[Update 2025] Seeing this Shaan Puri, My First Million episode and being reminded of what a great idea this. I really feel it could change the world and become a model for how artists and musicians make a living moving forward in an AI world. But it would take someone like Rick Beato, who already has the network of high-profile musician friends AND a state of the art studio to pull off. Or maybe Blake Mills, who is now running Sound Studio in Van Nuys. From what I’ve seen of Blake online he also seems to have that level of gear head nerdy it would take to locate and operate the missing piece of gear – the direct to vinyl cutters!
Why this is a billion dollar idea? It leads to a hardware play… Affordable direct to vinyl recorders, the vinyl to go with, and the marketplace in which these one-off recordings get sold. Collectible, one-off records, with original art sleeves.
This is an idea I’ve had for a long time that I keep coming back to do more research on. Recently I was able to register a great domain for the business. Basically the idea, based on 30 years in music, is to gather musicians together in a studio for the purpose of creating 1 only, direct-to-vinyl recording. Then match the musical artist to an awesome paint/print artist for the 12″ cover and you have a one-of-a-kind record. There’s only one. The musicians all sign it. The artist signs it. Everybody participates in the sale. You can make the digital versions of it available for free- the free version generates buzz and interest and there’s still something of value to sell at the end of the day. And, there’s only 1.
Right now the pain point for me is the vinyl cutting hardware. I know a lot of great musicians. I have a close friend with a killer studio who really cares about getting great tone. But the last time I checked, vinyl cutting hardware was running around $10k. I also just discovered that the one I had my eye on, the Vestax VRX-2000, has been discontinued.
What do you think? Do you know of anyone doing something like this already? How they’re doing? Also, if you stumble upon this post in your search for vinyl cutters, please share your insights with me in the comments.
Branded as a chain of cannabis cafes, but equally potent as a lifestyle media brand, podcast, or THC/CBD infused coffee company. Nice on the eyes and easy to remember. 
