The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1915)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 25 TIFFANY MOTOR CO. ===== MANUFACTURERS OF ELECTRIC MOTORS FOR TALKING MACHINES ===== 75 FULTON ST. NEW YORK CITY TALKING PICTURES^ AND SELENIUM. Samuel Wein Descants on Present Day Imperfections of Talking Motion Pictures and Reviews Dr. Ruhmer's Contribution and Its Value with Important Suggestions. Under the heading "Talking Motion Pictures and Selenium," Samuel Wein, who is well known in the talking machine field through his many years of experimenting and research, has written the following interesting article, which appeared in a recent issue of the Electrical Experimenter: "In the present-day talking motion picture 'systems use is made of simultaneously recording and reproducing animated objects and sounds by means of combining the motion picture machine and the phonograph. The success attained thereby is of very little practical importance, owing to the difficulty of insuring perfect synchronism. Another method recently patented was to record the sound waves from the needle of the phonographic 'sound box' on the same film with the motion pictures ; the success attained in this method is of no value at all on account of the fact that duplicates were impossible to make, and not only that, but that the film in order to reproduce the sounds therefrom must be a little thicker than what it is ; otherwise the sounds will not be reproduced successfully. "It is essential to the correct reproduction of the movements of the persons or objects in combination with the sound waves that the simultaneous movements and sounds should be recorded and reproduced simultaneously in exact synchronism and that the sound waves which constitute the sounds should not suffer any variation in the process of recording and reproduction, but should be recorded and reproduced without the introduction or accompaniment of any other sound waves. "It is obvious, therefore, that no true record or reproduction of the sound waves could be made by any mechanical process or means in which a hard substance necessary to make the impression comes in contact with another hard substance, such, for instance, as the recording or reproducing pin of the phonograph, because the friction caused between the two hard substances itself creates vibration or sound waves which accompany, vary or modify the sound waves which it is desired to record or reproduce. These are recorded and reproduced with the latter, proving detrimental to their true acous tic reproduction. The record, therefore, must be taken or produced without any contact between the medium caused to vibrate by the sound waves and the record or recording substance. It is further obvious that if the impressions of the movements and sounds were recorded separately on separate records, the movements and sounds would be liable to vary in point of time and fail to synchronize with each other. "Another disadvantage of the present-day talking motion picture machines or systems is that if the operator either neglectfully or wilfully tears or cuts out a piece of the film which constitutes the movements or the actions, the result would be that a certain amount of action or movement is missing, but the equivalent in sounds would still be in the phonographic record, thus showing the device would soon be put out of synchronism at this point. "In order to avoid this and to insure correct synchronism the late Dr. Ernest Ruhmer, of Germany (see Scientific American, July 20, 1901), already in 1901, in his experiments with the 'photograhpophone,' was the first to suggest that the 'movements and sounds must be recorded (photographically) simultaneously, on the same photographic film.' "For the purpose of collecting or receiving the sound waves, a sensitive telephone transmitter is employed to transmit the sound waves electrically (in the usual manner) from the place where the sounds originate to the motion picture camera, which has a source of light so arranged that it will vary in degrees as to area, quantity, intensity and corresponding effect of light and shade proportioned to their period and amplitude, simultaneously with the recording photographically of the successive movements of the objects on the same film. "When such a film record is obtained it is reproduced by causing light to pass through that portion of the film containing the picture record of the successive movements, and so project them on to a screen, and also simultaneously cause light to pass through that portion of the film containing the photographic sound record, and thence on to a selenium cell, which is connected in series with a battery and a loud speaking telephone receiver." REDUCES RECORD PRICES. New Schedule for Columbia "Symphony" Record— "Grafonola Grand" Now Priced at $350. The Columbia Graphophone Co. has announced a material reduction in the prices of the records in the Columbia catalog designated as the "Symphony" series. This series comprises a wide assortment of operatic and concert selections by prominent artists, many of whom are internationally renowned. Twenty-five 10-inch records in the series are reduced from $2 to $1, five 12-inch single-faced records from $2 to $1, fifty-five 12-inch records from $ci to $1.50 and thirteen records, formerly priced at $4 to $7.50, to $2 to $3. All of these changes went into effect on December 1. The Columbia Co. has also announced the reduction in price of the Columbia "Grafonola Grand" from $500 to $350, this change also taking effect on December 1. At this new price Columbia dealers are afforded a splendid opportunity to institute an energetic campaign on behalf of the Columbia "Grand" among their most discriminating patrons, both from a musical and an artistic standpoint. Saul Birns, Inc.. has been incorporated at Albany for the purpose of handling pianos, player-pianos, phonographs and musical instruments. Capital stock is $5,000. Incorporators : E. A. Brown, S. and S. Birnzweig, 111 Second avenue, New York. NEW VICTOR RECORD CATALOG. Just Sent Out to Dealers This Week — Most Carefully Edited and Will Be Found Very Convenient for Reference Purposes. The Victor Talking Machine Co. has just sent out to its dealers an announcement of the new general record catalog, November, 1915, edition, which is now ready for distribution. Accompanying this announcement were two artistic posters of different size, to 'be used for advertising purposes. The larger poster, which is exceptionally attractive, may be placed in a window to advantage and the smaller one in the interior of the store. This new catalog will be advertised in the near future by double-page spreads in the Saturday Evening Post and in full pages in all the leading magazines of the country. The Victor Co. suggests that its dealers give the distribution of this new catalog careful consideration, as every new edition costs many thousands of dollars and in spite of all care there is always a shortage before the next edition appears. NEW COLUMBIA MANAGERS. R. R. Souders Placed in Charge of Minneapolis Branch — E. B. Shiddell Now Manager of Southwestern Talking Machine Co. The Columbia Graphophone Co. announced this week the appointment of R. R. Souders as manager of the company's Minneapolis distributing headquarters and E. B. Shiddell as manager of the Southwestern Talking Machine Co., Dallas, Tex., Columbia distributers. Mr. Souders succeeds Jay H. Wheeler, resigned, and Mr. Shiddell, who has been assistant to Mr. Souders at Dallas, is promoted to the management of the branch. Mr. Souders has been associated with the CoVumbia Co. for many years, having been connected with its several interests both here and abroad. He is thoroughly familiar with all phases of Columbia methods and policies and his advancement to the management of the Minneapolis headquarters is a well-deserved one. Mr. Shiddell was formerly connected with Frank Robins & Co., Havana, Cuba, Columbia distributers, before joining the "Lone Star" State forces. IF YOU BELIEVE IN MAINTAINING PRICES, WHICH ARE JUST TO THE PUBLIC AND JUST TO ALL, TELL YOUR CONGRESSMAN THAT YOU BELIEVE IN THE STEVENS BILL AND THAT YOU URGE ITS EARLY PASSAGE. WE MAKE Tone Arms and Sound Boxes For all makes of Talking Machines ALSO Attachments for Victor, Pathe, Edison and Columbia Machines Let us tell you about them before placing your orders THE UNION SPECIALTY AND PLATING COMPANY SPECIALISTS IN PHONOGRAPH PARTS 409 Prospect Avenue, N. W. CLEVELAND, O.