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***** DEVELOPMENT & TESTING SITE (development) *****

Presto

Issue: 1940 2295 - Page 13

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are amplified to so called carillon volume, the wolf tones come
into prominence, causing many listeners to feel that the
chimes are "out of tune."
Genuine Carillon Music
All experience indicates that genuine Carillon music can
be produced only by a genuine Carillon and not by synthetic
means. In the words of one authority, the voice of Shirley
Temple, stepped up a thousand times, would still be the voice
of Shirley Temple, and no degree of amfiplication will give it
the qualities of Kirsten Flagstad. Similarly, small chimes am-
plified are still small chimes without the deep, rich, resonant
beauty which characterizes the living music of a genuine
Carillon and which is so symbolic of the rugged strength of
Christianity.
The genuine Tubular Bell Carillon has massive chimes,
ranging in size from 4 feet to 13 feet, with carrying power
achieved by size and resonance rather than by artificial am-
plification. Its music is created by the direct impact of power-
ful actions which cause every ounce of the metal to vibrate.
In tuning such chimes, the tuner works under known condi-
tions and to known requirements. Each chime is individually
processed, individually tuned, and individually tested.
That such conditions and methods should reduce off-key
harmonics to a minimum is self-evident. An yet, until re-
cently, all Carillons retained these discordant overtones in
some degree.
Research By J. C. Deagan, Inc.
In a determined effort to remove even the traces of wolf
tones, the engineers of J. C. Deagan, Inc., of Chicago, world's
largest builders of bells, chimes, and Carillons, conducted one
of the most interesting investigations ever made in the field
of acoustics. Armed with long experience, specialized know-
ledge, and the most modern tuning instruments, they may be
said to have "taken tone apart to see what makes it tick."
Chimes were tested under every condition and disturbing
overtones scientifically recorded. Every ounce of the metal
was then explored and countless experiments made to detect
the exact cause and remedy of the offending harmonics.
Out of this research has come a discovery of genuine im-
portance to acoustical engineers. It was found that however
precisely a chime was tuned with reference to length, dia-
meter, and wall thickness, inharmonious overtones could not
be completely eliminated as long as the exterior of the chime
represented a plane surface. Every discordant harmonic re-
maining after the initial precision tuning, however, could be
traced to some part of the metal surface, and when this metal
was cut away the difficulty disappeared.
Having made their discovery, the engineers proceeded to
put it to practical application. Each chime of every Carillon
manufactured by this Company is now subjected to what
might be called a "discord detector test." The exact source of
the discords is determined by a special means, and the chime
marked. Then the bell is placed in a machine and metal re-
moved at the points indicated. Wolf tones are literally cut
away from the chime!
Chimes In Florida Building
Introduced at the New York World's Fair, the harmo-
nically tuned Carillon was hailed by experts as one of the
most important single contributions in the entire history of
bell music. Never before, in their opinion, had Carillon music
been so pure, so harmonious and so pleasing to expert and
uninitiated alike. Whereas it was impractical, under former
methods of tuning, to play more than one note of a Carillon
at a t me, the development of harmonic tuning now makes
possible the playing of selections in from two to five part
harmony; in other words, two, three or four bells, may be
In the modern home the harsh, strident ring of the door bell
is supplanted by the mellow and harmonious music of Electric
Door Chimes. When the visitor presses the door button, the
chimes respond with a musical welcome.
SEPTEMBER, NINETEEN FORTY
From the tower of the Florida Building, the world's largest
Carillon (more bells than have ever before been assembled in
a single playing unit) rings out a musical welcome to all visitors
at the New York World's Fair. Proof of the universal appeal
of Carillon music lies in the fact that the Florida Building has
consistently outdrawn all other state exhibits.
(Photo by Harold Holiday Costain).
sounded together or as an arpeggio, with the fundamental
tone as well as the harmonics blended perfectly into one an-
other, forming a rich symphony of tone. Proof of the appeal
of such music lies in the fact that the Florida Building, which
houses the Deagan Carillon (largest, in number of bells, ever
constructed) has consistently outdrawn all other state ex-
hibits at the Fair.
Orchestra chimes lend
glamour to the percussion
section and sparkle to its
music. They are finished
in gleaming chromium or
rich Lustro-Gold, with a
sensitive damper to pro-
vide the exact effect de-
sired.
PAGE THIRTEEN
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