The global phenomenon known as K-pop and its passionate level of fandom has proven to be a boon to the resurgence of physical media. Musical acts regularly release special edition vinyl LPs, CD boxed sets, and other physical collector’s items as a way to connect with fans across physical and digital divides, giving them a means to showcase their loyalties. Korean design studio found/Founded’s Vibrary Digital LP Player is a conceptual response to the global K-pop ignited trend, combining a digital audio player with a display stand allowing music fans to show off what’s on rotation.
The Vibrary Digital LP Player takes cues from countless other wireless audio speakers and smaller soundbars, with a wide front facing speaker design, tactile button controls up top, and various sound listening modes, including spatial audio – the increasingly popular audio processing technology that allows audio engineers to precisely designate where sound is perceived to be emanating from, painting soundscapes of effects across a listener’s room. How effective this mode would prove in reality is questionable, noting the overall size of the player is modest.
A unique feature of the audio system is the inclusion of a secondary detachable wireless controller. One might wonder: why include a remote control in an age when everyone streams and controls playback with their mobile devices? The answer is revealed by found/Founded’s own description of the device’s customizable colored panels and remote, each designed to be “harmonious with the artist’s official color(s).” While not a norm in the Western pop music landscape, it’s important to understand in the K-pop universe official colors associated with music acts have long been a norm, something in a similar vein to a sports team’s colors.
The Vibrary’s can-shaped remote is noticeably larger and unusually tactile than most modern remotes, with a simple 4-way touch button layout for volume and track playback control.
found/Founded’s concept also includes a “voice-specific mode” that customizes the device’s operational sounds according to the artist’s content.
But arguably the most convincing reason a K-pop devotee might want the Vibrary music player is for its prominent built-in display stand, one that makes showing off an undying loyalty to [your favorite band here] and a favorite album all part of the music listening experience.
To learn more about the Vibrary Digital LP Player concept head to behance.net or foundfounded.com.
