Hip hop and electronica DJs use vinyl to spin some of today's most futuristic sounds, but record-cutting technology has been in hibernation since the early '80s. Frustrated with old lathes and their scarce, costly parts, Swiss engineers Flo Kaufmann (right) and Jvo Studer launched Vinylium (www.vinylium.ch) to update existing equipment with high-precision microcontrollers. The digital process creates vinyl with greater dynamic range than was previously possible, and does it inexpensively. But the best news is for small labels and amateur producers: Vinylium's soon-to-be-released dub-plate device lets you cut records at home. "It's a dream to put this out," says Kaufmann, who spins funk and rap after hours. "Every kid who buys a turntable should also have a cutter."
ELECTRIC WORD
Lathe Shift
Test of Time
Every Breath You Take
Urban Flight
Garagepreneur
The Art of War
