Edison Cup Phonograph Kit Assembly

[@mvl71]

Not satisfied? Please send a cup recorded with your complaint to the address shouted to you in Japanese on the About Us cup.

[@woah-dude]

This is beautiful

[@devinjones9614]

a single sentence that made my day for the rest of my life.

[@TheCrystalGlow]

This comment should be pinned.

[@ChristmasEve777]

And how do you suppose I'm going to send in my complaint cup with a broken machine?? hmmm?

[@TheDigi321]

@@ChristmasEve777 exactly ! :P

[@JerryEricsson]

Being an old man now, and having grown up in very rural North Dakota in the 50's it was my pleasure to actually listen to one of the original Edison talking machine's. My uncle, who descended from a rich farming family, only to loose it all through his mismanagement lived in a small cabin on the Ceader Creek. He still had a few items from his family's holdings, and one of them was the tube playing Edison, along with over a hundred tubes of music. The other was a very rare 1882 Winchester, but that is a different story. When we were kids, and our folks drove the back roads to his place to visit, he was married to dad's sister of course, we children went into the loft area of the cabin and dug out the old Edison so we could listen to the music of the past. It was great fun. Well as the years went on, his twin daughters grew up, as did his son, of course, and after an argument with their folks, the daughters torched the house, there went the Edison, and sadly the rifle that was more valuable then his entire farm. Sad days. Oh well, it appears that the remake is just something to look at, and not use but it looked like great fun assembling at any rate. Best luck on the next version.

[@christiangeiselmann]

Jerry Ericsson Your short family history sounds like a good exposé for a film.

[@JerryEricsson]

Actually it goes on much deeper, ending with one of the twins in prison for life following the murder of her husband, well her and her sisters husband, they had each been married to the much older farmer several times and he just would not die, despite his 50 years their senior, so they just killed him and made it look like natural death. Had they not been imprisoned later for (get this) stealing sheep, where she bragged about the crime to the wrong inmate, who reported it to authorities, she would still be free and clear. The other twin, who was not as bright (they were both mildly retarded) got off because the courts found her incompetent to stand trial. Ya it would make a great film, in fact one of those TV real life believe it or not shows, (I forget which now) did an story on national TV about it, they called it "The Lemmon SISTERS" I think, the show played back in the early 90's I believe.

[@JerryEricsson]

law.justia.com/cases/south-dakota/supreme-court/1992/17621-1.html The End of the story, we hope.

[@saddle1940]

Write it up and send it to the Fargo screen writers.

[@christiangeiselmann]

Jerry Ericsson Hm. Too much (for my taste). The first part would suffice, circling around the cabin with various old precious objects as a reminecence of a more glorious past. But thank you for telling the full(er) story! (I hope your personal life is less interesting.)

[@PlaynationGames]

I think the biggest problem you were not shouting loud enough, I use mine to record jet engines and it works perfectly.

[@muggles8123]

LOL

[@andylindsaytunes]

I use mine to record the sound of a needle scraping on the outside of a plastic cup.

[@RandomPerson-jo7cw]

I used mine to record Hiroshima and Nagasaki

[@lle333]

I used mine to record meme review

[@eggyvoneagerston6736]

I used this device to record Schwerer Gustav’s cannonfire

[@Zarkovision]

I've bought mine a couple of years ago in a Japanese book store in Düsseldorf. It works better, but I wouldn't call it good working. There is one difference: My kit uses a normal gramophone steel needle. It is shorter, so the lever action from the membrane to the writing needle is better. And also it uses 4 of those weights for recording. The needle is in an angle of almost 90 degrees to the cylinder. The result is not quite Hi-fi, but you can at least understand the words I'm shouting into it.

[@JanneSala]

I just came back from visiting Düsseldorf and I think I saw this very device in a store in the Japanese district there. And I happened to come across this comment. Fun coincidence.

[@writerpatrick]

I'm wondering if a standard phonograph needle would do a better job. The needle has to be sharp enough, but the tip should also be pointing directly onto the cup.

[@louisnichols]

Lol. I happen to also live close to Düsseldorf. Could you share where this Japanese store is?

[@JanneSala]

@@louisnichols I think it was a store called Takagi by the main road along the Japanese district. It mainly had manga and other Japanese crafting gadgets.

[@louisnichols]

@@weegle. Haven't looked for it yet. When I start going back to the office I will try to find a day for that.

[@The8BitGuy]

Wow. Watching this really gives me some respect for Edison, in that he was able to get his phonograph to work despite having to build every component himself with the limited technology available then.

[@KarlBaron]

And I bet none of the shops near him even stocked any plastic cups

[@salvatornado]

they'll say aw topsy at my autopsy

[@mennims]

Heyo! I love your videos

[@JNSNBTTN]

In case you still own the other edison machine, try blasting the funnel with a big speaker, that might engrave a stronger signal.

[@joshzwies3601]

so that's why he used foil, no plastic cups.

[@lurkersmith810]

Does it have DRM software to prevent copying from one cup to another?

[@MarkMphonoman]

Good one, made me laugh out loud. 👍

[@jamesvogt4739]

It’s called the low volume of the cups’ sound

[@markpenrice6253]

Yeah, and they even managed to solve the otherwise universal problem of "the analogue gap"

[@REXXSEVEN]

Funny!!!

[@Spacekriek]

Don't copy that cup. :p

[@cosmicrdt]

The lady has the face of satisfaction in knowing that she trolled you into buying this POS device

[@BerndFunken]

xD

[@xaenon]

TWICE.

[@BertGrink]

cosmicrdt in hindsight it seems as if that's the exact case lol

[@springbay1]

TT

[@RealistReviewer]

Haha baka gaijin will buy this useless plastic machine.

[@rambledogs2012]

1877 Edison invents the Phonograph allowing voices to be recorded. 2017 modern technology can't replicate it.

[@Pandaoniman]

@@robfriedrich2822 Would the materials in this product have been considered "cheap" in Edison's time?

[@josemendezfr]

@@robfriedrich2822 Then you're obviously a dumbass.

[@eccomi21]

@@josemendezfr a piece of crap is a piece of crap. The technology used to produce it might be advanced, and such a thin piece of plastic like the cup might be used for something else. But if Edison tried the same as this kit tried, the result would've been the same piece of crap.

[@eccomi21]

And just to clear this up. Of course modern technology could reproduce it. Easily. Yet a few pieces of plastic evidently cannot reproduce what Edison made.

[@solinus7131]

Working replica kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHubkqFsgbN3Y7c

[@PhaQ2]

The look on that woman's face says to me: "You're a fool for spending $100.00 on a cup scratcher."

[@Framusic]

Same thought i had.... Sorry Techmaon.... But guess you understand.

[@bloodytears4you]

That is Very accurate with a V

[@PenPenguin-io1ky]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Censoredbyfscists]

The look of a con man.

[@amandamakin1542]

So that's what a Japanese version of the Trollface looks like...

[@quantumleap359]

Perhaps if you use Dolby B while recording.....

[@robertarobot8046]

I think a Dolby B-cup is too small

[@Spacekriek]

DBX, anyone ? :D

[@bloodytears4you]

Wow, good-times :)

[@demef758]

For this turkey you're gonna need Dolby Z.

[@darrenwillett8536]

Don't you mean Dublin?

[@custardo]

Surely you would have gotten a better result with Chrome or Metal cups! (I'll see myself out...)

[@sWaRmBuStEr]

Dont you need to drive them very hard to get something onto them? I think he couldnt scream that loud to get a recording onto them :P

[@Brunosky_Inc]

He needs a digital phonograph with Dolby S!

[@Laurabeck329]

I know you're joking, but etching a groove into tin might work better.

[@custardo]

@Brunosky Inc. Dolby Styrene ?

[@custardo]

@Mihovil Beck It might work better, but I'm afraid it's still going to sound rather.... tinny.

[@pilskadden]

You should probably turn on the Dolby C(up) noise reduction.

[@maciejzettt]

You should definitely try with some pre-recorded cups.

[@BrendanOrr]

He needs the royalty-free KZbin music library on every conceivable medium.

[@saddle1940]

Why wasn't a pre-recorded one included? Cost?

[@Mrcake0103]

The comments section on this video is pure gold.

[@Clara_Page]

Try HMV

[@CP200S]

Damn, I was hoping to back up my old ZX Spectrum programs in used cups...

[@drobnoxius9483]

Lol

[@drusha]

1) dip cup into the molten wax - it will form thin layer on outer surface of cup. 2) record at surrounding temperature +30C or more. (maybe outside when it's hot) 3) put into fridge to lower temperature of wax layer. 4) playback at surrounding temperature +20C or less. (inside with air conditioner switch max on) Above ideas are purely theoretical. However, I totally would try those if I would have this phonograph.

[@JesusisJesus]

#1 is not a bad idea. This could be achieved by putting a high wattage incandescent light globe inside the wax coated cylinder or even directing a hot-air gun towards the area where the stylus is about to cut, but then you'd have to find a way to isolate the noise.

[@DarkGreenMagician]

Keep in mind that he lives in England. You’re lucky if you get above 25C on a hot summer day

[@sparkspl]

Imagine alt reality where this is only music format

[@markpenrice6253]

Sounds like (heh) it'd be worth a try. Just bear in mind that, yknow, Britain. We had a record breakingly hot summer this year and in latitudes significantly north of London (where I am, and where TM almost certainly is) the highest recorded tended to be in the low 30s celcius. The highest I saw personally was about 30~31'C. It does, however, get bone chillingly cold in winter, so it would work about as well to conduct the test indoors in autumn. Crank the heating right up on a sunny afternoon to make the recording (the maximum my thermostat goes to is 30, but you could push that by quite a few degrees by bringing an electric space heater into play after the main heating topped out, or maybe the high-wattage diesel burner TM reviewed a few years back), then turn it off completely, open all the windows and wait for night to fall before playing the recording. Or, yknow, as the cup is quite small but it and the wax should retain a temperature significantly deflected from ambient for the couple of minutes it would take to mount it on the spindle and record or play, conduct the test at a typical British indoor temperature (20ish celcius), but put the cup in a warm oven or airing cupboard (or blast it with a hairdryer) for a few minutes before recording, and chuck it in the fridge for a half hour (the freezer would probably be too harsh and lead to cracking/flaking) before playback.

[@markpenrice6253]

@@sparkspl You mean the late 1800s and very early 1900s?

[@Robbaz]

That's cool as heck, especially the satanistic replies.

[@cursedcliff7562]

This comment is a surreal expirience

[@doorwaycreative4693]

yes its Robbaz! i need to start watching your videos again!

[@Tenems941]

Late to the party, but surprised to see the king of Sweden here

[@MH-up1xe]

@@cursedcliff7562 you know I was just thinking the same thing because I am the same age Robbas was when he made the comment. This video is a milestone

[@derekkreykes3757]

I'm dead 😂😂😂

[@timbithar1]

I have tried these kits, since Edison used vertical cutting stylus method on cylinders and these use Berliner/Victor lateral method it's very hard considering the composition of the recording media (cup) and quality of the recording/playback stylus to get good (if any) results. The position of the stylus during recording, the stability of the cup and the weights make a difference, I have always added more weight than recommended for recording and secured the cup with inner inserts for stability and have gotten fairly decent results. A sharper stylus other than those provided also cuts a more distinct groove, but always use a less sharper stylus for playback.

[@jusb1066]

i think the vibration is pushing the stylus sideways, it needs to push it downwards to cut the material better, i think thats the flaw

[@johnfrancisdoe1563]

Jusb1066 So does a real record player/recorder. The groove depth is mostly constant (for mono), but it swings sideways to draw/read the sound wave.

[@saddle1940]

From what I remember, the original cutting stylus didn't have vertical weight on it. It was held in a carriage that was at a set distance from the cylinder and the only force on it was longitudinal as it sliced into the surface. It resisted climbing up out of the grove made because of the triangular shape of the needle. This one is pushing and deforming the cup under the needle constantly, regardless of the velocity.

[@johnm2012]

Timothy Harnish Exactly.

[@captaintrips2980]

"I waste my money so you don't have to", should be his tagline.

[@bryede]

I'm kinda glad this didn't work out. I was thinking about how long it would take to convert my whole music library to cups.

[@BarnOwl61]

It must have been hugely frustrating building this device after paying over 100pounds for it and finding out it is an utter failure. Please remember, as a little comfort, that I/we had a lot of fun watching you building it and making it work properly. Especially the shouting at the device was hilarious! I also had great fun reading the comments. After all this, I wasn't a failure at all! Thanks for your video and patience!

[@jerryvr]

You could try dipping the outside of the cup in liquid bees wax and record in the wax layer..

[@edward17829991]

Jerry cool idea

[@lemonslice2233]

Then you can eat your own words.

[@PayrollTips]

Or use them disposable wax coated paper cups... The ones for hot drinks.

[@BigKelvPark]

But the wax is on the inside on everyone I've seen. I see a flaw here.

[@PayrollTips]

You're right, it's the ones used for cold drinks, there coated on both sides to stop the condensation making them soggy. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_cup#Waterproofing

[@cicalinarrot]

4:47 The magnetic screwdriver tries to escape, then he realizes he's been caught on camera and acts casual.

[@skandigraun]

Change the caps. It always helps. With everything. If there are no caps, put some in it, and change them thereafter.

[@danmackintosh6325]

Actually, if one pronounces "cups" with a south London accent you could be closer to the fix than you think lol...

[@ian_b]

@@danmackintosh6325 Maybe he should try audiophile wax and paper cups.

[@danmackintosh6325]

Bumble Bee cups? lol

[@LikaLaruku]

LOCK THE CAPS FOR MORE EFFICIENT SHOUTING!

[@officialJoCa]

*_i put caps on my willy_*

[@MrGoatflakes]

Bluetac a piece of mirror to the end of the stylus and point a laser pointer at it and then speak into the funnel and see if the darn membrane is actually picking up any vibrations at all.

[@gtoger]

"let's have a listen"... then get completely busted watching Techmoan at work.

[@geoserenity]

gtoger there’s worse to be caught watching

[@chrysanth.5700]

You'll have to explain yourself for this one. You better not be doing what you're implying in front of Pedant.

[@j.redhead]

Im guessing patreon first watchers

[@diymicha4905]

I seldomly laughed that hard on techmoan clips. But this one made my day. Especially when you allmost sticked your nose into the funnel and shouted really loud :D But this is a japanese machine. You have to speak silent and polite. That was the error. You offended the machine.

[@brnrubber303]

Did you try replacing the capacitors?

[@flightlesschicken7769]

Lol

[@7tkh]

Jake Sky Ellis You mean replace them by cupacitors? ;)

[@ColHogan-le5yk]

I think the belt disintegrated

[@suzesiviter6083]

Yeah either that or the bridge cupifier.

[@AlfieLikesComputers]

there are no compositors and you spelt it wrong

[@mb-ql1gb]

12:20 Now I can imagine Techmoan ordering his McMuffins at a McDonalds Drive-In ...

[@Metmovie]

"IIIIIIIIIIII WAAAAAANT AAAAAAAA MCCCCCMUFFFFFFIN PLEAAAASE."

[@hawkeye454]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@KevinError]

My thought is that the top of the cup is too far off center relative to the top part that clamps on it. The wobble produced probably throws things like the needle and speed out of the range of usability. I think it would need to be centered on both ends carefully to avoid this wobble. Certainly not easy to do, and this is just a theory, but.. perhaps.

[@Dankyman100]

Kevin Carafa That's certainly one of the few problems with this design. Also, you'd have to make sure that the cup rotates continuously, Try out different amounts of weight on steeper angles of the needle, etc. etc. They really should have provided some optimal setup instructions...

[@greenanubis]

Yes. Though i doubt that functionality was the point of this product. I think it was more for the people who get of on history.

[@meismehaha]

Doubt it. There's a reason that the bell can move up and down like that. You'll notice it on records too where it can be warped but work fine.

[@Coolshows101]

🎶Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps.🎶

[@pauljs75]

It's why phonographs changed from the cylinder-based design to the flat disk. Stylus needs to ride the groove just perfect, and an off-center cylinder makes it bounce with inconsistent force. That is much less of an issue with the later design.

[@DL-kc8fc]

:) Everything wrong. The actual phonograph performs depth recording (depth modulation), not side recording (gramophone). Therefore, the forced movement of the needle by the screw slide was applied. Japanese modification with side modulation (gramophone hybrid) can provide recording and playback, but it is necessary to set the needle perpendicular to the crucible surface with a deviation of about 5 degrees. Tangential needle placement kills the ability to record and play. A flexible cup is also not the happiest solution.

[@TheMarwa7a]

-Have you ever seen the italian job with michael caine? -nope I haven't even watched it on my own I snorted with laughter

[@SuperSmellyBob]

TheMarwa7a can you explain, I don't get it.

[@fibrodad1354]

erm, it explains itself.

[@benjaminmiddaugh2729]

That movie has yet another unsatisfying ending, but I think the joke was that the muppet in question doesn't consider himself to have watched a film unless there is someone there with him so he can have someone to hear his withering criticism.

[@moosemaimer]

quality dad jokes from techmoan

[@timfischer]

@Benjamin Middaugh you didn't get it.

[@remixandkaraoke]

"No, I haven't even watched it on my own!" - LOVE IT!

[@Breakfast_of_Champions]

There's not enough mass for this to work reliably. Edison's worked because the whole thing was heavy, thick drum, lot of wax, heavy stylus apparatus. With this plastic trash you'd have to adjust a spring (very delicately) to put just enough pressure on the needle.

[@jusb1066]

having heard a real edison recorder onto wax, they worked pretty well, of course not was well as a tape, but you could hear all the words spoken, edison himself recorded 'mary had a little lamb' which worked pretty well, his had a larger funnel, larger diaphragm , and cylinders which were more stout, its hard to say if this device would ever work for spoken word, but be nice if someone has a video of it working

[@filiphendrik8108]

It might work if you filled the cup with something like silicone to give it some weight and some strength. Of course then you have to hope that the machine can hold a heavy cup.

[@pizzablender]

Makes sense. The cup has to move the needle, so it must be able to exert some force. For that it needs to be heavy or stiff. And it is neither.

[@rajrajmarley]

Has anyone ever told you that you have a perfect voice for narrating Thomas the Tank Engine? For some reason, your voice in this particular episode really brought me back to the Ringo Starr days.

[@locouk]

It works perfectly if you speak Japanese.

[@BerndFunken]

For sure xD

[@aeriumsoft]

"Tekkumōano: Retsurewiebu!" Now that is something I would watch.

[@ColHogan-le5yk]

My ass it would.

[@SchioAlves]

I can't disagree because I effectly understand what's on the recording just as much as I understand japanese

[@spokev]

This is basically a lathe with a stylus cutting into a surface. It's the way Edison discovered recording in the first place. A technician had been cutting filament from a metal drum for use in various light bulb configurations. While recutting thru previous grooves, the tech thought he was hearing sounds (other than the cutting). Called the boss over who took his ear horn (Edison was deaf in one ear) and attached it to the cutting head to amplify the sound. What they heard was the background noise of the workshop. Voilá... phonograph. This is the story that came down to me from my father from his grandfather who worked for Edison for a time.

[@dansharits1525]

Good story, but Edison invented the phonograph in 1877 and didn't start working on the incandescent lamp until 1878.

[@NachoMist]

10:44 - "As you can see I'm shouting quite loudly"

[@comicsansgreenkirby]

[ youdontsay.jpg ]

[@jddevers]

its funny you uploaded this today, I just went to a house this morning, that Edison spent a couple years in and listened to a recording of 'My Old Kentucky Home' on a hand crank wax cylinder player

[@MrTenad]

I bought this exact same phonograph kit on my trip to Japan around 2007. After many failed trials I was able to record and playback a short clip of speech which was intelligible enough to understand what was said. Obviously the signal to noise ratio was extremely poor - I would estimate it to be around 0 dB. Based on my trials I believe that barely intelligle speech is the best you can achieve with this device. I'm afraid I cannot remember what needle angle or number of weights I used to make the "successful" recording - sorry about that. I do have one tip for you though: Always remove the rubber bands before storing the kit for long periods of time. It seems they are made from low quality rubber and if you leave them under tension and/or exposed to sunlight they will break apart in less than a year. The kit works as a pretty cool display item with the bands removed so it's a good idea to store the bands separately and keep them protected from UV radiation. Ps. Thanks for producing so many interesting & informative videos!

[@ramairgto72]

"Paul is a Dead Man" That's all I could hear.

[@cermisan]

ramairgto72 😂🤣

[@Framusic]

@@cermisan pffffffff..... i only heard "number 9, number 9, number 9 and so on".... These dang beatles put it everywhere!!

[@Paul58069]

:) :) :)

[@professor_roundhead]

There was a Sega Genesis game that if put it in a CD player had one track...."turn me on Deadman" repeated with "number 9" and some other WEIRD stuff. Accualy kinda creeped me out alot and did research on it and found all the conspiracy about "the dead man" don't ask me what game it was I don't remember but for some reason I had it no Sega to play game thou and stuck it in my PS4 and BOOM out came the music or message more than music...was CRAZY

[@numbers9to0]

This thing is incomplete without a terrier sitting infront of it.

[@kruleworld]

but this one wasn't made by HMV...

[@Spacekriek]

In these politically correct days it would probably be called His mistress's chihuahua.

[@erogeguy8887]

are terriers not politically correct or what?

[@chris1newbury]

everyone knows terriers are far right

[@straightpipediesel]

It's Japanese. It would be JVC.

[@rambledogs2012]

Techmoan, have you tried wrapping the cup in tin foil, as smooth as possible and trying it? According to wiki, thats what Edison did.

[@dansharits1525]

The problem is the diaphragm orientation more than the recording medium.

[@Not-TheOne]

@Techmoan, looking at those cups, they are quite flimsy and bendable, perhaps try a cup that is more rigid/brittle? You get those plastic cups that dont bend when you squash them, perhaps try them, maybe they will record the movement of the styles more precisely than those softer plastic cups.

[@laharl2k]

Marius du Plessis my guess its the plastic thats too hard so the point takes too much force to move. its all about impedance. the force that the needle can do needs to be such that the plastic will move to the sides and the plastic needs to be soft enough so that the needle has enough force to move it away. if either is off you get less amplitude in the recording. imo the plastic is too hard or elastic and so he gets -200db SNR

[@sWaRmBuStEr]

but if the plastic isnt stiff enough it could be that the needle is just "pushing" the plastic around instead of scratching it the way you want. he should just give it a shot. the worst that could happen is that he looses a pound on a plastic cup

[@jennysbloke]

This is brilliant. Your channel gets better and better. And I'm loving the puppet sketches at the end. Classic Italian Job line. 😄 Thanks for your hard work producing these.

[@DrGonzoChronic]

If you want it to work you should hire Nikola Tesla to fix it, just make sure you don't pay him.

[@dgdixon704]

Or Give him credit for his work... In fact totally discredit him afterwards.

[@goose_3447]

@@dgdixon704 dont forget to profit off of all his other work too!!

[@Cashpots]

I built a kit which recorded on hard wax cylinders about 55 years ago. You could then erase the recording by rubbing off a layer of wax. Separate record and play styli. It worked quite well and I have a tape recording of the results somewhere. The cylinder was turned by a long screw thread which is the only part that I still have - its a fine screw thread about a foot long with a cranked handle attached and has had several uses over my lifetime. The latest was to turn a small satellite dish by hand!

[@GPUtest]

The Puppet section needs to have a separate youtube channel. I like it! :)

[@iPelaaja1]

GPUtest It has. Its called youtube pedantic

[@DanNobles]

I love the puppets. They reveal a different aspect of the subject, deeper and more personal. Bravo! Please keep them.

[@SamsonOsztreicher]

Fhave you tried playing audio through a loudspeaker really loud in front of it

[@SVanHutten]

Dear Techmoan: I do not have a phono kit, but as the recording is done by the needle vibrating sideways to the groove, I guess it would be required for the rotating cup to not be allowed to move (nor vibrate) along its axis. That piece of foam looks like a source of elasticity; I would use some mild adhesive (couple of drops of nail polish) to hold the cup in place. Also the whole recording arm should be perfectly rigid as to not dampen the needle vibrations (a little plastic adhesive may help to strenghten it). My two cents...

[@Mikej1592]

that smug expression is actually her thinking, some idiots gona buy this garbage. Joking aside it does look cool, nice video. love your work, always entertaining to watch your stuff, I also had high hopes for this at the start, I wonder if you coated the cups in wax and make a hybrid design hehe.

[@laharl2k]

Mikej1592 i can totally imaging her thinking "some baka gaijin will buy this"

[@johnfrancisdoe1563]

Mikej1592 She looks more like an overbearing girlfriend thinking "really, is than all, it doesn't say anything?".

[@BoshBargnani]

"Have you ever seen the italian job with Michael Caine?" "No, I haven't even watched it on my own." LOL!

[@diegomineiro]

"I'M DOWN TO MY LAST CANDLE!"

[@Spacekriek]

Sorry Matt, no more plastic cups for you.

[@dansharits1525]

What's interesting is that it's NOT actually an "Edison style" phonograph. That's also why this isn't working as well as expected. Edison used a horizontal diaphragm perpendicular to the stylus and etched a groove that varied in depth according to the sound. This model actually uses Emile Berliner's design with a vertical diaphragm and a parallel needle to record a groove with side to side movement. Berliner found this to be ineffective when recording on a cylinder, because he couldn't get the stylus to etch a deep enough groove, which is what eventually led to the transition to the disc.

[@markpenrice6253]

I thought it looked a bit weird. The use of the Berliner design is probably due to the choice of recording medium - you can't really etch a groove of meaningful depth into a plastic cup that's only a fraction of a millimetre thick. The needle might not even manage any proper tracking as is, just relying on the screw advance system to get it "close enough" to the centre line to pick up most of the waveform from the nearest actual groove. If we used the "dip it in candle wax" idea (especially if the cup received multiple coats to grant it a millimetre or more's substrate thickness) and got rid of that final 90-degree elbow in the pipe running to the diaphragm, it might work far better.

[@bradchervel5202]

I would love a Muppet Channel sarcastically reviewing hack products,...chinese knock offs etc.

[@cliz305]

Chinese knock offs are dirt cheap. What can we expect? They do have high-quality ones, but those are expensive as well.

[@Lumibear.]

Then testing them on Beaker.

[@okbridges]

Now you need a real cylinder phonograph with a recorder and some blanks to try making a record with. It would be interesting to see your perspective on the process with the real thing. They aren’t that expensive or hard to find.

[@FlameRat_YehLon]

Kinda wondering if this would work a little bit better if you cover the cup with a piece of wax paper (so that it's actually a "wax cylinder").

[@FlameRat_YehLon]

That might not get a smooth enough surface for recording (unless you have a good mold and know how to cast a candle properly). Also, I think plastic cups are more rigid, so using that with wax paper rather than just wax might make the recording quality a bit more constant.

[@lurkersmith810]

I'm going to wait for CCs (Compact Cylinder Digital Audio). It's a smaller, silvery cylinder with a laser head that packs more on a cylinder than the standard Blue Amberol. (That's an Edison joke.)

[@Weissman111]

Would it help to warm the cups up with hot water before recording - it might soften the surface a bit.

[@laharl2k]

Cardinal Biggles i would try freezing it instead. if you heat it up it becomes more elastic, but what you need is it to be plastic so that it will deform and retain the shape instead of jumping back like a rubber band

[@chadcastagana9181]

Cardinal Biggles The thinness of thevplastic cups would cause them to cool to quickly

[@jq747]

"Have you watched the Italian Job with Michael Caine?" "No, I haven't even watched it on my own." LOL!! xD

[@izuki8959]

micheal Cain is not in Italian job ... donald sutherland mark walberg

[@disnecessaurorex4908]

look at this phonograph.. everytime i do it makes me laugh

[@flickpad]

I haven't made one of these kits, but looking from an engineer's perspective, I think your stylus is too long. There will not be a huge amount of force generated by that diaphragm, so it requires the additional mechanical advantage delivered by having a short section of stylus after the fulcrum. Is it adjustable?

[@TomsManShed]

that was brill...was in tears laughing when you were shouting into it...great stuff :)

[@Radi0he4d1]

Could adding more weight create deeper notches? What about pre-warming the cup to make cutting easier?

[@JrGoonior]

The Edison originally used "hill and dale" recording versus this machine using vertical. I think another redesign is in order.

[@dansharits1525]

Bingo. Emile Berliner tried to use the vertical diaphragm on a cylinder and found it to not work, hence the eventual transition to the disc.

[@paulgracey4697]

A suggestion: As was discovered when developing LP records in vinyl, Heating the stylus when making the recording in plastic makes for a much more compliant track. Of course Edison used 'hill and dale' recording which follows the lead screw better, though needs thicker plastic. A simpler means might be to heat the cup instead, though a heated metal centering piece to it might hold heat long enough for the few seconds it works.

[@PaddyKret]

I’ve actually have been anticipating for this video!!! :)

[@Y0Y0Evan]

same

[@JPilot2]

Techmoan, my friend! He's got a phonographic memory. He repeats the exact same old lines like a scratched record. By the way, to get the Edison Cup Phonograph Kit, to work properly! You forgot to say... Mary had a little lamb. It's fleece was white as snow, Everywhere the child went. The lamb, the lamb was sure to go! (just kidding!) Cheers! :-)

[@altareggo]

This channel is VERY addicting!! Love the wry humor and the smooth, very easily understood delivery: so refreshing in an era of soulless, pronunciation-mangling robots reading canned scrips!! Thanks for this: my faith in KZbin videos is renewed.

[@williamlogan4049]

I have to agree with you how refreshing this channel is thank you Techmoan

[@39Kohm]

Wonder if you could find a way of hooking up the head from a turntable to this to see what the recordings are like, maybe it just isn't that good at the playback?

[@transformingArt]

While I like this video a lot (as with all the other videos posted on this channel), this Gakken kit (and the earlier one) is not doing much justice to the real Edison cylinder phonographs for two reasons. First, the reproducer/recorder part is definitely not the real design by Edison but the design by Emile Berliner for Gramophone discs invented in 1887 - the Edison system was employing hill-and-dale (vertically cut) grooves, whereas the Berliner system was employing the lateral cut (like the modern disc) system. This kit, however, had made the two different system into one unit, which is not historically accurate at all. The other part is that the built quality of this kit doesn't come close to the marvelous mechanical/sound quality of the real Edison cylinder machines. Most of the Edison Cylinder phonographs (and the later Diamond Disc machines) were mechanically "bulletproof" - I have seen these machines go up and running after sitting in the attic for 50 years or so without any mechanical problems or not even a drop of new oil in the mechanism. This unit is far from that built quality and could be described at best as a very poor representation of the real thing.

[@jeffgrave]

TIP-I am a pro reviewer -don't buy crap products with NO REVIEWS! Love your work on your channel.

[@genericgreensquid6669]

It's everyday bro with that Techmoan flow

[@aaronkortas8336]

did you try to install the membrane that vibrates the needle facing the other direction? it seems to me that the concave side faced the horn no the video but perhaps the convex side facing the horn would allow more movement in the needle

[@unfa00]

It would work just fine for recording rock band rehearsals.

[@chasspencer1889]

@ Techmoan Sorry to see your disclaimer to the nay-sayers of your puppet coda . In case it's not mentioned enough, I appreciate and look forward to these funny extra bits after watching your always entertaining videos with hours and hours of work to film and produce. To me personally , it's like finding a toy in your cereal box . A fun creative and funny take on what was just seen. I love all the videos and keep up the great work ! Greetings from San Antonio Texas .

[@ASilentS]

Could you record Dixie on a Dixie cup? (Sorry non-US viewers. None of that makes sense.)

[@scottfirman]

You can play the cup song while building the thing. lol. No more wax piles.lol. One things for sure, it reminds me of the cheap toys we got for christmas back in the late 60's. I remember most of those motorized toys lasted till Spring, then they went in the trash for spring cleaning.lol.

[@TheTobias81]

I think you might have one of two problems (or maybe both). 1. The diaphragm is simply badly constructed and not working. Though there is sound scratched on the cup, so I think it might more be problem number 2.: The force pressing down the needle onto the cup is to weak. Have you tried putting some more weight on the needle arm? It looks to me as if the sound is just not scratched into the cup "deep enough" (you know what I mean). Plus, I would - as you already started - try to work out a better solution for holding the cup. I just cannot be good for the record if the cup wiggles around like it did in your video. An interesting try might also using a wax cylinder. Maybe you have a plastic tube that you can cover with wax, like, from a molten candle? I would use that with the weights on the needle actually thought for using a plastic cup. It might work better than plastic alltogether. Cheers from the country that invented the Tefifon, please keep up the great work!

[@dansharits1525]

The problem is more than just pressure on the needle, it's the recording method as a whole. Edison's design created a groove that varied in depth, not side to side movement. Emile Berliner tried his design of a side to side movement and found it to not work on cylinders, hence the creation of the disc.

[@backonyeon]

LOL, "Nope, haven't even watched it on my own.". Can't ever figure if that's you and your dad, you and your son or just your take on the entitlement technology creates in each new generation but, in any case, you are not only tech savvy, you my friend are a philosopher. Good on you.

[@g2macs]

Your almost there....just add a pre-amp, graphic equaliser, surround sound amp and some extra speakers then....bingo!

[@elpaso--west7354]

IN 1970 I HAD A SMALL PLASTIC TOY KIT GRAMOPHONE THAT PLAYED A SMALL PLASTIC RECORD( ABOUT 3 CM DIAM)-I WISH I STILL HAD IT---I ALSO HAD AN OLD WEBCOR WIRE RECORDER,MY FATHER PUT IT IN THE TRASH WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE...DO YOU REMEMBER THE GARRARD ZERO 100 TURNTABLE??

[@Spiderelectron]

Motoring on... On to the Motor - I see what you did there! :-)

[@RambozoClown]

I was expecting a fanfare sound clip every time he said "horn section".

[@ngounchantha792]

🤣🤣😂 how did you record on plastic?

[@StewarttheSockschannel]

"I haven't even watched it on my own."

[@jali4000]

nothing like a cold lager and a new techmoan video

[@vader0ne]

no mate that look on the box is showing ,lol fool got your $99 you will never see again!!!!

[@southjerseysound7340]

That may apply to some but not him,he's easily made that back and then some from add revenue ;-)

[@vader0ne]

so true forgot.

[@vader0ne]

never would buy a recorder that records on a solo cup....lol

[@ShesSometimesDoubleChocolate]

Oh, you'll SEE it again... just in your bank report as having disappeared for barely any good reason at all! Plus, it probably cost them all of $1.43 to make! Rip-off bastards! Even if it cost them about $6 and I had to pay like $20, I still wouldn't buy this trash!

[@denimadept]

Solo cups are for monophonic recording only.

[@blackpoolbarmpot]

I've never come across a Phonograph with a lateral modulated cutter/playback soundbox. Normally the soundbox diaphragm faces the recording cylinder and cuts a 'Hill & Dale' modulated groove. However, it should still work irrespective of the type of modulation.

[@Neoxenum]

eindeutig. Die Nadel ist zu flach auf dem Becher. Richtige Position zu sehen in der Bedienungsanleitung bei 2:03...

[@REXXSEVEN]

Horsteci Al eegensen mies an strugen

[@IcicleFurry]

@Neoxenum is this a German comment or is this auto-translated??!?

[@ducter2001]

I could give you a tip from Mr Edision..say... "Mary had a little lamb" Really enjoyed watching this . esp. the assembly intro. .. very entertaining stuff.

[@RecordingStudio9]

Love the end puppetry.

[@jmulvey371]

The Tefifon music is perfect! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHOxhXSjgbegi8km58s

[@mickblock]

If you still have this cup phonograph, maybe try stiffening the cup. Maybe with some wax on the inside. i think its absorbing the needle vibrations on record and playback. That is my almost 3 years late suggestion.

[@circattle]

Perhaps this could be modified to use fat candles.

[@anononomous]

Maybe they make something similar that actually uses candles?... :-)

[@ajborowski]

I would guess that the pliability is the cup is absorbing the vibration that is intended to etch the audio.try stuffing the cup with something, or using something more dense.. even wax if you have it. Then try again

[@PeepsMichael]

12:18 This is the part where I question myself: “Why am I watching a video about a man screaming into a children’s educational toy?”

[@KingSlimjeezy]

dip the cup in wax? Vinyl? If you ever mess around with this thing again test it against a bass heavy bookshelf speak at full volume. It be neat to get an audible sound out of

[@SQUIDWORD15]

Now look at this nick that I just found, when I say go it fits in the hole!

[@leandrodecarvalho8030]

I wonder if you got a speaker right in front of the funnel and cranked it really loud playing a voice recording, if it would work better.

[@Lu_Woods]

One man, 17 cups. : /

[@lordmcted]

if the diaphragm moves in and out with sound pressure, would the neddle be better placed on the top of it instead of the side?