Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

Facts About Transcriptions (Continued from page 7) shipped to the stations contracted. Now all this is quite different from the usual phonographic record procedure in which many "mothers" are made from the master, many stampers from a "mother", and great quantities of final pressings from each stamper. Sound Studios strictly limits the numbers of pressings made from each stamper, thus insuring quality. And, of course since the number of broadcasting stations is limited the total number of disks never exceeds about 150. Further Tests at WOR WHEN they arrive at WOR the disks are played about four or five times to even the grooves and make the playing absolutely smooth. Then they are tested for frequency range and accuracy. The turntables at WOR are as constant in speed as those at the Sound Studios, assuring identical playing. But just to be absolutely sure, we test the disks against a fine piano which is itself tuned twice a week. The high notes of the disk are compared to those of the piano. The same with the I lows. The disks are played in a room | whose temperature is kept abso1 lutely uniform to prevent contractions or expansions of disks. In playing the disks we have the proper cues indicating the results of the stop-watch measurements made at the original recording. Two sets of time are kept, start\ ing and playing. Thus the disks I are so matched that they fade into each other perfectly. I defy any! one to tell where the disks are changed in the Chevrolet program, which by the way, is a Sound Studios of New York product. There are in the country many recording companies. Only a handful do fine work. The others we discourage not only because their products are unworthy of being broadcast, but also because they create for the really fine organizations a bad reputation which they do not deserve. As to Disk Announcements I SHOULD like also to dispel the erroneous impression that electrical transcriptions must be an nounced as such because they are inferior to direct broadcasts. The reason for this announcement is to insure against the infringement of copyright laws, which might otherwise be evaded b^ the malicious or unknowing. Some advocates of the direct broadcast speak of the transcriptions as canned music as contrasted to flesh and blood performances. The direct broadcast is not flesh and blood any more than the recorded. In each case the sound is transformed at the microphone into electrical energy and does not reappear again as sound until it reaches the loud speaker in your home. And, since the same microphones and amplifiers are used in each case, the electrical counter parts of the sound are identical. This brings up the point of broadcasting disks. Electrical transcriptions are not played in a phonograph, in front of whose sound box is placed a microphone. And here again is a divergence from former phonograph record practice. Let's listen to electrical transcriptions with our ears, and not become prejudiced by wild imaginings, past mediocricy or unfounded theories. Let us judere electrical transcriptions by the finest examples, which, fortunately, may be heard from the country's foremost stations. Re Rule 145 THE TERMS of Rule 145, requiring all stations to maintain frequency within 50 cycles, will not be extended in the case of stations which already have installed approved monitors but which have not obtained satisfactory checks of the calibration, the Radio Commission announced Oct. 11. "All stations in this class," the announcement said, "should proceed immediately to obtain the necessary check. This must be done before it can be considered that the frequency monitor is in all details operating according to the requirements of Rule 144. However, if an approved monitor is installed and due diligence is being exercised in obtaining a check and the required calibration, Rule 145 may be considered satisfied." Frequency Measuring Service Many stations find this exact measuring service of great value for routine observation of transmitter performance and for accurately calibrating their own monitors. MEASUREMENTS WHEN YOU NEED THEM MOST R. C. A. COMMUNICATIONS, Inc. Commercial Department A RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA SUBSIDIARY 66 BROAD STREET NEW YORK, N. Y. Broadcasting to Advertisers T F YOU have a message for national advertisers, dealing with your market, coverage, audience, responsiveness, talent, programs or service, we think we know just where you can present it to best advantage. National advertising executives, including the men in charge of radio as well as all other phases of advertising, are keenly interested in ADVERTISING AGE. It's the only advertising newspaper, covers the entire national advertising field thoroughly, and supplies a weekly news service that has never before been approached in this field. Broadcasting is given plenty of emphasis. Important news developments affecting the use of radio by advertisers are constantly reported, from the viewpoint of the advertiser. More news on this subject appears in ADVERTISING AGE than in any other general advertising publication. The newspaper format of ADVERTISING AGE offers opportunity for magnificent display. Its fivecolumn by fifteen-inch page, and its newspaper makeup insure maximum visibility for every advertisement, regardless of size. You can get attention and reader interest in ADVERTISING AGE! Your story needs broadcasting to the entire national advertising field. Here's the publication with the power to reach and the reader interest to influence the men you are most interested in. Send for rate-card and copy of current issue, if you aren't already familiar with the National Newspaper of Advertising. Advertising Age THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF ADVERTISING 537 S. Dearborn St. Chicago Graybar Building New York October 15, 1932 • BROADCASTING Page 27