The phonoscope (Nov 1896-Dec 1899)

10 by covering the objectionable tones, rather than by substituting a thicker diaphragm, which might make the whole record weak. In general, the tones that cause the defect of blasting are open tones, the long "i" sound, the "o" as in "love," the word "heart." These tones occurring on high notes, almost invariably cause trouble, even with experts in the art. Scientists estimate that there are over a thousand sound waves per second in the high C of a tenor To record high notes accurately and naturally is very difficult, on account of the exceeding rapidity of the vibrations. A soprano high C being an octave higher is still more difficult to record. In fact, women's voices are the least satisfactory records for an amateur to attempt, on account of the great amplitude as well as the rapidity of the vibrations. In making talking records, speak naturally, but with energy. Do not force the voice too much. Articulate plainly, sounding the s's and c's with particular distinctness. In using the speaking tube, the lips should just about touch the mouth piece. With the fourteen-inch horn, or the twenty-six-inch japanned tin horn, the speaker should be from two to four inches away. Experiments will prove the proper position for each speaker. In making tests, announce upon the record each change you try, so that the effect of each experiment may be traced when the record is reproduced. If a piano is used, (and all musical records are vastly improved by a piano accompaniment), it should be an upright, with the back of the instrument as close to the horn as the position of the performer will permit. This again is a matter of judgment, as some pianos are so much louder than others that they mav be placed farther away, up to three or four feet. With a square or a grand piano, it is difficult to get real good results unless the cover of the instrument is raised at an angle (so as to act as a sounding board), and the horn placed very close. For vocal duets and quartettes, the singers should stand with their heads as close together as possible, directly in front of the horn. Good records of choruses are not easily made, as the greater the number of singers, the more complicated do the sound waves become. In fact, a single voice or a a'.r^e instrument will produce even,' time the loudest record.. The cornet is the best instrument for the amateur to connv.pnce with ; it should be placed from four to six feet a-say. Watch the high notes carefully, or the record witi alast. The scheme of "flagging" high notes is a good one. Whenever such high notes are played, lower a silk handkerchief in front of the horn. But better still, have the player enter into intelligent co-operation with your efforts, and by repressing certain notes he can aid you very materially. The most successful Phonograph singers or performers are those who watch results as carefullv as the record maker does himself, and regulate their efforts accordingly. They must realize every moment that they are making records for the Phonograph, and not singing for an audience. F.venness of tone is what tells. A piccolo or a clarinet should be within a foot of the recording horn. A violin or banjo as close as possible. Banjo duets make especially loud and clear records. A guitar or mandolin do not give satisfactory results. A xylophone should also be as near as possible, with the upper octave closer to the horn than the lower. In making baud or orchestra records, place the bass instruments (such as tubas, altos and trombones I at a distance of five feel from the horn. These instruments all give tones having slow vibrations, and consequently must be nearer the recording diaphragm to balance the other instruments having a greater energy of tone vibrations. Cornets should be at the greatest distance, about fifteen feet. Place the other instruments in between ; piccolo, five or six feet from horn ; clarinet, seven feet. Snare drum, three or four feet away. Better omit the bass drum. It is likely to spoil the effect, as it does not record well. If it is possible, have the cornets on the back row well elevated, so that the performers in front do not cut off or block the sound. In fact, it is well to elevate even the piano about two and one-hatf to three feet from the floor, so that it may be on a level with the recording horn, which, as before stated, points level with a singer's head. For record making at home, where it would not be an easy matter to do this, the performers should sit rather than stand, so that the piano accompaniment records with a true relative value to whatever it accompanies. As previously stated, experience in the art of record making is the best teacher. The above instructions merely outline the principal points to be observed. Follow them carefully, and give particular attention to the minutest details, as very frequently the smallest trifle will spoil what would be otherwise a highly satisfactory record. Copypight, 1S99 National Phonograph Co.. N'ew York. Reprinted by special permission of the the National Phonograph Co. Biograph IDievvs of No sooner had the news reached London of the wrecking of the American Line steamship Paris on the Manacle Rocks than Mr. W. K. L. Dickson, the expert photographer of the British Mutoscope Company, started out with his associates and apparatus for the Cornish shore. The results of his work are exceedingly interesting, and give a very adequate idea of the coast so greatlv dreaded by the shipping ■ of all nations. The view of the Paris, was taken somewhat later than any that have been previously reproduced in this country, and was practically the last effort made to move the vessel. It shows the great wrecking tugs straining at the hawsers and the smoke pouring from the funnels of the steamship as its propellers reversed in the final effort to work the great hull off the sharp rocks which pierced it. In looking at the Paris as she lies in comparatively quiet sea and no sign of the rocks anywhere abo't her, it seems almost incredible that the magnificent boat had to be abandoned as a total wreck. To a1.' appearances she is lying as safe and secure as Sii° might be at her anchorage in New York harbor. The biograph pictv.re is exceedingly realistic, and has attracted a great deal of attention. It is a panoramic view made by swraging the camera in the arc of a circle. The other pictures are hardly less interesting, having been made on the same dav as the ;:reck of the Mohican. All that is left of thai ill-fated craft consists of a portion of the three masts and the rigging. The picture shows a wrecking boat and the identical lifeboat crew that worked so heroicallv in removing the passengers from the Mohican at the time of the storm. The views show the launching of the life-boat and the approach to the wreck, where two or three stranded mariners are seen hanging in the shrouds. The American Mutoscope and Biograph Co., has recently received word that several exceedingly interesting pictures taken by their foreign connections will be shown in this country at an early date. Among them are two views, one showing Emperor William at the head of his favorite Guard regiment, and another of the Empress of Germany and her suite in grand military uniform on horseback at a military fete in Berlin. Both of these will be of interest to Germans in this country. At the great English Derby the biograph bagged the Prince of Wales, photographing the winning horse and the finish of the race, and in Paris the finish of the Grand Prix, at which the much-talked-of attack on President Loubet by the aristocracy was made, was also secured. The Netherlands Company report that they have made arrangements to secure the dignitaries of the World's Peace Commission. Z. paull flfoustc Co, We wish to call the attention of our readers to the special half page "ad" in this issue of the E. T. Paull Music Company, who have fitted out and equipped one of the best Phonograph plants for making original master records to-be found anywhere in the trade. A cut of the building which this company occupy will be found in their advertisement. The E. T. Paull Music Company are one of the largest and most successful music publishing firms in New York City, and as such are known all over the United States by the music dealers. Mr. E. T. Paull, the head of the concern, has the reputation of writing the most popular marches of the present day. He has won pronounced fame on his "Ben Hur Chariot Race March," "Charge of the Light Brigade March," "America Forever March," and other marches, the sales of which run largely in the hundreds of thousands. It is the purpose of the E. T. Paull Music Companv to make only original master records. They claim with the improved appliances at their command, and the "up-to-date" plant they have established, to be able to sell a better record at a lower price than any one else ; their facilities are of such a character as to enable them to do this. They have been particularly fortunate in securing such men as Charles Clinton Clark, who has no peer in the matter of singing coon songs which at present are having a universally large sale. Mr. Clark will sing for this company exclusively, and it is safe to say that his records will become the most popular on the market. Mr. A. J. Loiselle is also connected with this company. Mr. Loiselle was employed for several years in the largest factories, operating machines for the manufacture of records, and he is probably one of the best men in the business. He will have charge of the machines used by this company, and being an expert in this line, the very best possible results may be expected. Mr. Charles Jerome Wilson is also connected with this company. Mr. Wilson is what may be termed an old time Phonograph man. He had charge of the laboratory of the North American Phonograph Companv for the manufacture of records. With such men as these, it is only natural that the E. T. Paull Music Company will place on the market records that will have no superior. It will pay anyone interested in records in any way to glance over their advertisement in this issue found on page S, and it will be well, as a matter of curiosity, if for no other reason, to send for a sample order, which they agree to supply at a special low price, simplv to show tfcft character of their goods. It will be a favor to the publishers of this paper if you will kindly mention having seen the "ad" in Thk Phonoscope. Patti refused to sing into a Phonograph at Sail Francisco, out one of Edison's agents concealed a cylinder on the stage ami caught the impression of "ier $ 1,000 notes.