How to view your zoetrope vinyls

Got your zoetrope vinyl? Let’s bring that artwork to life! Whether using your phone or a strobe light, here's how to get the best view:

Viewing through your camera/phone

  1. Spin the vinyl at the speed specified for your design (33, 45, or 78 RPM).

  2. Use as much light as possible to sharpen the image (daylight is king, but bringing lamps over also works very well) .

  3. Point your camera at the spinning vinyl and the animation will appear on screen. If it’s not working, make sure your phone is recording at 30fps.

Tip: If you are struggling to get your camera to stick to 30fps, try downloading the ‘ilumiscope’ app (for iPhone).

Viewing with a strobe light (or strobe light app)

Want to watch the animation with your own eyes? No problem! All you need is a strobe light or a strobe app.

  1. Set your strobe light (or app) to 30Hz.

  2. Shine the strobe at the spinning record to see the animation with your own eyes. Dim the room lights for a clearer view.

Tip: We recommend ‘Strobe Light Tachometer’ (for iPhone) & Strobily (for android).

Tips & troubleshooting

Here are a few extra tips to help make sure your zoetrope vinyl looks as sharp and smooth as possible:

More Light: Bright, direct light is key. Daylight is king, but if that’s not possible, then any extra lamps can make a huge difference in clarity.
If you’re using a strobe light then you’ll want a darker room, but the brighter the strobe light the better.

Fine-Tune the Focus: Before you press play, lock in the focus on your camera. This helps keep the animation sharp as the record spins.

Check the Speed: If things look too fast (or too slow), double-check that your turntable is set to the correct RPM. Try switching between 33 and 45 to see what works best.


We’re here to help make sure your zoetrope experience is as magical as the music itself!
If you have any questions, just reach out to us.