Gakken Edison Phonograph Kit for that truly retro recording

Yeah, burning those stax o' wax is already so two minutes ago thanks to Gakken's Edison Phonograph Kit. Low-tech is the new black, folks, and nothing says low-tech like etching a recording onto a plastic cup. This kit is guaranteed easy to setup and use, and can be had for a mere $65 — we expect Numark to follow up shortly with the iCup dueling phonograph mixer.

[MajorDomo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

white cups? Clearly they're infringing on Apple's copyright.

[Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

This is filed under "portable" audio?

[Blin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

That is cool and all... But does it have gapless playback?

[Spyvie @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

I�ve often thought about building my own Edison style phonograph. I didn�t know where I�d get or how I�d make the wax cylinders. I never thought about using plastic cups�

[Roy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Nifty idea, but lacking a bit in execution. I bought one a while back when I first saw it mentioned. Never was able to get it to work. Mechanically, it's extremely finicky. I couldn't get the recording to track properly and make a usable groove on the plastic cup. It does look cool, though. I wanted to get a recording of "Im' glad you asked that question" to play for people that asked "what's *that*?"

[NickT @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

hahaha

[barb dybwad @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

The cups are portable. ;)

That thing's not that big -- you could carry that to your next soiree and be the talk of the party. That's what portable is all about. Plus, we tragically took down our phonograph category last year.

[mobilelawyer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

You must use the correct cups. I have found the Soundmagic cups to offer excellent sound, but they are a little expensive at $75 apiece. However once you have recorded a phrase like "Come here Watson" on the Soundmagic cup, the sound produced is fairly intelligble, if somewhat tinny. The less expensive Dixie cups are totally unacceptable, and not nearly as true to the source. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

[Spyvie @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

LOL mobilelawyer.

How long before Verbatim makes a high end, r/w version. Just scrub with brillo pad to erase.

I understand that when using premium dinnerware media, the analog sound is much warmer and realistic than digital at any bitrate.

[Michael @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

It's all about the stylus actually. I find if you replace the steel stylus they give you with a combination diamond tip with a silver sleeve you get much better sound. Stanton makes an EP-MK1 stylus that does the job quite nicely, a bargain at $149.

[Andrew Pierce @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Phonograph Kit,
Gakken Edison Phonograph Kit,
Recording Songs on cups!

Thank you!

[john @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Has anyone besides Roy tried this and has anyone been successful? I really like getting science toys for my nieces and getting the toys to work with them... but I'm hesitant to get them a 'dud.'