Radio today (Apr-Dec 1939)

openings constituting approximately 120 degrees of the circumference of the structure. The other two-thirds of the interior of these drums is utilized for housing the relays and valves for the fountains, flame jets, etc., all of which are remotely controlled from switchboards in the main control tower some hundreds of feet distant from the lagoon. The four "igloos" are spaced to form the four corners of a rectangle 130 feet long by 60 feet wide. This placement was planned without consulting the sound engineers and at first seemingly involved a serious problem of phase relationship. But the wide spacing was turned into an asset through the rather simple expedient of designing the entire system to function in a stereophonic manner. STEREOPHONIC EFFECTS The pick-ups are placed at each side of the band (the sound system being designed primarily for the reproduction of band music) and the amplifier and sound channels associated with each microphone are kept separate throughout, each terminating in projector units diagonally opposite from one another. Thus listeners standing at any positions will hear the reproduction in its original perspective. From the projectors at their right will come predominantly the instruments located in the right half of the band, while those at the left will be heard principally through the projector at the left. Thus a highly effective and natural binaural or stereophonic effect is produced. Within limits the effect varies as the listener moves away from any of the four positions, but this would also be true were he to move to one side of the studio in listening to the band directly. It is believed tfeat this is the first sound installation to attempt such an effect outdoors and over an entire 360-degree projection area. Each "igloo" has its separate amplifier channel following the common speech amplifier located in the studio. Special lines are supplied by the telephone company and are such as to provide response up to 15,000 cycles. Because they are cabled in with other audio and control lines of the company, they are tested daily for response and impedance. Sound Man Announces Names of Lost Kiddies One way in which Roy Bannon, owner of the X-L Radio Shop, of Morris and Sandwich, 111., builds a lot of good will in his territory is by announcing over a public-address system at his display booth the names of lost children at various country and township fairs. This is a service which is free, and many fair visitors take advantage of it. People have come to know that when they are looking for lost children to let Mr. Bannon know and he will give the item broadcast notice on his local sound address system. He takes care to announce such items at a time when people are listening. "This service is deeply appreciated by parents," says Mr. Bannon, "and while I would do it solely as a civic gesture, I do know that it has brought me business in a number of instances." Settkf Sound New use for sound. Guides taking groups through Schlitz brewery, press buttons starting recorded speeches describing each operation. Results in better explanations, better heard by visitors, than when guides formerly attempted own explanations. Guide's Push Buttons Start Recorded "Lectures" The Schlitz Brewing Company, Milwaukee, had a problem on its hands when it found that 5,000 people came every week to visit its plant and inspect the brewing operations. The guides had a difficult time, both in remembering what to say and also in trying to override the noise of the machinery. The solution proved to be the installation of a record-playing and amplifying system using marine horns made by Atlas Sound Corporation. The record transcriptions were made by Bob Heiss, announcer for WTMJ. Installation was completed by the Continental Engineering Corporation of Milwaukee. The speakers, installed in the brewing house, racking house, engine room, in the sternewirt, and the bottling house, now speak forth in loud stentorian tones, as the guide presses a button at each position, initiating an excellent stage-by-stage description of the Schlitz brewing operations. Tower Chimes Win Public Favor One of the most complete electronic installations made during the present popular trend toward tower chimes, is that made by Rangertone in cooperation with W. D. Morton of the Holograph Company, at the Institute for the Blind, Indianapolis, Ind. Here an unusual opportunity was offered with a fine landscaping effect because of the ample grounds around the school. The tower rising above the school gives a commanding outlook for miles around on the north side of the city. Through James Lowry, special engineer at the school, excellent facilities were provided for the chimes installation with a small studio-like soundproof room containing the 25 tubular chimes and the 49 note Vibraharp. The microphone pickup is led to an adjoining room with double-glass partitions between the two, for observation purposes, and a 200watt amplifier delivers the audio output to four speakers in the tower. A manual and automatic console operates the equipment; one keyboard plays the chimes and the other keyboard the Vibraharp. The automatic player works from paper rolls and in conjunction with an electric clock, gives four selections at specified times during the day. An automatic ringing mechanism in conjunction with another electric clock provides the Westminster melodies for hours and the quarters, from nine in the morning to nine at night. "It would be hard to find an installation which is more favorably situated — spiritually as well as physically," comments Col. R. H. Ranger. Up Go Speakers! University speakers raised by a winch attached to pulleys on sliding sleeve is unique sound installation at Nutley, N. J. Sound coverage is reported excellent over bowl with 8000 seats. 42 RADIO TODAY