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Recording at the Zoo August, 1961 35c WE DON'T CARE

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national Jupe ea >r rlllplira +' of tape duplicates II u l i o n a l lap e u rr rl rr li /iea national lape ea a rlrlitlieu national lape eo n il ii pl ;poti Language Laboratories nnlinII al tape eau rlulrliea' Recording Companies a rr 1 if) Ii rI I / II p «' a ìi rl n i pl i e u Radio Stations nufinnal la pc eu i!uiplieu' u e ,r Audio -Visual Producers rl l i ri it a I 1 a p r e a ri el rr l i Vi o (I (I I later rn Background Music Operators ralinnal lape eu Book Publishers a l iriH11I Ill pr l'a rr ' rr l,i,r u Corporations using I it l i anti/ t rpl e rn ll to p iea I tape for intercommunication al i inn l la p( ea a d alit i ea / raliaII aI lape e rlulrliea! Manufacturers ,rr IloIiUI 1 rr pr eet it el n p/ ire 1

a 1 Ì n il rr I tripe e u rr rl rr a l i e n . All these and many more raliuurrl Inpr aI irrnal la pl have found that National Tape l a t i li In II I 1 rr p e ("1/ a ,i If 1, I r e a provides quick service, high , r a l i n ll a l t a p e ea rr II tl p al inrtnl fart ra ll Il rr pl iea! quality, low -cost tape duplicates aaliona! la pr r Ilaplical ualivarrl lare rIrrl Ilrlplical at any speed and track configuration. a a l I o n a I la p r e r r n rl Il pl i e a l In fact, we believe . .,ralioHal tap( errlt Iluplieal

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HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF TAPE RECORDERS AND TAPE RECORDING TAPE RECORDING by Lee Sheridan by Harold D. Weiler This book is aimed at the new recordist, who has yet to discover the hundred and one unusual, interesting The latest book by the well known author of "Hi -Fi and profitable uses to which a tape recorder can be Simplified" which has sold over 65,000 copies. Written put . . . with patience, a little imagination, and a few so that anyone can understand it the book covers Room accessories. Acoustics; Techniques; Recording From Lee Sheridan, who authored this book, is actually two Records; Radio and TV; Sound Effects; Tape Recorder people: Elsie Lee and Michael Sheridan, who comprise Maintenance; and Adding Sound to Slides and Movies. one of the most prolific and successful freelance writing Over 100 illustrations and diagrams in 13 chapters of teams in the country, They have appeared, with articles practical down -to -earth suggestions make this book the and short stories, in many magazines both here and beginners bible. abroad. 51 /2" x 81/4" - 190 pages 6" x 9 ", 128 pp., paper - bound, illustrated $ 1.00 illustrated - paper bound $2 95 HOW TO MAKE GOOD TAPE RECORDINGS by C. J. Le Bel, Vice President Audio Devices, Inc. SIMPLIFIED A complete handbook of tape recording containing 150 pages of up- to-the- minute information of practical value to every by Harold D. tape recordist. Easy reading for the most Inexperienced of Weiler home recordists. Sections include: How A Tape Recorder Works, Characteris- tics of a Tape This book has sold more than 65,000 copies and is Recorder, Selecting A Tape Recorder, Selecting one of A Recording Tape. Using the Tape Recorder, Making A Micro- the most popular books on the subject. It covers the phone Recording, Acoustically Treating the Studio. Tape Edi- ing. Binaural or Stereophonic Recording. Putting Together A How, What, Why and Where of Hi -Fi, Sound, Acoustics, Recording Show. and a Glossary of Tape Recording Terms. The Simple , The High -Fidelity Loud - 5l'4" x 8 ", 150 pp., paper bound, illustrated $1e50 speaker, Loudspeaker -Enclosures, The Basic , The Amplifier, The Record Player, Tuners, Use of a TAPE RECORDERS -HOW THEY WORK Home Music System, and Tape Recorders. It is illustrated by Charles G. Wesfcoft and Richard F. Dubbe with numerous drawings, charts and pictures. While This book Is based on the principle that to get the most from authoritative, is written an a recorder, one must first understand thoroughly how It op- it in easy -to-read style. erates. It contains diagrams and schematics and explains In not too technical language "what's under the cover" of a recorder. 5''2" x 81/2". paper bound, 208 pp. Illustrated .. $3.30 51/2" x 81/2". 177 pp., paper bound, illustrated

BASIC ELECTRICITY TECHNIQUES OF MAGNETIC RECORDING by Van Valkenburgb, Nooger and Neville, Inc by Joel Tall Vol. 1 -Where Electricity Comes From. Electricity In Ac- tion, Current Flow. Voltage and Resistance. Magnetism DC This book Meters. Vol. 2-DC Circuits, Ohm's and Kirchoff's Laws. translates the complexities of a science into practical, Electric Power. Vol. 3-Alternating Current, AC Resistance. easy -to-follow techniques It is a book for the professional who Capacitance and Inductance, Reactance. AC Meters. Vol. 4- wants new Ideas. new standards of excellence, Impedance, AC Circuits, Resonance. Transformers. Vol. 5- and a book for DC Generators and Motors. Alternators. the amateur just Introduced to magnetic recording. Beginning with a description of Poulsen's Invention of magnetic record- BASIC ELECTRONICS ing, the author presents a condensed history of developments Vol. Introduction to Electronics. since 1900. Then he treats 1- Diode Vacuum Tubes, the many problems that arise In Dry Metal Rectifiers, Power Suppliers. Filters. Voltage Reg- magnetic recording. Individual chapters are devoted to record- ulators. Vol. 2-Introduction to Triode Tubes, ing In such areas as medicine, Tetrodes and Pentrodes, Audio Voltage ana Power Ampli- education, and public entertain- fiers. ment and advertising. The inclusion Vol. 3 -Video Amplifiers. RF Amplifiers. Oscillators. of descriptions written by Vol. 4- Transmitters. Transmission Lines & Antennas, CW the originators of various techniques, extensive quotation from Transmission and Amplitude Modulation. Vol. 5- Receiver Antennas. the laboratory notes of pioneers. an extensive glossary, and a Detectors and Mixers. TRF Receivers. Superhets. comprehensive bibliography make this book Invaluable to the 6" x 9 ", 128 pp.. soff cover. Each amateur and to the professional. Volume 52.50. Complete set, 5 volumes ... 11.25 8th" x Sth ", 472 pp.. cloth bound, New Vol. 6 Basic Electronics 52.90 illustrated $7.95 Complete set 6 volumes 513.85

BOOK DEPARTMENT Tape Recorders and Tape Recording TAPE RECORDING MAGAZINE Severna Park, Md. Techniques of Magnetic Recording Please ship immediately the books checked. How To Make Good Tape Recordings

1 enclose Tape Recorders -How They Work NAME High Fidelity Simplified ADDRESS How to Get the Most Out of Tape Recording CITY ZONE.... STATE Basic Electricity Vols. Set All books shipped postpaid from stock some day order is received. If not satisfied return books within 5 days and money will be refunded. Basic Electronics Vols. Set

3 PRODUCTS FOR MODERN LIVING TAPE RECORDING UNIVERSAL INVERTERS A. C. Household Electricity VOL. 8 NO. 9 AUGUST 1961 Anywhere,.. in your own at! Tape Recorders TV Sets Dictating Machines Radios Public Address Systems Electric Shavers Record Players Food Mixers and MARK MOONEY, JR. Emergency Lighting. NET 6U -RHG (6 V.) 125 to 150 W. Shp. Wt. 27 lbs. $66.34 Editor and Publisher 12U -RHG (12 V.) 150 to 175 W. Shp. Wt. 27 lbs. $66.34

Auto Plug-in Home-type Portable BATTERY JOHN L. ALLEN JEAN DOVER CHARGERS Circulation Manager Assistant Editor NO INSTALLATION ... PLUG INTO CIGARETTE LIGHTER RECEPTACLE! Keeps car battery fully charged in ROBERT W. UPHAM JAMES H. MILLS, SR. your own garage! Needed more now than ever before -makes Art Director Technical Consultant motor starting easy! Operates di- rectly from standard 110 volts A.C.current. 612CA4 (4 amp.) 6 12 V. Shp. WI. 6 lbs. NET $19.46 ANTHONY J. MORIN, JR. 612CA6 (6 amp.) 6 i 12 V. Shp. Wt. 8 lbs, NET $22.46 612CA10(10amp.)6' 12 V, Shp. Wt. 10 lbs, NET $27.71 National Advertising Manager 274 Madison Ave., New York 16, N. Y. SHAV-PAKS Keep Clean- Shaved! Plugs into Ciga- rette Lighter Receptacle. Keep in Glove Compartment. Operates Stand- ard A.C. ELECTRIC SHAVERS IN THIS ISSUE Small Timing Devices ... In CARS, Buses, Trucks, Boats, or Planes. 6 -SPB (6 V.) 15 W. Shp. Wt. 2' lbs. NET $7.97 12 -SPB (12 V.) 15 W. Shp, Wt. 21/2 lbs. NET $7.97 RECORDING AT THE ZOO Mark Mooney, Jr. 18 CDELECTRONIC

TUBE PROTECTORS DO YOU NEED TWO RECORDERS? Bart Pierson 23 Will Double or triple the lite of all types of electronic tubes, including TV picture tube. Automatic in operation, for use with any electronic TAPE TRAVELOGUE- YUCATAN, MEXICO Russell B. Maxey 24 equipment having input wattage of 100 to 300 watts. Fuse protected, enclosed in metal case tor rugged A POTPOURRI OF TAPE INDEXING Tommy Thomas 29 construction and long life. MODEL 250 (Wall Model) 115 V. NEW TAPES 6 A. C. Shp. Wt. 1 lb. DEALER NET $2.63 10 MODERN TABLE CROSSTALK "43- Q RADIOS INDUSTRY NEWS 11 Trim, modern clock radio 12 In ebony or ivory plastic. TAPE CLUB NEWS Powerful 5 tubes including Model T -91 rectifier AM radio chassis 13 with built -in "Magna -Plate" TAPE IN EDUCATION Clock Specifications: antenna. Full -toned 4" PM Genuine TelNNOn More - speaker. Popular features ment. include: Musical Alarm - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 14 Self- Starting ... Never radio turns on automatically Needs Winding, Oiling, or at any pre -set time; Sleep 15 Regulating. Selector -lulls user to sleep; NEW PRODUCTS Simplified Clock Controls Automatic Appliance Timer for Radio and Sleep Switch. -outlet on back of radio 16 11W Walt Controlled Outlet. times any electric appliance FEEDBACK Automatic Buzzer Alarm. automatically (up to 1100 Gold Plated Bezel and watts). Cabinet 101/2 in. PRODUCT REPORT: ROBINS STROBE & LIGHT KIT 33 Numerals on Large Bone - wide, 5 in. high, 51/4 in. NEW While Dial. UL Approved. deep. Wt. approx. 8 lbs.

QHAND WIRED NO PRINTED CIRCUITRY "TILT -A- STAND" RADIO MOUNT ON THE WALL -UNDER A SHELF -OR SET ON A TABLE. PERFECT for every room in YOUR home. Power -packed 5 tubes includ- ing rectifier chassis. Built -in loop antenna. Automatic vol- ume control. full 4" Alnico 5 speaker. Distinctive Roman numerals on dial. Size: 91/2" W a 4" D x 51" H. AC DC. U.L. approved. Beautiful Bake- lite cabinet- Resists heat. Model T -87 Shipping Weight 51/2 lbs, Model T -91 Clock Radio, Black . . . . NET4$22.45 Model T -91 Clock Radio. Ivory . . NET 23.15 TAPE RECORDING is published monthly by Mooney -Rowan Publications. Inc., 101 Batto.-Ao- Model T -87 (Tilt -A- Stand). Black , . . NET 17.47 napolis Blvd., Severna Park, Md. (Mitchell 7- 1800). Entered u second class matter January 7, 1954 Model T -87 (Tilt -A- Stand). Red . . . . NET 18.10 at the Postofice Severna Park. Md. under the Act of Much 3 1879. National Advertising Represent*. five: J. V. Associates, 274 Madison Ave.. New York 16, N. Y. (ORegon 9- 0030). Subscriptions. INC. U. S. and Possessions, Canada and Mexico $3.75 for one year. all others add $1.00 a year. Two years ATR ELECTRONICS, Concaves copyrighted by Mooney -Rowan Publications, Inc, 1961. Printed in U. S. A. Formerly Amer,con Television & Rode, Co $7.00. POSTMASTER -Send all address labels dipped from undeliverable copies with Form 3579 to Tape Ovahry P,oducrs Since 1931 Recording, 101 Batto.- Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park. Md. AIR ST. PAUL 1, MINNESOTA U.S.A. ® °43136. Now Available: A New Hunk of Hilarity in Script Form "Dr. Lovingstone I Presume"

A soggy saga of derring -do in the wilds of the world

Four male parts, three female plus an announcer and sound effects man. Full directions for simple sound effects. A zany script for your next re- cording party.

7 complete scripts $249 po +t paid

For your information friend, that is a crocodile."

Still a Popular Favorite "THE TRUTH WILL OUT"

An old fashioned mellerdrama good for a hundred laughs. Five parts, three male, two female - and a donkey. 6 Complete Scripts

$198postpaid

HAVE FUN AT YOUR NEXT PARTY ORDER YOUR SCRIPTS NOW!

TAPE RECORDING LA Severna Park, Md. HADT-MAI T8 TER ALBSaL 111111 Send me o complete sel of scripts for Dr. Loving - stone, I Presume $2.49 by L. L. /.YU,IS Send me a complete set of scripts for "The Truth ..11.r out I..ei...r J.noll i.t ar..a sr.d Will Out" $1.98 (Add 50c if you wish scripts sent by First Class Mail)

Nome l'.ILi.lt sns by L. L. I Address /Jlidd LI y7 l...rdiy e4nY. S...n. farb. .rll.w1

City Zone Mole

5 Fair -Good -Very Good * * * *- Excellent NEW TAPES * ** * **

CLASSICAL Music * * ** Music * ** Reviewed by Robert E. Benson Performance * ** Performance * ** .,...... ,e, i t Music * ** Fidelity * ** Fidelity * ** tN r ^- Performance * * ** (c, Stereo Effect * ** Stereo Effect * * * Fidelity * * ** , RAVEL: Bolero, Alborado del Gracioso COLUMBIA MQ323 WEBER: Invitation to the Dance Stereo Effect * * ** 4 track, 7l/2 ips $7.95 ... 43 min. DE FALLA: Three Dances from The Three - It appears Columbia is planning to re- Cornered Hat OF FRANZ LISZT (Hungarian conducted MUSIC lease all four Brahms symphonies on four - Paris Conservatory Orchestra No. 2. Les Preludes, Mazeppa, Rhapsody track tape. In addition to the present tape, by Albert Wolff Rakoczy March) they have already announced the release of LONDON LCL 80024 conducted by Boston Pops Orchestra the Symphony No. I. This is the first tape 4 track, 71/2 ips Arthur Fiedler version of the Symphony No. 4 we have $7.95 ... 47 min. FTC 2015 RCA heard and it sets a high artistic standard for The Paris Conservatory Orchestra is well 4 track, 71/2 ips future issues. Bruno Walter is, of course, represented on this tape with four good 48 min. $8.95 ... an old hand at music in this idiom, and performances, particularly Alborada del Technically, this is about the best record- he draws fine playing from the hand -picked Gracioso. which is given a superb per- ing I've ever heard of the Boston Pops studio orchestra. formance. The basic orchestral sound is Orchestra, with a mellow, high -powered Columbia seems to have souped up the rather light to do full justice to the music sound with plenty of whack to it. The high frequencies on this tape to accommo- on this tape. Reproduction is top -notch; Liszt warhorses are played with all stops date less expensive playback equipment; the best London has ever achieved with out and ample fireworks. The Rhapsody when it is heard on wide -range equipment this orchestra. and Les Preludes are well -known to every- the high frequencies are searing. With one; Mazeppa is a bombastic, boring about a 10 db cut in the high frequencies SEMI- CLASSICAL symphonic poem with non -existant musical the tape quality is very listenable, wirh the Rakoczy March is a values, but final expansive stereo effect. Music winner, using the same theme as Berlioz * * ** did in the March from his opera The Music Performance * * ** Damnation of Faust." * * ** and Stereo effect is broad and expansive, Performance * ** Fidelity * * ** the over -all effect is satisfying. Tape hiss was not noticeable. Fidelity * * ** Stereo Effect * * **

,,.»>.. r . Stereo Effect Music * ** * ** OPERETTA MEMORIES The Merry Widow Waltz, My Hero, Play Performance * * ** SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. tuo Gypsies, Dance Gypsies, Oh Maiden, My 47. Tapiola, Op. 112 The Princess Waltz, The Fidelity Maiden, Gypsy tti1 * * ** Tossy Spivakovsky, violinist; London Sym- Count of Luxembourg Waltz, Serenade, phony Orchestra conducted by Tauno The Gypsy Baron ,, Stereo Effect * * ** Gypsy Love Waltz, fi Hannikainen Waltz, Die Fledermaus Overture EVEREST T 4 -3045 Mantovani and His Orchestra LALO: Symphonie Espagnole, Op. 21 4 track, 71/2 ips LONDON LPM -70041 Henry Szeryng, violinist, with the Chicago $7.95 46 min. ... 4 track, 71/2 ips Symphony Orchestra conducted by Walter The Violin Concerto is representative of $6.95 ... 42 mins. Hendl Sibelius's early period, romantic and lyrical. Once again, Mantovani comes thru with RCA FTC 2051 Although it has moments of great beauty, a perfect tape, one of his finest, although 4 track, 71/2 ips I find much of it to be rather awkward everything he does is good. The orchestra $8.95 ... 34 min. writing for the soloist, no matter how well is well balanced with the addition of On all accounts, this tape bows to none played. Here it receives a glistening, oc- brass and the ability to get across the high currently available. The Hungarian violin- casionally mannered performance by Spiva- violin notes with force and beauty, but not ist Henry Szerying plays with a broad, kovsky, with sympathetic accompaniment stridency, is a Mantovani trademark. Sound sweeping tone and faultless intonation, and by Tauno Hannaikainen, a countryman of is spacious, but some slight treble roll off his superb playing doesn't suffer from the Sibelius. Tapiola is Sibelius's last tone and bass boost helps overall tonal quality close miking it receives here. Orchestral poem and an added attraction on the tape, considerably. London engineering tech- sound is big, plush and well- balanced. For although its bleak style may not im- nique has produced a superb recording. those who want a truly elegant Symphonie mediately appeal to listeners not familiar Aside from the technical excellence of this Espagnole and mind almost with the 's later works. The sound don't paying tape, the choice of selections from the music, this on both the Concerto and Tapiola is nine dollars for 34 minutes of Merry Widow to Die Fledermaus with the however, the Ricci version on gorgeous, and wonderfully wide- range. fills bill; complete compatibility is unique. When London LCK 80046 (S11.95) is an equally Competition on the Concerto is formid- a master performs, the work is a master- immaculate Heifetz on RCA FTC fine performance with London's best sound, able -the piece.-F. N. West and it also includes the Sibelius Violin 2011 $8.95, which contains only the Con- Concerto. certo, and the Ricci on London LCK 80046 POPULAR This tape is a prime example of Victor's $11.95, which also includes Lab's Sym- TAPES SAMPLER handsome four -track tape packaging. phonie Espagnole. All three versions have UNITED STEREO POPULAR: BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. a great deal to offer; I feel the Heifetz is John Scott Trotter- Tunisian Interlude/ 98 the best solo performance, but the Ricci Bros. Columbia Symphony Orchestra conducted has the advantage of presenting the Con- Escape -Warner Benny Goodman -Sound of Music -MGM by Bruno Walter certo without interruption.

6 Music * * ** * * Performance * * ** Fidelity * * ** Stereo Effect * * **

David Rose - Fascination /Waltzes in Stereo-Kapp CARDIOID Ira Ironstrings - Black Bottom /Stereo Goes Charleston -Warner Bros. Others such as Bobby Darin, Atco; Mar- MICROPHONE garet Whiting, Verve; Mel Torme, Verve; Eydie Gorme, ABC- Paramount; The Lime - liters, Elektra THE FINEST CARDIOID IN UNITED STEREO RQ -401 4 track, 7yz ips THE P.A. FIELD $3.95 ... 26 mins. This is one of a series of samplers issued by UST, that is sure to find favor with tape AMERICAN MICROPHONE'S NEW fans who want to hear a little of what is available before they buy. Ten selections MODEL D -55 CARDIOID MICROPHONE are presented by various artists and orches- tras -five are good danceable tunes and five are songs that everybody likes to listen Frequency response is 70 to to, sung by various popular singers of today -all are well done and represent the best 1 5000 cps. Multiple impedance of hundreds of selections on more than 30 labels listed in the catalog enclosed. 50- 150 -Hi 140,000 ohms): At the low price of $3.95 list, this is an output level is -54 db at Hi excellent buy. N. Wert -F. For true impedance 10 db = 1 volt, Hi Fidelity recording under dyne CM2). Mylar diaphragm varied acoustical N Music * * conditions use the ** new American D -55 and rugged construction make Cardioid. Performance * * ** List Price TH the D -55 ideal for outdoor - $89.50 Fidelity * * ** indoor requirements. Front to Stereo Effect * * ** back ratio is 15 to 20 db. 10 WRITE today for free America n Microphone catalog. THE BIG 100 100 songs including Heartaches, Little Girl, Till Then, Someday, I'm Walking ;44n6ueaqz Behind You, The Hot Canary, High Society, Stars Are The Windows Of Heaven, II Pretty Eyed Baby, Undecided, lUiOrJ%ZO'!Ze MFG. CO. West Plant: Los Angeles 18, Calif. I'll Remember April, Now Is The Hour, Domino, Under Paris Skies, Shoo -Shoo Division of CC- Intro., Electronics. Inc. Main Plant: Rockford. Illinois, U.S.A. Baby, etc. Billy Vaughn and His Orchestra DOT (Bel Canto) DST -30500 4 track, 71/4 ips Glenn Miller fans have reason for re- $16.95 (material contained here is equi- Music WIiN'ktNlw. * ** joking at this release. Ray McKinley has valent to 3 -$7.95 reels, or $23.85) GLENN MILLER RAY preserved the Miller manner and beat to 90 mins. Performance * ** perfection. The music is the same as that Every now and then a tape comes along Fidelity * ** played on the band's recent overseas tour which really strikes your fancy and this one and as played earlier by Miller himself. is it! Billy Vaughn's twin -tape turned out Stereo Effect * ** The old stand -bys Johnson Rag, "A" to be double dynamite -just like hitting Train, Perfidia and many others live again the jackpot. For those who like good dance good. Vocals by Ray McKinley, Lor- ON TOUR WITH THE NEW GLENN MIL- -but music, here it is in abundance -not the rie Peters and Ernie Bernhardt are in keep- LER ORCHESTRA strident, jerky, blasting type, but smooth, ing with the theme. melodic, Sequence A: Pennsylvania Sis -Five Thou- sweet music that's equally good Nice Glenn Miller music to either dance for dancing or just sand, Rainbow Rhapsody, Johnson Rag plain listening. And or listen to, with good recording and quali- Cha Cha, Kalamazoo, I Know Why, Once there's plenty of variety too -fox trots, ty-F. N. West waltzes, Latin, fast, slow, new and old. Upon a Keyboard In this amazing collection of 100 numbers, Sequence B: Caribbean Clipper, Polka you will find something that will please Dots and Moonbeams, Perfidia, Rockin' Music * * ** everybody. Incidentally, Billy has created the Bass, Home on the Range, Take the a new band for this party that sounds like "A" Train FASCIIV_tIII Performance * * ** one of the best of today's musical aggrega- Directed by Ray McKinley Fidelity * * ** tions. You can't help liking this one, RCA FTP -1001 'rte particularly for your next party. -F. N. 4 track, 71/2 ips Stereo Effect * * ** West $7.95...41 mins. Aar

7 FASCINATION CUGAT IN FRANCE, SPAIN, ITALY LOVE IS THE THING Fascination, An Affair To Remember, Stars Sequence A: Ciao Ciao Bambina, Side I: Stardust, Its All in the Game, in My Eyes, It's Not For Me To Say, Inter- Souvenir D'Italie, Under Paris Skies, When I Fall in Love, Ain't Misbehavin', mezzo, Around the World, My Heart Re- Symphony, La Boda De Luis Alonso, When Sunny Gets Blue minds Me, River Seine, in Valencia Midnight Side 2: Love is the Thing, At Last, Stay Athens, Speak Low, Two Different Worlds, Sequence B: Vola Colomba, Comme As Sweet As You Are, I Thought About Yours is My Heart Alone Facette Mammeta?, La Mer, My Man, Marie, Where Can I Go Without You Jane Morgan and The Troubadors Andalucia, Si Vas A Calatayud Nat "King" Cole with the orchestra of Got- KAPP KTL 41031 Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra don Jenkins 4 track, 7t/2 ips RCA FTP -1028 CAPITOL ZW 824 $7.95 ... 32 mins. 4 track, 71/2 ips 4 track, 71/2 ips Lovely Jane Morgan really sets the mood $7.95 33 mins. ... $7.98 ... 30 mins. for romance in this -warm, tender, A collection of melodies typical of There is a warm, romantic quality about intimate love songs starting with the title France, Spain and Italy played by Cugat in the singing of Nat "King" Cole that makes song "Fascination,' then on to "An Affair fine style with a definite and intimate rendi- you want to listen to it late at night, curled to Remember" and ten more equally appeal- tion of the music of the countries visited up in front of the fire, with your favorite ing melodies that treat your ears to a by him on his 1959 continental tour. How- person by your side. "Love is the Thing" delicacy that ends all too soon. ever, there is enough of the original Cugat is just the thing for that mood, when sung The muted violins of the Troubadors flavor in each to make this tape favorably as only the "King" can sing. Throughout provide the musical accompaniment that accepted by his many fans. Unfortunately, the years Nat has stayed at the top because compliments the soft easy -going style of some inferior recording techniques on the of his obvious sincerity-his fullness of this sophisticated songstress. high notes caused the violin strings to expression -and the unusually pleasant The excellent recording captures the in- sound strained and strident on this tape. timbre of his voice. timate mood and puts on tape the feeling Otherwise, it's a pleasant musical sketch- of having her right in your room singing book. This recording is so well done that it seems he is singing to just to you. This tape also available in cartridge, you alone. Fine musical by Jenkins A pretty girl with a lovely voice singing ips, with the same music -F. N. West Gordon sweet love songs -what more could one serve as a proper background for his songs. ask for ? -F. N. West Nice presence, clarity and balance make this Musk a desirable addition to your tape library. -F. N. West Music * * ** Performance Performance * * ** Fidelity Music * ** 1n\nm TONIGHT Fidelity * * ** Stereo Effect Performance ** ** Stereo Effect Fidelity * * ** * * ** THE BLEND & THE BEAT Sequence A: Begin the Beguine, Is You Stereo Effect * * ** DYNAMICA Is or Is You Ain't, Too Marvelous for Sequence A: The Flight of the Bumble Words, Mood Indigo, So in Love, Night Bee, Mood Indigo, Bye Bye , Humor- Train TONIGHT: IN PERSON esque, Stormy Weather, Pagan Love Song Sequence B: 'S Wonderful. On a Little Sequence A: There's a Meetin' Here To- Sequence B: Shadrack, Indian Summer. Street in Singapore, Autumn Leaves, night, Molly Malone, The Monks of St. Malaguena, The Moon Was Yellow, Lul- Harbor Lights, September Song, Hal- Bernard, Seven Daffodils, Hey Li Lee Li laby of the Leaves, Cry Me a River lelujah Lee Ray Martin and His Orchestra The Ames Brothers Sequence B: Headin' for the Hills, The RCA FTP -1055 RCA FTP -1027 Far Side of the Hill, Rumania, Rumania, 4 track, 71/2 ips 4 track, 71/2 ips Madeira, M'Dear, Proshchai $7.95 ... 301/2 mins. $7.95 ... 3I mins. The Limeliters They might run out of unusual names to The Ames Brothers have long been RCA FTP -1066 tack on showy sound creations such as recognized as the best vocal quartet in the 4 track, 71/2 ips Dynamica, but with men like Ray Martin popular music field today. In this, their $7.95 ... 45 mins. and RCA's superb engineering staff, there's latest offering, they depart from their usual A live performance recorded at the Ash not likely to be a shortage of ingenious style to vocal stylings with a beat, and Grove in Hollywood starring a talented arrangements. Choral groups and musical with interesting results! For one thing, trio called the Limelighters. This group instruments blend beautifully under Ray's everything swings -whether it's a ballad or specializes in folklore music of many coun- direction. This tape, designed as a stereo a beguine, and this somewhat unorthodox tries and their style of presentation is quite showpiece, lives up to its earlier billing, as treatment of a dozen standard tunes creates original and enjoyable. Accompanying harp, guitars, piccolo, castanets, strings and a delightful and provocative interpretation. themselves on banjo, guitar and bass, the brass sway musically from channel to chan- Wait until you hear them do "Night boys deliver tender ballads or rousing folk nel with a sound "your eyes can follow." Train" with words! tunes interspersed with gag introductions, You can make a game out of what's Valuable assistance is provided by Sid ad libs and a happy fun -filled approach going to happen next. Despite this roving Ramin with his orchestra and special ar- to the entire program. Their efforts were quality the music itself is most pleasant. rangements, as well as RCA Victor's ex- enthusiastically received by their audience Highs and lows abound without stridency cellent sound. All add up to originality, on the evening this recording was made. or boom. Recording and quality is superb. humor and exceptional musical taste as Stereo effect and presence are right out A tape that can't be beat for stereo effects. only the Ames Bros. can offer. -F. N. in front. This is old folk -ballad music -F. N. West West done in modern style. -F. N. U"est

Music ** Music * * ** Music * ** Performance * ** Performance *** Performance * * **

iii Fidelity ** Fidelity * * ** Fidelity * * ** Stereo Effect * ** Stereo Effect * ** Stereo Effect * * **

8 CONTINENTAL AND WALTZ ENCORES For the First Time, La Vie En Rose, Under Paris Skies, O Mein Papa, April in Portu- new truer, wide -stereo sound! gal, Arrivederci Roma, Anema E Core,

Beyond the Sea, I Only Know I Love You, Autumn Leaves, Answer Me, Poppa I so Piccolino, and 12 others REVERE M Mantovani and His Orchestra LONDON LPK 70024 Tape Recorder with 4 track, 71/2 ips $11.95 ... 74 mins. STEREO COMPANION UNIT Mantovani's creative styling and orches- tral arrangements as recorded on this tape are without a doubt his best to date. No one, but no one, except Mantovani can blend the variety of the 24 wonderful mas- terpieces in this program so that one flows into the other, seemingly a part of the whole, yet all so different. Mantovani's music is hard to describe. You listen to the melody as interpreted principally by the strings -it rises and falls and suddenly you aren't listening any more -you're living it with him. From then on it's an experience. A glittering expose of beautiful melodies and emotional musical offerings. Now you can space speakers to fit any room and get true stereo sound. The new A "must" for all tape libraries. F. N. separate stereo companion unit matches the Revere T -2200 Tape Recorder in West appearance and performance. You get true stereo fidelity sound with 8 watts of power, 40- I8,000 CPS. Play all 2 and 4 track pre -recorded tapes, record stereo tapes from stereo records and broadcasts. Record monaurally; play as long as 8 hours, Music Companion piece has separate controls, l..u1 u.ulwq CAMERA amplifier and mike. Model T -2200 priced COMPANY Performance CHICAGO 16 under $240, companion unit under $70, 45 b, lie,',',! 1 1, , tk, 4 D- Fidelity together under $310. M °... M Stereo Effect * * ** Music SPECTACULAR HARPS ** Music * * ** Side I: Caravan, Chapel in the Pines, Performance * ** Harp Tango, It's a Sin To Tell A Lie, Performance * * ** The Simple Things, Happy Days Are Here ORETTA Fidelity ** Fidelity * Again i * ** vi se Stereo Effect ** Side 2: Hong Kong Holiday, Ebb Tide, Stereo Effect * * ** Lefty's Hideout, Little David Play on

Your Harp, Alice Blue Gown, Limehouse the Red Clay Country, When I Was a Blues Young Girl, Gallows Pole, God's A- UNITED STEREO TAPES SAMPLER JAZZ! Robert Maxwell His Harps & His Orchestra Gonna Cut You Down, John Riley, John MGM STC -3836 Henry Dizzy Gillespie -St. Louis Blues /Have 4 track, 71/2 ips Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho, All Trumpet Will Excite -Verve $7.95 ... 26 mins. the Pretty Little Horses, Prettiest Train, Jo Jones -Cubano Chant /Jo Jones Plus Two-Vanguard Correctly named, "Spectacular Harps" is Meeting at the Building, No More Auc- Trombones, Inc. -Lassus Trombones /Trom- a continuous surprise as a cascade of crystal tion Block for Me, Hold On, Sometimes bones, Inc.- Warner Bros. clear notes dazzles the ear with an array I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Ain't No Also, Les McCann, Count Basie, Modern of out -of- this -world sounds unlike Grave Can Hold My Body Down any ever Jazz Quartet, Gerry Mulligan /Chet Baker, made by the angels. A product Odetta of Maxwell Andre Previn /David Rose, Oscar Peterson, creativeness and VANGUARD VTC -1630 MGM engineer's ingenuity, Wilbur de Paris it seems like incredible music, far from 4 track, 71/2 ¡Ps UNITED STEREO RQ -403 the original concept of soul- inspiring sweet- 87.95 ... 44 mins. 4 track, 71/2 ips ness that harp music is supposed to be. A program tunes of folk and spirituals $3.95 ... 28 mins. This tape presents the harp as a swing sung by the talented singer, Odetta, who Another in the series of samplers by instrument that rocks with a beat, but accompanies herself on the guitar and is U.S.T. The others present Popular, Clas- sounds hest when it purrs and whispers in assisted by Bill Lee on the bass and string sical and Sounds, but this one concentrates such numbers as Ebb Tide, Alice Blue the Choir of the Church of the Master, on jazz and is one of the best available Gown and Chapel in the Pines. All take New York. This is a recording of her today for a low price. Whatever your taste on a new hue under Maxwell's deft fingers. program at Carnegie Hall on April 8, 1960, in jazz might be-you will find a sample Novel and different, it is exciting from be- but several of the numbers were redone of it here with good performances by some ginning to end. All harp music? Sure, but I for technical reasons). of the leaders in this type of music -Count you won't believe it. N. West F. She has a rich vibrant voice and knows Basie, Jo Jones, Oscar Peterson and others. how to use it effectively to project the All of them will give you an idea of the FOLK variety of songs in this . Included wealth of good jazz available on 4 track are traditional and modern folk tunes as tape from the leading recording companies ODETTA AT CARNEGIE HALL well as some of English -Irish origin. - today. Recommend as a "good buy." - If I Had a Hammer, I'm Going Back to F. N. West F.N. West

9 CROSSTALK

from the Editors

WHICH CAME FIRST, the chicken or the egg? This riddle is similar to the one now faced by FM stereo multiplex broadcasting, recently given the green light by the Federal Communications Commission. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SHOULD STATIONS SPEND the money on rather complicated multiplexing equipment when there are few equipped to receive it? Should manufacturers of tuners rush into the market with multiplex tuners when there are few programs which can be received on them? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SO FAR in about the month which has passed since the FCC approval about three stations are on the air with FM multiplex signals and these are broadcasting an hour of multiplex a day. There are less than a dozen firms who have an- nounced tuners or adapters and, of those, only a few have made shipments. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WE DO NOT MEAN THIS as a criticism for everything has to start somewhere. What we are pointing out is that this is going to take a while, you are not going to be able to go to sleep one night and wake up the next morning with the air just loaded with stereo multiplex. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * STANDARDS FOR STEREO multiplex are rather high. Some manufacturers of adapters which can be attached to tuners to convert them to the reception of this new form of entertainment are already stressing that their units are intended for use with their tuners, not those of some other manufacturer. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THE FM STATIONS are beginning to ask who is going to pay for all the gear they will have to buy to convert their transmitters and some are implying that the manufacturers should ante up, inasmuch as they will be the ones to benefit the most from sales of new equipment. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TO THE QUESTION of full time multiplex operation, the stations want to know where they are going to get the material. Some are on the air 24 hours a day and full time stereo programming would require many many times the number of musical numbers now available in stereo. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TO MAKE MATTERS still stickier, most FM listeners are pretty knowledgeable people when it comes to music and reproduction-that's why they have FM in their homes. They will be quick to detect and complain about any loss in quality. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THE FCC STANDARDS for multiplex broadcast have been pegged somewhere between the capabilities of disc and tape. So the station which wants to maintain the integrity of its broadcast quality is going to have no choice but to use tape as the music source. This does not mean recording discs on tape and then broadcasting the tape, it means recorded tapes. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SO WHERE IS enough music on tape to supply the insatiable maw of 24 hour a day broadcasting? Right now there isn't that much, not nearly. While the supply is adequate for home use and of sufficient variety there just isn't enough to support commercial operation. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE SERIOUS TAPE recordist will probably be in the forefront of purchasers of the new equipment when it becomes generally available, especially if he owns a stereo recorder. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

IF YOU PLAN to get an adapter for your present tuner, make sure it will work with it, and preferably it should be of the same make specifically engineered for the tuner. When you buy it will depend, of course, upon when there is something to receive on it.

10 INDUSTRY NEWS

PENTRON ELECTRONICS CO. share- Full occupancy of the new building at holders will vote on the proposed acquisi- Pelham, N.Y. which will house 600 em- tion of Southern Electric Co. at a purchase ployees will come this fall. New products price of $7,500,000 through the issuance scheduled for introduction as a result of of already authorized Pentron shares. the trip include a new version of the Southern Electric manufactures motors, Model 5 tape system and a greatly improved coils and railroad equipment. Model 2. Also planned is the introduction SOUNDCRAFT MAGNETICS, LTD. of a transistorized, cordless shortwave radio. has been formed in England to market UNITED STEREO TAPES will con- Reeves Soundcraft tapes abroad according solidate its operations at the Bloomfield, to a joint announcement by Frank B. New Jersey plant. Only mastering and Rogers, Jr. executive vice president of accounting functions will remain at the RECORD & PLAY Reeves Soundcraft and Sir Eric Ohlson, Sunnyvale, California address. chairman of Airtech Ltd. of England. Ted Wallerstein, formerly president of The new firm will first import Reeves Columbia Records will act as management WHILE AWAY... products for sale in the British Isles and consultant and also assume responsibility WITH the Seven Outer Countries. Later it is for the company's operation, reporting to planned to POWER manufacture tape in England. H. L. Brown, prexy of Ampex Audio. The CONVERTERS new firm will set the pattern for Dick Blase has been appointed national major foreign PROVIDE HOME ELECTRICITY distribution of Soundcraft sales manager and John Spellman, UST magnetic products in FROM THE STORAGE BATTERY all important product manager has been assigned addi- European countries outside the Iron Cur- tional responsibilities. All will be at the Now you tain. It is expected that the European can record or play your tapes any- Bloomfield plant. where ... in car, boat or plane. Terado market in five years will be as large as the GENERAL MAGNETICS AND ELEC- Converters change the 6 or 12 volt battery U.S. market today. The percentage of TRONICS of New York will enter the current to 110 volt, 60 cycle A.C., making recorders in European homes substantially stereo tape recorder field. Up to now your recorder and other electronic equip- exceeds that of the U.S. according to Mr. the firm produced the Gemark monaural ment truly portable. Models from 35 to 300 Rogers. recorder and had no stereo units. watts, all filtered for radios and tape re- MERCURY RECORDS has consolidated TELECTRO, a Division of DuMont- corders. List prices start at with Consolidated Electronics Industries $23.95. Emerson will market a line of four new Corp., whose controlling stockholder is the See Your Electronics Parts Dealer, or Writer recorders the cheapest of which will be a Philips Trust. There will be $99.95 monophonic model. COMPANY an international exchange of musical 1063 RAYMOND AVE. AMPEX CORPORATION named Wil- libraries between Mercury and Philips ST. PAUL 8, MINNESOTA liam E. Roberts, formerly Phonographische Industries which operates executive vice Is Canada. ATLAS RADIO CORPORATION LTD.. Toronts president of Bell & Howell in 32 countries as a subsidiary as its new of Philips president and Lamps of Holland, one of the industrial executive officer succeeding George I. giants of the world. Long, Jr. who will continue as a director. IS In each country, Philips The announcement was made by "THIS TAPE records and Alexander produces music of M. Poniatoff, chairman of the REALLY STRONG" that country. All of board. these catalogs will be made available to . That's what you'll when BELL SOUND, Columbus, Ohio has .. soy you try to Mercury for distribution in the United break or tear it 50 times stronger; better named Dan Neumaier as Distributor Sales States. Separate label identification will fidelity. Guaranteed. Try this be Manager for the company's introductory given the Philips library and Mercury plans stereo tape com- offer! ponents and tape cartridge line. ap- an expansion program based on this The MAGNETIC RECORDING TAPE pointment was announced by J. A. O'Hara, acquisition. Cat. No. 1200 -M. 1200 ft. reels - newly appointed marketing 12 for 21.50 or 2.00 each According to Irving B. Green, Mercury manager at Bell. Mr. Neumaier will handle the Bell Cat. No. 600 -M. 500 ft. reels - president who made the announcement, 12 for 15.00 er LSO each line through two -step "Business must concern itself with the distributors. Order from: world market. The so- called 'small world' WILMEX LTD. of London will handle SUPER TAPE SALES is here now." the exclusive distribution of UST stereo P. O. Be: 145 tapes RCA is reported ready to introduce a in Great Britain. The first release Gaithersburg, Maryland reel -to -reel adapter for its new cartridge covers some forty 4 -track recordings of tape recorder line expected to make its ap- the Audio Fidelity, Concertapes, Everest, pearance in the fall. The adapter will sell Vox and Westminster labels. These have for under $5.00 according to reports but been cleared for United Kingdom copyright RENT no price has yet been set. and negotiations are underway to clear the stereo tapes TELEX received a $450,000 contract majority of remaining titles in the line. for headsets from Electro Educational De- CBS LABORATORIES, Stamford, Conn. Over 1500 different All Labels velopments. The headsets will be used to has announced that Frank A. Comerci has 2 -track and 4 -track equip the language lab facilities produced joined the staff as manager of the Magnetics No deposit on tapes rented by the firm. Research Department. He was a senior Postpaid to and from your home

TANDBERG EefE OF AMERICA president engineer with Audio Devices before join- mUIRE Eric Darmstaedter recently completed a ing CBS and was one of the pioneer en- stereo three -week business inspection ginners in the tape -parti tour of field, having worked N 811 CEN1I NELA AVE , INCLEr'OOC, CALIF, Norway and other countries. He submitted with Rangertone in 1946. to the Tandberg factory a comprehensive MAGNETIC SOUND, INC. of West report of American Hemisphere demands Des Moines, Iowa, has merged with Conley Components Recorders Tapes for recorders and other equipment as part Electronics, manufacturers of the Mood - of an SHIPPED PROMPTLY at WHOLESALE PRICES exchange program whereby Tandberg Master background music machines and factory engineers visit the U.S., talking cartridges. Magnetic Sound will become FREE Packaged Hi -Fi with the LIST consumers and dealers and aiding in duplicating wing of the firm continuing Low Quotes Air Mailed the establishment of Tandberg service under the direction of Stuart. A. Steelman 190 -T Le.ington Ave. stations AUDIO UNLIMITED New York in this country. who becomes a Vice 16, N. Y. President of Conley. o Tape Debates? Our congratulations to the Indiana Re- cording Club for its continued fast progress. TAPE CLUB NEWS It is enthusiastic, active clubs like this we like to see organized. Your bulletin looks chock full of interesting items and planned Members Send Lambskin Mat help do this, the club would be most ap- preciative. Simply tear stamps off en- club activities. velopes, along with the paper on which We like a suggestion by Indiana Record- they are glued, taking care not to tear the ing Club member, Cal Waterhouse. Cal stamp or the performation on the stamp, suggests organizing a Tape Debating while and send them along to Clara Group. He maintains that controver- sial subjects such as religion and politics A most worthy club endeavor IRC -keep up the good work can be difficult to discuss successfully, they can be discussed well and fruitfully on tape. In the heat of an argument when one is supposed to be listening to the other fellow JOIN A CLUB and at the same time concentrate on what he wants to say himself ( when the chance TAPE RECORDING Magazine assumes no responu :btlity for the management or operation presents itself), it is all but impossible of the clubs listed. This directory of clubs h and the discussion usually fails. But, as Cal A beautiful lambskin mat with the WTP maintained as service to our leaden. Please says, discussion by tape is different. You emblem worked into it was sent to World write directly to the club in which you are interested regarding membership or other mat- can put forward your point of view clearly, Tape Pals headquarters as a gift by Stan ters. carefully using the most explicit words, and Emily Cook of Brighton, Australia AMATEUR TAPE EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION without time limit or fear of interruption. (pictured above). In these few short Ernest Rawlings, it President Secretary Furthermore, a replay will show up weak months of WTP membership,' said Stan, 5411 Bocage Street Cartierville, Montreal 9, P. Q., Canada points which can be changed as many times we have made friends all over the world." as AMERICAN TAPE EXCHANGE necessary before your opponent even WTP Emblematic Jewelry Cortland} Parent, Director hears it. His reply can be heard while you Boa 324 are in a calm state of mind giving full and Shrub Oak, N. Y. A complete line of emblematic jewelry proper measure to his strong and weak featuring the World Tape Pals emblem, a CATHOLIC TAPE RECORDERS OF AMERICA, INTERNATIONAL points of view. In this tranquil atmosphere lighted torch inside a circle, is now avail- Jerome W. Ciarrocchi, Secretary the real goal of the discussion, truth, not able to members of World Tape Pals. 26 South Mount Vernon Avenue necessarily victory, can be accepted. Uniontown, Pennsylvania Items for both men and women are avail- Why not take Cal's suggestion -try it able, including tie chains and bars, lapel CLUB DU RUBAN SONORE with one of your tape pals. J. A. Freddy Masson, Secretary pins and buttons, cuff links, and bracelet Grosse Ile, Cie, Montmagny, charms. Prices on the jewelry begin at P. Que., Canada Voicespondent "Gray Man" 51.00 and go up. INDIANA RECORDING CLUB The Voicespondence Club has always em- Dies for the jewelry were provided by Marie Coffman, Secretary phasized service to fellow human beings. WTP John Ramsey of Dallas, who is con- 3612 Orchard A VS Roanoke, Virginia, Indianapolis 18, Indiana -er James Clemer of nected with the Balfour Company, well - is a typical example of this spirit of known manufacturers of MAGNETO -VOX CLUB emblematic J. M. Roussel, Sec.-Exec. brotherhood. Known as a "Gray Man" for jewelry. 8140, 10 lerne Avenue his work through the Red Cross at the Members will soon be wearing the WTP Montreal 38, Que., Canada local veterans' hospital, Clemer has long emblem proudly, and sending it as gifts in ORGAN MUSIC ENTHUSIASTS used his slide projector and tape recorder the form of jewelry to their tape pals. Carl Williams, Secretary combination to bring entertainment and 152 Clisbe Avenue Amsterdam, New York pleasure to hundreds of hospitalized Sweden World Tape Pals Members Much of the material presented STEREO INTERNATIONAL persons. Enrollment of several new WTP mem- O. B. Stoat, Director by Clemer has been collected by him over 1067 Flatbush Avenue the years through his voicespondence con- bers in Sweden, and re-enrollment of Brooklyn 26, N. Y. former members is reported by Representa- tacts with other Club members throughout THE VOICESPONDENCE CLUB the world. The VA patients love to hear tive Stig Siegers, Dianavagen 22 1I, Stock- Charles Owen, Secretary holm No., Sweden. Stig, who has recently Noel, Virginia and see these people from other lands and other parts of our own country. undertaken the mammoth job of represent- UNION MONDIALE DES VOIX FRANCAISES ing WTP, is a proofreader on a Stockholm Emile Garin, Secretary 886 Bushwick Avenue New Librarian for CTRI morning daily newspaper. Brooklyn 21, N. Y. Joseph Stepanowicz of Hayes Road, The Ray Albert Handicap Fund WORLD TAPE PALS, Inc. Marcy, New York, has accepted appoint- Marjorie Matthews, Secretary ment as Librarian for Catholic Tape Re- P. O. Box 9211, Dallas IS, Texas A little known fund in the Indiana corders, International. Joe is an active club Recording Club, Inc. is an amount of OVERSEAS member, he has handled most of the money initially set aside by Ray Albert the and he has AUSTRALIAN TAPE RECORDISTS welcoming tapes for club IRC5, to assist the blind or handicapped in ASSOC. assisted many new members toward success- payment for their IRC dues, purchase of John F. Welien, Hon. Secretary ful tapesponding. Joe has asked that all Boa 970. H., GPO. Adelaide, South Australia tape, etc. If you know of such a person parcels for the library be mailed to: CTRI that would enjoy the benefits of tape re- ENGLISH SPEAKING TAPE RESPONDENTS' Mr. Joseph Stepanowicz, ASSOCIATION Library, c/o cording, but cannot participate because of Robert Ellis, Secretary and Treasurer Librarian, I2' Whitesboro Street, York- financial reasons, please get in touch with Schoolhouse, Whitsome By Duns ville, New York. Ray Albert. Berwickshire, Scotland Group All funds for this work are TAPE RECORDER CLUB Information and Discussion contributed, A. Alexander, Secretary so if you would like to contribute any- 123 Sutton Common Rd. A new organization is being formed for thing, even tape or equipment, to help this Sutton, Surrey, England the purpose of discussion of tape recording. committee accomplish its worthwhile goal, THE NEW ZEALAND This is not a tapespondence club. If you are please do not hesitate to let Ray know. TAPE RECORDING CLUB interested in hearing more about the organ- Kenneth M. Tusford A. Benton Mrs. Clara Dorband IRC11 is saving P. O. Box 7060 ization contact-George 3rd, cancelled postage stamps from packages, Auckland, W. I, New Zealand 1015 Leo Way, Oakland 11, California -but in letters, etc., for the benefit of this fund. Please enclose self addressed, stamped the reason for your interest the organiza- These used stamps will be sold, in bulk, envelope when writing to the clubs. tion must be stated as membership is very and if any fellow members would like ro limited.

12 TAPE IN EDUCATION Nllhcrc (:. 1(1RIl'r E NTERTAINING?

(This mouth's column concludes a series part greatly from past beliefs and practices begun in March.) both in direction and in distance. RN ORIGINHL (/FE OL Vit- .0927Y ' 5ERIEâ. What does all this ,\ ! , / In the April column I cited a series of portend for the fu- ture? As good a statement as seen * forward looking brochures written by Dr. I have is to ' J. Lloyd Trump, Associate Secretary of be found in the book TEACHING MACHINES AND PROGRAMMED the National Association of Secondary - J r f .s.t.. for , LEARNING, which was , WTH ItJUF School reviewed in this \ : Principals ( NASSP). TROE ECORDER' column three months ago. FOCUS ON CHANGE -GUIDE TO The section which follows is quoted BETTER SCHOOLS, by J. Lloyd Trump from the final chapter of that book en- ® and Dorsey Baynham, ! an associate at the titled, "Concluding Remarks ": National Education Association, has been "THE FUTURE WITHW KIT--EYERYGUEST PARTICIPATES! published since then in a paperback edi- "Teaching tion at SI25 by Rand McNally & Com- machines and programmed pany, P. O. Box 760, Chicago 80, Illinois. learning can have a major impact on edu- cation. Their use can effectively and de- For me past five years the NASSP has pendably guide the student's learning -by- THIS TAPE FUN sponsored and examined teaching experi- doing as he proceeds, as rapidly as his ments in schools across the nation. Many abilities permit, through carefully pre- KIT CAN BE THE of the views, findings, and recommendations tested instructional programs. It can thus of this book are based directly upon the be made economically feasible to provide HI T OF YOUR PARTY results of those experiments. reflect Others every student with many of the benefits projections by the authors based upon their of a skilled private tutor, since auto -in- evaluations of these experiments and The Tape Fun Kit is composed the structional materials can anticipate and be of results of other studies. responsive to his needs for mastering each whimsical, hilarity provoking, laugh - In addition to discussing needs of stu- aspect of a subject matter. Not only do filled skits, all of which are designed dents. teachers, curriculums, and school fa- programmed materials themselves thus have primarily for fun -and lots of it. cilities, FOCUS ON CHANGE proceeds to the potential for producing much more lay out the premises for change, give an efficient learning than has hitherto been Each skit is short and each has a analysis of some of the problems to be con- generally possible, but their wise use should script for every character called for. fronted, and indicate a number of views on make possible the much more constructive future philosophy of education and the or- use of the teacher's talents. 10 ganization of instruction and facilities. "The basis for consistent improvement SCRIPTS INCLUDED Sections deal with facilities requirements, in educational methods is a systematic translation of the classroom scheduling, fitting the educational techniques and findings Kit No. 1 contains ten scripts -all program of the experimental science of human to the requirements of the indi- different -all amusing. These skits vidual student, encouragement learning into the practical development of of student are excellent responsibility for learning, improvement an instructional technology. To achieve the for affairs where a of teacher education, professionalization of full benefits inherent in this concept, in- goodly number of party -goers are structional materials and teaching, improved administration, more practices must be present. Everyone has something to constructive use of teaching and technologi- designed with careful attention to the at- say and he or she can say it cal aids including tapes, films, and teach- tainment of explicity stated, behaviorally - as his ing machines, and suggestions for future defined educational goals. Programmed imagination interprets it. The ten research and experimentation to further learning sequences must be developed scripts encompass 26 different char- improve educational techniques. through procedures that include systematic acters, 14 male 12 tryout and progressive revision based on and female. Dr. Trump has informed me that copies analysis of student behavior. of FOCUS ON CHANGE have been dis- tributed to all members of NASSP, so you "The rate at which the methods of pro- TA PE KIT NO. 1 -$2.00 can probably see a copy at your nearest grammed learning may influence the prac- high tices, staff, and facility requirements of school principal's office. If unavailable O .der yours today. Use the handy at your book dealer, copies may be ordered school systems is difficult to predict. How- form below. direct from the publisher, address above, at ever, it seems likely that we can look for- $1 25 for single copies, 95 cents each ward to significant revisions in concepts of for (Add 2/c if First Class Mall delivery is 2 to 9 copies, and 85 cents each for IO classroom practices and teacher functions. desire a.i or more copies, plus postage. We also need to foresee and plan for the time when because of increased instruc- This could be an excellent gift for tional effectiveness, a much more advanced TAPE RECORDING friends who are interested in educational range of educational content can be in- improvement, teachers, Seve .na Pork, Maryland and members of cluded in the precollege curriculum." your school board. Please send me Tape Fun Kit No. 1. I To me, this seems a fascinating chal- In these six columns I have tried to enclose Send First lenge. And upon the shoulders of today's 62.00. ( Class. I en- cover some of the new developments in teachers, school administrative officials, and close 24c additional.) theories of learning and teaching. Material enlightened parents rests the burden of covered has ranged from new structures bringing this bright promise into being. of educational systems designed to encour- Nane While researchers, experimenters, and de- age every student to reach the maximum signers may bring the techniques and de- of his individual abilities on through to vices into being and make them available, Address concepts of programmed learning and vari- only the administrators, teachers, and par- ous approaches used in designing teaching ents can actually transform the promise machines. City . into reality in our schools. Zee* .... SfaH It is clear that many of these ideas de- The opportunity is ours.

13 put of the two tracks is combined and recorded on the lower track of a new tape. This is then played and the next track QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS added, and so on. Of course, with each dub, you will find the noise increasing so Questions for this department may be sent by means of a postcard or letter. Please Address there is a practical limit to the number may be added and Answers." TAPE RECORDING, Severna Park, Maryland. The of times that new tracks - your queries to "Questions to the point where the noise level becomes widely applicable question will be used in this department. most interesting and objectionably high. Line Noise as you state, one of the connec- Les Paul and Mary Ford, who use this A-A 1f, extensively had built for them QI possess a Norelco Tape Recorder. tions goes to the speaker and the other technique the "Continental Stereo." Upon record- r the sound source, you should use the an eight channel Ampex using 1 inch was then ing from my hi -fi units into the tape re- second since the speaker lead will have tape. Each successive recording corder "radio-phono" jack the results are no amplifying effect. made on its own channel and an) number perfect, clear, no background sound, etc. We presume that the other lead is the of channels could be played back together However, when recording from the micro- one which goes to the pickup cartridge to one master tape from which the records were controls for phone I noticed a hum or buzz on play- and this is the one to which the connec- were cut. There separate so that the blend of back. I was told that this was caused by tion should be made. Since this lead would each channel proper achieved. In this way there was "line noise." I then recorded in my build- connect to a phono cartridge preamp, it is sound was tape to ing but another apartment and the results designed to handle very small currents no continuous dubbing from one of were the same. The same recording was and, most probably at high impedance. another hence there was no buildup made outside my building, in fact in a You are getting poor reproduction and noise. Again service shop, and not a sound of hum or hum when you connect it to the TV set Squeal buzz was detected, in fact, nothing wrong because the output from your TV speakers -I recently purchased a stereo tape and was found with the tape recorder. is a high power source at low impedance 14 when I play it there is a definite squeal I would like to know if this hum or buzz and simply puts more current into the which I am sure is not in the recording. when recording is caused by line noise in phono preamp than it can handle. It sounds as if the noise is being made as the building and if this noise can be The solution is to cut down on the the reel unwinds during playing. I have eliminated ? -A. I., New York, N. Y. amount of current reaching the input and run it through the recorder a number of this may be done by means of a trans- times at fast speeds before playing but this AIt is entirely possible that the noise is former. one side of which is a high imped- seems to do no good. In some parts of the coming in over the lines, however, if ance winding and the other a low imped- tape the noise does not appear but in others this were the case the odds would be that ance winding to match the speaker voice it is so pronounced that it disturbs anyone it would also appear in your recordings coils on the TV set. This will be in the trying to listen to the recorder. Again, I from your hi-fi rig. To double check this neighborhood of 8 ohms. might emphasize, the squeal is not in the suggest that you secure a C. R.. APO. we would A volume control may be inserted in the recorded part of the tape. -J. such as that made "Brute Force" line filter line to control the input current. The use New York, N. Y. This can be obtained by Cornell -Dubilier. of a transformer will also serve to isolate house. Since it from your local radio parts the input from the sound source and end A-There are a number of possible spots it is a good in- costs only a few dollars. the hum troubles. Your serviceman can to look at for the cause of squeal. One also check the mike vestment. You should give you good advice as to the kind of is the pressure pads of the recorder which that the shield wires cable to make sure transformer and the connections to make. hold the tape against the beads. These. at both the input and out- are connected over a period of time, will accumulate a put jacks. Sometimes buzzing noises can Track? hard coating composed of shed oxide par- from fluorescent light fix- Classical Music Add -A- be picked up tides and dirt from the tape. When this either in your own apartment or QIs there a recording on one track of tures, happens, the pads become glazed and hard from apartments above or below. Another the orchestral part of Rachmaninoff's causing the tape to chatter at a high rate possibility is a loose connection some- second piano Concerto so that my daugh- of speed, causing the high pitched squeal where in the microphone recording pre- ter could add the piano part on the second that you hear. The answer, of course, is to amp. track? The same for Prokofieff's third. Are clean or replace the pressure pads. Since you have not had this trouble out- there any tapes of Marek Weber's Orches- To clean them, use any good tape clean- side your building, it would seem to indi- tra? Is there a recorder on which I could isopropyl alcohol and brush them up cate that the cause of the difficulty lies add not only the second part, but also a er or or small piece of sand- in the building. If the difficulty comes over third and fourth and play all four to- with a nail file fine to restore the nap of the felt and the power lines, then the line filter should gether?-G. M. B., Phoenix, Arizona. paper of the hard coating. take care of it. get rid We know of no recordings such as Actual replacement is easier, if you have would on hand the necessary pads or similar ma- Hum Bug A you mention. The only solution be to make a recording from an existing terial. The old pads are removed and the tape recorders and QI have two Webcor tape or record of the numbers you want, new ones cemented in place with any good I play the I make all my own tapes. the copy on track two and then adhesive. Be careful, when applying the ukulele, putting Hawaiian guitar, regular guitar, recording your daughter's playing on the adhesive, to see that none of it _vets on the in three different harmonica and sing other track. Of course, this would also con- face of the new pads nor on the head of When the tape is fin- voices in harmony. tain the solo piano part and we know of the recorder. It is best to apply a small comes out, it sounds very ished and it no way in which this can be eliminated. dab of adhesive to the metal spring and it myself. But what good, if I have to say You might ask your local record dealer then touch the new pad to it. By putting know is this: I have an I would like to for a catalog of Music Minus One records. the recorder in the play position, the pad which has three tubes old These have the solo parts missing and will be held against the metal while the I removed the motor and a 6 inch speaker. may be of some help to you but we doubt adhesive sets. This pressure should not would like to make that runs the disc and that the specific titles you want are avail- be continued too long without the recorder it. It has two RCA an amplifier out of able. running, however. plugs, one goes to the speaker and the It unfortunate that there is not an A periodic squeal also may come from other to the sound source. When I play is this type of material avail- the edges of the tape running over a the television or any sound source into abundance of on tape for it could be of very great warped reel. By careful listening you may it, or music chatters and there able help in teaching music. be able to locate the exact spot from which is a loud hum when I turn the power on the the squeal comes. the amplifier. Is there some way I can Regarding adding tracks beyond re- If the squeal is in the tape itself, which control the sound so that it comes through second, which can be done on any -track principle. is unlikely in new tape, applying a tape clearly and the hum disappears ? -J. J. B., corder having the add -a recorder. The out- lubricant is about the only solution. Cheektowaga. N. Y. tou will need another

14 EICO new Transistor Stereo /Mono 4 -track Tape Deck -- Model RP 100W I NEW PRODUCTS aCompletely l3 wired ed with heads, stereo record and stereo play- backckpreamplifiers. Model RP 100K TANDBERG TAPE DECK MAJESTIC ATTACHE Semi -Kit includes transport com 13 tested (with heads; and con- trol electronics. stereo record, and playback pray OMTI:p to. Ir110era in easy- to.asaembleakit CI, t1 it is Write for full specifications

TAPE STORAGE OR e CARRYING CASE reg. 9.95. now 5.95 INev y wood construction, Holds up 5024to ytapes.) tilg' reg. 2.45, now 1.49 (Pressed cardboard, holds 10 tapes or 60 45 rpm records.) SAXITONE RECORDING TAPE a;Je guaranteed sotr 1.. "'Ì v . n.l' rI.x you deal w . 2,c eel. Majestic International Sales, - i3 N. (LU.rrrr.,1 ., n.I inn rcputstion ,. U.les .75 LaSalle St., Chicago 10, Illinois, has intro- m' Al 1'LA It 5e ravi .SS m- SI Y I.A It I Pol.esb.o. 5e .SS duced a companion model to the m' AIYLAR, s, md. 5e reel 1.15 Grundig- 12W' Acetate Inbreriri, te 1.11 The model "65" 3- speed, 4 -track stereo Illxl' 11YLAR. I ti mil. (Strong, 1.65 Majestic Niki tape recorder called the TIC -1 INY playback tape deck has been introduced by M YLA IInIXetil.l1 ìrk. is . 1.15 Attache. This all- transistor portable tape 4111' SI Y LA It. uatensili,eA ]e 2.69 Tandberg of America, Inc., 8 Third Ave- Also' .11 YI.A R. temiliaed. 1i 2.19 recorder is completely battery operated and Studios. targe Users Even Lower. nue, Pelham, N.Y. It features a playback TAPE STORAGE CAN Plus Postage weighs only 8 pounds. It has a permanent Unique twist -lock head for 2 and 4 track stereo and monaural insure. dust -free FERRO- dynamic speaker with a frequency range re- proof, setoN DYNAMICS tapes, start -stop button, 2 outputs for plug - le. 1 [ 5101,40 of 80- 10,000 cps. A specially engineered tshipp- 0,11 end cas in preamplifiers, facilities for record 'Idéal ship- N- adding p / e recording level indicator provides visual ing erase heads. It is specifically designed for reg. sec snow rSgt . proof of accurate sound control. The TK -1 installation into new or existing high Attache uses 4 x 1.5 V monocells plus one Prerecorded 30% fidelity systems, and it is adaptable for 130% Entire Stock battery -3V. There is approximately 15 IoN Music Tape oft language laboratory The or industrial use. hours operating time on one set of bat- deck has three speeds, a frequency response teries. The unit is priced at $ 129.95. Write NORELCO SPEAKERS D"' ONTINUED MODELS : t'amous at 71/2 ips of 30- 20,000 cps, a hysteresis Majestic for all details. b l list ay.u,. 110. synchronous motor, an operating lever knob 20.000 initialanual 'r 23.07. NOW 11.96: 3!Ó0M, list . for playback, fast forward and fast reverse, 16.00, dual NET 9.00. now 95 while they last. Pl.t'S l'oST AGE_ and a 4 digit revolving counter. It is priced MINIATURE EDITALL SPLICER 11t her n en ,im al speaker relre- lion litst oSa Hest served at Write Tandberg for complete 5-' lauds. FNI, F011 IF AKFR SPEC. $199.50. IFR'tTllrN slIFFT. specifications. SAXITONE TAPE SALES tino r \I'.II <. It t-I.0 t:! lurmS Its I BURGESS BATTERY RECORDING TAPE 1776 colubra Rd.,. NW, Washington, D.C. auRCES,. mylar all purpose

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A smaller version ut the LdiTall Tape Editing Block is now available from The Tall Company, 27 E. 37th St, New York 16, N.Y. The miniature S -2 EdiTall Block 1, is designed for modern compact tape re- II;ItI11W ,P1 102 ;P corders and it is as precise as the larger S -3 EdiTall. The new block's dimensions are trical connector and the necessary hardware Burgess Battery Company, Division of 4" long, 3/41e wide and only 1/4" thick. for making the attachments. Simple, il- Servel, Inc., Freeport, Illinois, has entered It is easily fastened to any tape recorder's lustrated directions for mounting are in- the market and is producing top deck by means of double -sided pressure- cluded. The tape head is identical in work- high quality recording tapes for business, sensitive adhesive tape, which is attached manship, size and tonal quality to the tape home, broadcast, and laboratory use. Ac- to the block. The KS -2 kit also includes head the company supplies to original cording to the manufacturer, performance china -marking pencil, roll of 7/32 splicing equipment manufacturers. For cost and tests of the tape show it has signal output tape, instruction booklet condensed from more information, contact Fidelitone. strength regulated to less than a half decibel the "editing" chapter in Joel Tall's book of variance. To achieve faithful reproduc- Techniques of Magnetic Recording. The tion of high frequencies, S -2 Burgess uses a block is $6.50 and the KS -2 is $7.50. FREE CAMERA -RECORDER BOOKLET special acicular iron oxide powder filtered Contact The Tall Company for other de- down to a particle size of 5 microns or less. tails. Webcor is offering a free 12 page book- Acetate or Mylar plastic is used as the base let "If You Own a Fine Camera You for the tape and they are pre -coated. A Should Own a Fine Recorder- STEREO TAPE HEAD KIT Webcor." specially protected dust -free room is used The booklet shows many ways in which a for the application of the magnetic coating. Fidelitone Microwave, Inc., Chicago, camera and a recorder can be teamed for Burgess audio tape is produced in !., inch Illinois, has announced its newest product, sound movies and slide shows, darkroom widths and is being marketed in all a compact kit containing a quarter track work, portraiture, etc. You may have a standard reel lengths in seven of the most record and playback stereo tape head. With free copy by writing to Webcor Sales Co., popular series. For prices and additional each head, the company is giving free a 3" 5610 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Chicago 39, details, contact the manufacturer. reel of azimuth alignment tape, an elec- Ill., and requesting it.

15 manipulation of the volume controls on the recorders and mixer, the musical back- FEEDBACK ground can be diminished somewhat with its proper control so as not to drown the voice or sound effects. Excerpts from readers' letters will be used in this column. If both recorders had operated with a Address all correspondence fo: The Editor: TAPE RECORDING, Severna Park, Maryland tape speed velocity of 33/4 or 71/2 I.P.S. there would be no further recording due to the fact that this half track tape could Speed Adjustment Wanted 18 or 24 frames per second, this involves a be played back on the VM machine and To the Editor: great deal of patience and accuracy and is any other two track recorder. But the In reference to Robert I. Colin's a satisfaction when played back on the Ampro recorded at a slower speed and the "WANTED, Two improvements in Home equipment which made it so. With the VM played back at faster than 33/4 I.P.S. Tape Recorders" in the May '61 Issue of introduction of constant one speed film changing the pitch of both music and "Tape Recording." projectors a tape travel velocity vernier voice. Therefor another recording had to I emphatically endorse Mr. Colins sug- would be most useful on the recorder or be made on fresh tape, this time using the gestions, both in respect to standardizing playback machine, why? because many of Ampro recorded tape and playing it back the operation and calibration of the digital the quality made and prize winning films from this machine to one of the (quarter) revolution counter and for provision of a with their tapes are entered in contests or tracks of the VM recorder in an effort to manually operated vernier speed adjust- sent around to various movie clubs for regain the proper speed and pitch at which ment to regulate tape velocity at 3!/4 and screening and for amateur movie shows. the first recording had been made. But 71/2 I.P.S. probably better than 2% plus Should these organizations have fast or I doubt whether this third recorded tape or minus. slow, above or below the registered speed can be played back on every two track Owning two tape recorders, one an recorders or playbacks, the recorded tapes recorder, due to different head alignments, Ampro 757 two track, the other a VM 720 would run out or be far behind the film it played back a dead track on the Ampro; four track which can also playback half - cues, even with using the various synchoniz- when it was reversed, and put into play, track; I have noted the difference in pitch, ing gadgets now being sold. With variable the recorded quarter track played back in when my recordings, whether music, voice speed projectors some compensation may reverse. or both are played back, when recorded be accomplished by slowing or increasing Tape slippage and stretch, should it on one machine and played back on the the film speed projection, providing the occur, when synchronized with movie film other and vice versa. tape is played back at the exact speed and speed would not materially offset the frames In timing the velocity of tape travel at pitch in which it was recorded. If the per second projected to such an extent as 33/4 and 71/2 I.P.S. for 150 and 300 inches projector has no variable speed control the would a slow or fast moving tape across respectively, both recorders were not ac- synchronizing gadget will not hold film or the playback head of a recorder. curate, there being a difference of 31/2 tape sound in appreciable sync. when As has been mentioned phonograph seconds, more or less, between each recorder played back slower or faster than the manufacturers had provided adjustable than the required 40 seconds for that original speed at which it was recorded. governors to control R.P.M. speeds of length of tape. No matter what mechanical At film projection speed of 16 frames disks, so why not some equivalent adjustments were made, such as pinch per second and inaccurate tape velocity mechanism to control the R.P.M. speed of roller pressure, take up reel torque, lubrica- speed (supposed to be 3334 I.P.S.) 150 tape recorder capstans to hold tape speed tion, installing new pinch rollers, drive inches of tape, running 42 seconds, instead velocity to standard speeds. -Herman belts, etc. even to slightly reducing the of 40 seconds, will advance the film by 32 Hensel, Jersey City. N.J. diameter of the integral drive belt groove frames out of synchronization, and in the Teacher's Tape Club case of screening a 200 ft. reel of 8mm on the flywheel of the slow machine; by To the Editor: was gained, film it would be well over 500 frames. doing the latter one second I would like to poll, through Tape 42 seconds to 41 seconds for said With 150 inches of tape running at 38 or from Recording all teachers who are interested length of tape. But this is a trial and error 39 seconds, the reverse would happen, i.e., in forming either a U.S.A. Teachers Tapers method for those who have no machine the tape would out run the film. Club or a Talent Tapers Club, or both. shop equipment and requires dismantling Another reason for provision of a tape The clubs would aim to serve as pools, speed vernier on home recorders would and re- assembling the recorder components, mainly for exchanging, via tape recording, too much reduction diameter simplify duplicate tape recording from one in pulley ideas and actual content -taped lessons, on would There was no recorder to another, where one is faster cause over speeding. the spot happenings of literary, historical, way on or slower than the other. In to other of slowing the tape velocity order tape scientific and musical (art) interest for the newer machine, which was fast by 1 background music with commentary or building brains and talent through use of sound to accompany the to 1.5 seconds for said length of tape. screening of films magnetic tapes. the tape recorder I use track VM runs Now, average owner (which Right now, leaders in both fields say fast) recording music direct may "What's the difference in accurate from phono throughout the country are wracking their disk pick -up into recorder on track 2, then tape velocity" evidently it never bothered brains proposing great sums in support of the recording to feed him, but let him try his own carefully rewinding back reel, something we could do in fun while im- a setting the Add -a -track knob proper recorded tape, monaural or stereo, on in proving our resources professionally and friend's recorder or playback machine and position and recording commentary or benefiting the Republic immeasurably. music sound through the microphone, the listen to the difference in pitch and film Taped libraries would come easier than and voice, played back on a fast or being projected for cues when to speak or /or if ever, a shot in the arm for Audio-Visual. running machine not having the same add sound. The mike being housed in a slow -H. B. Behrendt, Education Communica- covered with towels (except tape travel velocity as his recording. blimp front) tion Specialist. P.O. Box 346, San Antonio for deadening possible projector noise, and It is assumed that manufacturers of pre- 6. Texas. recorded tapes, record for hi- fidelity at placed 6 to 8 feet from projector, which Sound Synchronizing exact velocity speeds, therefor a purchaser incidently is a quiet running machine and of such tapes, when playing them back on connected with an elctronic synchronizing To the Editor: his fast or slow machine (without a speed coupler, the drum of which the tape from As a regular subscriber and intense control) would surely become dissatisfied the feed reel operates. reader of every column in your magazine with its fidelity and place the blame on the This tape can be played back stereo, the may I state I get a big bang out of some producer of the tape. recorder speaker will emit the voice or of the new gadgets advertising the synchro- There are thousands of home movie film sound as recorded and an external speaker, nization of slides with tape. makers who also own a tape recorder, many through a separate amplifier emits the May I humbly state that I have been own two recorders. They project their films musical recording. Combining both these recording sound since the first early days with taped background music, commentary tracks, through a home made mixer, to of the wire recorder. And although I still or sound effects, synchronizing their half-track on the other recorder (using rank myself as a much perfected amateur recordings with film speed projection of 16, shieled cable) with a few tape try -outs and I have, for some years now, been recording

16 and narrating not only the slides but home To the Editor:

movies with almost 100% perfection. 1 have been taping for many years, go- It has become quite simple for me and ing back to the days of the black oxide

a matter of fact, although quite astonishing paper tape and the wonderful early Sound - to my guests who are always amazed as mirror. The whole thing was such a novelty well as delighted. to everyone that a great deal of "family

1 CONVERT have a V -M stereo 4 track recorder fuss" was put on the tape. Now, many with the matching Mate amplifier and use years afterward I am grateful to have it all. this in conjunction with a Revere 777A It has been my experience that many TO 4-TRACK STEREO self- threading projector. people will erase more then they really Proceeding to record, I place a 1200 should. The nonsense of family get -to- foot tape on the recorder and carefully wind gethers can become terribly, terribly im- exactly four turns on the empty spindle. portant when deaths, marriages and separa- I then place about seven or eight tions of miles occur. records on my Grundig -Majestic Console. 1 now correspond on a weekly basis with These, of course, are carefully selected to my mother in California by tape and only correspond with the various scenes I am wish that everyone I know had a recorder. going to project. As an example: "Swanee Letter rapes are much superior to anything River" for southern vacation films, "Last else. Roundup" for western scenes, etc. I now have two Wollensak recorders Having both tape recorder and projector NEW and transfer from one to the other, a very k-- plugged into one central AC cord 1 have useful and convenient facility. I am an but to press a simple AC switch and I'm expert editor and for many years have in business. used tape to enhance my slide shows, in I first record all of the musical back- many cases interpolating the voice of the ground, using fading effects off and on, on Rtiruilp person on the screen. the Add +A +Track. 1 compliment you on the "how- to-do -it After this is accomplished, 1 then re- features and urge that you continue them record on track I and narrate all of the M/M TAPE HEAD -particularly if they are written in a non- events while leisurely seated in my corm technical manner that everyone can bene- If you own one of these 2 -track stereo tape fortable lounging chair. The results are recorders: Bell -200, T-201,1-203, BT- 205 -1B, fit from without a degree in radio -elec- -T quite amazing and professional. T -206, T -2075, T -211, BT- 205.08. Ekotape - tronics. 350, 360, 362. VM -714, 750A these and 1 have even gotten down to where I ... I think it would be many others you can convert to a 4 -track can certain scenes interesting reading - pinpoint shown quickly stereo with the new Robins M/M 5Q17 y4 to devote a column in each issue sub- with accuracy. track record playback tape head. mitted by subscribers on "Why My Tape I would be glad to go into this further The 5Q17 can also be used to convert single Recorder is Important to Me (or Us) , and advise any parties interested as to the track tape recorders to 4 -track stereo with awarding a cleaning kit details, etc. upon receiving from them a or tape to the the addition of an amplifier. List $30.00. most printable each month. Holland R. tape sent to me and upon which 1 will .4t draircr, or 7erite . oft. 7R Morris. correspond on the second track and return Net. York, N. Y. ROBINS INDUSTRIES CORP. Flushing 54, N. Y. it to the sender. -Laurence J. Chenier. We think ion are entirely correct in Sr.. 1928 S. Central Ave.. Cicero 50, Ill. stating that much is erased which in later That's a mighty kind offer. Readers years would he of almost priceless rain,. wishing to take advantage of Alr. Chenier's Too often. surrounded as we are with the TOLE-B` c,,,1 long experience should ask their questions everyday sounds of home. we tend to over- un one track on the tape and Air. Chenier look their importance to us. In fad, the: ,%a/' EcOItDFR trill then reply on the second track. may sometimes be downright annoyin;. LO pRGAP45G" But as the NIF!.i__t_'li'',I,: Wollensak Kinks years pass these sounds, hop :LO1R1üüMOTES; To the . Editor: ever annoying they might have been on: ...... 1 I . rOUR -...... ,. ,., sr «. .. I would like to submit two more kinks now become part of our memories. ET' 373-TR rEASTONe,RD.,s ROSLYN,a.PA for the Wollensak 1600. ./7 Regarding dour suggestion for a ;i . When you finish playing or recording on feature -Why AIT Tape Recorder is Inc the instrument be sure to depress the portant to Ale." we// try anything ones. stop control before turning off the ma- If the reader response is ereat enough t' chine. In doing this you will release the snake it a continuing feature, fine. If', pressure roller from the capstan. When will award a roll of blank tape for each TAPE RECORDERS this recorder plays or records to the end acceptable letter. Address your entry IN HI -FI COMPONENTS of the tape it automatically shuts off but Important Recorder Contest. TAPE RI: SLEEP LEARN KITS does not release the pressure roller. Look CORDING Magazine. Severna Park. Md. .1 n and you will see. Also, when using the MERITAPE Entries u he judged on the basis Low cost. hlah metal strips on tapes to replay be careful of their usefulness to others and also on the DRESSNER toocualitp. In hnaexmcordina or MIS that the strips are attached in such a 1523AA. lerirho Tek . uniqueness of the recorder New Hyde Park. N. Y. manner that they do not come in contact use. Explana lions must he personal your with any part of the tape which has been -thy recorder is important to you why it could recorded, even on wrap -over as sometimes -not he important to someone these strips become sticky and remove any else. HERE'S A NEW oxide with which they come in contact. - Letters should he kept as brief as po,t Pat Malone. Net. York, N.Y. Bible and let tell the story and preferab CONTEST FOR should be typewritten, although hand - YOU To the Editor: u.ritten letters trill be acceptable. - Tapes are identical in width to 8 mm. We reeret that no correspondence can "Why My Recorder Is movie film and 1 have found a low- priced be entertained regarding the entries and Important To Me" splicer (just file down the pins) is fine none will he returned. for tape. In editing, the tape counter may So there you are, an excellent subject A good letter may win you a reel go off slightly because of the high speed of and simple rules. We'll see hou reader of tape. rewinding. To return to the original spot Morris's idea works out and well send I either punch a hole in the tape or mark him a roll of tape for his account of a -/n Details in column at left. it with yellow touch-up lacquer. -Ted his recorder is important to him as a Sharbel. Whittier. Cal. starter.

17 Cockatoos, parrots, parrakeets and Mynah birds are the zoo's best talkers but frequently you have to do some tall talking yourself to get a response from the bird. This Sulphur -Crested Cockatoo named "Scratchy" lives in the Children's Zoo in the Philadelphia Zoo and can say "Polly Wants a Cracker." RECORDING AT THE ZOO by Mark Mooney, Jr. .... a new world of sound awaits you at your local zoo

THE zoo is one place where the recordist has an easier a storm of noise as they run from cage to cage and yell time than the photographer. While the photographer for others to come look. is continually plagued by bars in front and bad back- The teachers more or less keep them in line filing past grounds behind his subjects, these things make not the the exhibits but the chatter will completely wreck any slightest difference to the recordist. attempts to get good sound snapshots. Of course, in the newer zoos, with their outdoor moat Another factor lies in the zoo buildings themselves. enclosed yards, both the photographer and the recordist For the most part these are constructed so that they may are on equal footing. The photographer will moan because be easily kept clean and they must be spacious enough to of the distance between his camera and the animals and accommodate the crowds. This means hard floors, ceilings the recordist will have the same complaint. and walls from which the sound bounces and echos and Oddly enough, the best time to do recording at the zoo re- echos, whether it be a lion's roar or the shouts of is when you would not ordinarily go. The fewer the children. visitors, the better, for then you do not have to contend The times when the zoo has the least visitors is on a with the background noises of people talking or children rainy day or, in the dead of winter. At these times you may running and shouting. find no one there but the keepers and few sounds other One of the worst times is during the school year on than those made by the animals themselves. weekdays when the children are taken to the zoo in busses Early morning is likewise a good time although the for their annual trip. Free from the confines of the class- keepers are busy with their household chores and may not room, and excited by the exhibits, they can really blow up be able to stop to give you an assist. After the cleaning

18 up and early feedings are over, the keeper generally has a the length of the chain. All went well during a classical breather. number but when the band broke into some Dixieland The keepers themselves are excellent material for inter- jazz, the elephant went for a drink. But instead of squirt- view type recordings. In the main, these men are devoted ing the water in her mouth she held it in her trunk and to their animals, they have even been known to spend 24 ambling to the length of her chain and extending the hours a day with one of their charges who was ailing. trunk, she showered the musicians, which broke up the Sometimes, when young are rejected by the mother, they concert. have reared them in their own homes until they were There isn't a zoo in the land that does not have tales large enough to safely come back to the zoo. such as these to tell. The veteran keepers, some close to Most of them can tell many stories of the animals in retirement age will, of course, have the largest collection their care. They are familiar with all their little tricks and of yarns because they have been there the longest. But habits, some of which are highly amusing. For instance, at even the newest keeper quickly gains some experiences that the Philadelphia Zoo, there was a Polar bear which loved are worth the telling. to douse the Sunday crowds. When the people had One point to remember is that keepers are busy men. ,gathered about three deep before the bars of his pool, so Their charges are rather demanding and require almost that the front row could not move quickly, he would constant service in one way or another. But at the same leave his sunning spot on the rocks and walk along the time they like to talk about their animals. narrow pool edge like a cat along an alley fence. Another point to remember always is that the animals When he reached the spot where the crowd was the are dangerous. This applies especially to the big cats and thickest he would simply fall sidewise into the water, like other large animals which can move at a tremendous speed a side launching of a ship. This sent up a miniature tidal starting from what is apparently a resting position. Unlike wave which was sure to wet a few people. We can't say a photographer, who might want to put his lens between that Polar bears laugh but this particular bear always the bars, the recordist has no real reason to get himself in surfaced rapidly after his dive so he could see the results a dangerous situation. Never closely approach any animal of his splash and hear the cries of dismay from the doused cage without first speaking to the keeper. Never cross spectators. guard rails, they are put there to protect you. At times One of the most famous of the Philadelphia Zoo stories the guard rails may seem to be unreasonably far out but tells of the time when a researcher wanting to see if music they were placed at that distance because animals have had any effect on animals brought an orchestra to the zoo. long reaches and uncanny accuracy in thrusting an arm or The band set up in the monkey house and played but the leg between the bars. monkeys and apes were uninterested, other than the normal It is also rather discouraging to see a "cute" monkey curiosity that the animals had toward all the bright, shiny chewing up your microphone after snatching it from instruments. your hand. The surprise came when the band set up near an In addition to being incredibly quick, animals are also elephant. This huge animal was staked out on a chain incredibly strong, so don't figure that just because an which was fastened around her left foot. The chain animal is small size, he is harmless. allowed considerable freedom of movement, including We have seen a bear cub resist the efforts of three grown access to a bathing pool which also served as a source of men to hold him down long enough to give him a dose of drinking water. cod liver oil and saw a photographer driven from an en- Naturally the band set up at a safe distance, considering closure by a determined muskrat who attacked him again

Stories, both hair raising and funny are on tap from zoo old timers like John Regan who has been at the Philadelphia Zoo since 1902. Zoo keepers have many stories about the behavior of the animals in their charge and, like a man talking about his children, are generally pleased at an opportunity to

have a good listener . . . . and recorder.

19 Let's take a tour of a typical zoo and see what the sound potentials are. Unquestionably the most popular building is the carnivore or "lion" house. In this is kept the great cats, the lion, tiger, leopard, puma or mountain lion and, if the zoo is lucky such animals as the snow leopard. Generally these places are relatively quiet as far as animal sounds go except at the approach of feeding time. Then there is a restless stir that becomes evident throughout the whole building. Many times the lions will roar and some of them give out with a primeval growl when the keeper throws the meat to them. There may be some exceptions, such as a mountain lion at the Philadelphia Zoo which yowled frequently for no apparent reason. Tigers will also roar on occasion and all the big cats will purr, just like the house cat except the purr is rumbley and much louder. To pick this up you would have to be dangerously close and even though the animal is obviously happy and contented as is evidenced by the purr, its mood can change in a twinkling. Second in popularity with zoo visitors is the reptile house. Here you will be met with a stony silence for few of the exhibits ever make any sound. In the spring, some of the frogs and toads will give out with trilling songs and once in a great while, if the zoo has a large bull alligator, he will shake the building with his roar. Among the snakes, the rattlesnake is about the only one capable of producing sound and this is a high frequency buzz. The swans loud honking is easy to pick up at a considerable dis- The monkey house is also a popular spot and is fairly tance. Self -powered portables are practically a necessity for zoo noisy, especially if there are chimpanzees on exhibit. These recording. When the sound was played back to the swans they animals are the clowns of the animal world and dote on were amazed and listened intently. attention. If little is forthcoming they will scream and carry on until the crowd in the building comes running to and again until he drove him out the door. Only a broom used as a shield saved the man from a badly chewed leg. The answer is the same-if you must get close, get help and have a keeper stand guard. If you contemplate some serious recording which may go on over a long period of time, you should first visit the zoo office and make your request of the zoo director or public relations official. They seldom refuse a reasonable and necessary request and may be willing to provide you with a letter of introduction to the keepers which will assure you of their cooperation. To acquire any real collection of zoo sounds you are going to have to make many visits. Some of the sounds will come easily, like the roaring of the big cats, the sounds of the birds, the chattering of monkeys. But other sounds, like the howling of the wolves, the trumpeting of the elephant or the roar of the bull alligator are infrequently heard and it is just a matter of luck to be able to obtain them. This would put the collection of zoo sounds in line with any collection hobby where the common varieties such as stamps or coins, get you off to a fast start and then a slowdown occurs as you are faced with the problem of obtaining rare items. Fortunately most of the zoo sounds are loud, there is little problem with volume. As was mentioned, the principal problem is sound reflection and for this reason it is best to get as close to the sound source as is safe and reduce the recording volume to suit. This will prevent the pickup of reflected or background sounds. A directional Sea Lions are very popular and love an audience. Some have been mike which subdues sound coming from the sides and rear trained to perform juggling feats and make music on horns. This is also helpful. sea lion was leading the applause for himself with his flippers.

20 IIiÏIÌI 1 1 I

Safety -first is the rule at the zoo. A mike on a boom will keep you farther away from danger for animals can move incredibly fast and are powerful. Always seek the help of a keeper if you want to rec ,rd any of the larger animals.

see what the fuss is about. Then the chimp has an audience, A noisy place at feeding time is the sea lion pool. As which he seems to enjoy. the hour approaches for the keeper to throw them their The other great apes, the gorilla, orang -utan and gibbon fish, they set up a barking clamor. They are kept in out- are on the quiet side except for the siamang gibbon which door pools and there is no problem from reflected sound. has a large throat pouch and a tremendous voice. In addition, the sound is plenty loud so no difficulty will The monkeys for the most part have chattering or twit- be had in recording it. tering sounds, some of them almost bird -like. The baboons The ungulates, or hoofed mammals, such as the deer, have a bark -like cry and the howling monkeys, as their bison, elk, etc. almost never make a sound and hence are name implies, howl. very poor subjects for the recordist. The giraffe never In some zoos the monkeys and apes are kept behind makes one so there is little use in waiting. Llamas and glass to protect them from air borne diseases and improper huanacos are quiet too but they can spit from between their food. If such is the case, by speaking to the keeper you front teeth for distances up to 15 feet so don't get chummy might be able to get behind the scenes but don't be too with them. They just might not like your looks and let disappointed if the answer is "no" since zoos do everything you have it. possible to protect the animals. Likewise, the bears are quiet animals, as are the kan- The bird house is unquestionably the noisiest place in garoos and such odd fellows as the arrd -vark and the the zoo and the difficulty here is a surfiet of sound rather wombat. than a lack of it. The small mammal house may or may not offer possibili- By recording close up, you can feature the bird you are ties, depending upon the collection. Grunts, groans, snuffles after and cut down on the background noise. Some birds, and wheezes are the most common sounds but sometimes like the Brazilian Bell Bird have notes so loud they can be one of the animals will give vent with a characteristic cry. heard for blocks. The keeper can point out the noisy ones. A talking parrot, crow or cockatoo, of course, is a joy to Some zoos, like the St. Louis zoo, are famous for their record if it is in a talkative mood. Some of them like to animal shows, mostly featuring trained chimpanzees, sea show off and are chatterboxes, others are probably intro- lions, etc. Some of the animals have been trained to speak verts and won't speak unless the spirit moves them. on command or can easily be made to whoop it up. The

21 Many times a keeper will be able to take the time to help. By showing him how to operate the recorder and pre -setting the controls, he can safely make recordings which you would not be able to get. After- noons are better than mornings for record- ings which will call for the help of the keep- er for by then they have gotten things well cleaned up and can take a break. Visiting the zoo on days when the crowds stay away will cut down on the background noise from people. keeper or trainer will be a big help in this department. In addition, the running of power lines when there is Open bird lakes are features of some zoos and on these zoo visitor traffic means a creation of a hazard which the you will find geese, swans and ducks. Most of these birds zoo people would not permit to avoid any possibility of accident to visitors. are fairly talkative and the output of sound is reasonably the constant except during the heat of the summer day. The purchase of a zoo guide book on your first visit will cue you on feeding times in the various houses or if Nocturnal animals sleep most of the daylight hours and the zoo is small and lacks a guide book, the feeding times wake up and become active when the sun goes down. Of are generally posted since this is a very popular zoo attrac- course, at this time the zoo closes and the people go home. tion. It pays to be on hand a little time before the feeding. To record the night sounds you would definitely need the This permits you to get a guard rail position and also, permission of the zoo authorities and the company of the about this time, the animals begin to pace back and forth night watchman. Unless you are well known to the zoo and may give off with cries of anticipation. people it is doubtful that such permission would be granted Unfortunately, feeding for more than one house may as there is too much danger to you for which they would fall at the same time and since they are usually some not want to be responsible. Like the keepers, however, an distance apart, it is necessary to forego one or the other. interview with the night watchman should be productive Sometimes you pick the wrong house and you hear the of some good stories. most recordable racket coming from some spot where you What kind of equipment would you need for this zoo are not and know that by the time you could get there the recording? A self -powered portable is practically a must noises will be over ... while the animals in front of your and the better quality the portable the better sound quality mike seem to take a perverse delight in remaining quiet. you will get. Some of the sounds have a fairly broad But this all adds to the spice of doing a difficult job and frequency requirement. the recordings which you do secure you will know cannot Regular home -type recorders are a bit unweildy for mak- be duplicated by anyone else with less trouble than you ing on- location recordings such as this unless you carry a have put into it. battery and inverter, which means more gear. All of the Such a collection of zoo sounds can be very worthwhile animal houses have electricity available, of course, but out- in itself and makes an excellent dub in for movies or lets are seldom in the public space since there is little need slide shows of pictures taken at the zoo. for them as far as the zoo is concerned. This means the Making a collection of zoo animal sounds will offer you running of long lines for power or long mike cables which more than the collection of sounds on tape, it will also requires the use of a low impedance mike with a matching considerably broaden your knowledge of animals and their transformer at the recorder. ways, a mighty fascinating study.

22 Do You Need Two Recorders?

by Bart Pierson

THERE comes a time in the life of every hobbyist when destroy the other tracks while patching up the one you the decision must be made as to whether the present want to edit. With a second recorder you simply copy equipment should be kept or traded in on something from one machine to another those parts of the tape which new. Or, if the pocketbook is able to stand it, whether you want in your final version and then edit the copy tape. to get something new and retain the old. Nothing could be simpler or easier. Having two re- The tape recordist is no exception. Over the years many corders also enables you to copy any other tape for your improvements have been made in recorders. New heads own collection. This comes in handy when you want to with smaller gaps to increase high frequency response, swap with other recordists who may be collecting on tape Add +A +Track, that enables you to sing or play duets the same kinds of sounds you are. with yourself or to learn a foreign language using exactly The second machine also comes in handy for the young- the same techniques in the home as are used in the most sters who can use it for homework or at parties without modern language labs in the schools -or to synchronize the fear usually associated with their use of a new piece tapes for automatic slide shows. of equipment. In fact, the old recorder might well go off your offspring and thus provide Or perhaps you are interested in stereo music. The to school or college with between him and your advent of the four track recorder has not only meant that a means of taped communication he find it very useful in his the music you want can be secured at about half the price family. In addition, will the "music to study by" of the older two -track tapes, but you don't have to rewind school work and for providing necessary to today's scholars. the reels, either. which seems so Perhaps you should invest in a portable. If you do, it Four track also enables you to pack twice the amount is best that its speed is such that you can play the tapes of information or music on a tape as you could with a on your present machine. This is really not quite so im- dual track recorder and four times as much as with a portant, however, since you can always copy the output single track machine. of the portable into your home machine to get the tape In addition, within the past few years, self -powered speed you want. Some of the portables do not have a transistorized portable recorders have made their appear- capstan drive, hence the tape speed will vary with the ance in increasing numbers. These machines have greatly amount of tape on the take -up reel. In cases such as this, extended the tape recording hobby by freeing the tape re- copying from the portable to the home-type machine is cordist from his dependence upon power lines. the only solution. So should you have two machines? Should you have one Portables open a whole new world of recording to you of them a portable which can be used for away - from -home for it now has become easy to go where the sound is and recordings and the other a home -type machine? Should bring it back with you. Because the price of batteries you have two home -type machines, one the recorder which is not low, playing the portable tapes on a home machine you now have and a newer, more modern machine or is better than using the portable for playback, unless it should you continue with one recorder, maybe trading in has an adapter which will permit its operation on regular the older machine for a new one plus some cash. current supplies. Lets take the matter of trade -ins first. You may be in The only way to come to an intelligent decision on a for a shock when you learn the value of your old clunker second recorder is to analyze what you want to do in the in terms of trading it in. While recorders do not depreciate hobby of tape recording. A quiet session with yourself faster than other kinds of equipment, the improvements and a pencil and pad will quickly reveal the uses you made in them over the last few years have rendered some could find for it. Once you have the list in hand, then of the older models less desirable from a resale standpoint. you can determine if the additional advantages are worth And also, when a dealer takes your old recorder in trade the cost .... and only you are capable of making the he still has to make any necessary repairs and put it in decision. tip -top shape before he can sell it at a reduced price as Points you might want to consider are these: Are there a second hand item. Someone has to pay for this work other members of your family who would benefit from a so he must be able to charge more for the machine than second recorder? How much editing will you be doing he gives you -and usually his margin is a pretty slim one. and how well will it be facilitated by being able to copy So, as we mentioned, don't be too surprised if your present from multi -track tapes which cannot be edited? If your pride and joy is not worth too much in dollars. present recorder is dual track, how much will you save In fact, it may be worth a lot more to you as a second through the use of a four track machine, both for record- machine. With another recorder you are freed of the ing and when purchasing stereo tapes? Will the addition restrictions in editing multi -track recordings. As you prob- of a portable recorder enable you to double your enjoy- ably know, when you edit a two, or four -track tape, you ment of the hobby, or the usefulness of your equipment?

23 Tape Travelogue

... you can tape it with you.

FOR "reel" fun and many hours of enjoyment, take a compact battery -operated tape recorder along with your camera on your next vacation. When you return, you can spend some very interesting evenings combining the sounds of the far -away places you visited with appropriate color slides and produce a very effective sound -slide show. To add a touch of professionalism, you can synchronize the slides with an automatic projector and sit back in peace and comfort -or even leave the room while the show goes on -to the amazement of your audience. Here is how we did it on a recent vacation in Mexico. This is a fascinating country, rich in colorful picture possibilities, and full of strange and interesting sounds. The sounds and the pictures go together like Li'l Abner and Daisy Mae. Neither is complete without the other. The isolated peninsula of Yucatan is particularly at- tractive. It has not yet been spoiled by tourists as have so many spots in the Caribbean. The mysteries of its ancient archeological restorations, its astounding Mayan Indian architecture, and its enchanting legends were irresistable. We had heard that English- speaking guides in this area were now available at reasonable prices and since our knowledge of Spanish was limited to such words as "Buenos dias," "Adios" and "Oley" we decided that a small portable recorder would be just the thing to preserve their comments and explanations. Besides, we would be spared the chore of note keeping. At the same time such record- ings, including our own descriptions, would make it possible to eliminate forever that embarrassing moment which comes to all slide makers sooner or later (especially later) "Honey, where were these shots taken ?" There are several fine battery operated recorders on the market today. Most of the compact ones use a three -inch reel and offer one or two speeds, usually I %s and 33/4. We happened to choose a Steelman Transitape. This ma chine is fairly light as tape recorders go -about 7 pounds -and can be easily carried with a camera. It uses 13 penlight -type batteries, six for the amplifier and seven for the motor. We bought mercury cells for longer life, and caried an extra set for emergency use. Although this ma- chine can be operated with its crystal microphone in the cushioned recess of the case, it is better to record with mike attached to some part of the clothing -or even hand held -in order to reduce motor vibrations. Our camera equipment consisted of an Eastman Kodak Signet 35mm camera (1952 vintage) with flash attach- ment, eight rolls of Daylight Kodachrome, one roll of

Top: Gay, flower- decked boats are gently polled around the beautiful Float- ing Gardens of Xochimilco. Upper center: Temple of the Plumed Serpent "El Castillo" built over a thousand years ago has been restored by the Carnegie Institute in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Lower center: Stone figure of Chock -Mool, symbol of the Yucatan, unearthed in the archeological zones at Chichen Itza. Bottom: Two Maya Indian girls pose before Yucatan's Temple of the Warriors. Yucatan, Mexico

by Russell B. Maxey

High -Speed Ektachrome. For the recorder we took along six three -inch reels of Audiotape. As you can see, this equipment occupies only a small space and can be easily put in an overnight case. For ourselves, we took along two thermos jugs of pure Columbia water. Good, safe drinking water is scarce in some areas of Mexico. own title slides and maps with water colors, New was our "port of embarkation." A visa to Make your Orleans or scissors and construction paper. Mexico is not required of U.S. citizens. However, a tourist card, good for 180 days, must be obtained. This costs $3.00. shorts are not worn on city streets, but you will need them You will also need some proof of citizenship, such as an for the resort areas. The rainy season begins about June Armed Forces discharge, voter registration, birth certificate 1 and ends around October 1. Don't forget your raincoat. or passport. All persons entering Mexico are also required After the "briefing" at the airport was over, we looked to carry proof of smallpox vaccination within three years. around the modern vaulted waiting room at New Orleans, Nor can you re -enter the states without this item. took a few inrerior snapshots, and made our first record- You are allowed to take out of Mexico $200 worth of ings: arrival and departure announcements over the p.a. goods, such as silverware, leatherwear, tobacco, alcohol, system and, outside, the roar of planes taking off. etc. It is advisable to obtain purchase receipts where It is a two -hour flight south from New Orleans over the possible. You should remember that in the higher altitudes of Mexico to the Yucatan. Cloud formations make you may find yourself getting out of breath quickly. Gulf beautiful scenes through the ports. Use your pink sky (This is not necessarily due to old age.) Take it easy filter to reduce the powerful blue tones, and don't let your for a while. Unless something is seriously wrong, you will camera touch the window. If your assigned seat doesn't soon get used to it. Meals should be light. The main meal lend itself to good photography, most passengers will should be taken in the middle of the day rather than at night. Except at the best hotels, where good drinking water is available, bottled water is recommended. Mexican soft drinks and beer are excellent. Uncooked fruits and vege- tables should be avoided. The plateaus and high valleys are pleasantly warm during the day, and refreshingly cool at night. Your wardrobe ( for women) should include a serviceable suit, light coat and sturdy walking shoes. For men, a top coat, and, repeat, comfortable shoes. Apart from these items, summer clothing is most suitable. Slacks and

Right: Your camera and battery- operated recorder are easily portable.

Below: Compact equipment includes blank tape, battery recorder, camera and film supply.

r Y"- This hurdle over, we walked around the historic city, known as the cleanest in all Mexico, and rubbernecked. At the colorful Market Place our tape recorder was turned on and attracted no particular attention, as was the case throughout this land. Those who did notice assumed it to be just another camera of another crazy tourist. We located a guide who furnished a car of sorts and drove us as far as the road allowed toward the jungle interior. Here the Carnegie Institute, under the direction of Dr. Sylvanus Morley has made remarkable restorations from the excavations of Mayan Indian ruins. As we toured the area, photographing the beautiful temples and figures of Rain Gods, our guide described the historical background of each building and artifact with an engaging commentary of his own. We kept our recorder running continuously. This material, particularly the local legends and side lights have never been completely recorded in printed form and we prize it highly. It was here that we learned our first hard lessons in travel taping: 1. Do not attempt to economize by using the 1N speed. (Quality suffers) 2. Do not record with mike attached to recorder. (Noisy) 3. Do not use but one track. ( Easier editing, later) 4. Take more tape along. (Less worry) Top: Typical projector, amplifier, tape deck and synchronizer set 5. Buy larger reels and re -spool down. (Cheaper) up in operating position. Bottom: Synchronizer attached to tape 6. Use 1 mil Mylar tape. (Tougher and longer) deck. Note half twist in tepe and approaching aluminum tab In the heart of this jungle, next to the archeological which will actuate the slide change. zone, a modern hotel has just been completed, and although there were only a few guests ( this area is far from the allow you to use theirs temporarily. But don't be a usual tourist paths) the food and nuisance at it. service were excellent. You must make out your baggage declaration during this flight. Besides the usual vital statistics, we noted that our Mexican form listed certain items as maximum duty- free limitations. Also each person is limited to only 12 toilet articles, 40

packs of cigarettes, 50 cigars, 50 books, 1 still camera, 1 motion picture camera, 6 rolls of film for each, 3 toys for children, and 1 pair of binoculars. No mention is made on the form about tape recorders. However, one section does permit certain "scientific instruments." It is a good idea to register your camera, recorder and binoculars with the U.S. custom officials before leaving so there will be no complications when you return. During the flight over the Gulf, first class passengers are briefed on emergency water landings in both English and Spanish. Takes about 15 minutes with questions and answers in English. Later they come to the tourist class section and talk about two minutes, with no questions, and in Spanish! Better learn the language. Landing at Merida, ancient capital of Yucatan, we soon learned that there is a difference in speed between U.S. and Mexican customs procedure. It is typical throughout the land. You cannot hurry these people. Polite, yes. Fast, no. Perhaps they have something there. By the way, don't pack anything which you might be reluctant to display publicly. The contents of each bag are spread out on large tables for careful inspection by the officials. This provides great entertainment for the curious natives who flock to the airport to greet each plane. From a balcony overlook- ing the customs room they gaze, gasp and gesticulate excitedly as each item of your personal effects is exposed. Place speaker at screen position for professional results.

26 A four piece native combo provided music at odd times. On the coast at the famous resort of Acapulco we com- With the exception of a guitar, their instruments were pleted our collection by taking the recorder along the handmade. The main percussion piece was hewn from a beaches in the moonlight and picking up the exotic music hollow log, and had six small openings each partially of the hotel orchestras mingled with the soothing sounds covered with a reed. The reeds were plucked with great of the rolling surf. This is truly a beautiful country. gusto and the overall effect was indeed captivating. We Back home, we found that one of the most interesting lost no time in putting these original "arrangements" on parts of the vacation was in assembling and editing the tape. It was difficult to tell who was fascinated the most. various slides and tapes into a compact, story- telling form. We, over their music; or they, over our recorder. They Editing out your material is the only heartbreaking aspect. seemed literally hypnotized by the small neon light which But it must be done. indicates the recording level. This flashed on and off in To facilitate the process of selecting and arranging your time with their own rhythm. Experimenting by slowing slides in the best order, obtain a large sheet of plate glass down their tempo, then increasing the beat, they were about 2 feet by 3 feet. Support this on two sides at a unable to out -think it, and, looking at each other in wide - comfortable height above the floor, and place a desk light, eyed surprise, they pointed and grinned like children. turned up, underneath. On top of the glass spread a thin But this was nothing compared to their amazement sheet of tracing paper, or several sheets of thin typing when we played their own compositions right back at paper, and sort out your slides on this diffused lighted them. Electronic equipment, even radios, are scarce in this surface. The large area will enable you to easily view over area, and tape recorders are unknown. a hundred slides for proper . In the nearby jungles we were able to record many This is also a good time to write your script. Your strange and interesting sounds, as well as familiar birds, original location notes can be handily supplemented by frogs and crickets. How we wished for a good parabolic information in travel folders obtained along the way. reflector to more easily record these effects. Viewing the slides on the glass table is much better than We were, of course, in a hurry to see more of Mexico, projecting them individually on your screen. It is more and so it was with great reluctance and much handshaking flexible and does not subject your slides to the heat of the that we left our guide at the airport for the short but projector bulb. You will find that title slides are valuable scenic flight to Mexico City. Natives call it simply in grouping your various series. These can be easily made "Mexico" and it offers many challenging subjects for the by shooting close -ups of travel posters, post cards, signs photographer- recordist. Starting with the usual street and traffic sounds, which seemed somehow of a more excitable Top: Projection lenses of different focal length will fill entire screen nature than those same sounds in U.S. cities, we were held area from almost any distance. Bottom: Yardstick coupler permits spellbound by the great bells of the Cathedral, where first magazine to pull following through in piggyback fashion for thousands come every day, walking the last mile or so on uninterrupted show. their knees. At the other end of town the National Lottery Building, a multi -story affair, houses the activities of this popular country -wide pastime. We recorded the high - pitched, sing -song voices of the young boys calling out the daily winning numbers. These were drawn from a huge 10 foot diameter brass cage revolving on a stage before a capacity audience. The boys may not continue in this ritual after they pass the magic age of nine, since until nine they are presumed incapable of contamination with worldly schemes. On Sunday morning you have to go out to the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, a nearby suburb. This beautiful area is criss -crossed by a pattern of peaceful canals. Natives and tourists alike rent gay, flower- decked boats and are skillfully poled around these romantic settings to the musical serenades of many marimba orchestras. As before, we allowed our recorder to run continuously while floating along and picked up first one then another marimba, merging them with the laughter of people having fun. On Sunday afternoon everyone goes to the bull fights. Get your seat on the shady side if you want the best pho- tographs. You can record the entire series from almost any spot, including the sounds of the opening trumpet fanfare, the whistles, jeers and applause of the audience, the cry of the drink vendors, down to the last oleys. In the tiny silver town of Taxco, we obtained excellent candid recordings by strolling around the streets, pausing here and there to listen inconspicuously to conversations at the public square, and to pick up the strains of music and entertainment from the many inns. At night the fiestas with fireworks provide exciting sounds. and maps. If you are handy with water colors or a pair them out and actuating the automatic control of the of scissors, you can prepare your own titles and maps and projector which advances the next slide. After leaving the then copy them with close -up "portrait" auxiliary lenses. discs, the tape is given another half twist on its way to the No special lighting problems are involved if you will take -up reel. simply attach the material to be copied to a vertical sur- We discarded the somewhat cumbersome framework of face, such as the side of your garage, in sunlight, move this device and attached the discs directly to the recorder in as close as possible in order to fill the film area, and case making correct height constant, and removal easy. give normal exposure. There are two things which may give trouble, until With slides in order and script prepared you are ready corrected, with this system. First, is that considerable ex- to start making your mastertape. You will probably find perimenting may be necessary in order to determine the that the best sequence will be in the same order as places correct length to produce a slide change. We started out visited. This is where the small three -inch reels come in using the entire length of the tab as it comes on the card handy. We used the Tandberg 6 Tape Deck from our -about 1 1/2 inches. ( Each card contains about 42 tabs.) home music system together with the Steelman portable to This produced two or more impulses and slide changes assemble the sound tracks, connecting outputs to inputs before moving off the discs and was extremely frustrating. electrically. Any dual track or quarter track recorder can We halved this length, and halved again, until we had tabs be used. This makes it easy to record your commentary only V8 inches long -and still got two changes. The solu- on one track, and to put the musical background and sound tion is to cover part of the disc circumference with plastic effects on the other. It also allows you to erase and re- tape in order to reduce contact time. This will vary with record either track without disturbing the other. Believe the individual according to tape speed and location of the me this is a big help. discs. Secondly, the adhesive on the back of the aluminum We put our orginial 3 -inch tapes on the Steelman Transi- tabs tends to ooze around the edges, much like splices tape and copied them to track 3 ( channel 2) on the Tand- made inadvisedly with cellophane tape, and sticks to the berg. As the music, or whatever, is being recorded we next layer of tape. A different adhesive is recommended monitored with at the Tandberg output. Thus to the manufacturer. Meanwhile, it is necessary to use a we were able to reduce its volume as we recorded the cleaning agent on the tabs after two or three tape runs. commentary on track 1 (channel 1) by microphone, and In placing these tabs and coordinating the sound, do not blend or overlap one with the other. space them methodically at exactly equal intervals, but It is not necessary or even advisable to have a comment utilize the "change of pace" principle by varying tab for each slide of a lengthy show. Groups of slides may be spacing. As with volume changes in your sound, and even tied together by a continuous sentence with slight pauses musical content, the change of pace will prove effective in between phrases. For instance with slide one: "This retaining viewer interest. Certain related slides may be Franciscan cathedral -" ( pause, slide two) "was con- allowed only a brief screen time, whereas others, such as structed by Jose de la Borda -" ( pause, slide 3) "in the map slides should be allotted longer intervals. year 1871 -" ( pause ) etc. Our projector was on Airequipt Superba 77. This is a Continuity may also be obtained by an uninterrupted well performing machine which uses magazines of 36 slides musical background alone, which might provide a welcome each and eliminates the bugaboos of upsidedown and relief from a monotonous voice. Thus an entire series of reversed slides. A coupling device made from a yard stick a particular group may be "covered" with an appropriate enables piggyback operation of the magazines allowing the musical number. first magazine to pull the following through after it thus It is interesting to note that some of the newer TV producing a more continuous show. Our show consisted commercials utilize this same principle, and have of 432 slides and runs uninterruptedly for 72 minutes. abandoned short movie strips in favor of a series of still The 1 -mil tape is played at 33/4 speed in order to get it pictures with continuous sound, such as we are talking all on one 7" reel. about here. At showtime, be sure to place your speaker system at the screen position, and let the sound appear to come from the In order to synchronize all these efforts for final picture instead of from where you sit with the recorder. presentation, we considered several methods. Some devices Most recorders furnish an outlet for remote speaker opera- which produce this effect use a sound signal superimposed tion, and you can run the outputs of both tracks in on one track of the tape to actuate the projector. This is parallel to it. If two speakers and amps are available, you inaudible to the audience, but leaves only one track avail- can go first class with commentary coming from one side able for both commentary and music. Another uses a super- of the screen while the music and sound effects come from sonic signal, which is somewhat final and inflexible, since the other. Certain effects, such as trains, planes, autos, etc. it cannot be changed once it is applied. Others are quite may be copied from stereo records and projected from the complicated and expensive. We tried the inexpensive screen position in life -like, wall -to -wall presentation. ( about $10) Meston Synchronizer after reading a test report on it in a recent issue of Tape Recording Magazine. Bon voyage, on your next trip. This device uses self -adhesive aluminum foil tabs which SOUND STORY NO. 6 are pressed to the back (shiny) side of the tape wherever TAPE TRAVELOGUE- a slide change is desired. Full use of information on each YUCATAN. MEXICO track is thus assured. An adjustable wood framework holds by Russell B. Mosey a couple of insulated brass discs, which act as electrodes, 7'/2 ips, dual track, 51.00 at the same elevation as the tape run. The tape is given a Tape Recording Magazine half twist as it leaves the playback head. This allows the Severna Park, Md. aluminum tab to make contact with each disc, shorting Order Iron Sound Story s6

28 A Potpourri of Tape Indexing

by Tommy Thomas

.... suggestions for locating exact spots on your recorded tape.

MOST recorders nowadays come equipped with built -in tapes. digital revolution counters for indexing your I,Cl4rItS These handy little gizmos merrily spin their numbers in time with the revolving tape reels, and let you in on the secret of just where within the reel you can expect to find any certain selection of tape. Unfortunately for some specific purposes, though, there's always a certain variable amount of tape slippage and such that leaves the time - after -time consistency of these counters open to a wee mite of suspicion. In fact, the very mechanical nature of most of them is such that split -second accuracy is not even expected ... and to be fair about this, is usually not really DIGITAL TIME CHART needed. But for special, more exacting occasions ( and for those of you who own a recorder that is without a built -in counter ) here's a miscellaneous selection of supplementary "systems" of indexing and cueing tapes that can be put to all sorts of interesting uses. Fig. I: The built -in revolution counter that is a part of most mod- ern recorders will handle ALMOST all of your indexing problems. First, though, I'd like to give a gentle "push" in the But for those extra- special situations, here are a few easily adapt- direction of making Digital Time Charts ( Figs. 2 and 3 ) able ideas that will enable you to handle even split- second editing for your recorder. They're nothing new, by any means, indexing functions that were never quite possible before. but they are one of those choresome deals that is easy to keep putting off. So if you haven't already made yourself a chart or two then by all means set aside an evening soon and make them. They're just too darn useful to be without. And once made, you'll wonder how you ever got along without them. They'll not only be forever useful in letting you know just how much tape you've used and how much you have left (as you record or play a reel), but they'll make it easy for you to readily convert from digital figures to minutes of play, and vice versa. This can be done with any selection anywhere on your tapes, and will spare you the chore of figuring out mid -reel selection timings "the hard way" each time.

DIGITAL TIME 'CHART INDEX anI0n1TES INDEX 'N:II'J1E5 :4134ä 'N:ti; .^GS I Fig. 2: For utmost use of your digital counter you should make 10N8103 PAST 1 TO 00 1UBB22 PAST 1 TO Oo NL71B-`8 FAST Tt' wl I up a few Conversion Charts relating the reading to actual play- I 14 019 1 I 44 341 16 i 29 744 31 039 2 I 43 364 17 I 28 776 32 I 13 ing time. First write the numbers from I to 30 on paper (or be-

1 I 42 389 18 1 27 809 13 12 I 842 1 11 yond 30 if you're using extended -play tape as do), and then 079 i I 41 413 19 1 24 34 438 20 ( 25 877 35 I 10 100 5 1 40 play a complete reel of tape as you make note of the digital read- 463 21 24 912 36 ' 9 120 6 ' 39 1 ing minute. I 8 every 489 22 1 23 949 37 141 i 1 38 I 22 38 7 162 e I 37 515 23 987

1 1027 I 6 183 9 1 36 542 24 21 39 1068 40 1 5 205 10 ` 35 569 25 I 20 19 41 I 4 227 11 I 34 597 26 ' 1112 The Sony Professional Tape Timer 623 27 ¡ 18 1157 42 I 3 249 12 1 33 I 17 1206 43 I 2 272 1) I 32 654 28 This is a real honey of an accessory that was made 16 44 I 1 294 14 I 31 683 29 1 1257 15 713 30 i 15 1311 45 1 0 317 1 30 especially for an older model Sony tape recorder, but can ^' Reels. a041n2 N)1ar 1-111 Tai+ at 7{t inches nr eeeona on enlant be adapted to work with almost any other make recorder. Iis made to attach instantly to the side of the recorder, Fig. 3: Your own charts needn't be quite this fancy, and of course and is put into use when wanted merely by routing the they'll be a bit different as far as the actual readings go. You'll rape around the extremely free -wheeling capstan as shown need a separate chart for each thickness of tape for the dif- in Figure 5. Precision made with stopwatch accuracy, this ferent speeds you use. And for consistent -as- possible readings, always use the same hub -site TAKE -UP REEL when you use your wonderful timer actually indicates tape travel IN charts. SECONDS AND MINUTES. And it works equally well

29 Fig. 4, left: Inexpensive digital revo- lution counters are available at sur- plus stores and elsewhere, so perhaps you can put a bit of latent mechani- cal ingenuity to work figuring out how to add one to your own recorder if it lacks one? This could either be coupled directly to the reel shaft, or coupled via a flexible (removable) cable.

Fig. 5, below, top: For the serious , here's a special "add -on" timer that can be adapted for use with almost any recorder. It works with stopwatch precision to give you the actual TIME in seconds and min- utes, and is a pure delight to work with on those many occasions when the regular built -in timer isn't quite accurate enough.

Fig. 6, below, bottom: For strictly limited -use situations, an electric clock fixed up with an easily avail- able on -off switch has genuine possi- bilities for tape timing. Just turn it on each time you start recording, and off again each time you stop, with any thickness tape wound on any type of reel. Per- and you'll have a reasonably accurate sonally, I think it's terrific! indication of how much recording I'm going to have to hedge just a bit on this timer, time you've used. though. As I mentioned, this is a Sony ( imported by Superscope) product made for a specific Sony recorder. The good people at Allied Radio heard that I was looking for an accessory timer /counter that would work with most any recorder, and recommended this item to me as just what I was looking for. But, on the other hand, the Super - scope people ( Superscope, Inc., 8150 Vineland Ave., Sun Valley, Calif.) are a friendly but somewhat cautious bunch who might not want to come right out and say that this Model TC -30 Professional Tape Timer /Counter of theirs is the perfect answer to every recordist s dream. They feel quite strongly about the quality of their products and would rather lose a sale than take a chance on fitting one of these precision timers to a non -Sony recorder if they felt that it might not work to perfection. So if you're interested to the tune of $19.95 (and don't let that price scare you, it's well worth every cent of it) , I suggest you get together with your local Sony representative and see what the chances are of putting this beautiful item on your recorder. But for those of you who can't quite go twenty bucks for a timer no matter how terrific, how does thirty -five cents sound? That's what is cost me to put together the "timer" shown in Figure 6. Actually, all it is is an old electric clock with a switch added so I could readily turn it on or off. Then, with all hands initially set at 12 o'clock and with a fresh reel of tape in my recorder, it's easy to turn the clock on and off each time I use the recorder ... giv- ing me split- minute accuracy and information indicating somewhat exactly how much tape time has gone by and Now you're ready for action! Naturally, with reels hav- how much there is to go. And don't laugh, it really works! ing only a bottom flange, you won't be able to turn the Single- Flange Tape Reels reels of tape over (for the return trip of the tape), but For special ultra- accurate editing, timing and cueing that's of little consequence. These are merely special - work, single -flange ( "open face") tape reels have much to purpose reels for certain work, and you will always return offer. You'll need at least two, for supply and take -up. the tape to regular (double- flange) reels after you've Note! The set -up shown in Figure 1 duplicates my rebuilt worked on it. Crescent recorder, with its supply reel at the right and the Let's say that you have a reel of tape recorded from take -up reel at the left. Most likely your recorder works TV and you want to re- record only certain selections of just the opposite, so merely switch reels. music from this reel of tape onto another (using two

30 Fig. 7, right: Taps Cueing Labels have been on the market for some time now, but it's only with "open face" reels that their full potentiali- ties can be exploited. Numbered, colored tabs are put right on the base side of the recording tape it- self, clearly pinpointing all those se- lection you wish to identify for quick -cueing purposes.

Fig. 8, below, top: For special edit- ing chores, this home -made paper guide glued directly to a single - flange reel will substitute for a regu- lar digital counter. Fairly good ac- curacy can be achieved, and although the numbers can't be read while the reel is in motion, the lines them- selves will blur into "full circle" for easy identification.

Fig. 9, below, bottom: Single -flange reels are made from regular 7" plas- tic reels by carefully trimming off one flange with a pair of diagonal pliers (dikes) and doing the final smoothing around the hub with a file. MIME This plastic is usually rather brittle. so be careful, cutting off only a little certain selection is located. They're made to be used with bit at a time as you get closer to regular double -flange reels, but frankly I was never too

the hub . sold on this idea. They get pretty battered up being con- stantly bent over between the flanges, and leaving them permanently on my recording tapes worries me. They ooze minute but definite amounts of "stick-urn" around the edges and I keep thinking that this will eventually gum up my whole reel. Also, I get nervous watching these high- riding tabs careen through the tape guides on fast forward or rewind. But these little numbered tabs are excellent indeed for temporary use in specialized editing /cueing chores. I go through the reel of TV music and general chatter, search- ing out just those selections of music I want to re- record. Using the numbered Tape Cueing Labels, I put one exactly three inches before each selection I want to record. Since these tabs stick up above the regular quarter -inch tape, they make an audible "bumb" as they go past the tape guides and playback head. The three -inch lead gives the tape time to settle down again so I won't pick up a distorted recording. Finally, all selections marked in the order I want to re- record them, it's then a simple matter to precisely transfer the chosen selections to my "master" tape. Afterwards, of course, I immediately remove all the cueing labels and store them for reuse the next time. NOTE! For really ultra -precision cueing that I some- times find necessary, I go a step further. Instead of preced- ing the exact cueing point by only three inches, I place the numbered stick -up tab at least two or three feet ahead. Then I pinpoint the exact cue -spot on the tape (shiny side, of course) with a tiny sliver of white splicing tape separ.ic, recorders, of course, as mentioned last month). that is only about one -eighth inch wide by half an inch My little Crescent recorder doesn't have a built -in counter, long. And I place it horizontally in the middle of the tape but even if it did it wouldn't be accurate enough for really so it doesn't stick up at all. The numbered tab alerts me precision "cueing in" purposes. I monitor with head- when to look for this tiny marking, and the fact that it phones, of course, but even this isn't always precise enough doesn't protrude above or below the rape keeps it from or for some other reason won't fit in with the result I'm causing any "bump trouble' as it slides past the tape guides. is after. So that's when I use Tape -Cueing Labels (see Fig. 7) . So, as you can see, working with a reel of tape that These are numbered, color -coded, pressure- sensitive labels not obscured by a flange on top makes things a lot easier you can get at your local hi -fi dealer's shop, and are used for certain work. You don't have to use "store- bought" directly on the back of recording tape to mark where a cueing labels, though, as ordinary splicing tape cut and

31 attached as shown in Figure 10 -"B" will do a similar job for a lot less money. And although I show my white tape CB-) sticking up above the tape quite a bit for photo illustration, try to keep the height down so you won't have undue trouble with the tape going through the guides. In fact, if you don't mind a little bit of extra work, it might be a good idea to cut the tops of these bits of white splicing tape into rounded points, making it just that much easier for them to slide on through the guides. Another use for single -flange reels and numbered cueing tabs is in sound effects work. Usually you have a reel full of many different sound effects, and during a certain play naturally you will only need certain ones. The problem is to be able to locate each of these effects as you want it, immediately and accurately. This is most easily ac- Fig. 10: Numbered tape- cueing tabs ( "A ") are nice because they complished, I've found, by temporarily marking just those make INDEXED cueing a simple matter. But if you wish to get sound effects you want use to with the numbered cueing almost the same results for less money, little slivers of white splic- tabs, with a little memo made indicating just which colored, ing tape ( "B" & "C ") can be used instead. Note that the special numbered tab represents just which sound effect ( and also "C" taping extends both a bit above and below the regular re- listing how long the effect lasts, and at what volume it cording tape. should be played). use this marking when I want to combine several lengths Finally, before leaving our single -flange reels, notice the of 4 -track commercially recorded stereo music. These tapes simple "indexing" system used in Figure 8. By marking a usually come on large -hub reels, so I transfer two or three piece of paper at exactly where the tape comes to at one - of them end -to -end on regular -hub reels ( we're back to minute intervals, and then transferring this to a semi- double -flange reels, now) for longer continuous playing. circular sheet with the aid of an inking compass, you have Then, I like to edit out as much as possible of the in- yourself a reasonably accurate indexing system in case your between blank tape ( those rather long strips in between recorder is without a regular digital counter. Many inex- the separate, spliced -together tapes). This would be easy pensive recorders already have much the same type of if it weren't for the fact that it's necessary to worry about marking on the tape deck itself, but this is not nearly as the return tracks on the "other" side. Usually the begin- accurate since different -size tape reels will throw it off. nings and ends of the music are different on each. So I Also, it's further away from the tape and hence more sub- solve this by marking the beginning and end of each ject to an incorrect "reading." Notice, by the way, that I separate tape on the forward play- through, using the "C" made the paper and the inked circles covering approxi- type of marking. Then, when I play the tape on the return mately one -third of the reel ( the paper is rubber- cemented side, I can tell by the marker -tape sticking up whether or directly to the plastic reel). By using one -third circles, I not I've run into the "first side" music, and I edit out the can still see them even when the reels are spinning at high blank tape accordingly. Perhaps this sounds a bit compli- speed forward or reverse. cated explained on paper, but if you actually go through The "C" bit of splicing tape in Figure 10 also has this procedure once, marking the recording with bits of interesting possibilities, I believe. Note that it is stuck to white splicing tape that stick out both top and bottom, the recording tape so it sticks out both top and bottom. I you'll soon see exactly how this works out.

Fig. II: Because of the split- second accuracy possible when using cueing tabs spotted within an open -faced reel, its easily possible to add new recordings anywhere IN BETWEEN other recordings, without the usual danger of "running into" (and eras- ing) them. When working this close to your recorder, a unidirectional (cardioid pattern) microphone will considerably reduce pickup of re- corder noise.

32 NEW PRODUCT REPORT STA(F)KTED Product: Robins Strobe and Light Kit Manufacturer: Robins Industries Flushing 54..N'. York .VS Price: 512.00.

made to suit the recorder. FOR TAPE RECORDERS If the lines appear to stand still, the recorder is running at the proper speed. r .. -... www...... If they seem to creep backward the machine is slow and if they move for- ward it indicates that the recorder is fast. This test should be made with the reels off the machine-it is a free running test. If the recorder has an automatic cut- off switch, it should be temporarily disabled so the recorder will operate. Usually the presence of the strobe tape IIIIIIIIIIIllifiiiiïiiüíí 11111 in the channel will assure operation. To calculate the percentage of tape speed, place a piece of pressure sensa- tive tape on the deck and make a pen- cil mark on it under the tape. At the the point ROBINS STROBE AND LIGHT KIT 71/2 ips, each line passing in the second represents .8"' . At 15 ips this is halved and at 33/4, doubled. a simple and effectire means of the kind Commercial tolerances for low and the speed of tape recorders. medium priced machines will vary as much as 5M. a full -load test splice a WnH this simple and inexpensive one of the strips is made into a loop To make kit it is possible not only to check by splicing the ends together. This strip in a reel of tape at the begin- rest as the speed of your recorder but loop is then slipped in the tape chan- ning, middle and end and check it for wow and flutter as well. nel and the recorder placed in the above. It is suitable for use with 334, 7t/, play mode of operation. While it is If the lines on the tape seem fuzzy and 15 ips speeds. running, the neon light is brought from vibration it would indicate flutter Four strips of tough paper printed close to the tape. is present, if the lines waver back and with strobe lines and a bright neon The loop must be steadied by tak- forth while the loop is running, it indi- bulb in a holder are included in the ing up the slack with a pencil or run- cates wow. kit. ning the loop around a weighted ob- The test kit worked well and was To check the speed of the recorder, ject on the deck. The loop size can be easy to use. It can be recommended.

First step in using the kif is fo make a loop, To steady the loop, insert a pencil or run Hold the neon light close to the tape and splicing the ends together. The lines should the loop around a weighted object placed watch the lines. If they move forward, ma- match where the splice is made. on the deck of the recorder. chine is fast, if backward, slow.

33 service. For prices write SIBS Recording Studios, 228 S. Wabash-Chicago. for All Types of Recording Tape SHOP OR HAVE YOU TRIED HYPNOSIS and failed? SWAP Send SI0.110 for a Tape Recording-33/4 speed - Series Number 1- Hetero Subliminal Conditioning 100% ERASURE Advertising in this section Ls open to both amateur Grey Sound. Audio -Sonic Laboratory, Box 8033, OF TAPE ON REEL and commercial ads. TAPE RECORDING does not Amarillo, Texas. WITHOUT REWINDING guarantee any offer advertising in this column and all swaps. etc.. are strictly between Individuals, TAPE PREAMPS BELL PI00 $25 -Both $40, RATES: Commercial ads, $.30 per word. Individual unopened cartons with guarantee. Igyarto. 1470 ll LOWERS NOISE LEVEL OF ads. non -commercial, 5.05 word, Elmer Rd., Wantagh, L.I. UNUSED MAGNETIC TAPE In figuring the number of words In your advertise- ment, be sure to include your name and address. FOR SALE: FI CORD Transistorized Tape Re- Count each abbreviation. Initial, single figure or group corder. Top condition. Battery charger and extra Available at your dealers or direct from of figures as a word- Hyphenated words count as two words. The name of your city, local postal zone and batteries, S200.00. Sam Eskin, Box 506, Wood - factory. Only $18.00. Order yours now! state count as two words. Maximum caps first four stock, N.Y. words. Proofs are not submitted on classified ads. AMPLIFIER CORP. of AMERICA Remittance in full should accompany copy. Ads will STANCIL -HOFFMAN " MINITAPE.' battery - be Inserted 398 Broadway, New York 13, N. Y. in next available issue. Please print or powered portable Tape Recorder: 711/2 ips speed, type your copy to avoid error. Address ad to: Shop 5" reels; with battery- charger and dynamic micro- or Swap, Tape Recording Magazine. Severna Park. Md. phone. Excellent condition, $150. V. R. Hein, 418 Gregory Street. Rockford, Illinois. LEARN WHILE. ASLEEP, hypnotize with your TAPESPONDENTS WANTED BY ENGLISH- HI -Fl RECORDING TAPE recorder. phonograph or amazing Electronic Educa- General topics. stereo. humor, pops, some Splice Free lexoept 240Y) tor endless tape recorder. Free catalog lists over MAN- 15 day money -back guarantee classical, musical comedy, modern jazz ( not rock) . 200 unusual tapes, records. equipment for ex- 12+ band organ. Philips EL. 352- and Tandberg 6. 2+ 24+ perimenters- Sleep -Learning Research Association, 1200' 7" acetate 51.29 $1.17 S .99 Brian Woodhead. 78 Cowlersley Lane. Cowlersley, 1000' 7" acetate 1.79 1.59 1.45 Box 24-TR. Olympia, Washington. 1500' 7" mylar 2.09 1.99 1.85 Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England. 2400' 7" mylar 2.99 2.69 2.49 RENT STEREO TAPES 2400' 7" tensllized mylar 4.25 3.95 3.75 -over 2,000 different - SOUNDSCRIBER 24 -HOUR RECORDER plus all major labels Can be assorted. Add 15e postage per reel. -free catalog. Stereo- Parti, 811 -F ten reels of tape. Perfect condition. Five IOc for lot Centinela Ave., Inglewo,xl 3, 24+ orders. California. Hundred Dollars. Walter 5%'. Heironimus, P.O. HI FI COMPONENTS, TAPE RECORDERS avail- Box 422, Newark I, N.J. able from wide variety of stock and chipped within LEARN HYPNOTISM. SELF-HYPNOSIS from 18 boon. Write for fur wholesale ea:eh:note. "WE recorded tapes! Other amazing Tapes, Burks, WILL NOT BE UNDF11SOLD". Write >1s AMPEX A -1J1 STEREO TAPE deck with pre- and Nee Records. Complete why. Sleep -Learning information! amplifiers, Shure 300, B.O. 50 microphone, Heath Street Free Catalog! Philanthropic Library, Drawer A\s(' -I audio wattmeter. Want Magnecord CARSTON 125CYoriasttzá N. TRAM, Ruidoso, New Mexico. 9106910, 9101 it equalizers. Gene Blash, 1 839 So. 12th Ave., Maywood, Illinois. SELL: RECORD CUTTER -- overhead lathe, 16 inch turntable, Presto 1 -D head. Highest bid and FOB. John Hildenstab, 926 Wilder, Helena, FOR SALE OR TRADE: Globe King 400 watt Montana. amateur transmitter. complete with coils for IU IS YOUR RECORDER meters, 20 meters. ill meters, 80 meters, and TAPES COPIED TO Hi -Fi Discs. Free price 160 meters. Johnson Viking all -band VFO. IMPORTANT TO YOU? list. Vance Studios, 3409 Grand Avenue, Oak- Budd antenna tuner. In perfect condition when land IO, California. removed from service a short time ago. Reason for selling. too busy-too tired -too lazy to You may win a reel of tape for FOREIGN LANGUAGE RADIO BROADCASTS. operate. This rig cost almost 58011.00 when Will exchange recordings in German, French, purchased from the factory new. Will sell for telling us why. See editor's reply Spanish, or will trade for Portuguese. James S275Á0 cash or trade for tape recorder such as Reese, 681 N. Valencia, La Habra, California. Uher with Akustomit or equivalent. La Verne Gartin, Franklin, Nebraska. (WOJWV) to last letter in "Feedback" on page RECORDER SALE, Tapes. Component quotes. Bayla Co., Box 131 -T, Wantagh, N.Y. 17. SWING MUSIC ON TAPE -Rare radio broad- HI -FI RECORDS MADE from your tape. Finest casts and air checks out of print recordings. Swing professional quality. All speeds- sizes. Prompt Music. Box 121, Port Huron. Michigan.

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34 TAPEBOOKS AND OTHER TAPES

ALL ABOUT TAPE a Tape Recorder Works, A Demon- - strated Glossary, Recorder Opera- ON TAPE tion, Home Recording, Field Record- ing, Low Impedance, , Will give you fhe information you Recorder Maintenance and Testing. need about tape recording in . Playing time of the Tapebook is sound, not in the written one hour. Accompanying each reel is word. a 28 page booklet containing 80 il- lustrations to authored by Jack Bayha . a supplement the spoken book to which you listen ... the first word. It is unique, enjoyable and in- book specifically designed and pro- structive. duced on tape instead of the printed 712 IPS, 7" page. . Now you can actually Reel, Dual Track HEAR what good recording, over - $6.95 recording, wow, flutter, distortion, 3'4 IPS, 5" Reel, Dual Track wrong mike placement, etc., sound 55.95 like. A test section allows you to ad- just the head of your recorder for Including a 28 page manual of best results. Chapters include: How illustrations

HOW TO STAY ALIVE BOSTON ON THE HIGHWAY A full 57 minute tour of one of America's most famous and historic cities. You visit This tape may save your life. Con- in sound Boston Common, the Park Street tains the actual voices of nearly 40 Church, Kings Chapel, Old South Meeting auto drivers, victims and survivors of and Faneuil Hall, the Cradle of Liberty. highway accidents, police and traffic Hear fhe worship service at Old North officials. Portions were secretly re- Church in the belfry of which Paul Revere corded in court rooms, on the high- hung his famous lanterns and also hear the way and in police stations over a Vicar of Old North fell about the clear period of three years. A must for glass windows, kept clean so your fore - driver education programs. Dramatic, bearers could see the need outside, as forceful -something you won't forget. well as the beauty inside. Every sound, $695 every voice is authentic. Dual $595 track, 71/2 ips.

ADD -THE -MELODY TAPE HOW'S YOUR HEARING?

Twelve old favorite tunes for you to sing along with. Specially Periodic hearing tests are important because unlike most other recorded with the melody missing so you can sing or play ailments, a hearing loss gives little positive warning. Tape with the tape then, on playback hear both parts together. contains 33 tone pairs to test your musical discrimination, 75 Suitable for use on any recorder with the ability to play the word pairs to test speech discrimination and 30 minutes of lower track while recording on the upper. Can be recorded music by the famous Lenny Herman orchestra for screen again and again without harm to the Hammond Organ testing of hearing. Full 7" reel, 71/2 ips and booklet giving accompaniment by Hack Swain. You can get a $995 full directions for use of the tape. million dollars worth of pleasure from this tape. $995

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8- Dinner -Dance - Fred Martin Radio Orchestra - NAME - I've Got Plenty of Nothin', Ebbtide, Autumn Leaves Dinner -Dance Fred Martin Radio Orchestra 9- - .... - ADDRESS Fiddle Fuddle, Blue Tango, Serenata 10- Hammond Organ -Bill Thompson -Touch of Your Hand, I Won't Dance, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes CITY ZONE .... STATE ü

Whether the "take" is for discs or for pre- recorded tapes, nearly all recording companies first capture the newly created performance on SCOTCH BRAND Magnetic Tape

For the ultimate in fidelity. use the tape professionals use: "SCOTCH" BRAND!

In the critical job of making "master recordings," where Your dealer can supply you with a "SCOTCH" BRAND perfect fidelity and wide tonal range are musts, "SCOTCH" Tape for every recording need. Especially popular are: BRAND is the performance standard of the industry! Most all- purpose, standard No. Ill for general recording use; recording companies specify it exclusively because of its No. 190-50% extra play, and No. 150-50% extra play unfailing uniformity. Tapes are held to microscopic toler- wit h extra strength; and No. 200- double length, double ances of backing and oxide thickness. This strength with twice as much recording time means magnetic properties are identical as standard tapes. Available on 5" and 7" reels, throughout each reel, and from one reel to wit h plastic and polyester backing, from $2.25. another. I'lay the favorite! Only "SCOTCH" BRAND can draw on 3M's more than 50 years of experience in precision M coating techniques. And, all "SCOTCH" BRAND MIr.,'.r,'. M, ". .." .o'.o.<..o., Magnetic Tapes are made with exclusire Sili- 3 cone lubrication that safeguards recording "SCOTCH" and the Plaid Design are reg. TM's of 3M Co. heads, eliminates squeal and extends tape life. St. Paul 6, Minn. 1961 3M Co.