Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1918 Vol. 66 N. 20

Page 49 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
MAY
18, 1918
49
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
"These overtones or partials are what deter-
mine the character of each distinctive tone, their
number and relative amplitude being the decid-
the waves entering the large end of the horn,
and being brought down and intensified as they
approach the smaller end. Here they strike
the process employed makes possible, are re-
productions of the sound waves that have been
recorded. The fidelity of this correspondence
is the exact measure of the similarity between
the original instrument and the phonograph's
reproduction of it.
The Vocalion Method of Recording
"The problems presented in record-making are
exceedingly difficult. Sound waves are usually
delicate and complex. To reproduce the nat-
ural timbre of the violin, or any other instru-
ment, every minute variation of its wave must
not only have its exact counterpart in the line
cut in the wax, but the needle, or reproducing
point of the phonograph, must be of a nature
to 'feel' and respond to these almost impercep-
tible variations. Herein lies the superiority of
the Vocalion method of recording and repro-
ducing. By this method the resistance of the
cutting tool to the wax is reduced to a mini-
mum, and the minute vibrations in the sound
waves, caused by partials or overtones, are ca-
pable of being accurately recorded. The new
method catches these delicate tone elements and
faithfully records them.
"The Vocalion method of reproduction with
the fine-pointed needle in turn seeks out and
reproduces what has been recorded, with the
result that recorded tones, whether of voice or
One of the Recording Rooms in the Aeolian-Vocalion Laboratories
ing factor. When sounded, a musical note cre- upon the diaphragm, which vibrates in response
ates a number of distinctive waves, one for to their impulse.
each of its partials. These vary in what may
"Connected with the center of this diaphragm
be called strength, as the partials themselves by a delicate lever bar
vary with the voice or instrument.
is a fine cutting tool.
"No sooner are these waves formed than they This tool, moving in
all merge into one wave which carries in the response to the motion
irregularities of its outline all the waves of all of the diaphragm, cuts
its partials. It is essential to a comprehension a line in a revolving
disc of soft wax, which
line corresponds in con-
figuration with the out-
line of the sound waves
entering the horn.
"The wax is then al-
lowed to set or become
hard. After receiving
a bath in an electro-
chemical s o l u t i o n ,
which coats it with cop-
No. 1. Tuning Fork.—The tone of a scientifically mounted
tuning fork is absolutely devoid of partial tones, hence the per, the disc with the
tone wave it creates is entirely free from the irregularities
line of sound imprinted
found in other tone waves, which are caused by their par-
tial waves.
upon it is c a r r i e d
Reception Salon in the Vocalion Studios
of this subject to understand that in recording through various depths before the phonograph instrument, reappear in almost their exact orig-
and reproducing musical sounds the realism of record is finally completed.
inal character, far clearer than has ever been
effect is entirely dependent on maintaining the
"The reproduction of the sounds recorded is possible before. This gives a sense of satis-
shape of these waves. (The accompanying illus- practically a reversal of the process of record- faction in listening to Vocalion records not ex-
No. 2. The Flute.—The tone of the flute contains but few
partial tones. The tone wave it creates is consequently far
less regular than those caused by other instruments. This
simplicity in the flute's tone, while possessing distinctive
beauty, especially by Contrast, makes it comparatively un-
interesting as a solo instrument.
trations show the differently shaped waves pe-
culiar to various instruments.)
Making a Record
"The process of record making is to-day prac-
tically standard with all the older companies, and
rt'in.ii k;il>le results have been.achieved in view
No. 3.—French Horn.—Here is another instrument with a
smooth, more or !ess fluent tone, though quite different in
quality from that of the violin. From the appearance of
its tone waves, one might almost anticipate the rounded
mellow beauty of this instrument.
of the difficulties offered by the systems em-
ployed.
"Briefly, this method involves a specially de-
vised horn, into which the sound is projected,
Nil.
4.
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•
I i
.
•' •
:••._
A
U'llL
il.HL
Ullldl
ShOWS
unmistakably a tune of very distinct individuality. The
pronounced irregularities of the oboe's tone wave are caused
by
by the dominance of certain of its partial tones.
ing. A needle or some other point is inserted
in the sound groove, and as the record revolves,
is moved either back or forth or up and down,
in obedience to the variations in the line.
"Through another lever, to which the needle
is attached, its movements are transmitted to a
reproducing diaphragm contained in the phono-
Xu. 5.
v i o n n . — i tie t o n e ot t h e violin
has m a n y
partial
tones. None of these is aggressively dominant, however;
hence the fluent smooth quality of the instrument. This
is shown in the photograph of its tone wave. There are
many irregularities in the wave, but they are all too small
to influence its general symmetry.
graph sound box. This diaphragm, vibrating in
consonance with the movements of the needle,
creates new sound waves. These, as nearly as
No. 6. Trombone.— The tone wave of this instrument de-
notes unmistakably the quality of its tone. Kich in partial
tones and hence interesting and expressive, it is very char-
acteristic and dominated by full, pealing notes.
perienced in others. They sound richer, fuller,
deeper, more beaut.'ful and more natural.
"Moreover, due to the difference in method,
Vocalion records contain practically one-third
more music than others; ten-inch records play-
ing as long as the ordinary twelve-inch, and
No. 7. Human Voice.—This tone wave was created by
pronouncing the vowel sound "ah." The voice is particu-
larly rich in partial tones, some voices indeed containing as
many as forty very appreciable.
twelve-inch records playing correspondingly
longer"
When the Aeolian Co. had perfected its new
{Continued on page 50)

Page 50 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
50
ANNOUNCE THE VOCALION RECORD
(Continued from page 49)
will retail at 75 cents and upward, and a twelve-
inch double-faced record at $1.25 and upwards.
Is a Hill and Dale Cut Record
The Aeolian-Vocalion record is a hill and
dale cut record, played with a needle, and the
accompanying reproduction of the opening an-
nouncement in local newspapers will give some
method of recording and was ready to start
manufacturing Aeolian-Vocalion records, it de-
cided that it would give this very important
branch of its business befitting quarters. The
company believed that
the actual work of re-
cording should be rec-
ognized as the most
vital factor in the pro-
duction of a record,
a n d , although there
was plenty of room
available in Aeolian
Hall on Forty-second
street, arrangements
were made to occupy
an entire building at
35 West Forty-third
street f o r recording
purposes exclusively.
A f t e r leasing the
building the Aeolian
Co.'s executives made
a careful study of the
most intimate details
of recording from a
g e n e r a l standpoint.
AEOLIAN COMPANY ANNOUNCES THE
Negotiations
were
completed w h e r e b y
many well-known ar-
tists were engaged to
/7T\eu> hhcmotpxipk recordproduced under a system, difjerma from, ondsup&ior to
{-/
myl&ivnwiisedwuiTVSutliTwinarecordi^reOohU^
make Aeolian-Vocal-
industry. As A source c
ion records exclusive-
tion, progress and impr
plished.
emotely
c k d the
ly, and as t h i s list
approached thisCompany > notable
:cond en
i k e n by T h e record of achievement. Today, to reality.
steadily increased, the
Aeolian Compa- The Aeolian C^mparr stands
Where w.th the old system
s develop-
lprehen- only the broader, stronger elements
company realized that
the higher sive understanding of i
in any tone could be recorded, the
musical values of the phonograph, its broad and scientific k
new system records the tone in
the subject of envir-
First; the Aeolian-Vocalion— of the various instrui
its entirety. The finer overtones—
that wonderful phonograph which producing i t
those subtle partials that
three year* ago startled the mu-
,
onment w a s an im-
Musical Valu,
sical world and leapt almost over-
final
f the Vocalum Record
night into the premier position
beauty are, for the first time,caugh'
portant item in t h e
l itself is and imprisoned by a far n
E phonograph
Tohold delicate and scientific method,
Second: the Vocalion Record-
making of a success-
,
giving the Aeolian-Vocahon, for in an inert and inarticulai discthe
thefmrttimcaRecordfully worthy melodious notes of a hui
iof
ful record.
i Rc<
of its extraordinary powers of re- —^tne vibrant tones of a
production.
#
ffipsehe
j
phonograph remains—to hearing'
It is only logical to
Product of the World's Leading •**• If these notes and tones have it is gone. The tendency to stri- -
hitherto fallen a little short of dency—the lack of richness and
assume that an artist
MIMIC House
nature — if some character, some of body—the vagueness of indi-
nearly half a century/The richness, some of the mote deli- vidualuy—all the effects hitherto
who enters a cold and
F OR
Aeolian Company has main- cate qualities have »been lost in typical of even the best phono-
their recording—it is no wonder, graph performances are replaced
dreary room prior to
The only wonder is the marvel- by natural verities of sound.
the musi
making a record will
N INVITATION-At Aeolian Hall on West 42nd Street and at The Aeolian Company !
various Branches in the Metropolitan district, the new Vocation Record i& now on exhibi-
A
tion. The numerous owners of the Aeolian-Vocalion, the owners of phonographs of other make
hardly be imbued with
and all persons to whom progresi in music is of interest, are cordially invited to the public informal
demonstration of these Records, which for the present will be continuous throughout each day.
a spirit of warmth and
enthusiasm. On the
o t h e r hand, if the
.^MANHATTAN
KIHE BRONX ABRCDKLYN Ai NEWARK.
artist is received in a
9 W d
367Eutl49*St llFUtbiuHAve 895BroodSt
tastefully
furnished
a n d artistically dec-
Opening Announcement of Aeolian-Vocalion Records
orated saloon, where
a piano is at hand for impromptu and informal idea of the campaign that the Aeolian Co. will
rehearsal or practice, it is only natural that he inaugurate in behalf of its new record. These
should enter the recording room with complete records will be presented through the medium-
assurance and enthusiasm, and the finished rec- of consistent national magazine advertising, and
ord will doubtless reflect the mood of the artist. through every other form of publicity that has
Recording Studios Beautifully Furnished
been utilized in Aeolian advertising campaigns
With this idea in mind, the Aeolian Co. ar- in the past.
With the Aeolian spirit and organization be-
ranged to furnish its recording studios on Forty-
third street in a thoroughly artistic and attrac- hind this record, together with its musical and
tive manner. The reception room on the main scientific qualities, it is safe to assume that the
floor and the artists' room on an upper floor are Aeolian-Vocalion record will soon take its place
all furnished in a way that cannot fail to im- as an Aeolian product that is entitled to world-
press the artist favorably and at the same time wide recognition. Every form of co-operation
arouse in him a keen desire to make the best will be offered the company's dealers in mer-
record that is possible.
chandising the Aeolian-Vocalion record, carry-
This recording studio is splendidly equipped ing out the company's plans of giving their
in every department, and under the capable di- dealers 100 per cent, service in handling Aeolian
rection of experienced musical and recording ex- products.
perts the record is turned out in its entirety
in this studio. There are accommodations for
TO JOIN AVIATION SECTION
every process incidental to the manufacture of
the record, and the officials of the company,
H. L. Tuers, head of the dealer service depart-
together with the artists and other interested ment of the Columbia Graphophone Co., re-
department heads, are afforded the opportunity ceived a communication this week, instructing
of listening to the completed record .in the him to report on May 25 for duty with the Avia-
studios with the knowledge that every detailed tion Section of the Signal Officers' Reserve
process has been completed in that building.
Corps. Mr. Tuers will enter a period of train-
The 1 Vocalion record will be merchandised ing- at one of the aviation camps preparatory
through Vocalion representatives exclusively, to taking an examination as an officer in this
and a complete library of all classes of music important division of the army.
will be offered to these dealers. According to
present plans the records will be double and
W. I. Smith, of Sebree, Ky., has recently se-
single faced, and a ten-inch double-faced record cured the agency for the Edison phonograph.
VOCALION RECORD
Th(
H
Those
who
hear
the
1
Ce AEOIIAN COMPANY
MAY
18, 1918
Increase Your
Income
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The advance that has
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ply as much valuable
information.
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
Publisher
373 Fourth Ave,
NEW YORK

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