comparison, most vinyl record players use magnets to read records, meaning that the magnets attached to the stylus move near a metal coil, which creates electrical signals that become audio. The optical system, however, can detect when the stylus barely moves, and since the flat piece weighs less than magnets, the stylus can follow groove patterns more accurately, especially for high sounds that create quick movements.

miniot wheel 3 turntable
all images courtesy of Miniot

 

 

direct drive motor system built specifically for the device

 

Miniot’s Wheel 3 turntable includes a direct drive motor system built specifically for this device. The team initially used belt drive systems but switched to direct drive for better control. They say that the motor development process took several months of additional engineering work. Specs-wise, the direct drive motor uses 24 neodymium N52 magnets in the rotor assembly. The motor design remains flat to fit within the turntable housing, while the optical stylus system remains unaffected by magnetic fields from the motor. A control system monitors motor performance using five optical sensors, calculating deviations during each 360-degree rotation. 

 

This includes corrections for unbalanced, off-center, and warped records. The system also adjusts motor speed to maintain consistent playback. The tonearm uses a linear tracking design that moves from bottom to top across the record and slides along a track embedded in the aluminum rim. The optical system provides position data for tonearm control as well to maintain the pressure and angle between stylus and groove regardless if the Miniot Wheel 3 turntable is positioned upright, on the wall, or in a different location.

miniot wheel 3 turntable
the front section uses aluminum billet material that receives turning, milling, and polishing touches

 

 

Vinyl record player that works upright, flat or wall-mounted

 

There are two main parts around Miniot’s Wheel 3 turntable, with the rear machined from composite material (a wooden variant is also available). The front section uses aluminum billet material that receives turning, milling, and polishing touches, and the construction includes circular polishing that creates reflective surfaces. This finish interacts with light from translucent vinyl records, with the polished aluminum mirroring light through colored vinyl during playback. The device works in multiple orientations, including upright, flat, and wall-mounted positions. The tracking system maintains groove contact regardless of orientation, and users can operate the turntable upside down without affecting performance.

 

A preamplifier connects to the optical stylus system, which processes optical signals and converts them to standard audio output levels. This component works specifically with the optical pickup system rather than magnetic cartridges. The turntable includes a dimmable display for operational information, and the display shows playback status and system settings when needed. An aluminum base supports the turntable for upright operation. The base connects using a carbon steel pin that slides into a slot. This design positions the turntable at an eight-degree backward angle. Then, a viscoelastic material in the base bottom dampens vibrations and prevents sliding. The team says that the production takes place in Europe using locally sourced materials and components.

miniot wheel 3 turntable
the rear is machined from composite material (a wooden variant is also available)

miniot wheel 3 turntable
an aluminum base supports the turntable for upright operation

the device uses optical technology instead of magnetic systems to read the records
the device uses optical technology instead of magnetic systems to read the records

a direct drive motor system is built specifically for the device
a direct drive motor system is built specifically for the device

the direct drive motor uses 24 neodymium N52 magnets in the rotor assembly
the direct drive motor uses 24 neodymium N52 magnets in the rotor assembly

miniot-wheel-3-player-vinyl-record-light-magnets-coils-designboom-ban

the motor design remains flat to fit within the turntable housing

 

project info:

 

name: Wheel 3

company: Miniot | @wheelbyminiot

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aluminum grid sound wall imagines modular speaker system as central furniture piece https://www.designboom.com/design/aluminum-grid-sound-wall-modular-speaker-system-central-furniture-piece-asaf-beiman-08-12-2025/ Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:30:09 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1149529 grid's modular design allows for floor-to-ceiling or wall-mounted configurations.

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GRID reimagines the sound system as furniture

 

Designer Asaf Beiman conceives GRID, a sound system designed as a central furniture piece rather than an accessory. Inspired by mid-century stereo consoles, pieces that once stood proudly at the heart of living spaces, blending sound, storage, and style, GRID reunites fragmented audio components into a singular furniture piece. ‘Why settle for a bookshelf speaker when you can design a speaker that actually is a bookshelf?,’ comments Beiman. As listeners rediscover vinyl, they reconnect with music as a tangible reflection of identity. Vinyl collections, unlike endless digital libraries, are physical expressions of who we are. GRID taps into this, offering a modular platform designed to feel personal, unique, curated, and yours alone, just like a vinyl collection.


all images courtesy of Asaf Beiman

 

 

Bold geometric forms define GRID sound wall

 

Designer Asaf Beiman deconstructed the vintage stereo console into modular elements, creating a system that adapts effortlessly to different spaces and needs. The solution is a family of aluminum tiles, connected by vertical poles from floor-to-ceiling or wall-mounted, forming a bold yet elegant structure. Drawing visual inspiration from mid-century, space-age wall sculptures, Beiman leveraged these geometric shapes not just aesthetically but acoustically, using tile forms as waveguides and to shape internal volume. Aluminum was chosen for its minimalistic look, modern feel, and acoustic qualities. Widely used in high-end audio design, it perfectly balances form, function, and sound.


GRID reimagines the sound system as furniture


inspired by mid-century stereo consoles


sound, storage, and style in one piece


a speaker that doubles as a bookshelf

asaf-beiman-grid-sound-wall-designboom-1800-1

vinyl collections as personal identity


modular design adapts to any space


floor-to-ceiling or wall-mounted configurations


aluminum tiles form the system’s core

asaf-beiman-grid-sound-wall-designboom-1800-3

bold geometric forms with acoustic purpose


vertical poles connect structure and components


tile shapes act as sound waveguides

asaf-beiman-grid-sound-wall-designboom-1800-2

mid-century meets space-age design language.


aluminum chosen for acoustic performance


system unites fragmented audio components


structure designed for flexibility and curation

 

project info:

 

name: GRID – sound wall | @grid_soundwall
designer: Asaf Beiman | @asafbeiman

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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portable vinyl record player by toshiba connects to wireless headphones for on-the-go music https://www.designboom.com/technology/portable-vinyl-record-player-toshiba-connects-wireless-headphones-aurex-04-14-2025/ Mon, 14 Apr 2025 10:10:56 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1127124 named AX-RP10(W), the player has a bluetooth button so users can pair their wireless speakers or headphones with the device.

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Toshiba’s Aurex reveals portable vinyl record player

 

Toshiba Lifestyle’s sub-brand Aurex unveils its portable vinyl record player that connects to wireless devices for on-the-go music. Named AX-RP10(W), the player has its own Bluetooth buttons so users can pair their wireless speakers or headphones with the device. If not, they can also connect wired audio devices through the port at the back of the portable vinyl record player. All the buttons are on the surface of AX-RP10(W). Each has an LED light to let the users know their status: green for connected, blue for ready to pair, and red for disconnected.

 

The arm lifter of Aurex’s portable vinyl record player is suitable for first-time record users, too. They just raise and lower the needle onto the disc to start playing the music. The device also features an auto-stop function as soon as the record finishes playing. In this way, there’s no unnecessary battery consumption and needle wear. A design feature that the portable vinyl record player wants to highlight is its jacket holder. There’s a slit at the rear where the user can place the vinyl jackets upright, so they can listen to their record while displaying its artwork.

portable vinyl record player
all images courtesy of Toshiba

 

 

Storage bag with handle for easy portability

 

There’s also a storage bag with a handle included with Aurex’s portable vinyl record player. It is less than the size of a typical laptop, so users can bring the lightweight device anywhere. AX-RP10(W) is also rechargeable. Its 2000mAh lithium-ion battery provides around 10 hours of playback time when connected to Bluetooth devices. Design-wise, the body of the portable vinyl record player is forged from aluminum to make it scratch-resistant and durable.

 

The smoky, transparent lid opens up to 90 degrees, enough for the users to place the record. When they’re done listening, they can fold down the arm holder of the portable vinyl record player to store it safely in the bag or anywhere. So far, the device doesn’t come with a built-in speaker. Users have to connect it with either a wired or a wireless audio device to listen to the record. At the present time, the company writes that its AX-RP10(W) ‘is designed for use in Japan and cannot be used overseas. After-sales service is also not available.’

portable vinyl record player
named AX-RP10(W), the player has a smoky, transluscent lid

portable vinyl record player
the device can also connect to wired audio equipment

the device also features an auto-stop function as soon as the record finishes playing
the device also features an auto-stop function as soon as the record finishes playing

users can fold down the arm holder of the player to store it safely in the bag or anywhere
users can fold down the arm holder of the player to store it safely in the bag or anywhere

there’s also a storage bag with a handle included
there’s also a storage bag with a handle included

 

 

project info:

 

name: AX-RP10(W)

brand: Aurex 

company: Toshiba Lifestyle | @toshiba_lifestyle_jp

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lllab. clads pageone vinyl concept bookstore’s interiors with wood in beijing https://www.designboom.com/architecture/lllab-pageone-vinyl-concept-bookstores-interiors-wood-beijing-03-25-2025/ Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:50:53 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1122418 spatial configurations balance enclosed and semi-open zones for varied interactions.

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PAGEONE POLPAS merges literature, music, and design

 

Design studio LLLab. composes PAGEONE Vinyl Concept Bookstore’s exterior and interior configuration. Located in the northern section of Beijing’s Olympic Forest Park, PAGEONE POLPAS establishes a spatial relationship with the PAGEONE BeijingFun store along the city’s central axis, forming a north-south cultural connection. While PAGEONE BeijingFun reflects the dynamic street life of Beijing through varied spatial arrangements, PAGEONE POLPAS store functions as a quiet space within the park, offering an environment conducive to focus and reflection.

 

PAGEONE’s first Vinyl Concept Store integrates books and vinyl records as complementary mediums for documentation, preservation, and shared experience. The layout emphasizes a balance between visual and auditory elements, facilitating an interaction between printed material and music. The selection and arrangement of materials contribute to a cohesive atmosphere, with natural wood as the primary element, enhancing the tactile and visual qualities of the space.


flexible fixture for public events | all images by Wen Studio unless stated otherwise

 

 

layout by LLLab. balances enclosed and semi-open zones

 

The main display wall reinterprets the double-height space as a ‘vinyl concert hall,’ integrating designated areas for reading, coffee, events, and children’s activities. LLLab. studio’s design prioritizes accessibility, ensuring that books and records remain within reach. Spaces are structured as retreats, providing an environment that supports engagement with reading and music while maintaining a connection to the surrounding natural setting.

 

Rather than focusing on display, the spatial organization emphasizes usability, with reading and listening areas designed as enclosed or semi-open zones that support concentration and interaction with the curated selection of media. Through this approach, PAGEONE POLPAS establishes itself as a space that merges literature, music, and design within the park’s landscape.


open event space connecting to the street


vinyl event space


long and narrow floating passage space


elongated reading space

lllab-pageone-vinyl-concept-bookstore-beijing-designboom-1800-2

open event space


books and records behind staircase


space shapes corners and steps


repeating rhythm in reading space | image byArch-Exist Photography


sculptural staircase

lllab-pageone-vinyl-concept-bookstore-beijing-designboom-1800-3

sculptural staircase


timber cladding


floating reading passage


main entrance opens to the public plaza

 

project info:

 

name: PAGEONE Vinyl Concept Bookstore
architect: LLLab. | @lllab._architects

lead architect: Fei Chen

design team: Fei Chen, Hanxiao Liu, Ziyu Wei, Yujun Yan, Lingkng Yin, Lingling Liu, Lexian Hu, Chao Zuo

structural design: LuanLu Structural Consultant
construction area: 400 sqm

location: POLPAS, Olympic Park, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

photographer: Wen Studio | @wen_studio2020Arch-Exist | @archexist

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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vinyl record player automatic watch reimagines panasonic SL-1200 turntable as timepiece https://www.designboom.com/design/vinyl-record-player-automatic-watch-panasonic-technics-sl-1200-turntable-timepiece-03-10-2025/ Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:00:52 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1120287 to tell the hour, the accessory uses the record label with the ‘A’ logo, while the tonearm tells the minutes.

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AndoAndoAndo makes a vinyl record player automatic watch

 

Yu Ando of AndoAndoAndo creates a vinyl record player automatic watch that draws design from the Panasonic Technics SL-1200 turntable. The fully functional timepiece can tell time using a mini-tonearm that rotates on the dial, a logo, and a disc. For the hour, the accessory uses a record label with an ‘A’ logo. It indicates the hour using the tip of the letter. The tonearm tells the minutes, and Yu Ando says he knows that it’s not straight.

 

‘It’s not pointing straight at the minute marker, so you can interpret it in your own way,’ he writes. More or less, the direction of the tonearm roughly pinpoints the minutes, then. As for the disc on the vinyl record player automatic watch, it lies in the center to mark the seconds. The designer says the zero second begins from when the text on the disc is ‘readable’, meaning back to its original position. It is luminescent too, so the disc glows in blue in the dark.

vinyl record player watch
all images courtesy of AndoAndoAndo

 

 

inspired by the Panasonic Technics SL-1200 turntable

 

The vinyl record player automatic watch, inspired by the Panasonic Technics SL-1200 turntable, runs on Miyota 9039 Premium automatic movement. Yu Ando of AndoAndoAndo says the timepiece is for music and vinyl record fans. The designer adds that most parts of the product are affordable; therefore, the build may not withstand time. Still, it’s an accessory to consider for those who like collecting record-related design objects.

 

Yu Ando shares that he makes the watch hand of the vinyl record player automatic watch. In this case, the hand is replaceable in case the wearer needs to repair the timepiece. To further the ‘approximate’ time-telling capability of the accessory, the designer doesn’t embed or print numbers onto the sides of the dial. Instead, uses dots for the hours and minutes, the former being in bold format to distinguish it from the latter. The vinyl record player automatic watch begins shipping between the end of March and the beginning of April 2025.

vinyl record player watch
Yu Ando of AndoAndoAndo creates a vinyl record player automatic watch

vinyl record player watch
the accessory draws design from the Panasonic Technics SL-1200 turntable

vinyl record player watch
the fully functional timepiece can tell time using a mini-tonearm that rotates on the dial

vinyl record player watch
for the hour, the accessory uses the record label with the ‘A’ logo

vinyl record player watch
detailed view of the timepiece

vinyl-record-player-automatic-watch-panasonic-technics-SL-1200-turntable-timepiece-andoandoando-designboom-ban

leather is the material used for the straps

there's an all-gold edition limited to 30 units only
there’s an all-gold edition limited to 30 units only

for this model, the even the casing and the dial are in gold
for this model, the even the casing and the dial are in gold

vinyl-record-player-automatic-watch-panasonic-technics-SL-1200-turntable-timepiece-andoandoando-designboom-ban2

there’s also a black and gold model alongside the all-gold and original color schemes

 

project info:

 

name: Vinyl record player automatic watch

design: AndoAndoAndo | @andoandoando_design

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turntable-like sonic heirloom records any audio and plays it with the sound of ‘singing’ bell https://www.designboom.com/technology/turntable-sonic-heirloom-records-audio-plays-sound-singing-bell-map-project-office-father-12-17-2024/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 02:30:32 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1107296 there are two main parts of the player: the removable recording puck at the bottom and the playback device with a polished, bowl-shaped bell in the middle.

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Map Project Office and Father create Sonic Heirloom

 

Sonic Heirloom is a turntable or record player-like device that replays any recorded audio with the sound of the singing bell. It’s the result of the collaboration between design studios Map Project Office and Father. There are two main parts: the removable recording puck at the bottom and the playback device with a polished, bowl-shaped bell in the middle. The way it works is that users pull out the puck and take it with them to the place, person, and more that they want to record the audio from. They press the button and repress it if they’re happy with the recording.

 

They go back to Sonic Heirloom and plug it back into the base of the turntable-like device. The recorded sound begins to play, and so does the polished bell as it rotates and produces the hum resembling the singing bowl. If the users want to record a verbal audio, say someone who’s speaking or reciting a letter or poetry, Sonic Heirloom replays it with the echoing hum of the bell as the background music. Map Project Office and Father create the turntable-like device for this reason: they want the users to capture sound memories and replay them meditatively.

sonic heirloom vinyl player
all images courtesy of Map Project Office and Father

 

 

turntable-like device that can be hung on the wall

 

Unlike conventional turntables, users can append Sonic Heirloom onto the wall, and the bell in the middle remains intact. For this bowl-shaped chime, Map Project Office and Father work with a traditional foundry that cast the bell. The craftsmen repurpose discarded tin and copper to form the entire bell, and the design and sound studios say that it’s because of these recycled materials that each bell bears a distinct tonal fingerprint. The inside is machined to achieve the bright metallic surface, reflecting anyone and anything like a misty mirror. What makes this polished bell ring is the player, positioned on the upper right of the turntable-like Sonic Heirloom.

 

Similar to an arm on a record player, the capsule-shaped tab is wrapped in leather and lightly rests on the rotating bell. It’s through this that the bell can produce the echoing sound similar to the singing bowl. At the bottom of the device, the puck lies. It follows the shape and size of a coin; that’s why users can bring it anywhere with them to record any sounds with a single click. The last part that completes the ensemble is the vitrine, the glass that holds all these parts together, slightly frosted to depict how people remember memories: vividly clear with a bit of haze.

sonic heirloom vinyl player
the turntable-like device Sonic Heirloom can be hung on the wall

sonic heirloom turntable
the removable recording puck is positioned at the bottom of the turntable-like Sonic Heirloom

sonic heirloom turntable
the recording puck is the size and shape of a coin to make it portable

the puck has a built-in speaker to play the recordings as the singing bell produces sounds
the puck has a built-in speaker to play the recordings as the singing bell produces sounds

the capsule-shaped tab brushes against the bell to produce the sounds resembling singing bowl
the capsule-shaped tab brushes against the bell to produce the sounds resembling singing bowl

the bell is forged from repurposed tin and copper
the bell is forged from repurposed tin and copper for the turntable-like Sonic Heirloom

vinyl-player-sonic-heirloom-bell-map-project-office-father-designboom-ban

the recordings and singing bell are played at once

 

project info:

 

name: Sonic Heirloom 

studios: Map Project Office, Father | @mapprojecto, @father_insta

 

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transparent vinyl record shelving system allows for multiple configurations https://www.designboom.com/design/bentolabs-aurala120a-modular-acrylic-vinyl-record-shelving-system-12-13-2024/ Fri, 13 Dec 2024 11:30:14 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1106646 the stackable shelving system combines practical storage with a sleek, floating display aesthetic.

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Aurala120A: a stackable Vinyl Record storage by Bentolabs

 

Bentolabs introduces Aurala120A, a modular vinyl record storage system crafted from premium 15mm acrylic, designed to accommodate 120 records per unit. This shelving system combines practical storage with a sleek, floating display aesthetic, meeting the needs of evolving vinyl collections.

 

The modular design allows for vertical stacking—up to three units—and unlimited horizontal expansion, offering flexible configurations for collectors. Each unit is engineered for quick assembly, taking less than five minutes, and features easy accessibility for stored records. The choice of premium acrylic ensures structural stability, and a minimal visual footprint, creating an effect that makes records appear to hover in space.


all images courtesy of Bentolabs

 

 

Aurala120A’s flexible design allows for multiple configurations

 

The system reflects Bentolabs founder Grier Govorko’s expertise as Red Hot Chili Peppers’ production designer, where precision engineering and clean aesthetics were key at a stadium scale. This influence is evident in the system’s attention to detail, ensuring both functionality and design integrity.

 

Flat-packed for efficient shipping, Aurala120A includes all necessary components for assembly and is built to grow alongside collectors’ expanding needs while maintaining a cohesive visual appearance across configurations.


Aurala120A combines practical storage with a sleek, floating display aesthetic


crafted from 15mm acrylic, the design ensures structural stability and visual clarity


Aurala120A allows vertical stacking up to three units high for flexible storage


Aurala120A’s floating effect makes record collections appear to hover in space

aurala120a-bentolabs-designboom-1800-2

each Aurala120A unit is designed to store 120 records with easy accessibility

 

project info:

 

name: Aurala120A – Modular Acrylic Vinyl Record Shelving System

designer: Bentolabs | @bentolabsdesign

lead designer: Grier Govorko

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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DJ turntable from 1970s returns as functional vinyl record spinner made of LEGO blocks https://www.designboom.com/technology/dj-turntable-vinyl-record-spinner-lego-sl-1200-mk2-08-07-2024/ Wed, 07 Aug 2024 19:15:19 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1082782 maker tamás borján, aka tomasso builds, draws his design inspiration from the classic technics SL-1200 MK2 from the 1970s.

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Functional LEGO turntable for DJing and scratching

 

Tamás Borján, aka Tomasso Builds, returns with another LEGO build after his iteration of NIKE’s vintage Air Jordan 11. This time, it’s a classic turntable for DJing and scratching, but made of LEGO blocks. It also doubles as a vinyl record player given that it has a built-in motor to drive the turntable. The DJ deck comes with start and stop buttons to control the motor, as well as a platter shaped in the scale of a seven-inch vinyl record.

 

It’s this platter that users can scratch, tapping into their DJ energy. When raves are off, the working tonearm with an adjustable balance weight and anti-skating knob can help turn the LEGO turntable into a vinyl record player. There’s also an adjustable pitch slider and a removable 45 RPM adaptor for music producers. It may look like a toy because of the 2,215 pieces of LEGO blocks, but it works like a DJ turntable for scratching and mixing, so it’s not.

functional LEGO DJ turntable
all images courtesy of Tamás Borján/Tomasso Builds

 

 

Design based on the classic Technics SL-1200 MK2

 

If the design of the LEGO DJ turntable looks familiar, it’s because it’s based on the classic Technics SL-1200 MK2 from the 1970s. Tamás Borján, aka Tomasso Builds, draws his inspiration from this machine. In 1972, the SL-1200 turntable was launched, but it’s the subsequent model, the SL-1200 MK2 in 1979, that became the standard one for DJing and scratching. The maker follows the design of its original counterpart by only using LEGO blocks.

 

It may have a toy-like appearance, but several of its playable features bring the SL-1200 MK2’s functionality to life. So far, the LEGO DJ turntable isn’t available for purchase yet. Tamás Borján says that if his LEGO Ideas suggestion receives over 10,000 support votes on the site, LEGO experts are expected to review his design and consider it for a potential official release.

functional LEGO DJ turntable
Tamás Borján, aka Tomasso Builds, returns with another LEGO build

functional LEGO DJ turntable
the functional LEGO DJ deck has a built-in motor to drive the turntable

functional LEGO DJ turntable
the DJ deck comes with start and stop buttons to control the motor

it has a platter shaped in the scale of a seven-inch vinyl record
it has a platter shaped in the scale of a seven-inch vinyl record

the device comes with an adjustable balance weight and anti-skating knob
the device comes with an adjustable balance weight and anti-skating knob

LEGO-DJ-turntable-SL-1200-MK2-tamás-borján-designboom-ban

there’s also an adjustable pitch slider

the design based on the classic Technics SL-1200 MK2 turntable
the design based on the classic Technics SL-1200 MK2 turntable

it may have a toy-like appearance, but it has several playable features
it may have a toy-like appearance, but it has several playable features

 

 

project info:

 

name: LEGO Technics SL-1200 MK2 turntable

maker: Tamás Borján aka Tomasso Builds | @tomassobuilds, @borjantamas

LEGO ideas: here

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handcrafted ramar record brush keeps your vinyls dust-free and safe from static charge https://www.designboom.com/design/handcrafted-ramar-record-brush-vinyls-dust-free-static-charge-06-06-2024/ Thu, 06 Jun 2024 18:35:32 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1060476 made in ramar's berlin workshop, each brush combines six double rows with millions of carbon fibers to reach every groove on the record.

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Rangel Vasev designs handcrafted record brush

 

Rangel Vasev, founder of hi-fi accessory brand RAMAR, designs record brushes known for their unique construction and meticulous artistry. Handcrafted in Berlin, each brush combines six double rows with millions of carbon fibers to reach every groove, supported by two rows of goat hair. The mixture of materials and the design of the brushes optimize dust absorption and prevent static charge. Whether it’s fine dust or larger dirt particles, the blend of carbon fibers and goat hair carefully removes every speck from the vinyl’s surface and picks it up safely. The RAMAR brush handles and cases are milled from a single wooden blank and are available in three types of solid wood: walnut, cherry, and ash.


all images courtesy of Rangel Vasev

 

 

each ramar brush is unique and has its own serial number

 

The surface of the RAMAR brush handle is oiled, making it abrasion-resistant and dirt-repellent. The aluminum bristle cover, refined with electroless nickel, enhances durability and corrosion resistance. Every brush is a unique piece, thanks to the individual characteristics of the wooden blanks, and designed for longevity with a protective case. Each brush has its own serial number, allowing easy tracking of its production details, including the builder, date of creation, and materials used. This system also enables the renewal of fibers upon request, effectively overhauling the brush to extend its lifespan. The brand‘s founder recommends regular cleaning with the provided natural felt pad for optimal performance. 


each brush combines six double rows with millions of carbon fibers supported by two rows of goat hair

 

 

neighborhood limited edition completes the brush series

 

The record brush series features various models: Christo, Tara, Amy, Red, Jony, and Tina. Like all RAMAR brushes, Tina features carbon fibers and goat hair arrangement, ensuring thorough dust removal and static charge dissipation. The cover provides additional wear resistance, making Tina a high-quality, long-lasting accessory.

 

The Neighborhood brush, also by Rangel Vasev, is crafted from solid ash wood using the traditional Japanese method of wood preservation, Yakisugi, and has an oiled finish for added durability. This limited edition brush symbolizes the structure of a city map, with the case’s grid representing streets and the empty spaces denoting house blocks, reflecting the foundational role of neighborhoods in society.


the aluminum bristle cover, refined with electroless nickel, enhances durability


The RAMAR brush handles are available in three types of solid wood: walnut, cherry, and ash


the mixture of materials and the design of the brushes optimize dust absorption and prevent static charge

 

 

handcrafted-ramar-record-brush-vinyls-dust-free-static-charge-06-06-2024-designboom-1800-02

the brush carefully removes every dust particle from the surface and picks it up safely


‘Neighborhood’ brush is crafted from solid ash wood using the traditional Yakisugi technique


this limited-edition brush symbolizes the structure of a city map

handcrafted-ramar-record-brush-vinyls-dust-free-static-charge-06-06-2024-designboom-1800-01

each brush has its own serial number, allowing easy tracking of its production details

 

 

 

project info:

 

name: RAMAR Record Brush | @ramar.berlin
designer: Rangel Vasev | @rangel_vasev

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

The post handcrafted ramar record brush keeps your vinyls dust-free and safe from static charge appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

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