Vinyl records don’t come cheap, especially if you’re manufacturing albums in small batches. However, the aging medium also evokes a distinct feeling that’s hard to find elsewhere, one rooted in both high-fidelity and the kind of the nostalgia that tapes, CDs, and digital music simply cannot provide. It’s never been the best format for crafting the ultimate mixtape, though, especially considering albums were once intended to be listened to as a package opposed to a collection of singles made for iTunes aficionados. Thankfully, startup Vinylify is looking to change that.
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Based out of Amsterdam, the fledgling enterprise aims to create and ship personalized vinyl records directly to your door. The company uses cutting machines first developed in the late ’80s by a German engineer, along with Technics 1210 MK2 turntable and an audio rack that allows the team to convert digital sound into analog. You pick and upload the songs — that is, assuming you have permission from the original owner or rights holder — or simply select tracks from the company’s online catalog to create the ultimate tracklist. Each 10-inch record holds 20 minutes of audio split between both sides, and moreover, you can always opt for high-resolution FLAC or WAV files for better sound quality. Once chosen, the folks at Vinylify manually cut, presse, and ship the album to your door within a month. You even get to choose the cover artwork and labeling beforehand.
The entire process will cost you 50 euros — roughly $55 USD — without shipping and handling. It may seem a bit pricey, but it’s a small price to pay for customized, 33⅓ RPM record. Now, the only question that remains is… what would you put on it?
Check out Vinylify online for more details, to place an order, or to peruse examples.
