cutting music records with a self-build record lathe

check out my new video: • Making Vinyl Records a...
This video shows you how i've engraved sounds on the flipside of CD-Blanks with my self build record lathe. CD-Blanks are made out of Polycarbonate. I`ve also tried 7''-Polycarbonate Blanks and pressed Vinyl-Blanks with differnt results. I'm planing to design a new version of this machine. Plans will be released in early 2020. Find more information on my webpage: alexrex.de

[@Davitamon76]

Finally I can convert my digital cd's to analogue records!

[@alexrex7382]

haha ..

[@Davitamon76]

@@alexrex7382 All kidding aside, this is one of the coolest things Ive seen on youtube! Very nice 👏. What do you use to cut into the cd? I'm curious how the new version will turn out. Subscribed 👍

[@alexrex7382]

@@Davitamon76 thanks for your comment and your kind words. please check out my new video for some updates and way better results! maybe this will clear thinks up for you! check out my new video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs

[@richardosontvbox3426]

Quanto saia um projeto desse prontp

[@rsanchez7111]

😂😂😂😂😂😂👍

[@paulcantshutup]

so... this is the origin of Lo-Fi hip hop...

[@gabepenn7386]

LOL

[@remejas]

I was thinking about forging my own vinyl plates and only after that I can think about cutting the record on it, but you just took old CD. Brilliant.

[@ktor538]

This is very cool! Can't wait to see your future development's!

[@P3Hi]

Awesome work!

[@tjyoyo3]

amazing work

[@JestarDevil]

Wow! It's amazing!

[@alexrex7382]

thanks, check out my new video for some improved technical update: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs

[@iainhawkzinekhan]

brilliant!!!

[@creeperlamoureux]

love the vinyl crackle

[@smly1685]

Bwoy It's on a CD (poly carbonate) not vinyl ;)

[@EthicRadioArchiveReels]

Can you please build us one of these how much will it cost for you to build one for us? please let us know thank you,

[@alexrex7382]

Reached 100.000 clicks for this video today!! thanks for all that like this video!

[@fprecordings]

Does anyone know what speakers would be good for a lathe like this and where to get them? Thanks!

[@qwerty-zn6eh]

Das ist fantastisch!

[@alexrex7382]

Danke, bitte schau dir mein neues video an: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs Hier findest du den Apparat mit besserem Schnittresultat

[@Val-dk1zt]

In Soviet Union in 1972 I hear medicine rengen records , call records on human bones))

[@alexrex7382]

yeah! i like those bone-records! never seen one in real life though :(

[@babushkablyattv2751]

I had 4 of soviet bone record

[@RebusMoebius]

I wonder if using of wax gives you a better result?

[@k333ization]

with a 12Vdc 3 rpm gearbox motor, is it possible to make the internal spiral?

[@tehabnorm]

Nice

[@fakiirification]

This works in principle. Needs to be a bit tougher and more rigid, with a stronger cutter head. Real record lathes used to engrave masters for making press plates have a proper cutting bit that creates a long hair-like shaving of removed material. version 2 should be made from steel with linear slides for the cutter head. and proper solenoids instead of speakers to drive the cutting bit. and try using a softer material for the master. maybe ABS sheet or similar. real record lathes cut on lacquer blanks that are then electroplated with silver and nickel to make the press plate.

[@alexrex7382]

thanks .. i sometimes work in vinyl pressing plant next town. so i'm familiar with the process. i also made updated cutter head .. you will find it in a new video i made, maybe you check that on out kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs i also thought about solonoids, but did'nt had the time to test! do you got any good results with solonoids? cheers

[@seansweeney3532]

I was thinking about those new soldering irons with the ceramic heating elements.... They have a technology that hasn't really ever been introduced introduced into record cutting lathes. The upshot of it is that the ceramic ceramic elements actually heat the eyeat the iron or in this case cutting stylus up very quickly and are able to manage the temperature the temperature and without changes even if there are very loud or complex programs being cut. In essence I think that this hasn't been considered enough. That louder programs and deeper grooves mean that the stylus has to maintain proper heat and that can change dramatically over the span of just a few seconds or portions of a second when a deep or loud program is being cut because of the amount of vinyl it has to come in contact with. I think one of these new ceramic elements and the technology that they used with the hollowed out tip with ceramic inside, Could indeed make a very efficient and very high Fidelity inexpensive cutting leave.

[@msthalamus2172]

Groovy!

[@alexrex7382]

thanks .. watch my new video for more groovieness :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs

[@TravisJLee]

Went to your portfolio (it's gorgeous, BTW) and never could find your how-to on this. did you ever get to making that? Have you ever tried 3d printing PETG blanks, and seeing if those work?

[@piotrszczurek8935]

👍 for creativity

[@artisanalbreakfast]

yes ++++++ need to try this !!!!

[@piotrszczurek8935]

👍 FOR creativity!

[@listerine-pr5lt]

And next step we have to move back to the cave.

[@onomedessecanalmudamaisque8564]

Finalmente encontrei um vídeo que mostra um gravador de venil caseiro, sou loko logo pra fazer um desses

[@alexrex7382]

please try! would be nice to see someone do their own

[@onomedessecanalmudamaisque8564]

@@alexrex7382 thanks for answering, i'm 16 years old and i've done several things like robots, drawing machines and revolver, i would love to make a disc recorder like this, but i didn't understand very well how the shaft that holds the needle in the head works machine, could you explain, your videos didn’t make this part very clear, I’m grateful

[@madeinshurik]

Hi friend. Can you tell what step in a second? Sorry for my english

[@mick_koto]

Where can I find instructions on how to make this device?

[@vincenzopisani6147]

Hi I wanted to ask you if you can help me. I looking on KZbin i built the cartrige, i did a lot of test but i can't get it to record on the vinyl i can't understand where i have to Connect the cartrige i know it's a bit complicated if you can help me i would be very grateful for now thanks

[@alexrex7382]

check out my new video for some improved technical update: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs

[@ElectronoobGeekingOut]

the hairdryer fucking made me laugh. but totally makes sense - jus wasn't expectin it lol

[@aricab]

im building my own and struggling with the inwards movement of the recording head. You sorted it out super good. Is that a stepbystep motor? how did yuou set it up? Good work man! mine is going strong!

[@alexrex7382]

yes. stepper motor and arudino controlled!

[@alexrex7382]

the rubber-loop and the straight linear metal rods are taken from an old scanner i found on the street in front of my home one day. exept the arudino and the 3D-printed parts you can get everyting for free on the street or the junkyard! :D -- please check out my new video for some improvements!

[@seansweeney3532]

Wonderful! I've been considering just such a thing myself! What about one of those new ceramic element soldering irons that heat up in like 20 seconds?? Wouldn't those be ideal in such a project? For instance if you could get a skinny tip with threads on the end, or a socket? And get some small tungsten styluses to fit into the receiver on the iron. ADDED BONUS, the irons are extremely light and easy to induce the vibration.

[@lordmikethegreat]

A simple $20 heat gun would do the same thing as the hairdryer without the possibility of adding excess noise to the speaker based cutting mechanism.

[@pawesiakaa298]

All is clear but I am thinking about cutting head/ stylus. How you made it?

[@11bmckee]

what were the songs you played?

[@1980JPA]

this is awesome. is there a place I could get a schematic? does the noise of the hair dryer induce noise until the recording? what are you using for the cutting head.

[@alexrex7382]

thanks for your interest .. maybe i will do a schematic next year. or maybe a tutorial-video. the hairdryer doesn't effect the recording, but currently i switched over to use a warm light bulb instead! find out more details about the cutter head on my new video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs

[@RosssRoyce]

So amazing, bravo! I wonder, if the two stereo speakers that move the needle happen to play the same wave/sound, don’t they cancel each other and produce still needle?

[@alexrex7382]

no! you have to invert one chanal!

[@carlosalfonsohernandezgarc7125]

​@@alexrex7382 increible proyecto, puedes explicarme lo de invertir un canal? ademas veo que grabas en mono, si no me equivoco. gracias

[@brunoivanmonteslopez3035]

@@alexrex7382 what do you mean by inverting one channel? inverting it's polarity? if so, are both speakers playing the same audio with one speaker inverted? or are both speakers playing different audio?

[@johnnyscharfenberger4074]

how did you get the motor to turn that slowly?

[@tchhom]

genius

[@user-ue9fc4zs5x]

did you apply riaa equalization to the recording you were playing? it might have helped a lot with the sound qualities of this kind of recording, great work!!

[@alexrex7382]

yeah! RIAA is applied :)

[@b17fortress41]

How do you build this ?!?

[@farodist1230]

great project!!! but what about "Plans will be released in early 2020..." ?

[@MichaelScottPerkins]

Hi Alexander!!! I think this is a fantastic machine. Play in a band, and we would like to make our our little vinyl records, just to give away for fun, not actually charge money for them. I did not realize that such an old technology would be so hard to discover how to recreate. I have seen some record cutting lathe's on eBay for over $5,000-$8,000 for a little machine about the size of a record player. Shocking! I read through the comments on this video, and I think that if you would tell me (us) how you made this machine, and/or where you found out how to make it... together we could all help make a really good one of these for other bands like mine. übrigens, ich habe viele Jahren in Deutschland gelebt. Ich bin Amerikaner, aber, Ich habe Deutsch gelernt... mehr oder weneger. :-) Ich wolte nur sagen, vielen Dank für das Video!!!

[@alexrex7382]

thanks! I'm quite busy at this time now with other art-projects. so i will not have the time to make a good tutorial. but there are a lot of videos of self-built semi-professional lathes out there on KZbin and other blogs. it took me two afternoons to search for a good overview and input for my project. so i think anyone can get all the informations needed, to start this project. - now i also own a lot of books on this subject. - maybe one day i will do a small tutorial. but until then, i hope you guys just start, as i started two years ago with my project: just do it! :D - viele Grüße! Danke für dein Kommentar.

[@esinsonlinares7747]

Me gusta tu maravillosa maquina yo estoy haciendo algo parecido pero creo que necesito de conocedores de esto como tu es que ami no me sale el audio del todo bien no see que utilizar de aguja para crear los zurcos con mejor sonido me suena con bastante ruido te pido el favor y me des una idea de que material utilizaria yo para mejorar audio te lo agradeceria enorme mente

[@alexrex7382]

@@nycpny8396 no books about embossing records exist, just about cutting! i gathered all information needed from forums and communitys. the rest is self-thaught

[@wiktorkozak33]

@@alexrex7382 what books on this subject do you own? Maybe I will manage to find them and educate myself :D

[@gravedigr12]

if your willing to get one older then the 50's you can get away with one for around $1000 to $400 i'd be weary of anything cheaper then a grand though make sure it has the stylus for recording.

[@souravbhattacharyya3392]

Superb project....how are you assigning the rpm?

[@alanrink4268]

Just a thought I think if you listen to while you're cutting it you get a better idea of the quality. Truth also try some of that spray wax like most people are. using to get a better sound. You infor red thermometer and heat gun and try to get the disk closer to about 95ﾟ. Just some ideas, did you get a mos fet speed controller to get the arm to move so slowly across the surface?

[@alexrex7382]

thanks for your thoughts. in the moment i'm involved in another project. but if i came back to embossing .. i will remember your advices!

[@EthicRadioArchiveReels]

Omg this is amazing how much will it cost for you to build me a cutter for vinyl

[@Youtube.Commen-tater]

Ethic Radio Archive Reels It'll cost you an engineering course at your local post-secondary educational institution

[@Supamono]

Build me too please

[@zrogon]

hillarious :)

[@etele1256]

Nice work! What is the name of the first music?

[@dropdedd]

pretty sure you can use some lighterfluid on the cds and it will make it malleable enough alone without a need for a hair dryer

[@droidbotdotcom]

A w e s o m e !! 😃👌🏻

[@r4nd0mth0_ghts5]

Interesting 🤔 💖 from India

[@roselldessert1377]

What speed is the stepper motor on your x axis (moves engraver as you engrave)

[@alexrex7382]

different speed - dunno the exact one. just found out by try and error!

[@edgardoyesidvelasqueznarva1235]

great ... do you have the plans to build this project?

[@satanarmy]

What is the song playing on the 7 PC cut? Very pretty sounding, I would like to hear it in full.

[@smokedkid4777]

nostalgia per eva

[@satanarmy]

@@smokedkid4777 thank you!!

[@andp520]

Try angling the cuter head downward. the other way. I think you might get a better tracking. This is cool

[@michaelshultz2540]

Needs a better cutting stylus a lot more weight and stronger coils and amplifiers. That said, awsum job/project . Great overall design and results. A little tweeking to it and I'm shure you could get neer professional results with cd's and maby even at 16 rpm. But at 33 1/3 you could get 2 or so 4 minute songs per side. Love that you took the time to create a stereo cutter. BRAVO ! I'll give you an A . With a tentative deal for an A+++ if you can improve the head to really get neer audiophile results with a cd.😎

[@alexrex7382]

changed the system now, with better resulution. see more details in my new video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs

[@kosstrw]

Hello. Could you share the instructions how to build the same recorder? If you can, please do it on Russian language with detailed attention on speakers, conuses on them and sound input point (amplifier). Or please put me into this info if it is anywhere in details. Thank you.

[@baddriddimworkshop]

you should try embossing with lighter liquid....

[@Vodichka9]

Very interesting project. More details, especially on the cutter head, would be appreciated. Is the stylus heated? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have the impression it is melting its way through the record, rather than actually cutting a groove. I am not an expert on record cutting, but I am an expert on machine tools, and I question the use of wood. Lathes for metal working must be very stiff. The ways and the carriage are massive. Using wood for structural elements on this kind of machine seems to invite resonance, and will provide a flimsy frame work for a machine that would, ideally, have no spring in it. See the Scully lathes, the 501, for example. But your project is really cool, in spite of some of the (perceived) mechanical deficiencies.

[@alexrex7382]

thanks for your comment .. check out my other video and you will see some more details. The stylus is not heated! doesn't make sense for embossing! a hairdryer or a old hot light-bulb will do!

[@mmcblk05studio]

Fantastic, but you should also add original file as control

[@alexrex7382]

thanks for your comment! the second prototype is muche better, as you can see/hear: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs

[@robfriedrich2822]

There's a way, to correct the speed. Do a test recording, compare it with then original and slow down the source, so when the CD runs with 33 rpm, it may not be too fast.

[@seansweeney3532]

If you were to use a serve direct drive 1200 style turntable, those motors are quartz locked AND ADJUSTABLE to any speed... and enough torque that you may not even NEED to compensate, as they will try to. But if you disable the quartz lock then you just have the static speed of the servo if you wanted to figure out what speed. The Technics SL-1200 in its many iterations would do this best, but there is a cheaper version of it made by audio technica. Not as much torque tho.

[@robfriedrich2822]

I knew it, but I wanted to recommend something easy. The result isn't good, the home recorders of the 1930's and 1940's did a better job, well, they couldn't record frequencies above 4 kHz (and shellacs were able to play frequencies up to 10 kHz), but there were no catches and pops.

[@user-fs7yv2hb4h]

você teria o projeto para download ?

[@SkySprice]

How can we build these?

[@littlebeatle100]

What was the song you had on that second vinyl?

[@LacoSinfonia]

.

[@nevilleandann]

make one for me bro

[@carinavinasegovia4083]

Beautiful machine!!!, make a tutorial!!, please!!!

[@alexrex7382]

you will find more details in my new video! : kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs Maybe next year i will do a tutorial or some manual on how to build one!

[@pachofrasico3451]

ALEX QUE AGUJA UTILIZASTE Y COMO LA PUSISTE EN EL CABEZOTE DE GRABADORA

[@alexrex7382]

check out my new video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs .. there are some answers for your questions

[@b_lach00]

Could you please make tutorial how to make it? pls senpai

[@ogirdor3225]

Hi! I'm a sound artist from chile and i've been building my own lathe with similar results in the same materials but i'm recording in MONO what kind of needle or stylus are you using for recording? I'm using a scalpel and even with that sometimes i'm not getting enough depth in my grooves :/

[@alexrex7382]

just a sharp sewing needle - thats it :D

[@baz_inc7915]

You are from chile? Wena perro

[@frankriot]

I Also did it .. to have stereo sound you have to polish an iron pin 45degr . But the most difficult part was to find the perfect balance of vibration and weight ..

[@balfasladicra5270]

is that a vinyl record or a cd pls respond

[@viniciusarlindo9432]

Vc tem o projeto de montar a máquina

[@alanrink4268]

Nice project, did you used the riaa eq before you cut the record?

[@alexrex7382]

yes!

[@alexrex7382]

but with some gently modification

[@nazcaplain]

I was going to ask the same question! 😀

[@mr.armand4291]

May i have the information about your motor (X axis head cutter)????

[@alexrex7382]

just a stepper and some arduino controller!

[@andrewandrosow4797]

Hello Alexander! It`s a good device! But your recorder(the panel with 2 speakers) has one disadvantage: it rigidity isn`t enough ( speaker - the needle). The masse of the mechanical system (speakers to the needle) is too big (the metalic cube near to the needle).It`s a cause of bad (deaf) sound.

[@alexrex7382]

Thanks for your comment! yeah i noticed the bad needle-joint (cube). There are also some more problems on the cutter head i have to fix some day! I also have to change the connection from the "cube" to the case of the cutter head. I made that connection-rod out of strong wire - but i should better use flexible wire - i would like to take a bowden cable from a bicycle! Maybe i get this fixed till the end of the year :D Then the moving of the needle must be much stronger, then now.

[@CHARLIEtheCATofficial]

Maybe a plotter blade. I just bought some from ebay.

[@tjyoyo3]

@@CHARLIEtheCATofficial what degree should to blade be?

[@LacoSinfonia]

Please please please the name of the second song

[@alexrex7382]

Nostalgia per Eva

[@zlo13042008]

Is it stereo or mono records?

[@alexrex7382]

i can cut in stereo, but embossing doesn't provide a good chanal seperation .. sooo : it's acually some wierd mono

[@High_End8888]

Distortion sound cracked

[@jirawatto4374]

First track be like He from the north he from Canada

[@wii1245]

What does a blowdryer do?

[@alexrex7382]

heating the plastic surface for better embossing results. but now i use the heat of a lightbulb instead ... check out my new video for some improved technical update: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs

[@pequejavi]

el ruido del secador no se graba???

[@alexrex7382]

no, the noise of the hairdryer is not recorded! but i skipped over to use a heating light bulb instead now.

[@neilforbes416]

Cutting onto a CD? No way, but using blank 7-inch discs, much better! Cut at 45rpm, of course! Design a label for the disc in Microsoft Publisher.

[@viniciusarlindo9432]

Bom dia como que faz este projeto interessante

[@artemik1986]

Амплитуду сигнала можно увеличить, между дорожками очень большое расстояние.

[@marklimbrick]

If you are using a PC audio file and stepper motors - why try and cut into the plastic in real time? The direct drive turntable could be modded to run at 1/10 speed as well - it is just a disc motor. The poor sound of tinfoil or wax cyclinders was the reason to use an intermediate stage with a much more pliable and fragile soot or laquer surface. But with digital technology to time shift should be possible to do better.

[@livelongandprosper70]

why ?

[@Fra96]

But a video for realization?

[@alexrex7382]

check out my new video for some improved technical update: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs // looking for next year, to do a video with more information

[@diego13sebastian]

How is the conection between the 2 spekers and the nidle, to record?

[@nickbakaj322]

Diego 13 Sebastian that's what I'm wondering I built a mono one with one speaker

[@mctv6486]

i need one

[@alexrex7382]

will do a version 2 with some blueprints and release in begin of 2020

[@loro7lenguas]

This is...digilog!

[@kaybhee6]

good,,, need details

[@alexrex7382]

watch my update: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs

[@theechickengamerz]

I did this before I saw this video

[@dylanlarson435]

Hi Alex. I was wondering if you could please link me to a schematic so that I can attempt to build my own?

[@alexrex7382]

until now i coulnd find the time to make a tutorial. but find more information here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs

[@endezeichengrimm]

This is stupid and cool at the same time.

[@alexrex7382]

the updated prototype produces much better records, as you can see/hear here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs

[@taksebrzdekam...1866]

🙃🙃🙃🙃👍👍👍

[@larockolaradio]

Make a tutorial!

[@alexrex7382]

yeah .. would be nice. but there are many tutorials out there. if i ever have time to do one, i will post it! thanks

[@LukasFink1]

Is the CD still playable?

[@LukasFink1]

*in a CD player I mean

[@Auberge79]

I don't think so. That are heavy enough scratches along tracks.

[@hollyjollydog]

you have to have '' CUT '' the record blank ,a lathe tool that cuts! that why its called a lathe you will have swarf if its cutting ,there's a cutter and then a play stylus,i see tons of theses videos and no CUTTER...Record lathe cutting stylus " Presto vinyl record rek-o-kut RCA Wilcox-gay" there $7.00

[@peepers4763]

Totally interesting but why? The audio quality result was nothing. You must be amazing however!

[@alexrex7382]

thanks, but this was just the first prototype .. heck out my new video for some improved technical update: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5dqWliq-cmqs

[@kenshiromilesvt.7037]

Any Dr. Stone fans?

[@Auberge79]

О, чувак изобрёл запись "на костях" :)

[@ivar7076]

Is there anyone out there who can put me up with someone who makes 78 records? It doesn’t necessarily need to be made in shellac, but at least something strong material so I can play it on my accoustic gramophone a lot without killing the record after 30 plays! Soo, the job is to make my digital file into a 78record (I don’t Even know how this would be possible) Answer me here or Facebook or instagram, Search for «Ivar Beddari» 😅

[@alexrex7382]

good question, i was looking for somthing like this too some years ago. There are only pvc-records on the market! And some rare "vinyls" could be produced in different plastic materials. but nothing as strong, to withstand the +100g needle pressure of a grammophon. :( as far as i know. BUT maybe one way could be, to cut a "deep groove" master onto a METAL-Master out of copper. With deep grooves and wider space inbetween the grooves. You could ask your local vinyl-record pressing plant, if they would cut you a METAL MASTER .. its not fashion in the us, but in europe there are alot of master studios doing metal-master cuts.

[@ivar7076]

@@alexrex7382 interesting... I have also thought about, would be possible to make film with a copy of a 78rpm from vinyl, and then try to press it in a warmed up harder material

[@alexrex7382]

@@ivar7076 yeah .. but its hard to get a good result via pressing at home. You could try to just use Copper-Blanks and let the Vinyl-Master-Studio cut you some grooves in 78rpm ..

[@ivar7076]

@@alexrex7382 you think a company that press vinyl are able to press 78 in copper? What are they called or where can i buy the blanks? 😁

[@alexrex7382]

@@ivar7076 the company must have some blanks. just ask a record cutting master studio or vinyl company in your country. they will know --