Swedish audiovisual artist and woodworker Love Hulten is well known for combining vintage aesthetics with new technology, blurring the boundaries between past and present. We have previously featured his work when he crafted a near replica of the iconic IBM 2401 storage cabinet, complete with LEDs and reels. Once again, he has designed a unique record player that employs a unique tonearm system. The main motive is to enhance the physical interaction with the machine, allowing for an even more tactile experience, which is the main reason behind its growing fan base.
Commissioned for Rebin Shah, Hultén’s turntable features an oversized look. In this reinterpretation, the vinyl player comes fitted in a cabinet featuring a ferrofluid visualizer on the front that animates sound in real time. The base is distinguished with red and blue buttons and rotary dials that make the unit look more like a Hi-Fi deck.
The biggest change is that the conventional tonearm has been replaced with a miniature crane that lets users physically navigate the vinyl surface as needed. In the crane mode, you can move the stylus sideways or up and down using the control panel. This means you have to drive the playback manually as the turntable avoids automation features. This simple act of physically controlling the tonearm is compared to architecture, where a crane drops materials over a skyscraper.
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The cabinet under the record player houses a 2.1 stereo system with Bluetooth for connectivity, along with Arduino-driven stepper motors, sensors, and limit switches responsible for the crane’s movement. There are also exposed internal components, including a glass dome and cables that reflect Hultén’s interest in visible engineering.
The maker has described it as ‘over-engineered and very stupid,’ but actually adding hands-on interaction to a vinyl player can make listening feel even more engaging. It is a sculptural piece that thoughtfully combines functional audio equipment with the appeal of collectible design.
Via: designboom
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