HD "HI-FI Vinyl Will Soon Be A Reality 3D Printing Technology

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by AcidPunk15, Feb 20, 2017.

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  1. AcidPunk15

    AcidPunk15 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    New Brunswick, NJ
    http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2016/03/15/high-definition-vinyl-will-soon-become-a-reality/

    Imagine a vinyl record that has 30% more capacity, 30% greater volume, and double the audio fidelity of a typical LP sold today.
    The technical specifications for High Definition Vinyl, or ‘HD Vinyl,’ have now been detailed in a European patent filing exclusively shared with Digital Music News on Tuesday. This is a concept that could potentially be on the market within three years, according to details shared by Rebeat Digital, the company that filed the patent.

    Rebeat, based in Tulln, Austria, submitted the EU-wide patent with Joanneum Research, with plans to quickly secure additional patent protections in the United States and worldwide. The patent filing was viewed by Digital Music News in a private session, and we were not allowed to keep a copy of the filing.



    The ‘HD Vinyl’ name is a working title, though the basic idea is this: instead of the manual and time-consuming process currently used for creating vinyl LPs, the ‘HD Vinyl’ process involves 3D-based topographical mapping combined with laser inscription technology to more quickly generate a far superior product. Not only will the end product be vastly improved, but the time required to produce the LPs will also be radically reduced.

    “…you don’t need to buy a new system…”
    The result is a record that looks like the LPs being sold today, and more importantly, plays like them. According to the companies involved, the HD Vinyl disc will play on all currently manufactured turntables and high end record players, though enhanced features will be better realized on upcoming, HD-compatible turntables. “This is a completely backwards-compatible technology,” said Guenter Loibl, Rebeat CEO. “It will play on any existing turntable, you don’t need to buy a new system to enjoy the benefits.”



    [​IMG]

    One of the largest problems that HD Vinyl solves is the gigantic production bottleneck that is currently stunting the vinyl resurgence. Currently, most vinyl is produced using 1960s-era, antiquated technology, with processes that are both extremely time-consuming and horrible for the environment.




    Basically, two production methods exist:

    (a) Mechanically scratching audio grooves into a lacquer foil, followed by an electro-plating process involving lots of chemicals; or

    (b) The ‘DMM’ direct-to-metal mastering process, which involves manually scratching the audio directly into a copperplate, followed by electro-plating (and also using a lot of chemicals).

    “mastering the topographic data…”
    The HD Vinyl process, by contrast, involves a longer period perfecting the topographic, computer-generated, 3D modeling imprint before any physical manufacturing takes place. “We adjust the distance of the grooves, we correct the radial/tangential errors, and we optimize the frequencies,” Loibl continued. “You could say we ‘master’ the topographical data, which is a totally different approach.”

    After that, a ‘pulsed high-energy Femto-laser’ burns the audio directly onto the stamper. Distance between the grooves and depth adjustments happen automatically, with a 90-degree burning angle eliminating possible distortions. All in, Rebeat and Joanneum estimate that stamper-related costs will be reduced by 50 percent, while the time required to produce a new piece of vinyl slashed by 60 percent.



    The timing of this new technology could be absolutely perfect. The music industry witnessed another surge in vinyl demand last year, with sales booming 29.8% in the United States alone, according to Nielsen Music. That is being followed by an echo of turntable sales: late last year, Amazon reported that a $50 Jensen turntable was its best-selling home audio product for the holidays. Even better, the vinyl resurgence could be having a spillover effect into retail, with smaller record shops suddenly resurfacing. Bands are also realizing greater revenues from vinyl: according to financial details surfacing last year, vinyl is actually producing more revenue than ad-supported streaming.
     
  2. ssmith3046

    ssmith3046 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Arizona desert
    Another White album in my future.
     
  3. The Pinhead

    The Pinhead KING OF BOOM AND SIZZLE IN HELL

    Not another format !!!:doh:
     
  4. MrRom92

    MrRom92 Forum Supermodel

    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Not only old news that I'm sure has already been posted here, but also stupid.. We don't need to reinvent the wheel (of steel)


    The best disc cutting computers were designed over 35 years ago and could pack the disc as efficiently as they could by calculating the dimensions of the following groove excursion for every 1/16th of a revolution. Imagine what we could get away with given today's technology? It could make the current most advanced disc cutting computers look absolutely archaic in comparison. No reason we can't get that 30% increase in volume/capacity efficiency given traditional mastering methods.


    And lets say someone does put the R&D money into records and we do hit that theoretical 30% increase in efficiency? This could almost entirely counteract the 37% extra real estate necessary for 45rpm cut. Meaning we could get 45 rpm versions of some albums that would never do well being broken up across more sides, as they would not require more disc real estate than their existing 33rpm versions and we would be able to match the same recorded level as well, but with all the benefits of a faster linear velocity. Think 45rpm all-analog Dark Side of The Moon, or Sgt. Pepper, etc.



    Not that anyone will spend the money to make this happen of course.


    @Steve Hoffman, any thoughts on this from a skilled cutter such as yourself?
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2017
  5. Gaslight

    Gaslight ⎧⚍⎫⚑

    Location:
    Northeast USA
    Kind of Blue....HD Vinyl Edition. You know it's coming.
     
  6. cdash99

    cdash99 Senior Member

    Location:
    Mass
    And we'll all buy a copy to see what the fuss is.
     
  7. eddiel

    eddiel Senior Member

    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    I remember this news from last year. Three years seemed optimistic then and now. I wonder if they're any closer to actually using this method or if they're still filing patents.
     
  8. sunspot42

    sunspot42 Forum Resident

    Location:
    San Francisco
  9. scotpagel

    scotpagel Forum Resident

    Location:
    Mesa, Az
    Billy Joel, Toto and James Taylor will be the first releases guaranteed!
     
  10. sunspot42

    sunspot42 Forum Resident

    Location:
    San Francisco
    Don't forget Pink Floyd!
     
  11. videoman

    videoman Senior Member

    Location:
    Lake Tahoe, NV
    Holding out for the 45 RPM versions.
     
  12. AcidPunk15

    AcidPunk15 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    New Brunswick, NJ
    if they filed the patent then the company can practically make money doing this.
     
  13. AcidPunk15

    AcidPunk15 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    New Brunswick, NJ
    no idea this was old news. Saw it on KAB twitter
     
  14. Gavinyl

    Gavinyl Remembering Member

    Neil Young waiting...
     
  15. BejittoSSJ5

    BejittoSSJ5 Forum Resident

    Can't wait for the HD Vinyl cut of Herb Alpert's Whipped Cream and Other Delights!!!
     
  16. cdash99

    cdash99 Senior Member

    Location:
    Mass
    and The Doors.
     
    art and sunspot42 like this.
  17. yet another DSOTM Noooooooo. No doubt i will be suckered in and more money will flow out of my bank account.
     
    Pythonman, SandAndGlass and sunspot42 like this.
  18. eddiel

    eddiel Senior Member

    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    Filing a patent and making money off of that patent are two different things. But yeah they might well make money doing this once it's put into practice.

    Still, l wonder how close they are to actually trying this out and pressing an lp. I 'm also curious about the the upcoming "new, HD compatible" turntables they mention. Who's developing those and what are they?
     
    Fishoutofwater likes this.
  19. Agitater

    Agitater Forum Resident

    Location:
    Toronto
    Nobody reads article dates anymore? The piece is dated March 2016, which makes it just about a year old. This page on the Rebeat web site:

    HD Vinyl - Rebeat

    . . . has also been up for a year. It's an empty page, just like Rebeat's idea.

    The whole point of music on LP - traditionally mastered, traditionally pressed - is to recreate a specific experience, a definitively recognizable sound, a widely appreciate type of fidelity, and a traditionally and widely understood engagement with music. The ongong LP revival is being practically and specifically aided and pursued by the Canadian company that has been manufacturing brand new cutters and presses in their traditional form. There's a least one other Canadian company that has already shipped new presses to customers.
     
  20. eddiel

    eddiel Senior Member

    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    I'll answer one of my own questions!

    HD Vinyl - Rebeat


    The website does have a link to a news story from Jan 2017 and it looks like they're still looking for partners: In Österreich bekommt die Vinyl-Platte den letzten Schliff (you'll need to translate from German unless you can read German)
     
  21. AcidPunk15

    AcidPunk15 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    New Brunswick, NJ
    Yah i heard their is a company still making pressing machines. I hope they are updated machines. You know using modern technology. Also do you know that company? I have read in the news Dallas-based record label bought a pressing machine also united arts pressing in Tennessee. Does anyone have any details on this company.
     
  22. Agitater

    Agitater Forum Resident

    Location:
    Toronto
    Hand Drawn Records, in Dallas - here and here - is using presses from Viryl Technologies, a Canadian company based in Toronto. Viryl is producing a very good, new press design that is evidently in high demand. The demand is not surprising and Viryl seems to have hit the market at just the right time. The machines are not refurbs of old presses - they're brand new designs and they're working extremely well. High-end stuff that can economically do small runs or big runs equally well.
     
  23. AcidPunk15

    AcidPunk15 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    New Brunswick, NJ
    nice to see companies realize and actualize market potential. Also I believe this vinyl craze will not go away and we are just in the beginning phase of the "vinyl resurgence" . Thanks for the company.
     
  24. Agitater

    Agitater Forum Resident

    Location:
    Toronto
    I think the U.S. in general is late to the LP resurgence party. The Europeans - the British in particular - were in a full swing vinyl revival over fifteen years ago. Stores were popping up all over the place in London back then, and in all the other big cities in the country. Business took a nose dive for a few years immediately after 2008, through the first three years of recession and into the early glimmers of recovery. The point is, the vinyl revival began quite a while ago in Europe and we're now well past the initial re-establishment phase and into the beginning of a growth phase. That's why companies like Viryl Technologies are able to raise funds from investors to design and manufacture brand new presses. Keep in mind that Viryl didn't come up with the new design, prototypes and fabrication overnight. The presses have been several years in the design, prototyping, testing and now in production. Investors saw enough of a future in vinyl to risk real capital over two years ago.
     
    AcidPunk15 likes this.
  25. AcidPunk15

    AcidPunk15 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    New Brunswick, NJ
    Makes logical sense Europe is always more advanced and sophisticated when its comes to culture and music. Just how BHO started in Canada in early 2000s and only become huge in America in early 2010s.
     
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