Music

Radical player rides your records

Radical player rides your records
The RokBlok moves around your records, while they stay still
The RokBlok moves around your records, while they stay still
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The RokBlok moves around your records, while they stay still
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The RokBlok moves around your records, while they stay still
According RokBlok creator Logan Riley, the device's wheels don't harm records' vinyl surfaces
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According RokBlok creator Logan Riley, the device's wheels don't harm records' vinyl surfaces
The RokBlok can be wirelessly paired with a stationary third-party Bluetooth speaker or set of headphones, for better audio quality
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The RokBlok can be wirelessly paired with a stationary third-party Bluetooth speaker or set of headphones, for better audio quality
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Although portable record players have been around for decades, they're generally still not small enough to just be thrown in a bag – after all, they do have to accommodate a spinning LP. The RokBlok, however, doesn't "house" the record at all. Instead, it drives around its surface in circles, sort of like a tiny Zamboni with a needle on the bottom.

To use the bamboo-bodied device, users start by placing their record on a smooth flat surface. They then turn the RokBlok on by flipping up a built-in lever, set it down at the outer edge of the record, then let it go. Its soft rubber wheels will propel it around (it can be set to either 33 or 45 rpm), while its pivoting needle follows the grooves.

According to its creator Logan Riley, the wheels don't harm records' vinyl surfaces.

The RokBlok can be wirelessly paired with a stationary third-party Bluetooth speaker or set of headphones, for better audio quality
The RokBlok can be wirelessly paired with a stationary third-party Bluetooth speaker or set of headphones, for better audio quality

Music is played back through the RokBlok's speakers, although the sound is obviously going to be getting projected in ever-tightening circles. Fortunately, the device can also be wirelessly paired with a stationary third-party Bluetooth speaker or set of headphones, for better audio quality.

When it's time to stop, the RokBlok is turned off simply by waving a hand over the top to flip the lever back down. One two-hour charge of its battery should be good for a claimed four hours of playback time.

If you're interested, the RokBlok is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. A pledge of US$59 will get you one, when and if it reaches production. The planned retail price is $99.

It can be seen and heard in action, in the video below.

Source: Kickstarter

Introducing RokBlok

View gallery - 3 images
3 comments
3 comments
MattII
We.ll it's certainly a unique idea.
LanceTurner
Just an updated version of the Soundwagon, which has been around for years, nothing new here except the addition of bluetooth. http://www.dj-rooms.com/soundwagon-record-player/
Jay Gatto
Cute idea. I like vinyl for the best 'organic' sound I can get, I like a very old Garrard deck, even the Garrard arm (and a good cartridge), for the warmth and size of sound. For casual use digital is OK, and saves the vinyl!