PUBLISHED BY AUDIO DEVICES, INC.

Vol. 3, No. 10 444 Madison Avenue, N. Y. C. November, 1947

.y4 Radio Workshop Project 1 By Jessie M. Troupe HAGGERSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL f. Haggerstown, Maryland 1 Because children begin to listen to radio before they are able to read and continue to listen through their high school careers, the schools must assume the same respon- sibility for building radio taste as they have for the development of better appreciation for motion pictures and reading. Radio workshops for training students in studio and radio techniques can he set up in any school - from the largest urban senior high school with expensive equipment to the one - room rural "studio" using a tin can as a microphone. An alert Workshop has just completed \ry its second year in the Haggerstown High School, Haggerstown, Maryland, under the capable direction of Mrs. Marjorie Hoach- laudcr. Haggerstown High School has a student body of approximately 1200 mem- bers. The town, with a population of 40,000 boasts two radio stations: WJEJ affiliated with Mutual, and WARK with ABC. Pictured above Allen Funt (seated), "the man with the hidden mike," and his staff of "Candid Microphone" Left to right: Heberer, Phil Pollard, Sonny Fox, Herb Exner, and Al In 1945 when this Workshop was organ- assistants. Nina Slep. Inset: Left - Funt conducts another "CM" interview (note mike on shirt front). Right - ized, the enrollment was limited to 25 stu- Funt baits a microphone trap for his next victim. dents because the work was to be only ex- perimental in nature. Each prospective member was asked to fill in a card giving "Candid Microphone" ABC's New Tape Recorded not only vital statistics of age, grade, etc., but also preference in radio activity: acting, Show announcing, script writing, production, re- Radio's Most Novel and Amusing Program cording operator, etc. No one with a grade The trademark conspicuously below C on any major subject was selected of radio-the microphone-is from entrees who filled cards. Auditions absent when producer Allen Funt gathers material for the newest were held before the public address system, and most novel experiment in radio, "Candid Microphone," the the instructor noting on the back of the Thursday evening ABC network feature card such traits as good speech, speech de- which presents real life conversations of fects, lack of self confidence, etc. These A Word to the persons unaware that their words are des - cards were used as basis for selection of tined for broadcast. the 25 students who would be admitted to Was Sufficient Seeking to capture the spontaneous reac- the class. All the cards were filed for future Ron Cochran, acting program mana- tions of persons in all walks of life to situa- reference. ger of WCOP-Boston, couldn't get to tions both common and uncommon, Funt After the first meeting the class was sleep a few nights ago because his next brought a new twist to the interview type divided into divisions, each student being door neighbors were having a party and of radio program early this Summer by placed according to his interest and ability. had his station's midnight disc show working with "mikes" concealed in dozens A chief for each division was elected by blaring in all directions. Thoughtfully, of different ways, depending upon the sit- the members. Girls from the commercial Cochran called Bob Brenner, the pro- uations with which he dealt. The program, department were responsible for typing gram's M. C. and asked him to suggest airing about six recorded vignettes each and mimeographing scripts. that folks listening remember that some week, brings ABC listeners the frank, un- Several meetings were given over to of their neighbors might be sleeping and rehearsed conversations of Funt's subjects reading scripts to familiarize members with tune their radios accordingly. Sure in a manner that affords amusement as well format and techniques of radio script writ- enough, the Brenner fans next door took as an insight into human nature. ing. One meeting was spent in discussing the suggestion to heart, turned down the With his portable recording equipment signs, language, sounds and engineering. volume, and let the weary Cochran have close at hand but hidden from view, Funt Thus the ground work was laid. his shut -eye. approaches his carefully conceived "human (Continued on Page 4) (Continued on Page 2) 2 AUDIO RECORD November, 1947 \4\recQr4:1, 1s VOL. 3, NO. 10 NOVEMBER, 1947 o Published monthly by Audio Devices, Inc., 444 Madison Avenue, New York City, in the rt P?c,idat interests of better disc recording. Mailed with- out cost to radio stations, recording studios, motion picture studios, colleges, vocational L schools and recording enthusiasts throughout By C. J. LeBel, Vice President the United States and Canada. AUDIO DEVICES, Inc. G NEEDS OF THE EDUCATIONAL ABC's "Candid Microphone" Most RECORDIST Novel -Amusing Program in Radio Now is an especially fitting time to dis- (Continued from Page 1) Don Wike, announcer; Don Keith, producer; cuss the subject, for this article is being and Byron Towery, engineer, record another written just as the 1947 the interest" situations with a tiny microphone Conference of KUJ tabloid sportscast of local high school Association for Education by hidden under his scarf or coat lapel, in an Radio comes football game. to a close. Many broadcast arm sling, or as a hearing aid. In and recording an office, organizations have store or home, it might be concealed in a been called to flower vase, under a book or in a cigarette KUJ's Capsule Coverage on box. advise their local educational All Victims Aren't Amused Of Local Football Games institu tions on recording Once, when Funt collusively posed as a problems and facili- barber and frightened Proven To Be A Success the light of day out ties, as our of - corre- an unsuspecting customer by bragging, in spondence shows. a trembling voice which betrayed Tabloid Sportscast Tape Recorded nervous- Hence the discussion ness, that "this is the first time I've shaved Network committments make it impos- is addressed to both anybody" - and adding "do you bleed sible for Radio Station KUJ-Walla Walla, much" the microphone was commercial broad- - concealed in Washington to air play-by-play broadcasts - caster and educa- a sun lamp near the chair in the barber of the local high school's football games, but C. J. LeBel tional recordist. shop where the connivance occurred. thanks to Don Keith, public relations man, The under -the -lapel technique was used and tape recording, the station has found Historical when Funt visited a bewildered garment a solution to the problem. Here's how. maker on another occasion to negotiate a It has been interesting to watch the tailor-made zoot suit for a boxing kangaroo. Every Play Recorded on Tape growth of American educational record- A vase was ing. Attention to educational applications used when the whimsy -loving On the day of the games, KUJ assigns producer and the banquet manager of a began shortly after Edison's original inven- its regular sportscasting crew, along with a tion, but for many years the complexities swank New York hotel - arranged an eight recording engineer and a tape recorder, to course with of wax recording restricted its use to com- dinner, caterers, for six cats cover the contest. Every play of the game, who, Funt, with mercial recording companies, and to pro- tongue in cheek, told as in a conventional broadcast, is the maitre described duction of regular catalog items. In the dc hotel, had "won blue rib- by the announcer and recorded on tape for bons in a feline beauty early thirties the process of embossing contest." presentation at a later time. However, when Not all of grooves in aluminum was perfected. Its Funt's the game is finally aired, usually the follow- ventures are quality being too poor for general profes- primar- ing evening, only the big thrills or scoring ily comical, sional use, some attempt was made to sell however. plays are heard. But, in addition to Human the it to the educators. This was not very suc- interest vies game's action, members of the two compet- with laughs cessful. Shortly thereafter recording on in some ing teams are interviewed and their inter- situations, and in lacquer (coated on aluminum) was devel- esting remarks are made a part of the trans- oped and came into limited professional others, serious scription. thoughts are pro- use. Being a cut groove, the sound quality voked as the "Can- Thus, KUJ is able to present not only the was definitely better, and some educational did Microphone" game's highlights, but also the story behind applications were found. The same factors makes its rounds. each important play. And, according to that hindered professional use were objec- tionable to the educator, viz., the blank Discs Used, Too KUJ staff members, the quarter-hour re- corded tabloid sportscast packs much of discs hardened rapidly, the cut disc devel- Since a tape re Funt, with scissors in the same wallop as the full -game broadcast. oped high distortion and noise in a short corder is used, exten- hand, edits his next time on the shelf, the record could only be sive editing is pos- broadcast. played a few times before being completely sible to avoid repetitious dialogue, before worn out, and the thread was explosively the show goes on the air. In order to obtain viewee occasionally bristles at Funt's al- inflammable. Lacquer thickness was often an entertaining sequence, often as many as ways deliberate affrontcry. uneven. 100 splices are made on a single program. Naturally, nothing objectionable to the These defects were due to use of incor- Finally, the entire program is re-recorded parties concerned is aired, and no names rect plasticizers in the coating, in insuffi- on discs for the actual broadcast. are used. After a sequence is recorded, cient amount, and poorly developed coat- "Candid Microphone" goes on the air Funt's subject - or sometimes, victim - ing methods. The introduction of the first with the only audible censor in radio. is told that their conversation was recorded Audiodiscs changed this: the plasticizer Instead of a blue pencil assault on a pre- and his or her permission is obtained to formula was much more complex, the plas- pared script, the audible censor blots out use it on the air, with anonimity assured. ticizer vas utilized in much higher propor- words unusable on the air when an inter- And Funt seldom encounters a refusal. tion, and machine application of lacquer November, 1947 AUDIO RECORD 3 was used. The correct plasticizers gave the Speech Correction taneous use of three microphones are the lacquer high stability, changes with time Speech correction recording has generally minimum necessary, and four mixer posi- were no longer a problem, and thread in- been done right in the classroom, and with tions are more convenient. Two turntables of in- flammability was reduced to a reasonable one student performing at a time. Since for music are also necessary. Means value. Machine application gave complete acoustical conditions arc seldom good, this serting a sound effects filter to control at uniformity of thickness. indicates that the single microphone used least one microphone circuit arc highly de- that the should be of a directional form. The re- sirable. It goes without saying Lacquer Makes Educational Recording have both good cording machine is generally of simple amplifiers must perform- Unlike a broadcast A Success form, often a single -speed type cutting only ance and reliability. station, most schools have no maintenance These improvements made recording on up to 12" diameter. While inside -to -out has been man, and an amplifier breakdown is a seri- lacquer a professional success, hut they also recording is more convenient, it found preferable to use outside -to -in cut ous matter. made educational recording universally The recording machine should be com- available, and fostered its rapid growth. for records so made can be played on the home phonograph, which the student usu- plete in its facilities. Both speeds should be While some attempt was made to sell low he made for ally wishes to do. Cut in the reverse direc- available, and provision should cost home recorders and home recording device should tion, they cannot he played on a turntable change of pitch. A spiralling discs for educational use, it was soon found should fitted with the usual automatic stop or he provided. Outside -to -in cutting that professional standards of clarity and device changer. he used, and this will make a suction durability were necessary. thread highly desirable. Since faithful reproduction, "presence", for removing the While the first educational applications The recording disc must provide pro- is highly desirable, it becomes necessary to were for speech correction work, broader fessional recording quality, of course, but vistas soon opened. Educational broadcast- use a professional cutting stylus - stellite is uniformity is has been preferred because of greater rug- more required. Complete ing was growing. Whereas a single micro- long life. Educational discs gedness and a professional quality disc. necessary and phone and recording machine were ample - be re- As before and after comparisons arc desir- form part of a library, which must for speech correction, broadcasting posed produced next year, the year after, and the new problems. The student was accustomed able, it is necessary to use a disc with un- questioned permanence one which will year after that. They must be durable, as to professional broadcast standards, and to - regards repeated playing, but lack of de- he as quiet and undistorted a year after as hold his interest production methods and is equally essential. on the day of recording. terioration with time mechanics had to be equally well handled. Chemicals used in the formulation must he For making a quick survey of a class at It was found that better sound quality was tested proven permanence. A disc the beginning of a term, it has been found time for essential, for fifteen to thirty minutes of which becomes noisy or distorted in two very economical to cut a 16" disc at 33/ listening to unclear sound was very fati- or three years is not satisfactory. guing. The student became restless, his at- rpm. It is possible to place fifteen to twenty tention wandered, and without formalizing voices on each side of the disc, separated Reproducing Equipment one from the other by short spirals. the matter, it became generally recognized Playback machines of professional qual- that sound quality would have to conform Radio Dramatics and Broadcast ity are available for use in playing an edu- to professional standards. The "fatigue fac- Transcription cational transcription to a class. If any tors" in sound reproduction would have to criticism may he made of them, it is that be kept at an absolute minimum. If we may Whether played over the school public an educational the portable loudspeakers are generally too presume to coin a new phrase, the follow- address system or over broadcast station, the dramatic recording small and too inadequately baffled for satis- ing psycho -acoustic equation was devel- factory reproduction of anything but oped: must stand comparison with professional broadcasting, to which the student daily speech. Sustained Student Interest = Interesting The educational broadcaster needs espe- Subject Matter + Aural Presentation listens. The mechanics of the production he the sound quality cially a definite setup for re-recording. One in a Non -Fatiguing Manner. must well executed, good. This imposes definite equipment re- concomitant of the production of success- All of this experience has had consider- ful program series is the process of exchang- able effect on the educational recordist's quirements. The studio must be adequate in sound ing copies with other groups. Very seldom requirements in the way of facilities. The do the quantities warrant processing, so dramatic recording facilities suggested may isolation, reverberation characteristics, and that many the amount of re-recording to be done is appear over -elaborate to some, but this is size. Inadequate isolation means records will be spoiled by extraneous very considerable-a serious burden unless incorrect. While work can be done with a regular setup is made for that purpose. less complete equipment, it will he smaller sounds, and inadequate acoustical treat- in scope, or poorer in production quality, ment implies serious problems in setting up Conclusion to record. It is apt to mean a "tricky" studio, or will he produced at an excessive cost in It has been very interesting to watch the time and material (due to need for tcst full of had spots, and most difficult to use. make development of educational recording from cuts or retakes). A glance at current edu- In practice this is apt to recording quality rather uneven, for available time an idea to a rapidly growing movement of cational practice indicates that these facili- well documented value. We salute those ties are gradually becoming the standard is limited, and likely to he used in rehears- ing the cast, rather than in rehearsal for who have made recording an essential part for a complete educational recording setup. sound. The studio should be large enough of the modern educational process. Facilities to accommodate the largest group. There is nothing so futile as trying to put a school ATTENTION The facilities required will vary with orchestra of fifty in a small speech studio. the work to be done, of course, but some Fortunately, the trend in school design The Editors of Audio Record welcome form of each of the following must be pro- contributions from its readers. Any news shows a growing appreciation of the fact concerning your recorded programs or vided: that broadcast dramatics has become as im- other recording activities, that you believe A. Studio portant as stage dramatics, and a studio is will be read with interest by recordists, can B. Speech input system input con- often provided for use with the public ad- be used. Photographs, drawings, or graphs - needed to illustrate your material will be trols, amplifiers dress system. Recording from the same appreciated also. Address all contributions C. Recording machine studio is easily accomplished. to:-The Editor, Audio Record, 444 Madi- D. Recording raw material The speech input system must provide son Ave., New York 22, N. Y. E. Reproducing facilities adequate flexibility. Facilities for simul- 4 AUDIO RECORD November, 1947

of visiting NBC and CBS studios. They At the close of the second year the in- DiYIoyD CRowNu1111 . enjoyed Nila Mack's "Let's Pretend" in its structor was able to list certain gains made %,../T11- 1 pre -broadcast rehearsal and the famed Ci- by students in her three sections. ii MARI lily C~:. ties Service show, "Highways of Melody". 1. Learning to work with groups. With the approach of a second year it 2. Acquiring habits of accuracy and a was possible to organize two sections of 25 1 sense of proper timing. students each. Only seniors were eligible 3. Overcoming self-consciousness. because of a limited teaching staff in the 4. Experience in script writing. T English department. 5. Developing good voice and speech A new location was arranged with a habits. small control room, a rectangular studio 6. Handling sound techniques. iAIA,. and an adjoining classroom of regulation 7. Developing hidden talent. h-w` size. A cut -in microphone system was in- 8. Developing the appreciation of the stalled to facilitate giving directions dur- art of radio broadcasting. ing rehearsals, and a simple decibel meter 9. Awakening a realization of the control box was added. Then it was possible FOR PULLERS power of modern radio as a medium PLATTERS to produce scripts which contained sound of propaganda. At the American Dental Association effects, background music, and special 10. Assisting in administration of school It was for Convention, held a few weeks ago in Bos- effects. also possible the teacher program. to work with a in the while the ton, Harold I. Primus, Manager of the cast studio remainder of the group worked at other The workshop will be expanded in the Diamond Crown Division of Audio De- 1947-1948 school term to include more stu- vices, which produces diamond abrasive dents interested in radio. The instructor, dental instruments, recordcd interviews however, feels that additional changes must with visitors to the show on 10" Audiodiscs be made if the program is to mature. them the recordings to take home and gave 1. Release of the radio Diamond instructor from as souvenirs. (Above photo shows the responsibility of teaching table in classes Crown booth with microphone on radio. was other than foreground -- recording equipment 2. Establishment with of a central office lo- located in rear of booth). Interviews cated conveniently for the representa- coordina- many leading foreign dental tion of high school, junior high school tives, speaking in their native tongues, high- and elementary programs. the recording sessions. lighted 3. Appointment of a Director of Radio Education to plan, supervise, and A Radio Workshop Project carry out the radio program activities on a county -wide basis. (Continued from Page I) 4. More contributions and participation At the start the equipment was poor - from other departments in the school. books, blackboard and an elementary pub- 5. Installation of machinery for re- lic address set-up composed of a junior broadcasting to meet each class pe- microphone and a 15 watt ampli- 'This one ofme isn't ver' good. As I re- riod need. velocity call. I didn't here any teeth .t the time." fier. New crystal microphones with full 6. More consciousness on part of pub- length adjustable stands and additional Reprinted by special permission of the lic and school officials to the role Saturday Evening Post. Copyright 1945 shorter desk stands were purchased. By by The Curtis Publishing Company. schools must play in the national January of 1946 an adjoining room had radio scene. been arranged to provide a "studio" projects in the class room. Radio workshops are not ends in them- creating the broadcasting illusion so neces- More advanced programs were worked selves, but they definitely have their place laboratory. sary to the success of any radió out. Students participated in a Student in the future of the radio as a medium for To this were added a recording machine Forum of the Air broadcasted over WBAL. educational purposes. and a play -back unit (two speeds, 33% and A panel discussion was presented by four 78 RPM), the former for recording stu- social studies students presenting affirma- dents' voices, the latter for playing back tive and negative arguments in answer to sound effects during rehearsal. the question: "Is a democratic form of As We Go to Press During the first year sixteen actual broad- government similar to that in the United Audio Devices, currently co-sponsor The initial casts were made over \V JEJ. States practicable in all other countries of of the 1948 Scholastic Writing Awards broadcast during American education week the world?" This was followed by questions in the Radio Script Writing Classifica- in November emphasized the relation of from the floor directed to the panel. Audi- tion, school, home, and community. At Christ- ence participation came from the entire will also co-sponsor the NA- mas O'Henry's "Gift of the Magi" and student body in applause. TIONAL RADIO SCRIPT CON- Moore's "A visit from St. Nicholas" were In the spring different groups undertook TEST for college students. dramatized. Thirteen vocational guidance two six -week series, "Sing and Listen," a Under the auspices of the Association programs written and produced by the music appreciation project, and "130 Story for Education by Radio, the National over of Book Workshop were presented a period Street," a dramatization of fairytales. Radio Script Contest, will offer prizes thirteen weeks. This "Looking Ahead" This last series was directed toward the for best written scripts to students en- series dealt with the problems of school elementary school audience. rolled in recognized colleges and univer- and after -life adjustments. Another step in Again the course was concluded with a advancement was chalked up when these New York trip, the students seeing James sities in the United States. Complete de- broadcasts were listened to in schools all Melton's "Harvest of Stars," Armstrong's tails along with rules and regulations over the country. "Theater of the Air," "The Mighty and list of awards will appear in our In May the class and instructor chartered Casey," N. B. C. Symphony and "Let's December issue. a bus to New York City for the purpose Pretend."