International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1947)

Addendum: 'Quality' vs. 'Pleasing1 Sound Reproduction STILL another contribution to the now rather extended discussion technical circles of the public preference for "pleasing" as against "quality" sound reproduction is the appended engaging editorial by Will Whitmore, advertising manager of Western Electric Co., as culled from the W. E. publication Oscillator. Readers of IP will recall specific data bearing on this question in these pages.1 Whitmore's editorial, in part, follows : It's high time we interred an old story to the effect that the public prefers plenty of bass and no high notes. That might have been true in the early days, but it just isn't true today. And if any manufacturer finds it true of his product, he'd better raise his eyebrows at his equipment rather than at the public's taste in sound. . . . We have been through this so many times before, the public reaction to improvement in sound can now be charted with almost scientific accuracy. Remember the early days of sound pictures? Certainly no one complained that the quality was too good. The frequency range was narrow and accompanied by quite an assortment of noises and a high over-all noise level. But when such improvements as noiseless recording and wide-range recording and reproduction were introduced, it did take time for the public to become accustomed to better sound. Soon, however, they did become accustomed to it, and no one can be found today who would welcome a return to the earlier quality of sound in motion pictures. Film Industry a Typical Example The experience of the motion picture is typical of all phases of sound reproduction. There may be a short time-lag in the popular acceptance of quality sound, but each improvement does become accepted, and when it is, a distinct gain is made — a net gain which can never be lost. . . . Every improvement in sound quality in the past has been accepted by the public and the public is ready for more . . . There New Rotary Rectifier Switch Incorporated as standard equipment on all KNI-TRON rectifiers, a unique switching arrangement has been developed by Kneisley Electric Company, Toledo, Ohio. Rated at 30 amps, 230 volts, AC, the new design has a diameter of four inches and a length of one inch. Despite its small size, the new switch contains many desired features, including continuous rotation, insulated dead shaft, replaceable contacts, instant toggling and 9-12 pounds pressure per contact. The polyphase design is adaptable to either Delta or Y connections and features 9/16" square bronze contacts. "Alsimag" internal insulation and a cold molded totally enclosed exterior produce increased mechanical strength. Any switching arrangement can be easily incorporated by a simple change of the cam mechanism, and can operate as a six-pole, eight-position design without difficulty. have been instances where the public refused to accept what appeared to be increases in the frequency range of sound reproduction. We know now, however, that such failures were due to the fact that so much more noise and, in particular, distortion were added that the public was quite right in refusing to accept this so-called "high quality" sound. Much has been learned in recent years and tremendous progress has been made in technique and instrumentation. Today high quality sound with noise and distortion reduced to a minimum is possible and practicable. We have the equipment, we know the techniques. We are due' to see the whole art of sound reproduction take on new significance, new acceptance and stature. The curtain is rising on a new era in sound. 1 " 'Quality' vs. 'Pleasing' Sound Reproduction," by J. Moir; I.P. for February, 1947 (p. 5) and May, 1947 (p. 16). ^JP NEW BRENKERTS, DeVRYS, MOTIOGRAPHS ARE FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH "ZIPPERS" Convincing proof of the equipment manufacturer's changeover preference, is the selection of Strong "Zipper" Changeovers as standard factory equipment on new "AA" MOTIOGRAPH, new postwar DeVRY, and the new BREINKERT theater projectors. Strong "Zipper" Changeovers are available in three models: Strong Special (for porthole installation), Strong Zipper for sight alone or sound alone, and Strong Dual-Purpose Zipper for both sight and sound. Essannay Electric Manufacturing Co., 1438 N. Clark, Chicago 10. CHANGEOVERS IAN ESSANNAY //ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING PRODUCT STRONG'S How M«ny? Was this copy dog-eared when it came to you? How many men read it ahead of you? You would receive a clean, fresh copy if you had a personal subscription — and you wouldn't have to wait — you would be first to read it. Use coupon below. Enter my subscription for INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST, 19 West 44 St., New York 18, N. Y. □ 1 year— 12 issues— $2.50 □ 2 years— 24 issues — $4.00 Foreign and Canada: Add 50c per year. Name Address City State INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • November 1947 37