The Phonogram, Vol. 1:1 (1891-01)

7 HE PHONOGRAM. An Important Suggestion , T has been suggested that there is danger of too rn ^ much attention being ^ M ~ given by the managers ! of. the local companies to the “coin-in-the-slot” device at the expense of the more legitimate business of the compa- nies, of introducing the phonograph into general use among business men. I have always been of the opinion that the exhi- bition of the phonograph for amusement purposes was liable to create a wrong im- pression in the minds of tlfe public as to its actual merits for other purposes. The immediate revenue derived from the “ coin-in-the-slot ” device has been so large as to make this branch of the business very popular among the local companies^ I think that it should be controlled by a sepa- rate department in each company, leaving the manager and his assistants free to de- vote their whole attention to the more im- portant work of placing machines. Too much consideration cannot l>e given to this suggestion, as upon it is based the ultimate success of the whole enterprise, ajjtf those companies who fail to tace ad- vantage of every opportunity of pushing the legitimate side of their business. Valving only upon the profits derived from jthe “coin-in-the-slot,” will find too late Ahat they have made'a fatal mistake. \ 1 think, also, that the 44 coin-in-the-slot " device is calculated to injure the phono- graph in the opinion of those seeing it only in that form, as it has the apjxiarance of ders, the band indulge being nothing more than a mere toy, and applause, stamping and shouting in appro- no one would comprehend its value or ap- Ration of its own |>erformance. This pass- preciate its utility as an aid to business men es for demonstration by a supposititious audi- and.others for dictation purposes when seeing ence, of course, when one hears the phono- it only in that-form. It therefore behooves graph reproduce it. All the cylinders are all who are interested in its success to tested before being sold, to make sure that counteract the false impression liable to be they are perfect, about io per cent, of them thus engendered by every means in their being rejected as l>eing defective. Selling (>ower. * * at frorfi $i to $2 each, there is a fair profit The N. A. P. Co. runs a music factory on an extensive scale at Jersey City, where thousands of fresh airs are turned out on wax every month. The companies that handle the talking and singing machines in various parts of the country are making some records on their own account, each company having its specialty. For usance, the Washington company is making a s|>ecialty, just at present, of band music; tlu" Kentucky company goes in almost exclu- sively for negro business—plantation dia- logues, with banjo solos interspersed, and scenes on the levee—and so.with others. While the band plays into the gre^t horns, an expert manipulates the machines. • Each phonograph l>eing supplied with a smooth and fresh cylinder of wax, the expert in charge shouts into each horn separately the title of the piece to be played. When he has done this the electric motor is turned on again, the cylinders revolve beneath the recording needles, the band starts up at £ signal and the music pours into the big trumpets until each cylinder is as full of sound impressions as it can hold. Then the expert holds up his finger and the band comes to a full stop at the end of the next musical phrase. The full cylinders are taken off the instruments and put aside in pasteboard boxes, anil fresh ones are put on. After the title of the next piece has been shouted into each horn, the band starts up again at the signal and the process is repeated. Now and then, if there is a little space left at the end of the cylin- in a wild burst of