The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1914)

20 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. STANDARDIZING A SYSTEM OF TONE PRODUCTION. The Efforts of Prof. Bertrand de Bernyz, Pres dent of the American Opera Society, in This Connection Are Interesting — His Visit to the Edison Laboratory and His Experiments with Records Are Most Valuable — Wins Edison's Support and Personal Approval. That great and rapid strides have been and are being accomplished toward the establishing of a standard of tone production to be adopted throughout the entire world is evidenced by the fact that the man who is the strongest champion of this cause, Prof. Bertrand de Bernyz, president of the American Opera Society, has won the support and personal approval of Thomas A. Edison in his effort to standardize a system of tone production, after proving it to be the system for producing pure tones. Mr. Edison grew so enthusiastic over this subject lying close to the heart of its great champion that he devoted all the choice portion of the day to this interview, keeping scores of waiting ones on the outside of his laboratories, while Prof, de Bernyz explained in minutiae the science of tone production and its applicability to the natural laws. He also made demonstrations on his own voice and the voice of a pupil, a tenor. The contention of Prof, de Bernyz that a standard of tone production is not, as contended by other teachers, beyond the pale of possibility, is upheld by Mr. Edison. Through the courtesy of Mr. Edison Prof, de Bernyz was permitted to hear artist after artist of world renown from the two huge phonographs in Mr. Edison's laboratories. The season's salary of these artists represents a fortune, and not one voice was perfectly pure or free from defects. These phonographs reproduce with unmistakable clearness the human voice, and in all there was easily discernible to those listening the interference with the tone production. But Mr. Edison hears these voices through an instrument which acts upon the ear as does the microscope upon the eye, exaggerating the minutest detail, so that it is not possible to overlook same. The fact that in listening with the natural ear to the reproduction of these illustrious artists various defects are detected without difficulty proves beyond all doubt that if artists were heard without scenery, orchestra, atmosphere, and the hypnotism of the crowd, and were entirely dependent upon their vocal effort for success, with no personal magnetism or gestures to aid them, many enjoying the applause of five continents to-day might be relegated to the catalog of failures. Mr. Edison made exhibition of the imperfections of our leading vocalists and most celebrated singers, then heard with much gratification and deep satisfaction the succession of tones produced by Prof, de Bernyz, all of the same superior quality, regardless of where in the scale they were located, proving unquestionably the possibility of mastering a technique of tone production that enables the singer to produce one or hundreds of tones in precisely the same manner. The fact that the registration of the voice on the phonograph record varies, or the same tone repeated makes a different line on the sensitized disc, demonstrates that the tones are produced in different manner. It is but logical that tones produced in like manner will record on the disc in the same manner. It is also obvious that if, when Mr. Edison reads the record with his powerful microscope, he finds a high C, for instance, has been registered five times in as many different ways or lines on the disc, that the high C was produced in just so many different ways. The use of the phonograph in teachers' studios has long been advocated by Prof, de Bernyz as an aid to the pupil. Mr. Edison agrees with Prof, de Bernyz that it is by this means that the pupil or artist may most readily determine his faults and overcome them, if he is properly instructed. By invitation of Mr. Edison, Prof, de Bernyz will avail himself of an opportunity to demonstrate on the voices of numerous pupils that the production of pure tone is not accidental, but the result of mastering technique of a proper tone production. In connection with the phonographs which Prof. de Bernyz will install in his private laboratory, he will use an invention of his own, an apparatus used in acquiring breath control, and an aid to both teacher and pupil. Mr. Edison's invention has to do with the finished product; while that of Prof, de Bernyz has to do with the first principles and has to do with the producing — a complement to the inventor's much-loved instrument. It is a source of much gratification to those who hope for a standard of tone production to learn that Mr. Edison, who has hitherto been interested solely in the results obtained and not in how to acquire the desired results, is now intensely interested in the tone production — interested to the extent that he gives hours of his invaluable time to learn of this new system discovered by Prof, de Bernyz, and of which he is the author and instructor says the Opera News. The additional fact that Mr. Edison affixes the seal of his approval to the contentions of Prof, de Bernyz, declaring that pursuing his present policies the establishment of a standard of tone production is easily within sight causes the hope that "springs eternal" to leap to great heights in the hearts of those vitally interested in the American Opera Society. For the interest lying nearest their hearts is that of precluding the possibility of so much fraudulent practice among the unscrupulous, and thus preventing disappointment and misery, the inevitable consequence of pursuing wrong methods. NO "CUT PRICE" FOR STAMPS. And Yet Men May Be "Cut-Priced" for Commodities— Another Argument for the Fixed Re-sale Price — Uncle Sam as a Merchant. Under the heading of "The Living Wage for the Dealer," the editor of American Paint and Oil Dealer advances a timely and interesting argument in support of the right of the manufacturer to maintain a fixed re-sale price on his trade-marked products. The editorial, in part, follows: The Government recognizes and practically enforces the principle of the living wage among the great aggregations of capital that are being subjected to the processes of "regulation." It jealously watches over and intervenes or "mediates" between the railroad companies and their employes for the maintenance of the living wage, and supervision of their financing, and its control of their rates, the principle of the living wage, extended to give capital its own fair return, over and above the cost of doing business, interest on bonds, betterments, depreciation, etc., is also recognized and established; and upon that basis the retail selling prices, the rates for service, are fixed by the Interstate Commerce Commission. But woe be, and is, unto the road that "cuts the price," by secret rebates or by open "ruinous competition." The Government even prohibits the sale of its postage stamps at "cut prices" — and they're not "returnable for, or without, any reason." An independent merchant is Uncle Sam. But the small dealer, independent and practically unorganized, is not entitled to the living wage — at least that appears to be the belief of the newspapers and magazines, and the Government, and the public itself; a public that is generally fairminded, and quick to resent any injustice, but a public that for years has been mis-educated on merchandising, the principles and ethics of buying and' selling; though the merchandising community and its all'es have undergone a process of education in recent years that has quickened all classes engaged in regular or so-called legitimate distribution with a broader intelligence and a keener conscience in their relations with each other and with the public. The dealers, the jobbers and the manufacturers, in the reputable trade, believe in the living wage, for themselves and for each other, as well as for labor and capital in other fields. Their earnest study of cost accounting, their more general realization of the cost of doing business, and their application of this knowledge, have practically eliminated the ignorant or careless price cutter — the man who unwittingly undermined the living wage of his fellows and himself. THOMAS A. EDISON'S DOUBLE. The extraordinary resemblance of E. F. Manchester, Randolph, Vt., to Mr. Edison led the Edison representative to wonder if he has not interrupted a peculiar vacation. The illusion was heightened by the fact that Mr. Manchester is exceptionally deaf. However, he states that he finds this no handicap in his business. COLUMBIA GRAND FOR^HOIR USE. R. R. Souders, manager of the Columbia Grapho" phone Co., sent a new Columbia grand to the First Baptist Church Choir, Dallas, Texas, of which Will. A. Watkin is organist and director, for an evening recital. A nice letter was received from the secretary of the choir by Mr. Souders thanking ile now becoming more alert and efficient in its him for this courtesy. Record Service IS WHAT YOU NOW NEED Dealing with BUEHN assures you the best in service that can be had. Stocks of EDISON CYLINDER and VICTOR DISC RECORDS, both Domestic and Foreign, as complete as large orders and factory deliveries can make them. Send your order for RECORDS to LOUIS BUEHN Philadelphia and be convinced.