The Article
ELBOW: The new Walkman Cassette player?
24th March 2017
It’s a concept piece and so you can’t buy it just yet but I couldn’t resist including it. This is a new mobile cassette player that features modern technology and a compact form
A typical cassette player uses a capstan and a pinch roller to drag the tape along a magnetic head at a constant speed. Additionally, separate pulleys rotate the take-up and supply reels to manage the tape. As tape relocates from one reel to another mechanic clutches, belts and springs adjust the speed to both pulleys. Alternatively, capstan and reel pulleys can have separate motors. All of this results in quite a complex device and takes up a lot of space.
In ELBOW, a single pulley is used to drive the tape. To maintain constant playback rate, tape speed must be tracked by optical sensor and used as a control parameter for motor adjustment.
ELBOW’s most prominent feature is the biaxial arm. It rotates in two directions – upward motion enables the insertion of cassettes, while sideways motion allows manual switching of the playing direction. In a way, the biaxial ar mimics a tonearm of a vinyl record player.
The control wheel has a triple function. On the initial position, the device is off. Turning the wheel left plays the cassette and increases the volume. Turning in the opposite direction fast forwards the cassette, with a gradual increase (the more you turn, the faster the motor goes).
The device has two connections: a standard 3.5mm audio plug and a standard mini-USB port for charging and transferring audio fro the cassette to a computer.
A small pin pushes into the back lid, enabling attachment to clothes an other textile objects.
To learn more, click elbow.co.nf
how do we know when it will be avaialble in market
Not yet, I’m afraid – will keep an eye on the situation though.
Idea was great. How can i buy in india?
It’s only a concept at the moment – I’ll keep an eye on this and report any progress, though.
good idea ..do you have a unit for Hi 8 mm video ???
It’s just an ‘idea’, at the moment Vic. I’ll pass on any further updates ASAP.
Hi Paul please update me on the Elbow player availability to the general public. THANKS.
This is directly from the design team:
Dear ELBOW followers,
It’s time to clarify a few things. We’ve received loads of messages asking about the product price, features and availability. Here are the answers:
ELBOW IS A DESIGN CONCEPT. THERE IS NO PRODUCT YET AVAILABLE.
We are currently looking for engineering heads to help us make it happen.
THERE IS NO ESTIMATED PRICE OR RELEASE DATE YET.
The project is in very early stage, nothing is clear or set in stone.
THIS IS NOT THE FINAL DESIGN.
We’re looking for ways to modify or overhaul the design to make
the project more technically feasible.
Thanks all of you for the continued support, we’ll do everything in our power to try and make this real. Peace and joy to everyone,
BrainMonk organisation
Ive found this site again! I sure hope that you have evolved into a product by now. Still, many questions about potential specs. If this is a viable place to find out your progress please let me know. I shall read the other comments and when they were posted. If my inquiries are redundant than good i hope im not the only one thats hoping for your continued progress. I shall check in again the next time you catch my attention.
Thx.
Hi Patrick – I’m afraid I am a mere journalist and have nothing to do with the product itself or the company behind it. Sorry.
Hey man, its been a minute. Hopefully enough time has passed that you may have your sights on some new tech like this one or this became a reality. Lemme know whenever you have a minute.
Hi Patrick – the Elbow? This one died in the water, I’m afraid and it’s stayed dead ever since. Haven’t heard of anything similar out there unless anyone else out there knows better?
Well i do appreciate the expedient response anywho. This seems like a great product especially for an old school music fan with an enormous cassette collection that i will never part with. What i miss is the way the magnetic heads will pick up the cell phone search signal so you can tell when someone’s phone is about to ring. Freaks people out when ever you tell them,” its for you” or “if its for me, im in the tub.”
No problem, Patrick – did you see this news follow up perchance? :https://theaudiophileman.com/elbow-portable-cassette-tape-player-news/
This is an interesting idea, but unfortunately, it simply won’t work well enough to be an acceptable product.
No tension control is a BIG DEAL and a show-stopper. It’s impossible to control tape speed without it.
I appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm about the design and the optimism that a product like this might bring to cassette collectors, but PLEASE don’t rely on this to even be a playable option without some extensive revisions and modifications.
Paul, your reply to commenters imply that the need for tape tension and other features are an “audiophile” thing. That’s just a really a poorly thought-out response. This thing will be out-preformed by a fisher-price tape player from the ’70’s if it’s every produced as it’s designed in this story.
It’s been 5 years and still no real product. Every video or review is just a CGI. I appreciate designers and engineers with progressive imaginations, but this is like those concept car designs of vehicles that look advanced and cool, but the designer didn’t bother to include a door.
Sorry for the rant. I see stuff like this all the time on the crowdfunding sites. Get’s people excited, but it’s an impossible product. I just wish people were a little more realistic.
I’m afraid your “rant” was a little unnecessary. You might want to check out my follow-up news story which declared that it is effectively dead in the water: https://theaudiophileman.com/elbow-portable-cassette-tape-player-news/ A site-based search is to be recommended for such matters.
As such, I would have thought that any time I may have committed to a written response, based on a product borne of fiction, was not only reasonable but exceedingly generous.
Paul, you are right. My own reply was short sited and poorly researched. I apologize for coming across so strongly with this article. No excuses.
Have a good day.