Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

RCA Policy on Records Fohom Reports on Success of 45-rpm Record System and Announces Plans of RCA Victor, in Addition, to Make Available Its Artists and Classical Library on New and Improved Long-playing (33 l/3-rpm) Records. IS a statement of policy with re- spect to RCA Victor records, issued on January 4, Frank M. Fol- som. President of the Radio Corpo- ration of America, told of the vast success of the 45-rpm record system in attaining nation-wide public ac- ceptance and announced plans of RCA Victor, in addition, to make available its great artists and un- surpassed classical library on new and improved long-playing (33'3- rpm) records. "So great has been the American public's acceptance of RCA Victor's new 45-rpm system—the greatest advance in 50 years of recorded music," said Mr. Folsom, "that to- day, only nine months after its in- troduction—this revolutionary ad- vance has set a new standard of musical enjoyment in the phono- graph field. Never in the history of the record industry has a new de- velopment moved ahead so fast in so short a time. "In recent weeks, sales of '45' records soared to a rate of moi-c than 20.000.000 a year, and the new record players were being sold at the rate of 65,000 a month . . . These figures tell a story of outstanding success for the unmatched tone quality, convenience, and economy of the '45.' It is a smashing triumph in recorded music." RCA Policy Mr. Folsom enumerated the fol- lowing points of RCA policy: 1. To make available to the public RCA Victor's unsurpassed library of the trorld's {ireatest artists and tutisic recorded for all record players: 45-rpm; 78-rpm; 33':,-rpm. 2. To give the public recordings of the finest artists and the finest music. 3. To achieve through our in- struments and records the finest possible musical rrpioduction. 4. To make available to the public the achievements of world- renowned scientists and engineers at work in the RCA Laboratories. Through scientific research and develoi)ment they created the in- comparable "45 system." Through further progress they have also succeeded in including the same matchless tonal qualities in the new and improved RCA Victor long-playing records. With respect to RCA Victor's plans to produce the long-playing records, Mr. Folsom declared: "To serve those music lovers who wish to play certain classical selections on long-playing records, RCA Victor will introduce, on or about March 1, a new and improved, non-break- able long-playing record (33';i-rpm» made possible by an exclusive RCA Victor processing method which in- sures high quality and tonal fidel- ity." He said selections from the RCA Victor library, suitable for long- playing records, will feature its great orchestras and musical artists, and asserted that as new recordings are made, from time to time, the\ will be available as appropriate ad- ditions to the long-playing reper- toire. Orders are now being booked for delivery in March. In the interest of millions ol homes still equipped for playing such records, and as long as there is a demand for them, RCA Victor will supply a complete catalog of conventional 78-rpm records, Mr. Folsom stated. He stressed the fact that every new selection will be available on both "45" and "78" disks. The RCA Victor 1950 line of Vic- trola phonographs and radio-tele- vision combinations, Mr. Folsom pointed out. includes instruments that play all three speeds—45. 78 and 33V3 rpm. All of these three- speed instruments feature an inde- pendent "45" record player in order that the fullest advantages of "45" quality and simplicity can be en- joyed, he declared. "45" Destined to Lead "The '45' is here to stay and is destined to lead all other types of MIl-J WIISON STUHLMAN OF nROOKI.YN. TllUEE-MIU-IONTM VISITOR TO THE RCA E.\1I1B1TI0N HALL IS GREETED BY PERRY COMO, RCA VICTOR RECORD SINGING STAR, WITH A GIFT OF A 4B-RPM RECORD PLAYER AND RECORDS. [20 RADIO AGE]