First 3D-printed record

Although a nostalgic return of vinyl LP records has been seen in recent years, no one expects the digital music recording industry to start producing records in mass quantities again. However, the rise of 3D printing offers the intriguing possibility of printing your own records at home. In 2013, researcher Amanda Ghassaei of Instructables Inc from San Francisco, USA, created the world’s first 3D-printed, playable LP record. Ghassaei wrote code that transforms any audio file into a 3D file that can be printed via the high-resolution Objet Connex 500 3D printer. Traditional LPs are pressed in vinyl, while the 3D printer produces a stiffer disc, more similar to the even older 78 records. The playable portion is only printed on one side and the records will play on a standard record player.