LPs From a 3-D Printer

[sudon't]

I wouldn't dip my needle into one of these, but it's quite interesting nonetheless.

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Printed-Record/

I wonder if it will ever truly be possible, perhaps from a CD-quality file, to "3-D print" a record at home that would meet audiophile standards? I can imagine someday that some artists might allow you to download raw multi-track files, to mix and master at home, for your own custom pressing.
Perhaps one day we'll be able to read old, damaged records, correct them, then print out a pristine copy?
I can imagine many other possibilities, too. What do you guys think?

 

[scootchu]

This has been posted already, but think about what you are saying. Allowing the download master quality file is a dead giveaway that this would never happen. Think about how many copies you could "print" or remaster. That's the biggest reason I could see for it never happening even if it were inexpensive enough for home use.
It will always be more inexpensive to buy prepressed vinyl than it would be to create it. Digital is a different story with CD's and recorders so cheap. Think about printing your own pictures vs having Walmart do it. In any case, reflecting back, I believe CD's and digital downloads seriously hurt the recording industry as far as controlling their music and I don't think they will let that happen again.

 

[sudon't]

This has been posted already, but think about what you are saying. Allowing the download master quality file is a dead giveaway that this would never happen. Think about how many copies you could "print" or remaster. That's the biggest reason I could see for it never happening even if it were inexpensive enough for home use.
It will always be more inexpensive to buy prepressed vinyl than it would be to create it. Digital is a different story with CD's and recorders so cheap. Think about printing your own pictures vs having Walmart do it. In any case, reflecting back, I believe CD's and digital downloads seriously hurt the recording industry as far as controlling their music and I don't think they will let that happen again.

I agree, it's unlikely to become a widespread practice. But at least one artist, (Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails), has already released some multi-track material for remixing by fans.
I'm not sure if I agree with your second assertion, though. In 1979, when a friend of mine brought home a computer, I could not imagine why anyone would want such a thing, let alone that soon everyone would have one.
It's not hard to envision a scenario where "everyone" has a 3-D printer at home, and uses it to make many of the common plastic items we all use. And, as with regular printers, those with the desire and the money could get high-res, large-format versions.