Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

Record Details:

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ay 16, 19 3 1 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 55 SCLND CEPCCDIJCTICN The BLUEBOOK Schoo Answer to Question No. 77 By F. H. RICHARDSON a i! 3 BLUEBOOK SCHOOL QUESTION NO. 82— Describe the process of adjusting a Western Electric exciting «| lamp in its bracket so that it will be ready for imnnediate use. Tell us just what the "slit" is. Describe it and J set forth its dimensions. Name one prime requisite if variable density film sound recording is to be picked \ up correctly. Why is the slit assembly sealed in position? What would be the result if the slit assembly be not set in exactly the right position? 3t 1 M yThe question was: (A) Are horns direc■•nal? (B) What is the limit of sound dis:ibution of horns? (C) Explain, in your -jn way, just zvhat might be the effects of Ii i"ong horn positioning in a wide auditoinpUm. {D) Should the theatre manager or ojectionist believe the horn setting Jght be improved, what is the proper pro1> ^4ure if the theatre be serviced? If it be 'i^ serviced? 'These questions were liberally answered so far as numbers go, but there were a eat many who fell down more or less on .e or more of them. Those who made •od on them were : Lester Borst, Herman Billings, S. Evans and C. Rau, Leslie iates, Thomas Arden, Neut Van Valken.rg, A. R. Speilt, George D. Thompson, G. Doe, G. L. Harchard, Bill Doe, J. C. orris, Thomas Bailey, R. A. Andersen, T. ttrneman, R. A. Boyd, S. Evans, G. S. ^'jslie, F. D. Dinsel, John Williams, Andy Gregory, A. G. Chase, L. Thomas, S. Simms, R. Dodson, Frank D. Traildo, D. Samuels, P. L. Topeing, Samuel D. Rider, T. L. Woods, Walter Singer, W. S. Hackett, Len Lomax, D. R. Davis, Lewis Henderson, George L. Walker, William Gibson, Alex Carter, H. D. Jameson, Harry Crowley, Dan Timmerman, L. McArthur, A. R. Reisman, John Brind, A. L. Brind, F. K. Lowery, Frank Fullen, Andrew C. Case, D. McDowell, Robert Kitterson and F. D. Richards. I use the answer of Herman Billings, which is concise and excellent. He says : "Following is my answer to Bluebook School Question No. 77 : "A — Horns now in use on sound systems are directional. "B — -The band of sound coming from one horn covers an angle of about 40 degrees effectively. "C — The question of the correct position for a horn or horns is one that is very important. The correct position being the one that gives the best average results in all parts of the auditorium. If the horn points straight ahead in a wide auditorium the sound will be strong in the center and fade out toward the sides. If it points down too much the sound in the balcony, if there is one, will be weak, while it is very strong in the orchestra floor. If the horns were pointed up too much, then it would be visa versa. "D — If the projectionist or manager thinks that the horns are not properly placed they should call in the service engineer and have him readjust the horns to the best location possible. "E — If the projectionst thinks it best to readjust the horns he should mark the present location so that he will be able to put them back if need be. He should then adjust the horns so that they give the best average sound in all parts of the house." MICROPHONIC NOISE Some time ago I cornered a very able proi:tionist. Mr. A. Coco of Loew's 17Sth Street ;atre, and fairly pried the following very j:eresting and helpful data from him. iSome times the projectionist will find friend rn giving forth microphonic noise. He ;ts everything and it all tests out perfectly. ; is up a very tal), straight stump. Incidenily, some ERPI and other service men have in on the same stump. Just plain stuck on s proposition. If the trouble exists on both projectors, then should remove one of the 239 A tubes of the ,UA amplifier and, holding it upright, gently aj^") its prongs on some solid substance, such as floor or table top. Care must be taken t to tap too hard or the tube will be in'"ed. Tap it just once or twice and then rece and test. If the microphonic noise has : disappeared, remove the other tubes and at them similarly. You may, and probably 'II, find that this has cured the trouble. On other hand, if the trouble exists in only one ijector, then the trouble will probably have its source in the P.E.C amplifier. In event the tubes test perfectly, then treat them as was before directed in the tubes of the 2-41 amplifier. This bit of information may save some projectionist, and even some service men considerable embarrassment because, remembering that everything has tested out perfectly, it is hard to know e-xactly what to do. Another stunt: Often if the idler roller of the sound sprocket, which same is attached to the bottom of the sound gate, rides the film too_ heavily it will generate microphonic noise, which same will be picked up by the sound system. Moreover, this particular brand of noise does not sound any too gorgeous. The method of getting rid of it is very simple: On the outside of the head is a small round wheel for the purpose of adjusting the tension of the sound gate. In the face of this wheel you will find a small screw, which is merely for the purpose of locking the wheel in position. Start your projector, either with or without a film in it, it makes no difference, and, pressing your thumb lightly on the lower part of the sound gate, turn the wheel until no vibration is felt, whereupon set up the lock screw tight and you will find the microphonic noise will have disappeared. You should test the gate occasionally by pressing it lightly with your finger. If there is any vibration at all, it should be eliminated as above. Microphonic noise may be found when the sound gate is in perfect adjustment and the 2-41 and other tubes are all right. Sometimes this is due to microphonic noise set up in the recording of the film. This may be, in a measure, taken care of as follows : Put on the headphones and move the exciting lamp slightly out of the adjustment, either up or down, which ever way seems to get the best results. Don't overdo this or you will lose a lot of volume. You will, of course, lose a little volume if the lamp was in perfect adjustment, but unless you move it too far it will not be very noticeable and you will have reduced the microphonic trouble by at least 75 per cent. Let it be clearly understood this is only a stunt to be used where the microphonic noise is in the film itself