The present invention provides a laser heterodyne interferometer based system for audibly producing sounds recorded on a cylinder recording, such as an Edison type wax cylinder, or a 33, 45 or 78 RPM LP (long play) record. The system generally comprises an optical system mounted on an optical platform, and an audio recording medium mounted on a platform operatively positioned relative to the optics platform. The optical system comprises an interferometer type structure that uses laser generated light propagated either through free space or through fiber, a platform on which the optical system is mounted, and a platform on which the recording media (e.g., cylinder or record) is mounted.