Tape Recording 1955 02
Tape Recording 1955 02
Tape Recording 1955 02
Fxcc usivF !
NEW HALF-
WIDTH TAPE
i
SOUNDORAMA:
AN EXPERIMENT
BUILD THIS
ELECTRONIC
= JIIXER
'RECORDING AN
3RCHESTRA
-KIEW PRODUCT
¡REPORTS:
',RESTWOOD 310
-r -M TAPE -O-
= JIATIC
FEBRUARY, 1955
kz.j
. new audiotapa
that's 7 -WAYS* BETTER than ever!
IMPROVED BALANCE between high and low Audio Devices now offers you a new and
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NEW MOISTURE- REPELLENT BINDER with
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Here's a radically improved sound recording tape, per-
tape squeal under hot, humid conditions. Runs
well even on machines badly out of tension ad- fected after long research in Audio Devices laboratories -
justment. a tape that sets completely new standards of performance.
NEW ANTI -TACK AGENT virtually eliminates Any one of the seven new and improved features listed
possibility of sticking on hot erase and record here would be important news to the tape recordist. Col-
heads. Especially important to owners of older lectively, they spell a degree of perfection heretofore un-
type machines. attainable in any magnetic recording tape!
NEW DRIER -TYPE FORMULA greatly reduces Such a premium quality product could easily justify a
danger of oxide rub -off, even on dirty heads. premium price. But it has been made standard for all
Keeps clean heads clean.
Audiotape, on plastic base or Mylar* polyester film -and
is available at previous standard prices.
IMPROVED HOT SLITTING of standard plastic
base. Edges of tape cleaner and smoother than Try the new Audiotape -test it- compare it with any other
ever, danger of tear or breakage greatly reduced.
product on the market. It will speak for itself!
DuPont Trade Mark
NEW LOW BACKGROUND NOISE through
better dispersion of finer oxide particles. A fea-
ture of importance to all serious recordists. AUDIO DEVICES, Inc.
444 Madison Avenue, New York 22, N. Y.
NEW DUST -PROOF PACKAGING in protec- Offices in Hollywood Chicago
tive, re- usable polyethylene bag. Export Dept., 13 East 40th St., New York 16, N. Y., Cables "ARIAS"
WE B COR
all music sounds better on a Webcor
3
MAGNETIC FILM &
SWAIN'S
11pSonraQ-/
TAPE RECORDING
Vol. 2 No. I VOL. 2 NO. 2 JANUARY -FEBRUARY. 1955
lr MARK MOONEY, JR.
Announcement Editor and Publisher
MILDRED STAGE, GEORGE M. THOMPSON,
NOW SYMPHONIC TAPES New York Editor Technical Consultant
From European Masters JOHN L. ALLEN, JAMES H. MILLS, SR
to be released next month Circulation Manager Technical Consultant
ROBERT WHAM, ANTHONY J. MORIN, JR.
Art ctor National Advertising Manager
274 Madison Ave., New York 16, N. Y.
Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra;
Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra; Grant
Johannesen, Pianist; Ricardo Odono- IN THIS ISSUE
posoff, Violin; Heinz Wehrle, Harp-
sichord, and other renowned artists SOUNDORAMA: AN EXPERIMENT Mark Mooney, Jr. 21
indicate the quality of the classical NEW WIDTH PLANNED FOR ...
MAGNETIC TAPE H J. Hasbrouck 24
MUSIKON tapes now in process.
BUILD THIS ELECTRONIC MIXER Walberl T. Gompertz 26
PUT YOUR MIKE ON A STAND R C Reinhart 30
I promise that the full power, range and
beauty of these programs will be terrific. RECORDING THE ORCHESTRA Leslie L. Farkas 33
So sensibly priced too. NEV( PRODUCT REPORT: V -M TAPE- O -MATIC 38
Full half ltáur. Type A 7.5 IPS- FULL? ,
TRACK, 1200' on 7" reel ONLY 510.85 NH! PRODUCT REPORT: CRESTWOOD 310 CONSOLE 40
EACH. TYPE B -71/2 IPS -HALF TRACK
600', 5" reel and TYPE C -3.75 IPS- NEW TAPES ..Charles D. Sigsbee 6
Adlress
City Zone
State
2
SARASOTA FLORIDA
4
/
A REED IS A REED IS A REED ... if it's recorded on
Soundcraft magnetic recording tape
A reed is never Pre -Coated adhesive applied directly to Soundtra /t Litt ustt:' ¡ape for priceless re-
a flute... or a flue base- -firmly anchors the oxide in place. cordings. For rigorous use. For perfect pro-
pipe. So. to he sure of Surface -lubrication on both sides! No fric- gram timing. It's on a base of DuPont
orchestra
Why?
-
and the full range of sounds of the entire
always use Soundcraft Tapes! cupping. curling, peeling, chipping.
Uniform output of ± % db. within a reel,
lifetime.
Get the Soundcraft Recording Tape you
need tnd :n. Your dealer has it
Because Soundcraft Tapes, and only
±% db. reel -to -reel.
REEVES
Soundcraft Tapes. combine: SOUNDCRAFT TAPES FOR
Constant depth oxide for uniform middle- EVERY PURPOSE
and low -frequency response. Soundcraft Tape for all high -fidelity record-
SOUNDCRAFT
Micro -Polished coating. a patented ing. CORP. Dept. Si
Soundcraft process that eliminates unnec- Soundcraft Professional Tape for radio. T\ 10 East 52nd St., N. Y. 22, N. Y.
essary head wear and gives uniform high - and recording studios. Splice -free up to 2400
frequency response right from the start. feet. Standard or professional hubs. FOR EVERY SOUND REASON
6
A TRULY
PROFESSIONAL
PERFORMANCE
ar
MOM
20/20 recorder and TWC case
8
and Scriabin combine to present mem-
orable music. Here, too, is perfect rap-
port between orchestra and pianist. To
be listened to with the eyes closed.
In the final allegro moderato the com-
high
bined virtuosity is maintained. When
listening to these final overwhelming cli-
maxes, one must marvel at the vitality of the
fidelity
tapes
aging pianist. First movement, and all, the
interpretation and reproduction throughout
is superb. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
The companion piece is a four minute
and thirty -six second introduction to the at LP prices !
great David Oistrakh around whose violin
ability a storm of critical debate is cur- Omegatapes conform to the Ampex Recording
rently taking place. On the basis of this curve and are reproduced exclusively on
little bagatelle by Gliere, I would certainly Ampex high fidelity equipment using genuine
make no definitive judgment of my own Scotch Type 111A -6 tape made by Minnesota
except to be absolutely positive that I Mining and Manufacturing Co.... proof that
would want to hear more. So, conse- Omegatapes are the finest pre- recorded tapes
quently, I did ... in the next tape. available anywhere at any price.
#103 TCHAIKOVSKY: String Quar-
tet No. I, Op. 11 demonstration
D. Oistrakh -1st Violin tape First Releases:
P. Bondarenko-2nd Violin
M. Terian -Viola
S. Knuzhevitski -Cello $1.00 tchaikovsky: The Tempest an8sElegie for Strings
vienna state opera orchestra, zoltan feitete, conductor
omegatope 6008 ... five inch reel, dual track $6.45
If you happen to be numbered among
the jaded minority who have decided that
postage paid mozart: Three Salsburg Symphonies K.136, 137, 138
Tchaikovsky is beneath your interest, and london mozort ensemble, mervyn vicars, conductor
hear for yourself a mozart bicentennial celebration edition 1956
feel that the String Quartet No. I is
omegatape 6001 ... five inch reel, dual track $6.45
hardly north hearing again, listen to this Omegatape
version. tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings
Sparked by the masterful first violin
"fidelity unlimited" concert artist symphony of tendon, mervyn vicars, conductor
of Oistrakh, this familiar quartet is given omegatape 5002... five inch reel, dual track $5.95
a freshness and life that would make it
contains excerpts beethoven: Piano Concerto Number 3, Op. 37
seem one was hearing it for the first time. from first releases concert artist symphony of london,-mervyn vicars, conductor
The often heard Andante Cantabile has vitebsky, pianist
plus a unique tape omegatape 6002 ... five inch reel, dual track $6.45
never been more beautifully done.
Throughout the recording one very often
recorder test track ... mozart: Piano Concerto Number 21 in CMaioe, k. 467
feels they could put their hands on the five inch reel, dual london mozart ensemble, mervyn vicars, conductor
Sergio fiorentino, pianist
shoulders of the instrumentalists. Get it track . .
a mozart bicentennial cejbration edition 1956'
by all means. omegatape 5007 ... five inch reel, dual track $5.95
RCA VICTOR -TC4 OMEGATAPE -D
Great Wurlitser Pipe Organ, gardon kibbee, orgpnist
Dual Track 7% IPS omegotape 5009 ... five inch reel, dual track $5.95
-S
7" Reel 14.95 Send demonstration tape Reel Jazz: kid ory, george le is .
address_
city
-
_
Omegatape
INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC RECORDING CORPORATION
7511 Santa Monica Boulevotd, Los Angeles 46, Cniìfornia
king and Bruno Walter I flatly refuse to :one stole
520 Fifth Avenue, New York 36, New York
admit, even with prodding from outside
sources, that this is the definitive presen-
tation of the "Emperor." I will agree that
it is quite possibly the best recent re-
cording of the work, however, and have
a profound respect for the deft and beauti- You've Been Waiting for This!
ful handling of the work by Horowitz
and Reiner. As the old 78 recording is
PLACE YOUR ADVANCE ORDER TODAY!
out of print, I shall be forced, even with-
out prodding, to give it my plus recom- "TAPE RECORDERS AND TAPE RECORDING"
mendation.
RCA Victor engineers have done a
flawless job in preparing this tape. It is
as good as, but not better than, their
13 Big Chapters -
book by Harold D. Weiler
a new
More than 100 Illustrations
Written so you can understand it
"New Orthophonic" disc records. The Paper bound only $2.95 Cloth bound $3.95
biggest advantage in the tape is its silent
surface and lasting quality. SEND NO MONEY
LIVINGSTON TAPE LIBRARY A postcard or letter will reserve your copy. Book will be ready for ship-
Livingston Electronic Corporation ment in February. We will bill you then. Order from your dealer or
Livingston, New Jersey from
Full Track -7% IPS TAPE RECORDING, Severna Park, Maryland
(Continued on next page)
9
#1062 - ERSKINE
Just for Kicks"
BUTTERFIELD,
of bayou Trapp family, Josh presents in # 103 Tchaikovsky: String Quartet No. 1,
If I had to single out one for special Glazounov: Melody for 'Cello and
LIVINGSTON mention, I would choose "Bury Me High"
Orch. Op. 20, No. 1.
USSR State Symphony Orch. 'Cello - M.
a plaintive dirge-like folk song that has Rostropovich.
OCEANIC its origin in the swamp country of the
South. Outstanding throughout is the un-
# 105 Soviet Folk Festival: 11 selections
of Georgian, Armenian, Ukrainian, and
usual guitar figuring employed by Josh;
RIVERSIDE this alone is worth a second listen. The
Moldavian choral groups, including
"Kalinka" by the Soviet Army.
recording leaves nothing to be desired . . .
IO
realistic string tone.
The release might well have been titled,
"Evolution Of Composition Style For
String Orchestra" covering, as it does, two
centuries of musical development. Because
//',7te/v
of this, the tape would appear to have
double value because it not only makes
for an hour of home musical enjoyment
but for an extra classroom demonstration
as well.
Magnecorder
One gets so used to hearing the Tschai-
kovsky Serenade presented by gigantic
and overblown string ensembles that it is
(7(cie.///
refreshing to hear it scaled down to the
size of this highly skilled group. For me
it could be the definitive version,
HACK SWAIN PRODUCTIONS
Sarasota, Florida
#530 -MUSIKON TAPE
#531- Charlie Davies-Piano
Pianist, Charlie Davies, is one of Hack
Swain's hottest properties right now and
on hearing these two tapes it is easy to
understand why. The gentleman knows his
way around the keyboard.
Recorded on these two tapes are nine-
teen old standard pop tunes presented in
4
a highly engaging and polished manner.
In short, he is good! Let it be clearly >fBw -.
understood, however, that this is not jazz
in the order of the Barbara Carroll style
reviewed in the last issue; this is straight
piano much as you would like to hear
it in every cocktail lounge, but rarely do.
His entire repertoire of nearly 2000
tunes is carried in his head which prob-
ably has much to do with the relaxed and
easy style presented on these tapes. All
of them are his original arrangements
which would undoubtedly not sound the
same twice presented.
'
ELECTRONIC POWER SUPPLY
coo 0
vw
1,®
NOW AN EVEN BIGGER TURNER Q.
VALU E
Popular miniature crystal mike...
level now only -54 db. Stancil- Hoffman Corporation, Hollywood
38, California, has announced the Model
V 1 B, 500 watt electronic power supply,
which furnishes 117 volts 60 cycles AC.
It has sufficient capacity to handle recorders,
turntables and other synchronously driven
pieces of equipment that require constant
speed. Power supply has no change in out-
put voltage, with changes in load; has a
built -in oscillator which controls the out-
put from 35 to 90 cycles, and will control
outputs of gas driven generators and other
power sources making it excellent for field
Turner Model 80 ... you can hide it in the palm of your hand or lab installation. Operating under full
load, the output wave distortion is slightly
more than 5 %. For additional information
and prices write Stancil -Hoffman.
NEW MAGNECORDERS
TURNER 80
714E
MICROPHNShorp,
CRYSTAL
Response: 000 c.P within
9an cut performonce
its ronge
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Blest
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and nice) shock
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Toronto, Ont.. 8 Brioches
EXPORT:
n here):
USS PRICE Ad. Autisme, Inc., 89 Bread St.
Malchln4
.A
WOI t üPsothOde.
Pivots
New York 4. N. Y.
etc.
Sm11ei5135° Magnecord, 1101 S. Killbourn Ave., Chi-
cago, 111., has announced the M 90 and
IN OM IN
M 81 recorders designed for broadcast use,
THE TURNER COMPANY musicians and professional and industrial
948 17th St., NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa users. Both machines conform to NARTB
standards and feature slot loading, full
Big new Please send new catalog on all Turner mikes. range frequency response (20,000 cps on
catalog the M 90, 15,000 for the M 81) , push but-
Name ton controls, interchangeable head assem-
FREE Address
blies permitting half track, full track or in-
strumentation without loss of head align-
ment. The units will start and stop instan-
City State taneously, are available in either 7% and
15 ips speeds or 71/z and 33. Head assem-
J
12
blies are interchangeable. The M 90 also
features remote control. Prices start at $800
for the M 81, $1295 for the M 90. For full
details write to Magnecord. Home"
the
.Nested in
MICROPHONE CATALOG
available
report
'Rimer
and accessories.
. --.......__ -
!RI('1YI/lh(IH(:i
13
-, 7411-á.: f INK
- :.
PROMPTLY!
ACCURATELY -
DICTATE REPORTS
your car,
boat or plane
a `rolling brushed chrome plate. The 212 uses a twin
track recording head and has two speeds
TAPE RECORDERS
SALESMEN
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
A new table model recorder with a mul-
POLICEMEN tiple speaker system was announced by the
Bell and Howell Company, 7100 McCormick
FIREMEN Road, Chicago 45, Ill. Called the "Music
Festival" it combines ultra-modern styling
OUTDOOR MEN with realism in sound reproduction. The
latter is achieved by the placement of four
REPORTERS separate speakers. Two 8 inch woofers are
placed on opposite sides of the unit to re-
FIELD INSPECTORS produce the low tones. For high notes two
electrostatic speakers are placed side by side
DOCTORS behind the front grill. A dramatic demon-
stration of the range of tones achieved by
LAWYERS, ETC. the speaker system may be made by turning
the selector switch to one speaker at a time.
ce youa ;Wee az write óaetoey then switching on all four together. The
unit contains three motors with one motor
NEW MODELS NEW DESIGNS NEW LITERATURE
driving the capstan. The recorder uses Brush
"A" Battery Eliminators, DC -AC Inverters, Auto Rodio Vibrators heads and has a program indicator. The
cabinet is grained mahogany with gold and
AMERICAN TELEVISION sand colored grills. A dark mahogany model
& RADIO CO. (300 -M) will be available in December list-
20-s /tfry Psadvsct4 Scree F937 ing at $299.50. In early 1955 a blond model
SAINT PAUL 1, MINNESOTA -U.S.A. will be produced to sell for $314.50.
14
INVERTER CHART
American Television & Radio Co., 300 Only Tape Recorder
E. 4th St., St. Paul 1, Minn., announces an
Inverter -Recorder Selection Chart which with Simple Single -Knob Control
covers all standard AC tape recorder
models and enables anyone, at a glance, to
determine which inverter should be used
for any given tape recorder depending on
where the tape recorder is to be used in
autos, trains, planes, or DC districts. The
'12 9 compOlrte
15
ELECTRONIC DICTIONARY
12.81160
OUTPUT 100 TO 125 WATTS -
FOR 12 VOLT BATTERIES
LIST $54.95
Halvick Industries, 189 Miller Valley, Cal-
ifornia announces the "Atta- Glance Fidelity
Index" disc. This fits over the tape reel and
notations can be made on it with pen or
Indispensable pencil to pinpoint the contents of the reel.
b. is made in both 5 and 7 inch reel sizes
I6
New! MINI -MUSIC
the universal repeating tape cartridge
Fits any standard home tape recorder.
Requires no adapters.
Makes your recorder a continuous play device.
Can be recorded and played in regular manner.
FOOLPROOF -
Uses high strength mylar tape.
LOW IN PRICE -DEPENDABLE
Ideal for storage of special recordings
advertising applications background music
thousands of other uses!
at your dealers NOW
complete with three minutes of tape...only $2.95
Three minutes of tape at 3.75 I.P.S. Longer tape
lengths available on special order. Full instructions in-
cluded. At your dealers, or send check or money order to
TELEVISION ASSOCIATES OF INDIANA
Michigan City, Indiana
HI -FI CONVERTER
TONODyNE'
MULTI -IMPEDANCE DYNAMIC MICROPHONE
at Recording Time"
-say actual users* in the field
and here are a few reasons why , . .
resettable time indicator, one -piece capstan "This microphone has been used for tape
recording 15- minute shows for future
assembly, and inputs for microphone, tuner, airing on a nearby radio station. We
record player or another recorder. It also like it fine, and it does take a beating."
Carter Motor Company, 2655 N. Maple- has headphone monitoring, external speaker Speech and Drama Director, Ind.
wood Avenue, Dept. 45, Chicago 47, Illi- jack, and a connection for feeding an ex- "We are using this microphone with
nois, has introduced a new 500 watt Hi -Fi ternal amplifier. Frequency response is 60 to good results on our recorder?'
converter, 1}`FDR1025C5PX. This converter 12,000 cycles at 71/2 ips. speed. It measures Audio -Visual Librarian, Va.
is designed to deliver 125 volts AC with 13 x 17 x 7 inches and weighs 29 pounds.
120 volts DC input and a load of only 50 "Wonderful for wire recording purposes
It will sell for $349 FOB New York. For and P.A. use. I use it mainly for re.
watts; voltage variation is held to a mini- full details write to American Elite. cording."
mum. The unit features a 500 watt frame Sound Service, Massachusetts
to provide a maximum of 250 watts of con-
trolled power. It has fine regulation, in- "Used for recording organ music. Per-
ARTICLE CONTEST formance is vcry satisfactory; especially
cludes a frequency control with meter, and good on highs."
also has a filter available to give noise -free Recording Professional, Colorado
radio reception. In addition, it is useful in
running electronic test equipment from DC "Very good output and fidelity. Used
for recording for broadcast purposes."
supply. For complete information and prices Producer and Director, Canada
write Carter Motor Company.
"Excellent results in recording and for
NEW "FERRO- SHEEN" TAPE comments in the showing of motion pic-
tures."
ORRadio Industries, Inc., Opelika, Ala- Amateur, New York
bama, announces three new Irish Ferro -
Sheen processed tapes: Long Playing Tape Model "51" Sonodyne List Price $47.50
No. 600, Shamrock No. 300, and Sound -
Plate Mylar No. 220. According to the Available at
manufacturer, the new Ferro -Sheen hot Shure Distributors Everywhere(
lamination process results in the smoothest Audio Devices, Inc., 444 Madison Ave.,
surface ever attained, extends the frequency New York 22, N. Y., is sponsoring a con- Joli, igual nani
range of the tape far beyond the present test for the best articles on home use of ailable on
request.
range, reduces head wear, virtually elimi- magnetic tape recorders. First prize is a
nates nodules and agglomerates and has V -M portable 2- speed, dual -track type re-
unexcelled adhesion. The Mylar tape also corder, plus $100, plus twenty 1200 -ft.
will not become brittle with age. ORRadio reels of Audiotape; second prizes (2), each SHURE BROTHERS, Inc.
is holding "Open House" during January $100, plus fifteen 1200 -ft. reels of Audio - MICROPHONES and ACOUSTIC DEVICES
and invites all tape fans to drop in and tape; third prizes (3), each $50, plus ten 225 West Huron St., Chicago 10, Illinois
see their plant. 1200 -ft. reels of Audiotape. Articles should Coble Address: SHUREMICRO
tell what tape recording equipment is used
GERMAN IMPORT Please n,/Id me Fit F: 1: Shure Microphone catalogs.
for in the home, give a description of
American Elite, Inc., 1775 Broadway, equipment, list recording methods, etc.
New York 19, N. Y., is importing the Photographs of equipment will be evaluated Nome
Telefunken Magnetophon Recorder, KL -25. as part of the entry. A similar contest, with
It is available in either 33 or 7t/z ips identical awards, is also being held for Address
speed and will take a 7" reel. It has sepa- church recordists. Write to Contest Dept.,
rate erase, record and playback heads, a above address, for details and rules. City Stare TFRS)
17
for every application...
TAPES TO THE EDITOR
ATLAS
most complete
most diversified
-
MIRE STA"'DS
When sending tapes to the editor please use the 3" reel and indicate the speed at which it was
recorded and whether it is dual or single track. We will listen to your tape, make notes from it for use
line in the world) in this column and then reply on your tape. Please keep tapes reasonably brief.
If you do not own a recorder a letter will be acceptable. Address tapes or letters to: The Editor,
Film and TAPE RECORDING, Severna Park, Md.
i
. .
I8
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Questions for this department may be sent on tape or by means of a postcard or letter.
Please address your queries to, "Questions and Answers," Film and TAPE RECORDING,
Severna Park, Maryland. The most interesting and widely applicable questions will be
used in this department and all inquiries will receive a tape or letter reply.
When I read "Tapes to the Editor" and I understand that for best reproduction with Built -In Microphone
NI "Questions and Answers" in your last results. a tape should be played back
issue it said to send the question or mes- on the same machine on which it was
and Playback Facilities
sage on tape. When I read this I was puz- recorded. Now you can easily and inconspicuously record
zled. I do not see how this rule can be fol- natural customer reactions, legal evidence,
To send the message or question would lowed when using recorded tapes available personnel interviews, verbal contracts, criminal
I be expected to record my message, cut on the marker. Most positively these tapes confessions, personal data and other highly
the tape and then have to pay postage? I have been recorded on machines of entirely confidential matter in utmost secrecy with
would be grateful if you could straighten maximum intelligibility.
different types from the one we have at
This new reliable seven pound tape recorder,
this out in my mind. I intend to read fu-
ture issues of Tape Recording
Phila., Pa.
- P. M.,
home.
Some recorded tape producers give some
advice as for instance Livingston Electronics
perfectly camouflaged in a genuine leather
briefcase operates noiselessly on long -life bat-
teries and is instantly activated by a clever
Corp. I quote from an ad in your maga- combination slide -lock and switch. A recently
zine, "the above tapes are recorded to ex- developed, highly effective automatic volume
A- Most of the tapes which we receive are
on the small 3" reels. These run a total acting professional standards for standard control circuit eliminates level adjustments.
Clear pick -up with sensitive built -in microphone
of about 20 minutes when both tracks are Ampex playback equalization." Does that
mean the tapes offered are for use on Ampex at a distance up to 100 ft.
used and are more than sufficient for a mes-
sage or question. As they are small and recorders only ? -C. C., Schenectady, N. Y. Provides uninterrupted recording for Ph hours
at a tape speed of 17h ips. A 5" reel records
light, it takes only 6 cents postage to send
them first class mail or 12 cents air mail. A-To answer your last question first. All for three hours. Tapes play back faultlessly on
tapes offered by the various companies all professional and home recorders. All models
When we receive the tape we listen to it guaranteed for One Full Year.
such as A -V Tape Libraries, Hack Swain,
and then record our message on the same SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER
Livingston, Amercord, Audiosphere, etc.
tape and return it to the sender postpaid.
will play on any brand of recorder. The im- limited for sixty days. Price subject to $22
$225ÚU
The tapespondence clubs use the same inuease ofterwards without notice.
method.
portant point is not the brand of machine
but whether or not the head is as it should AMPLIFIER CORP. of AMERICA
be, in perfect alignment. The gap in the 398 Broadway, N. Y. 13. N. Y.
magnet in the playback head should be
vertical. If it is you will then get the full
range from the pre-recorded tape. if the
WEB BACKGROUND playback head on the machine is slightly
askew it will not he too noticeable on a
ORGAN MUSIC TAPES tape recorded and played on the same
machine but it will affect the quality of re-
Each tape is 1206' 7'Gips FULL HOUR dual
track. Each contains 20 numbers ALL brand NEW
production of a tape made with a machine MAGNETIC TAPE
with a head in perfect alignment, as all the
possible future "hits" (new Web Policy enables
WEB TAPE OWNERS to "preview" all its NEW
numbers (standard and popular) on WEB BACK-
commercial recording machines have. DUPLICATORS
GROUND ORGAN MUSIC TAPES before release The other point that is sometimes con- OF HOLLYWOOD
to radio. TV and public performance).
fusing is the matter of equalization. Most
Enjoy. relaxing, soothing. (and ccaslonally a little recorder manufacturers, including Ampex, On our first anniversary
Ileely) strains of the ORGAN while dining. at
gatherings and on other occasions where the use follow the NARTB standard playback we proudly announce:
of background music Is desirable.
curve. Therefore a pre- recorded tape will A complete new bank of Ampex
May also he used by Restaurants. Hotels. Motels. sound exactly as it should on any brand of high speed, high fidelity tape
Doctors or Dentists Offices. fartories. plants, stores. recorder that also follows the standard.
tc., for there are no ASCAP or BMI fees to he duplicators has now been added
considered. This music is licensed for YOUR use.
Tape player only is required (with suitable ampli-
fier If establishments are roomy) -and In many Tape suppliers list type A and B but to our present Ampex duplicat-
places a tape player can be fed directly Into the
record player Input of your radio and give sou sum -
none of the component ads, reviews ing equipment.
clent volume for the room or hall, etc. nor descriptions state the type required. Is
type A, inside coated, used so much that The only commercial Ampex
We now have two 1200' tapes --each with dif-
ferent numbers (20 on each tape). These are our it is to be assumed unless otherwise ex- equipped high speed duplicating
stock Nos. 102 & 104. These two tapes may be
tpllred by those who use 2400' reels. giving a two pressly stated? I do not notice that ads for studio in the West, our high stan-
hour show. Each is priced at $9.85. We also have
our lO5R, a 000' reel of religious numbers 1101 pre-recorded tapes indicate the type either. dards of quality control and our
30 minute program of Organ & Chimes for use G. E. G., New Britain, Cones.
by Churches, Religious Groups. Funeral Parlors. low mass production prices have
at $6.85. All three tapes are 7%ips. dual tracks.
Start your collection of WEB BACKGROUND OR- A-Most of the tapes supplied today by
been the talk of the industry.
GAN MUSIC TAPES nmo with one. two or all three
of the above tapes nd follow up with each future
release as announced, periodically.
the manufacturers and pre-recorded We can now invite further
tape libraries are "A" wind with the coat- inquiries from pre-recorded
At all leading electronic, photographic. depart- ing inside. "B" wind tape is not as widely libraries and other
ment. music or record stores. If not available In your
locality we will ship postpaid on receipt of remit- used and any references to tape assume
tance (NYC please add 3% tax).
that it is Type A as you state. There is no
volume users.
need to make a twist in the tape, although Specializing in high fidelity tape
WEB MUSIC PUBLISHING CO. that can be done. If you get a reel of "B" duplicating exclusively.
149 W. 48th St., New York 36, N. Y. wind, unrecorded, simply run it onto an-
other reel so that the coating is inside and MAGNETIC TAPE DUPLICATORS
JOBBERS: A FEW MORE TERRITORIES OPEN you will have "A" wind. We do not know 1610 North Highland Ave., Hollywood
of any pre-recorded tape that is furnished Telephone: H011ywood 5 -6401
in "B" wind unless on special order.
19
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20
SOUNDORAMA: an experiment
... Washington, D. C., audience treated to dramatic proof
that tape provides maximum natural sound
by
Mark Mooney, Jr.
HOWARD Mitchell and the National Symphony Or- engineers, professional newspaper and magazine critics,
chestra, in combination with WGMS, the Washington, musicians and diplomats witnessed the performance.
D.C. good music station came up with a conspicu- Al Preisman, vice president in charge of engineering
ously successful "first" with the "Soundorama" presented for the Capital Radio Engineering Institute and Irwin
on November 13, 1954. Stein, physicist, formerly of the National Bureau of Stand-
Played to a capacity house, the concert featured a tape ards supervised the technical production. Both are past
recording of parts of the symphony music and an immedi- presidents of the Washington Audio Society and their
ate playback so that the audience could compare the live main objective was to recreate, with the utmost naturalness,
and taped music. the full range of sound and color produced by the 90 piece
According to Howard Mitchell, conductor of the orches- orchestra.
tra who thought of the unusual concert, its purpose was to Previous to the concert the engineers made careful sound
give the listeners a direct comparison between live and level measurements in all points of the great hall and
recorded music, to demonstrate the improvements that pronounced it one of the finest auditoriums in the nation,
have been made in recording techniques and to give the from an acoustical standpoint.
audience an opportunity to see recording in action. Their measurements also blasted a persistent rumor that
The tremendous Constitution Hall was filled to the Constitution Hall was not acoustically good. Some soloists
farthest seats and more than 4000 people, including audio playing with the orchestra have complained that they can-
21
not hear the orchestra very well on the stage, which may be
true. However, the engineers with their decibel meter
discovered that for the audience, and for recording, the
hall is one of the finest.
To fill the 1,000,000 cubic foot auditorium with sound
approximating the effect of the 90 piece orchestra took a
bit of doing and the hi -fi fans in the audience were drooling
at the sight of the equipment. For the recording, the engi-
neers selected the Berlant BR -1 recorder, Fisher supplied
the amplifiers, Audio Devices the tape and Jensen the
speakers.
When it is realized that the average living room con-
tains from 2,000 to 6,000 cubic feet of space, some idea of
the magnitude of the problem can be grasped.
It was solved by the use of ten speakers, mounted be-
hind the orchestra, each one fed with a 50 watt amplifier.
This gave 5000 watts of audio output which was undis-
torted and did the job.
Other than the microphone used for the pickup, all the
equipment used was standard and could be purchased by
anyone for use in his own home.
The microphone was suspended about 20 feet above the
stage and slightly back of the podium. The main mike was
a Western Electric 640 AA condenser microphone which
had been calibrated by the Bureau of Standards. According
to the engineers, it is this mike that is used by the Bureau
as a reference mike to check other microphones. In addi-
tion to the 640 AA two other mikes were also hung in
the same spot to provide emergency facilities should there
be any failure of the principal circuit.
In addition, a Telefunken condenser mike and several of
the RCA 77 -D mikes, were placed on the stage among
the musicians. The purpose of these mikes was to pick up
sound for the demonstration of how an improperly placed
mike or mikes can distort orchestral balance.
In order to show how an orchestra is built Dr. Mitchell
introduced the various sections one at a time and each
performed a "solo" so that its tone color could be grasped
by the audience. The first section to play was the brass
which, according to M. Robert Rogers, president of WGMS
who did the running commentary, "was like military
brass -intended to be heard."
Few, if any of the 4000 people realized that what they
had heard from the brass section was not the live musicians
but a recording enhanced by the musicians merely making
the motions. The illusion was perfect.
And when Mr. Rogers left his speaking stand and walked
away with his voice continuing from the speakers, the
audience was not only delighted but had begun to mistrust
their own senses. To tell the difference between the re-
cording and the live music or voice and the tape playback
Top: part of the capacity crowd that witnessed the first "Sound - was next to impossible.
orama" in Constitution Hall. Many new faces were evident accord- The acid test of the system came when the orchestra
ing to regular concert goers, indicating that the hi -fi fan and home played Rimsky Korsakoff's Spanish Caprice. This was se-
music lovers were very much interested in the demonstration. Lower: lected by Dr. Mitchell because its composer used every
Irwin Stein, physicist, operated one of the two Berlant Broadcast type of sound permissible, calling on the entire orchestra
recorders used to record and playback the musical selections. Mr. singly and together.
Stein also made a careful check of the entire hall with a decibel - It lasted but a minute and some few seconds and many
meter during rehearsals and pronounced it one of the finest audi- felt that it had been all too short to give a good com-
toriums from an acoustical standpoint. During the tests it was dis- parison. By the time one had begun to listen, it was over.
covered that the plush bottoms of the seats absorbed lust about as The first playback of the Caprice was made from the
much sound as a person so that levels could be established very tape fed by the incorrectly placed stage mikes. The im-
closely with the hall empty. balance of the recording was very obvious with the drums
22
crashing through and overriding the lighter sections.
Following this the tape was played that had been made
with the 640 AA mike suspended above the stage. It
demonstrated that the balance was good and the sound was
realistic and natural.
Because the pickup and playback was monaural the exact
feeling of the live orchestra was missing, although it came
mighty close. We had the feeling that there is room for
another try to be made except that this time the recording
and playback should be done binaurally. We think that
such a performance would lift the audience right out of
their seats with its complete realism. It is evident from
this Soundorama experiment that with tape and tine equip-
ment the potential is there.
The size of the audience should be a good barometer to
the popularity of such performances. Constitution Hall is
larger than both Carnegie Hall and the Academy of
Music in Philadelphia. That it was packed to the rafters
attests to the interest.
According to one newspaper critic, those attending the
concert were not, for the most part, the regular symphony
audience but, instead there were a lot of new faces, folks
who were primarily interested in hi -fi and home music.
As part of the demonstration, the manufacturers whose
equipment was used in the show, had displays in the lobby
and representatives were present to explain the functions
of the equipment to the concert goers before and after the
concert and during the intermissions.
Reaction of the music critics was good and some also
expressed the feeling that the recorded portion of the show
was so short that a fair comparison could not be made.
One engineer said, "' Soundoramá opens a new chapter Upper left: the equipment used in the demonstration consisted
in the adventure of capturing the emotions of sound. It of two recorders, ten 50 watt Fisher amplifiers and ten Jensen Im-
is a great challenge to science as well as to music. Those perial speakers. All the items were mounted in full view of the audi-
ence who were thus treated to an inside view of how recordings
who saw and heard this concert got the best possible were made. Top right: the Western Electric 640 AA condenser
demonstration of the progress we have made up to the microphone which made the orchestra pickup was suspended about
present. 20 feet above the stage and slightly behind the podium. With
We want to remove the aura of mystery and mumbo it were rigged other mikes to provide a safety factor in case of
jumbo which surrounds the technique of high fidelity failure. The 640 AA was calibrated by the Bureau of Standards.
Center: the recorders and amplifiers were set up on the left side of
music reproduction. It is definitely not black magic but the stage. This shot, made at rehearsal, shows the ten Jensen Im-
clean -cut engineering applied to a specific problem." perial speakers lined up along the rear wall behind the musicians.
The first " Soundorama" concert was not preserved on the Below: the principals in the production of "Soundorama.' From
tape for by special agreement with the American Federa- left to right, Bert Berlant, president of Berlant Associates, Dr. Howard
Mitchell, conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, Harvey
tion of Musicians, all tapes made had to be erased follow- Fisher, president of the Fisher Radio Corporation, and Karl Kramer,
ing the concert. manager of technical services of the Jensen Manufacturing Company.
23
Narrow tape that can be edited without waste also saves storage space and postage on voice letters. Five reels in each stack.
Demi -tape is on the right.
24
quarter inch tape, followed by A and B tests. It was almost
impossible to distinguish one from the other.
Slitting at Home
Probably the lowest overall operating cost for the home
recordist will be achieved if he slits his own tape on his
own recorder. A slitter is attached between the supply reel
and the entrance to the heads. It uses razor blades of the
injector type and as a blade dulls it can be moved to a
sharp spot very easily. A single position of the blade will
last for at least one 1200 foot roll of tape. By shifting for
each reel, one blade should be able to slit 20,000 feet of tape. Slitting tape on the recorder can be done before or after recording.
The procedure for slitting is a little amusing since part If full track recordings are slit the result will be an "original" and
of the tape must be run off onto the floor. It appears to a "carbon."
25
Build this
ELECTRONIC MIXER
by
Walbert T. Gom pertz
SOONER or later -and more oftener it's sooner-we For those of you interested in overcoming these same
find that our home type tape recorders are not versa- problems, the accompanying photos and illustrations and
tile enough to meet our demands. True, some of them text will show how it can be done.
have multiple jack inputs for simultaneous mixing of mike In keeping with the living room decor, an inconspicuous
and phono but proper adjustment of the volume levels of but attractive type cabinet is desirable. The one pictured
the different sound sources is not always as convenient as is made by Bud Radio Company. It comes in black
is might be. To overcome these difficulties and provide a wrinkle finish but can be given a couple of coats of grey
flexible means of properly mixing together one or two enamel or whatever other color blends with your particular
mike pickups with either a radio or phono pickup, a color scheme. Individual choice of knobs can further dress
three channel electronic mixer is a mighty convenient it up as well as the addition of an attractive carrying handle
gadget to have on hand. on the top. The three controls shown do all of the neces-
sary mixing and adjusting of levels of the three inputs.
The right hand control also has a switch on it with which
the unit's power is turned on and off. The input cables
plug into their proper jacks on the rear panel of the
chassis as does also the output cable to the tape recorder.
If your mike cable terminates in a different type of
connector, the proper mate for it should be substituted in
place of the jack. The two mike inputs feed into individual
preamplifier stages and volume controls before being
mixed together. It is assumed that the radio /phono pickup
is at a higher level than the mike output and therefore
does not need preamplification. A second stage of ampli-
fication further boosts the signals to overcome any losses
or noise pickup in the output connecting cable.
Proper labels can be obtained from suitable decal sets
available at your radio parts supply house. You can also
pick up some rubber feet or glue a felt pad on the bottom
for furniture protection. Now let's get on with the building.
Forming Chassis
The front edge of the chassis must be bent to conform
Rear view of the electronic mixer showing the output and inputs. with the slope of the cabinet panel. For those of you
The cable adaptors shown were rigged to fit the author's recorder. with a vise, this is no problem. For the rest of you who
The completed unit is small and very compact so that it takes up have only hand tools, this is still not too much of a prob-
little room. lem provided you purchased the aluminum U type chassis
26
Above: the total parts required for the mixer. The chassis in the
foreground is before bending and drilling. Upper right: bending
the chassis panel is done by applying pressure to it while bearing
down on the block holding the inverted chassis on the bench. Upper
center: Bending the lower portion back to the vertical is done by
working the gas pliers back and forth from end to end. The lip is
straightened the same way. Lower center: an under chassis view
of the assembled components. Lower: Under chassis view showing
placement of transformer leads, selenium rectifier and R -18.
2 7
Left: under chassis view showing the placement of the initial group of resistor components. To avoid hum and noise troubles be sure all con-
nections are clean and bright and well soldered using rosin core solder. Right: under chassis view of completely wired unit. While this may
look difficult to do, it is not if the directions are followed and parts hooked up in the order given.
file. These holes should be large enough to pass the nut tube socket. Also place a single tie -point terminal lug
that secures the potentiometers (volume controls) to the under the forward mounting nut of the C10 capacitor
chassis. On the vertical portion of the cabinet panel, drill mounting nut. The mounting lugs of the four -point
two more holes directly below the two outer holes on the terminal strip will have to be spread slightly to fit over
sloping panel. Use the #27 drill about s/g" above the bot- the transformer mounting bolts. Lock washers should be
tom edge. The chassis will be secured to the panel by used under all nuts. Size 6 -32 bolts and nuts should be
sheet metal screws through these holes or by regular 6 -32 used for mounting the rest of the parts. Appropriate size
screws as described later. flat washers can be used on the potentiometer shafts to
space them far enough behind the panel so that only
Chassis Layout and Drilling enough of the threaded portion of the shaft extends
through the hole for secure mounting. Mount everything
Measure off and mark the hole centers for the two tube
except the four jacks. This will leave you more room to
sockets and the two capacitor cans. After centerpunching
manipulate the resistors when installing them. Start wiring
these, drill with the #27 drill and then redrill with a 1/4"
with the power transformer leads. Be sure tube terminals
drill. Now the holes can be enlarged to size by reaming
4 and 5 are wired together and terminal 9 is wired to the
out with a 1" tapered reamer in a brace. Ream out the
tie -point for R20 and R21. Strap together ground terminals
tube socket holes to only 3/y" diameter. Position the tube
of the potentiometers and connect to the grounded solder-
sockets so that the pin numbers line up as shown on the
wiring layout drawing. Mark the holes for the mounting
bolts and drill with a #42 drill.
Slip the capacitor mounting plates into position on the
capacitor cans and twist the holding lugs a quarter turn or
so to make the can secure on the plate. Position the capacitor
cans over their respective holes and mark their mounting
holes accordingly. Drill these with the #27 drill.
Slip the chassis into the cabinet and center it side to
side. Using the previously drilled holes in the cabinet
panel as a guide, mark their centers on the chassis panel.
This will assure correct alignment of the chassis and cabi-
net when putting together the finished unit. Drill the three
holes in the chassis panel for the volume controls with a
3/s" drill or ream out to size after drilling with the smaller
VI C8
Cs ,6 Rie
Rio
r
8 CO
R13 V2
R9 C7 Rn Cab V
+120V
3c
SR R18 Rug
1 +130V
E Rio
ÿALL fdia. j40VA.C.
120V.A.C.
Left: the layout for the holes to be cut in the chassis. Holes may +15V
VI V2
be made with a Greenlee punch or by drilling a number of small CI
holes and filing out the larger openings. At right is the schematic Sw.
b4 It 4/t 5
I
Rn
diagram of the three channel electronic mixer. T
29
Put Your Mike on a Stand
... a steady microphone position
eliminates varying sound levels and provides
cleaner, sharper recordings.
by
R. C. Reinhart
Atlas Sound Corporation
pRACTICALLY all home tape recorders are equipped expensive adaptor that will permit them to be used on
with a small hand type microphone. This is normally all types of mike stands with the large diameter and heavier
held in the hand while recording and this procedure threads.
is satisfactory up to a point. Many of the hand type mikes have a small tapped hole
But if the recordist is seeking clean -cut, constant level in the base which may be used to connect it to the stand
recordings that sound professional, the mike has to leave adaptor. Occasionally this hole will not be apparent on
the hand and go on a stand. casual observation for it is sometimes centrally located
Just as the photographer uses a sturdy tripod to avoid under a felt pad glued on the bottom of the mike. Usually
getting blurred pictures so the sound engineer uses a the hole can be cleared by piercing the felt at this point.
rock steady microphone position to avoid shifting sound The stand adaptor is then attached with an 8/32 screw.
levels. There are many types of microphone stands, fixtures,
The use of a stand is practically a must when several booms, clamps, etc., available and it would be well for
persons or an instrumental group are to be recorded. both the amateur and professional "tape worm" to con-
The regular mike stands are provided with a %g " -27 sider the use and application of the various types of sup-
thread at the top to fit the majority of better mikes. The ports.
hand held microphones can be equipped with a small in- The conventional weighted base floor stand is no doubt
the most familiar type of support. The use of a floor stand
permits the person who is using the mike to gesture with
the hands and as a result feel more at ease. Also the user of
the mike can be "spotted ". at a fixed location with respect
to the mike so that the level of voice energy fed to the
mike and ultimately to the tape, will be more likely to
remain constant.
It is difficult for any one to hold a hand mike in a
fixed position and the usual tendency is to "crowd the
mike" by bringing it closer and closer until finally it prac-
?4 kß_ . :.:;!
Whenever there is a necessity for making a microphone inconspicuous The desk stand makes it easy for commentators or those dictating
a small mike such as this Atlec Lansing "Lipsik" mike may be mounted letters to do their job. A hand held mike set on the table is always
on a straight stand as shown in the photograph above. in danger of being knocked over, spoiling the recording.
30
tically touches the lips of the user. This technique can only
result in poor recording. If the person using the mike is
cautioned against this condition, by some form of signal,
the opposite extreme usually occurs and the user holds the
mike too far away for adequate sound pickup. A mike stand
also makes a fine "prop" for a vocalist who feels that he
or she must "hug the stand" and sway in the manner so
popular with many of the current crop of crooners.
In the conventional upright floor stand it is also pos-
sible to obtain various types and styles of portable or
collapsible floor stands as illustrated. These stands are
light in weight and do not require a heavy cast iron base.
Consequently they can be easily transported or stored away
when fully collapsed or disassembled.
The upright type floor stand is available in various base
weights and telescopic adjustment mechanisms. The lighter
weight base is usually adequate for the smaller light
weight mikes. However, if the more professional types
of mikes are used, a more sturdy upright with a wide heavy
base is best.
The telescoping mechanism as used in stand adjustment
is of two types. The screw clutch or collette type lock is
most generally used on floor stands. The other type is the
automatic locking type of telescoping clutch mechanism.
This automatic action feature, while adding to the cost of
a stand, does offer a worthwhile facility.
This is especially true when the stand must be quickly
lowered and raised at close intervals for people of various
heights.
Desk stands are an inexpensive and popular type of sup-
port for a person who desires to record sitting at a desk
or table. Placing a hand type of microphone directly on
a desk without a stand usually results in the mike being
too far away for adequate "pick up" of the speakers voice.
It is also apt to fall over causing a defect in the recording.
A boom arm attachment is a very useful accessory which
can be attached to any upright floor stand. A short ad-
justable boom arm of approximately 32 inches maximum
length can be extended over a desk that must often re-
main free from incumbrances such as a microphone desk
stand. A boom attachment is also an excellent device for
use at a speakers table, podium, etc. The boom is also help-
ful in supporting a mike over certain types of musical in-
struments for close pick up work.
A large and more professional type of boom stand is
very useful under certain conditions. For instance, a vocal-
ist playing his own piano accompaniment could use a
boom of this type to good advantage. It is obviously not
good practice to support a microphone from the top of
the piano. If this is done, the mechanical sounds of the
piano, pedal thump, etc., are conducted via the stand to
the mike and result in a recording with noticeable and
31
lustrated, can be easily directed by a "boom operator" so
that the mike can be quickly and quietly swung back and
forth between several persons or instruments that may
comprise a vocal group or orchestra. A mobile type boom
stand having smooth running castors also adds to the
flexibility of this useful type of microphone support.
There are many other useful and functional accessories
such as flexible spring extension arms (goose necks),
clamps for table top application, swivels, cable hangers,
snap on adaptors, etc. All of these items can be used to
good advantage by the ambitious "tape worm ".
A new item, which has recently been released permits
the use of two mikes on a single stand ( floor or banquet
type) and also includes a small desk to hold notes or other
reference material. A duplex mike mount of this type will
properly space the mikes in front of the speaker and re-
duces the possibility of the user getting "off mike" when
turning the head from side to side. This same device can
be used with a single mike if one extension arm is re-
moved. The desk may also be quickly removed or attached
as desired.
There are many other accessories that are very useful
to the serious "tape worm " -An additional microphone, of
the same impedance as supplied with the recorder (usually
a high impedance type) is very worth while. A more pro-
fessional type microphone of either crystal, dynamic or
velocity types would operate very satisfactorily with the
recorder and often improve its operation.
There are several types of microphone mixers on the
market for combining the signal of two microphones-
blending the signal together and feeding it to the recorder
as balanced program material. The simplest form of mike
mixer being a pair of variable resistive controls in a simple
shielded case. A more efficient type is one incorporating
a full electronic circuit (uses tubes and power supply)
and accommodates up to four microphones in a full mixing
circuit. See page 26 (Ed.).
It is also suggested that the tape recordist make up sev-
eral extension cords for the microphone circuit in various
lengths of say 12 and 25 feet. The shielded cable and
shielded plugs required for inter -connection of cables and
connections to the recorder are available from all electronic
distributors and specialists in sound equipment.
The key to good recording however, lies in a good
microphone and the use of that mike on an adequate
stand. The difference of only a few inches in the position
of the person recording can make a lot of difference in
Above, a desk attachment that will attach to a conventional mike the level of the sound as picked up by the mike. Anything
stand to provide support for a speaker's notes. It also features that can be done to reduce this variable to zero will help
dual mikes, especially useful to maintain the proper sound level to provide consistently better recordings.
when a speaker turns from side to side. The mikes are Electro -Voice Despite their professional appearance, adequate mike
Mercury Model. Lower, a boom mike stand must be used on a vocalist- stands are not as expensive as they look and if you do
piano pickup to keep the stand out of the way of the player's hands. outside recording, such as weddings or conferences, the ap-
pearance of a mike stand in your gear will give your
customers more confidence.
A microphone stand is a protector of the mike, too. It
very objectionable extraneous noises. A conventional up- is ever so easy to drop one when passing it from hand to
right floor stand is not acceptable for this application in- hand or when it is resting on a slippery table top. And
asmuch as it can't be conveniently placed in front of with some mikes which are accidentally dropped -like the
the performer. Irishman's clay pipe -you don't pick it up-you just walk
A large boom of the type described is ideal for support- away.
ing a mike over the heads of a group of vocalists for Investing in a good mike stand is an investment in
balanced pickup. Also a floating arm type of boom, as il- better recordings.
32
Mark Warnow directing a variety orchestra. A ribbon mike is used set for close perspective. Here saxophones and woodwinds are used
at the same time. There are two solo mikes, one up front and one just barely visible near the piano to pick up that instrument.
33
/
of the bass viol or tuba where their tones will reinforce
those of the bass.
Tap View As soon as the instruments have been set up, their loca-
tion must be checked musically on a trial recording. By
making the string section play a few chords or a phrase
and then listening to the recording, you can tell with
a little practice, whether any one of the violins is too loud
or seems to be closer than its neighbor. Then you can adjust
Microphone a- Qv its position, either by moving it slightly back or to the
side, until the correct balance for both volume and per-
© 0 spective is obtained.
o Your next step is to vary the height of the microphone
until the recorded strings have a solid singing quality. The
definition of the tones should remain good, even when
the microphone is tilted so that its line of pick -up is ap-
proximately halfway between the violin and saxophone
sections. If the definition is poor then you must lower the
microphone until the violin tones are once more clear.
This may affect their brilliance slightly but in such cases
you have to compromise. You will probably also have to
Side View tilt the microphone toward the strings to prevent the
saxophones from sounding too loud, for with the lowered
microphone, they have a more direct pick -up angle.
Microphone ' The saxophones are then balanced by having them play
Approx.
Eft. the same set of chords, checking the recording, and ad-
justing the position of each instrument for the correct
volume and perspective. Once this is done, you can check
the balance between the string and saxophone sections.
Q lnJbyment
The two groups of instruments should have equal volume
I Plat Jar.n
on their test chords. If not, either tilt the microphone to
favor the section with the lower level, or move the instru-
ments of one or the other section until the volume of
This shows a straight orchestra setup for close perspective. G- the two groups is approximately equal.
Guitar, V-Violin, S- Saxophone, T- Trombone, T- Trumpet. The
instruments must be balanced individually and together to provide While checking this initial balance watch the perspective
the proper sound level for each at the mike position. of the various instruments. Should there be any drastic
change in the tone focus, return the offending pieces to
their original position and then try to adjust the differences
Place him on a high stool, about two feet away and in volume by moving the microphone toward or away from
slightly to one side of the microphone. This permits the the orchestra. If this still does not produce the desired
tones of the guitar to have a close perspective and also volume balance without affecting the relative perspective
be heard when the other instruments are playing of the two sections, then the only recourse you have is to
The string section is set up to form a close -knit arc make the louder group play softly enough to equalize any
about three to four feet in front of the microphone. difference in intensity.
Make sure that the violin playing the lead is placed directly When a woodwind section replaces the saxophones, the
in the beam of the microphone. In this way its tones will height or tilt of the microphone should be changed to
-
predominate slightly over the other strings. compensate for the lower volume of the clarinets, oboes,
Locate the piano to the left of the violins. Its lid should piccolos, and flutes. If the woodwinds and saxophones are
be raised on the short stick and the piano turned so that interchangeable -that is, the same musicians play both
the open part of the sounding board faces the microphone. instruments at various times during one selection, then
At such close range the tones of the instrument should the best way to maintain a good balance between strings
have enough volume without further opening the lid. and woodwinds is to have the musicians raise the bell of
The saxophones or woodwinds should be set directly their instruments while playing. This should not change
behind the strings. And, to prevent their tones from being the perspective of the woodwinds appreciably; yet it
blocked by the musicians in the front row, the saxophone should increase their volume enough to maintain the de-
players should be raised on a platform six to eight inches sired balance.
high. The bass viol or tuba (whichever one is used) can With the strings and saxophones, or woodwinds, set up
be located on one end of the same platform. Should the in the right relationship, you can now check the brass in-
bass tones be too loud, you can then always move the struments. Here again a balance is obtained within the
instrument down to the floor. section-the volume and perspective of the trumpets and
Now place the trumpets, trombones and other brass trombones being equalized; then the whole section is corn-
instruments on a platform behind the saxophones. The pared to the other parts of the orchestra. While doing
remaining portion of the orchestra: the percussion group this you will probably discover that unmuted brass instru-
consisting of drums and other forms of tympani, can be ments can project their tones quite a way without pro-
kept on the side of the brass section, preferably in back ducing any change in perspective, losing any of their
34
volume, or reducing their definition. This characteristic
will give you more freedom in locating the instruments
and balancing the section. Nevertheless the volume from
the brass section playing the test chord should be no higher
than the level obtained from either the strings or saxo-
phones, otherwise the whole orchestra will have a tendency
Top View
/ i
35
carefully observe and then try to maintain this position. tra also must not be changed.
The perspective of the guitar should correspond to that By checking your recording you will be able to tell
of the other instruments. Regardless of its physical prox- easily when musicians must stand up for their part. The
imity to the microphone, on the recording its tones should need will be indicated by a decided drop in the volume
sound no nearer than a saxophone or trumpet. If it seems and fullness of the orchestra whenever the featured passage
too close, move the instrument slightly to the side, out is reached. It is further emphasized by loss of the melody
of the microphone beam. Sometime, when the microphone since the tones of the instrument or section carrying the
is set low, you can obtain the same effect by pushing the lead are below their required level. The correct technique
guitar back; however in this case, with the microphone is reflected by smooth transitions, without abrupt and
raised fairly high, moving the guitar back would actually unnecessary drops in volume or changes of perspective,
set it more in the beam and therefore make it sound closer from one set of instruments to another and from solo parts
rather than farther away. to the full orchestra.
In practice when the perspective is being set, the volume One item not considered thus far which may affect the
which also depends upon the position of the guitar should balance of the orchestra is the music stand. Since it is a
also be adjusted. Generally this volume can be varied commonplace necessity, it is generally placed in front of
without changing the perspective by making the guitar the musician and forgotten. Now if it happens to be set
player either turn slightly on his stool or by raising the between the bell of the instrument -such as a saxophone
height of his seat. For each change of position check both or clarinet-and the microphone, the stand acts as a screen
the volume and perspective to make sure that one or the and blocks the sound emanating from the instrument, pre-
other has not been distorted. Since the guitar is normally venting it from reaching the microphone directly. Not
used for rhythm, its tones must act like those of the bass only will this affect the recorded volume of the instrument,
and drums, as background for the rest of the instruments. but it may also change its perspective. For that reason it
And yet they should not be so integrated into these back- is always good practice either to set the music stands fairly
ground tones that their characteristic twang is not easily low, so that the tones can travel over them on their way to
discernible when the full orchestra is playing. This does the microphone, or to place them slightly to one side, leav-
not mean that they should predominate, only that they ing an unobstructed path for the sound waves.
give the rhythm tones of the bass and drums a high The orchestras considered thus far have included strings
singing quality. in their set up, but there are many instrumental groups
With the orchestra fully balanced all the instruments today, outside of military bands, which do not have string
should sound directly on mike -that is, they should all sections. With this kind of orchestra the first section will
have presence. Now it is important that this perspective be either saxophones or woodwinds. These should be
be maintained. To do this on solos raises a problem. The placed on the lower level while the brass section, im-
instrument being featured must predominate in volume but
should not change perspective. Unfortunately this rule
,
36
NOWleeaa
TAPE CLUB NEWS
complete guide to
As a result of an inter-
view with the fire chief
of Pietermaritzburg, South
Africa by Voicespondence
Wire ATape
member Max Nicholls,
which was recorded and
played for the firemen of
Waycross, Georgia, several
exchanges have now taken
Recording
place between the two fire
departments. A general
for
view of the front of the
Pietermaritzburg station is
HIGH -
shown. Chief Wilkinson is
seen on the left. FIDELITY
RESULTS
Woodruff. Woody is attached to the U. S. There's more to this
Smoke -eaters halfway round the world
have been linked through voicespondence. Naval Delegation in Rio and is not under fascinating subject
Voicespondence member Max Nicholls of Brazilian government restrictions, but re- than you may suspect!
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, who is well ceives his mail through an APO number.
known throughout the Club for his inter-
esting and unusual recordings, recently took CHECKERS ON TAPE MAGNETIC RECORDING
By S. J. Begun
his portable recorder to interview the lo- World Tape Pal Stan Ulbrych plays 242 pages, 130 illustrations. Price $5.00
cal fire chief. This interview he copies onto checkers by mean of tape. He has made Here's your "Open,
a regular tape for Roscoe McIntosh, Way- several photostatic copies of a checker Sesame!" to a fast-
cross, Georgia. board which he keeps tacked on the wall. for growing branch of
electronics in which
McIntosh, realizing the potentialities of By means of red and green thumbtacks he far too few have spe-
cialized to date!
Home
the tape, took it to the local fire depart- keeps track of the various "moves" made Entertainment Whether recording is
ment, played it for the firemen, and re- by his adversaries and himself. Stan doesn't your hobby or your
corded their greetings and reply to their Movies business, this book
know exactly how long a game will take, will pave your way
South African counterparts. hut it provides lots of fun. Broadcasting to better results. new
Several exchanges have now taken place techniques and ef-
Amateur Radio fects.
discussing similarities and differences in NEW CLUB TO BE FORMED From simple wire or
fire -fighting methods in the two hemi- Secret tape recorders for home
entertainment to compli-
spheres, and a bond of friendship has been Clyde Wenneston, Jr., of 6746 Schofield Communications cated equipment and proc-
forged -by tape -between the two depart-
esses used in secret serv-
Place, St. Louis 14, Missouri is starting a Speech ices, ponies. industry and
club that is called Universal Recording elsewhere. MAGNETIC RE-
ments. They are now exchanging photo- Scrambling CORDING brings You Com-
graphs of personnel and equipment. Pals. Anyone interested in tape recording plete. how- In -do -it data.
From basic circuits to
and corresponding who would like to join Professional mnunnerns; from com-
mercial and home built
SCHIRMER RESIGNS POST can write to above address for details. Recording equipment to Its operating
and service problems, you
The Voicespondence Club was sorry to Transcriptions get the tlatest Information
and expert guidance. And.
learn of the resignation of John W. ROSTER OF CLUBS Telegraphy and chances are. you'll be
amazed at the opportuni-
Schirmer as secretary, effective June 30, Telephony ties for recording special-
1955. Mr. Schirmer expresses his regret Write to the club of your choice for full ists in this steadily ex-
panding field.
and states that his resignation will not af- details and dues. Corresponding via tape is Automatic
Starting ssith the fun-
a heartwarming experience. Try it. Announcing damentals of magnetism
fect his interest in furthering the growth and acoustics you progress
and activities of the club. Melva and Charles The secretaries of the tape correspondence Magnetic
ranldly to the advanced
phases of the art. Biasing
dubs will deeply appreciate receiving a methods, distortion, re-
Owen of Noel, Virginia will continue the "Memories" m-oduring hearts, erasing,
self- addressed stamped envelope from those rt f ci a I reverberation
management and operation of the club. Recording
a I l
Tapes directly from Rio de Janeiro are GLOBAL RECORDING FRIENDS City, Zone. State
now available to World Tape Pals mem- Alfred L. Sferra, D.D.S., Secretary Price outside ti.S.A. 55.50 -cash only.
Money back in 10 days if you return book.
bers thanks to Tape Pal William (Woody) 125 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, N. J.
37
NEW PRODUCT REPORT
STA(F)'1(TED
Product: V -M Tape -o -matic
recorder
Manufacturer: V -M Corporation,
Benton Habor, Michigan
Price: $179.95 including micro-
phone, cords, reel of tape and
empty reel
38
program requirements are met ( with CINEMA'S
some adjustment of the tone controls). TAPE AND FILM
With the treble control on full, re-
'1 aassr
sponse up to 13,000 cycles per second
was recorded before nominal cutoff,
however, the linearity of the overall
CLEAN ERASURE OF MAGNETIC TAPE a FILM
response was irregular in that position.
The amplifier provides approximate-
ly 3 watts of audio at less than 3%
distortion to a compensated pair of
The timer is located on the left hand side
speakers (L -C combination) in series.
of the recorder and
selections within the
can be used to locate
reel. It should be re- They consist of a 5 x 7" oval woofer - o
set to zero when the tape is threaded. and a 31/2' tweeter. TYPE 9205 DEGAUSSER
Quite an array of outputs may be ar-
ranged in which a parallel speaker jack
Noise & program erasure. Use the best.
provides for using an external speaker Cinema's Bulk -Tank Type Degausser 9205.
by itself or in combination with the Economically priced. Buy yours today.
speakers in the recorder. One of the
jacks also provides a means for con-
necting an output meter and input 4> DIVISION I
CINEMA ENGINEERING CO.
NOVO,
1100 CHESTNUT STREET
r0A/OUrION
BURBANK. COME.
39
If had to come! SHOP OR SWAP
If you edit you will want it!
Advertising in this section is open to both SERVICE counts. Our years of experience
with recording equipment and professional
amateur and commercial ads. TAPE RE- techniques are at your disposal. Let us
Trade Mark CORDING does not guarantee any offer ad- help you select your new recorder. Write
DEMI TAP E vertised in this column and all swaps, etc.
Boynton Studio, Dept. 301, 10 Pennsyl-
vania, Tuckahoe, N. Y.
are strictly between individuals.
RATES: Commercial ads, 8.30 per word.
PRECISION MAGNETIC HEADS, Erase
Record- Playback. Stanch- Hoffman Cor-
-
Va INCH WIDE Individual ads, non -commercial, 8.05 a word. poration, Hollywood 38. California.
Remittances in full should accompany LATEST HEATHKIT F.M. TUNER prac-
RECORDING TAPE copy. Ads will be inserted in next available tically brand new in perfect working con-
issue. Please print or type your copy to avoid dition $25.00 or swap. S. S. Holland, 34-41
85th Street, Jackson Heights, New York,
error. Address ads to: Swap or Shop, Tape N. Y.
Recording Magazine, Severna Park, Md.
Polished oxide FOR SALE: Minifon. the smallest battery
Low modulation noise NEWEST ACCESSORIES on the market. operated pocket recorder, latest model.
Developed by Le Rol. TAPE MONITOR: practically brand new, manufacturer's
Plastic base complete with head, amplifier, power sup- guarantee will still apply to purchaser.
ply and earphone, $37.50. AUTOMATIC Wrist -watch and lapel microphones, A -C
Extended Frequency Range SHUT -OFF: turns off recorder at prede- converter, one half and one two-hour
termined spot on tape or end of reel, spools, shoulder strap, carrying case and
FM broadcast quality $17.50. ELECTRIC FOOT CONTROL: use accessory case. Original cost over $400..
when dictating or editing, $15.00. Instruc- will take $290. for quick sale. Theodore
Also available in '.s inch. tions for making 10%" reel adapters, $1.00. Frost. Burr Farms Rd., Westport, Conn.
Accessories fit all recorders. Satisfaction WANTED: Junk or used Wilcox -Gay tape
guaranteed. Le Roi Engineering, Box 251, recorder. F. Barnett, 306 Smith Ave., East
Elmhurst, Illinois. Alton, Ill.
DEMI -TAPE is Jansen's answer to the HOME RECORDING Exchange Directory,
editing problem. Dual track record- Enterprises, Dept. T, Box 604.
$2.00. Davis FOR SALE: Selling out present tape li-
ings can't be edited without wasting Hawthorne, California. brary. Used Scotch plastic base tape mill,
1200 ft. reels. Recordings of live top -notch
half of the tape and sacrificing one WANTED: To swap tapes with persons performances, dual track 7% ips. Sym-
of the tracks. Demi -Tape is all used. skilled, studying or Interested in hypno- phony, concerti. chamber music of all
tism. Herman Bargy, 136 S. Jackson Street, types, mixtures. all classical, none oper-
Cuts costs almost in half. Glendale, California. atic: indexed. Indicate preferences. 1 for
$2.95, 12 for $34.20, 100 for $275.00. J. M.
Davis, Rt. 1, Silver Spring, Md.
DEMI-TAPE will operate with many SYNCHRONIZER HOOKUP: Make sound
movies with your tape recorder. $10.00. DON'T JUST stand there and gape-learn
half track and all full track record- Anderson, 2424 Phelps Street, Stockton, that language with Shakespeare tape! Ger-
ers without auxiliary edge guide. Cal. man, French, Russian; tape and textbook
If one is needed it can be added $15.00. Free Taperespondence tape with
FOR SALE: Used Webcor tape recorder. each course: you record it, we correct it!
without tools. model 2010. dual track, 2 speeds (3% and Free. exclusive series of 6 publications with
71,4 ips). with 7 inch reel for $139.50 and each purchase of $19.00: Using the Tape
model 2030 3 speakers for $167.50. Used Recorder, Setting Up Your Own Little
DEMI -TAPE has fidelity limited only Eastman 16 MM projector, Bell and Howell Language Lab, A Low Cost Recipe, A -V
by the equipment used with it. 16 MM movie camera, Kodak Duaflex 111 Bibliography for Languages, etc.; 100 il-
Smooth oxide lies closer to the head. camera flash with sound film of life taken lustrations, graphs or diagrams. Free tape
in Africa, and 2 silent missionary films for player attachment with every $59.00 pur-
$600.. a bargain. New Webcor, model 2110 chase of recordings. Hurry -postholiday
for $145., and model 2130 for $175. Willing bonuses for limited period only. Free il-
DEMI -TAPE saves storage space. te exchange tapes or receive tape messages lustrated catalog. The Shakespeare Tape
Makes neater voiceletters. Saves from you. Write Recording Ministry. 816 Library, 1818 M Street, Washington 6.
postage. Madison Street N.W.. Washington 11, D. C.
D. C., or call RA. 3-3770.
FOR SALE: Webster Ekotape model 102-9
DEMI-TAPE's oxide coating contains FOR SALE: Recordgraph 35 MM percus- announcer, 500 ohm input- output, 7 %"
sion tape recorder with voice relay control. full track. New, $300.00. Write for details.
the newest and most advanced for- telephone hookup. suitable for detective Charles C. Vandervort, Laceyville, Pa.
mulation known to science and may agency, etc.. with tapes. Price $95.00
(Orig. cost $1500.). Write P.O. Box 156, TAPE RECORDERS. tapes and accessories,
be as much as two grades higher Wall Street Station, New York, N. Y. nationally advertised brands. Free catalog
in quality than tape you are now upon request. Satisfaction guaranteed.
FOR SALE: Brush "Sound -Mirror" tape Dressner, Box 66A, Peter Stuyvesant Sta-
using. recorder, dual-track, 7%" speed, 7" reels, tion, New York, N. Y.
push -button controls, three motors, electro-
dynamic braking, electron -ray recording
Let us tell you how you can use this volume indicator, loudness control. 9 tube
tape in your recorder. We furnish nar- Williamson -type high fidelity amplifier.
row reels. A postal card will bring push -pull triode output, 8" speaker. Guar-
anteed excellent condition. $150. FOB. V.
the information. Give make and mod- R. Hein. 418 Gregory, Rockford, Ill.
el. No obligation. It will pay you to FOR SALE: M -11 Altec -Lansing mike sys-
get on our mailing list even if you tem of 21-B TV mike, 150-A base. power LOW PRICE on Irish Professional
intend to order nothing. We can keep supply, 25 foot cable plus extra 25 foot
multi- conductor static shielded cable ex- .#211 Plastic Tape! "Ferro -Sheen Process"
you posted on new developments. tension. Value $255. new. Seldom used in
16 months. Now $175. Fred Zenk, Box 461, 1200 ft. Reel ... 3.30 NET
Sheboygan. Wisconsin. 2400 ft. Reel 7.71 NET
FOR SALE: Used Webster and General ALSO 5 OTHER NATIONALLY FAMOUS
Cement one -hour reels of recording wire BRANDS IN STOCK
$1.75 each: also Webster wire recorder
John Layman, Parklane, Wallingford, New empty plastic reels in boxes for
Conn. easy labeling. 3" 1Oc; 4" 22c; 5"
24c; 7" 29c; 7" Professional reel
JANSEN FOR SALE: Webcor 2010 tape recorder,
1954 model. Excellent for home recording,
parties, music off the radio. Accessories
(21" hub) 39c ea. EMPTY BOXES:
3" 3c; 4" 5c; 5" 5c; 7" 10c ea.
42
L14111. FERRO-SH
the sensational
NEW irish TAPE
Extended Frequency Range ...
frequency response
limited only by the recorder you use.
THE irish
FERRO -SHEEN
Long Playing FERRO-SHEEN
itish Tape new super
PROCESS
Base: DuPont's Strength. Recently, after four years of research and all the lows. Frequency response is now
On Mylar Higher Tensile
film. development by our Tape Research Labora- limited only by the recorder you use.
strength Resistance tories, Irish revealed the most important
Greater Tear 305 user net FERRO -SHEEN gives you Reduced "Drop-
900' on plastic
reel $ .
.
5.50 user
net
magnetic tape development in six years, the
exclusive, irish patented, FERRO -SHEEN
outs" - "Drop- outs" arethe caused by momen-
on plastic reel tary loss of contact of full surface of the
1800' plastic process.
standard P tape with the recording head, due to nodules
Base: The
On Acetate industry. So, irish's big story is the FERRO -SHEEN and agglomerates. New, high uniformity in
recording
hose of the $3.00 user
net
process. A completely new concept in the distribution of the magnetic materials by the
reel. net
900' on plastic 4.95 user art of tape manufacture. A new oxide and FERRO -SHEEN process virtually eliminates
reel .. _