Jack White Wants Fans to Record to Vinyl at Third Man Records
Jack White and his label, Third Man Records, want you to drop by his Nashville studio on Record Store day (April 20) to try out his new toy: a 1947 Voice-o-Graph.
The Voice-o-Graph is the only public vinyl recording booth in the world and lucky participants will be able to record up to two minutes of audio, which will then be pressed onto a 6-inch phonograph disc.
In a statement on the Third Man website, White explained his thoughts behind the project:
"Actively venturing to your local record shop is one of those honors and privileges in this life that we just shouldn't take for granted.
Certain beautiful experiences can only happen in the environment of a record store and I just thought that nothing could drive that point home more than a one-of-a-kind machine that lets you not only record your own vinyl record, but send it to anyone, anywhere in the world to share a song, poem, or private message with.
I know those warm, scratchy tones send tingles up (and sometimes down) my spine. Even if you aren't instrumentally inclined, you could hold up an iPhone playing a song and sing along with the music and combine the best of all worlds tangible, digital and romantic."
In return for the free vinyl recording session, Third Man only ask that participants share their finished products with loved ones. To help, the label will be selling custom printed envelopes and stamps. Digital versions of the recordings can be submitted to Third Man; the label will be streaming the personal gems on their website.
And if you're totally bummed that you are neither in (or near) Nashville right now, there's hope: the installation will be a permanent fixture at Third Man's Novelties Lounge. Instruments will also be provided (for free) next to the booth, so add a riff if your heart so desires.
To demonstrate the booth's recording abilities, White's Raconteur bandmate Brendan Benson hopped in with his guitar and showed the Internet how it's done. Watch below.
1m
1m
13s
6m
21m
16m
13m
11m
1m
12m
9m
8m
15m
16m
13m
17m
15m
13m
14m
12m
12m
13m
16m
10m
26m
15m
13m
21m
10m
13m
12m
22m
2m
11m
15m
20m
26m
14m
13m
14m
21m
1h 3m
1m
17m
1m
53m
2m
1m
1h 20m
2m
1m
23m
21m
1h 16m
22m
45m
24m
46m
20m
1h 43m
1h 37m
36s
6m
41m
1m
46m
1h 21m
22m
20m
2m
2m
1h 21m
20m
45m
2m
41m
2m
22m
2m
56m
1m
20m
41m
20m
41m
20m
2m
20m
1m
44s
1m
2m
6m
1h 39m
1m
1m
6m