Participants connect the vinyl record slivers into any configuration they’d like, and the trains follow along the track, creating user-generated music mash-ups.

Now I have no idea how they managed to get such perfect slices out of these records, but they somehow figure out a way to do it accurately enough to keep the tiny trains from derailing.

Each train car has its own independent guidance system, needle, speaker and amplification, so they’re completely self-contained. They seem to have gotten their inspiration for these trains from the oh-so-awesome Vinyl Killer I featured a while back.

Check out the video clip below to see (and hear) the Sound Chaser train in action:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Now isn’t that music to your ears? These guys need to package these up with slices of records and mass produce ‘em. I think they’d have a hit on their hands.

[via The Dapper Alchemist]

The Crosley Keepsake USB Turntable not only lets you play back and listen to your old albums through its built-in stereo speakers, but includes a USB output. The portable player has speed settings for 33, 45 and 78 RPM records, so you’ll be able to convert just about any record you might have in your collection (unless you happen to own some really ancient 16 RPM discs). The player also includes the software you’ll need to convert and clean up your tracks in MP3 digital format.

While Ion has been making a similar USB turntable for a couple of years now, the Crosley bests that player in the style department for sure. The Crosley also doubles as a fully-functional sound system, while the Ion has no speakers or amplifier. You can find the Keepsake turntable at Brookstone for $149.99.

Simply connect BTO’s plusdeck EX to your computer’s USB port, and you can take all your old cassette tapes and easily convert them into MP3, WAV or OGG digital audio files. You can also record from the device’s built-in AM/FM radio.

You can even record your digital files back to analog cassette tape, but I’m not sure why you’d want to do that unless you happen to live in the dark ages.

Inputs are also available for your old turntable or any other device with RCA stereo or a 3.5mm mini stereo output. The plusdeck EX also adds 7.1 channel Dolby surround sound to your PC or Mac, but does only support analog speaker outputs for that feature.

Also included is a compact wireless remote, which lets you easily switch between listening to your computer, radio, tape or other connected audio device.

The plusdeck EX should be available later this Summer in Korea, with a worldwide release shortly thereafter. Korean pricing is 319,000 KRW, which works out to about $347 US Dollars.

[via The Earlyadopter's World]