Aiming to bring back to life the way we used to listen to music, Satchmi introduced to the Philippines the Motorino Series turntables which are a combination of function and portability with a simplistic design. Let’s take a look at how effective the Motorino Mark II combines these three things in this quick review.
The Motorino Mk II possesses a briefcase-like body that makes for easy portability. To open, just flip the front buckle like an ordinary briefcase and lift the lid to be greeted by the turntable itself. Also seen here are the dual front-facing speakers that each produces 2 watts of power.
The first thing you’d notice is the platter where the record is placed. It is layered with a mat which is used to couple the record to the turntable platter and eliminates potential slipping.
The power and volume control knob is situated on the right side. Rotating it clockwise turns on the turntable and adjusts the volume.
Almost beside the knob are additional switches. Seen here are the Auto Stop switch that automatically halts the platter from spinning once the record reaches its end. This protects the Motorino’s needle and the vinyl record. Just above it is the RPM switch that controls the rotation per minute of the turntable platter. Turning it up makes for a faster rotation that results to a chipmunk-y voice and sound (see sample video below).
There is also the lift lever that raises and lowers the tone arm to make contact with the vinyl. This makes things easier for the user unlike the usual way of placing the needle gently on the spinning record. This may be easier and simpler, but a big part of us still prefers the classic method. After all, you’re after the vintage experience of playing music.
At the back, we have the USB jack that links the turntable to a nearby PC for creating MP3 files out of the record. Users can also use additional speakers by hooking them up to the RCA ports of the Motorino Mk II. Finally, a 12V port is present for powering and charging the vinyl player.
When closed, the Motorino Mk II is no larger than your usual briefcase that you can bring from your place to a friend’s house with ease. The enclosure is textured and comes in two colors: Ivory and Graphite. The company states that every single part of the package has been hand-crafted so those are plus points as far as authenticity is concerned.
As for its features, we’ve mentioned that users are able to convert vinyl records to MP3 that you can store on digital players. This is possible with the provided cable and a free Audacity software. Just install the application using the CD provided in the package and you’ll be able to access the contents of the record on your computer.
Placing the needle on the record will usually begin with a scratching sound and a little bit of hiss just before the music starts playing. We’re glad to report that the Motorino Mk II’s performance is something that you’d expect from a turntable — it has that tinny sound, almost like coming from an old radio. Volume levels are pretty loud too and could fill a small room easily. Although for a large room, we don’t think that the speakers alone would suffice. For us, the turntable is ideal while hosting a small group of friends who share the same love for old-school products.
We have attached a sample video on playing a record on the Motorino for you to see and also hear its sound performance (we switch up the RPM at around 2:03).
Satchmi’s Motorino Mk II is a joy to have if you’re a lover of anything vintage. It definitely has the satisfying sound of a classic turntable but is made to be more user-friendly and at the same time portable. The two front-facing speakers are loud enough for a small gathering, but might be underpowered during big parties. This is where its RCA output comes to play that lets you hook it up to bigger and more powerful speakers for everyone to enjoy.
The turntable is also aesthetically-pleasing and could be part of any decoration in your leaving room, for example, or simply line it up with your other vintage displays.
It might be a bit pricey at Php7,799, but you’re not just buying an ordinary music player — you’re getting a crafted piece of art for the music enthusiast in you.
Satchmi Motorino Mk II specifications:
Power Source (adaptor): AC 220V/DC 12V 500mA
Power Consumption: Approx. 15W
Speakers: 2-inch drivers
Speaker Watt: 2 watts x2
Replacement Needle: NP5 diamond needle style
What we liked about it:
- Aesthetically-pleasing
- Hand-crafted
- Light and portable briefcase-style body
- Easy to use
- Authentic sound reproduction
- USB – PC connection
What we didn’t:
- None so far
Thanks for the review, I’ve been interested to get one of these vinyl record players. Would like to know about after-sales service, particular where to get the needles for replacement. Also, the 33 1/3, 45 and 78 switch is for the so-called LP and SP vinyls, as well as the older 78 rpm vinyl; further question is are SPs still made? Hope to get some advice here before I make the buy. Thanks again, J.
“what we didn’t like. None so far.” :D :D Nice!