R O D Uiì.GiJ N THE SMART MIC* SYSTEM The most troublesome audio conditions can only be solved by today's most trouble free microphone system. The Shure Automatic Microphone System. Total integration is the key. beginning to end -no clicks, pops, noise "pumping," or For the first time ever, Shure has combined micro- missed syllables. phone, mixer and logic technology in a dedicated, totally Logic terminals on the rear panel of every AMS mixer integrated system -so advanced, its conception marks offer unprecedented flexibility for advancing the the beginning of a sound revolution in conference system's capabilities. For example, when connected rooms, teleconferencing, churches, legislative cham- with Shure's Video Switcher Interface, the AMS will bers, courtrooms- anywhere speech related multi - control commercially available video switchers. And microphone systems are employed. for large gatherings, AMS mixers (both 4 and 8 channel models available) can easily be combined to effectively control over 200 individual microphones. Since the AMS operates as an integrated system, many adjustments and controls have been eliminated. As a result, no other unit sets up as quickly. And At the heart of Shure's Automatic Microphone operation is so easy and automatic, the only System (AMS) are revolutionary, angle- sensitive adjustments necessary are individual volume controls. microphones that turn on automatically only when For more information on the revolutionary addressed within their own 120° "window of accep- new Automatic Microphone System, call tance." In addition, each microphone continuously or write Shure Brothers Inc., 222 samples its own local acoustic environment, and Hartrey Ave., Evanston, IL 60204, compensates for changing room audio conditions - (312) 866 -2553. automatically. The Shure AMS incorporates advanced signal 'Microphones and Intelligent Circuitry processing circuitry- turning on to the sound source quickly, quietly, and automatically -and turning off with a smooth whisper. From 5HUE PATENTS THE SOUND OF THE PROFESSIONALS ...WORLDWIDE PENDING Circle 10 on Reader Service Card SBI -1086A Publisher SEPTEMBER 1983 VOLUME 17 NO. 8 Larry Zide Associate Publisher Elaine Zide FEATURES Editor John M. Woram RECORDING STUDIO CONSOLES AND Gregory Hanks FILM PRODUCTION Managing Editor 42 Mark B. Waldstein db TEST REPORT: THE BRUEL & KJAER John Monforte STUDIO MICROPHONES Associate Editor 46 Ricki Zide LONG PLAYERS -LONG GONE John T. Mullin 48 Technical Editor Linda Cortese HOUSE SOUND REINFORCEMENT Bob Anthony AT THE US FESTIVAL 52 European Editor John Borwick COMPACT DISC ANALYSIS Michael Tapes 56 Layout & Design SPARS -DATA TRACK Kathi Lippe 59 Advertising Coordinator Karen Cohn DEPARTMENTS Book Sales Lydia Calogrides LETTERS CALENDAR EDITORIAL CLASSIFIED 8 40 71 Circulation Manager THEORY AND PRACTICE Ken Pohlmann Eloise Beach 10 SOUND WITH IMAGES Len Feldman Graphics 19 K &S Graphics DIGITAL AUDIO Barry Blesser 28 Typography Spartan Phototype Co. SOUND REINFORCEMENT John Eargle 37 NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES 67 PEOPLE, PLACES, HAPPENINGS 73 db. the Sound I.ugmccnng MagannciISSS 00 I I -7 145) o published monthly by Saganwrc Publishing Company. Inc Fnurecon- tenta cops ghl' 198íb) Sagamore Publishing Co. 1120 Old( bunts Road. Plains less. I.. I_ N.Y. 11801. telephone IS 16)4116530 db o published tor those indu ¡duals and III ms m prulessional audio-recording. broadcast. audio -s oval, sound reinlorcement. con. ,uhant,. s ideo recording. Idm sound, etc. Applicat rm should be made on the subscription lorm in the rear 01 each issue. Nubamp eons aie S I S.00 per year (528.00 per year outside U.S. Possessions: SI6.00 per year Canada) in II.S. funds. Single copies are SI 9S each I ditto ral. l'ubhshrng and Sales Olhces: 1 120 Old (ountr1 Road, Plains Jew . New York I ISO). Controlled circulation postage paid at Plainucu. NY 1180.1 and an additional mailing °lice. G5 Ondoz OO U QdderrUs ° rrs Altec 35 Alpha Audio 8 Amber 28 Ampex Cover III. IV Audio -Technica 21 BASF 9 Capitol Magnetic Prods. 13 Crown 5 David Haller Co. 14 Design Direct Sound 38 Electro -Voice 31 Emilar 20 Garner MAGIC OR TRAGIC? MAKING A POINT 30 Gotham Audio 36 -37 To THE EDITOR: (FOUR, ACTUALLY) ITT Cannon 23 Your June editorial about the pos- TO THE EDITOR: JBL 41 sible advent of the "Tragic of Digital" Please permit me to make four com- Klark -Teknik 6 should be carefully studied by those ments regarding Mr. Levinson's letter Meyer Sound Labs 12 making digital recordings. If the pub- in June's db. Orban 16 lic is going to pay the extra cost for First, I did not provide Mr. Levinson Otari 7. 25 CDs, they will demand recordings of with copies of our two patents or any PAIA 34 superior quality. I hope the recording test data. Mr. Codomo may have done Polyline 34 industry will be able to make the transi- so, which of course is quite alright. Production EFX Library 48 tion to digital technology. However, it Second, I did not conduct the experi- QSC 26-27 will require that a number of people ments; they were conducted by certified Recording Studio Equipment Co.. 33 start carefully listening to the records clinical audiologists, a very competent Renkus -Heinz 24 that they are making. otologist, and a very knowledgeable Rupert Neve 15 STEPHEN M. HEIDER neurologist. There was no possibility Saki Magnetics 22 Buffalo, New York of any patient deriving answers to the Shure Bros. Cover II word discrimination tests (the ultimate Sony 29 WOW, WE NEED HELP test of any hearing aid) by means of Standard Tape Lab 51 TO THE EDITOR: lip reading, sign language, or cue Studer Revox 11 First, my thanks for a very informa- cards; all the patient's information had Telex 19 tive magazine. It helps expatriates like to come to him through the Cortical Waters Mfg. Inc. 49 myself keep in touch with what's hap- Hearing Aid. In no case did I work Yamaha 18 pening in pro' audio. directly with a patient; only the audi- We need some help here at TWR ologist and the otologist did that. (I (Trans -World Radio) in Swaziland. only designed and built the equipment.) We have an identifying signal, and we Third, the conclusions presented in would like to eliminate tape noise and my article were the unanimous con- wow- and -flutter when we transmit it. clusions of the audiologists, the otologist, The signal is used at station sign -on, and the neurologist referenced in the when three 15- second phrases are acknowledgments. I am profoundly played by handbells, followed by a grateful to all of them for their active 5- second voice ID. This sequence is involvement in the tests. repeated for about five minutes. At Fourth, I am always amazed at the sign -off, we transmit a single 15- second reluctance of some people to try out new handbell phrase. ideas, especially when there is no risk If it is possible, we'd like to have these of any kind involved. Several times two signal formats digitized, and loaded Mr. Codomo has cordially invited Mr. into EPROMs. This should give us Levinson to view the Cortical Hearing computer call -up as needed, as well as Aid in action, but Mr. Levinson has good reproduction. We already have the always refused. If he wishes to visit us automation needed to provide the at Biophysical Research sometime to commands. witness tests, he will be most welcome. We would like to hear from anyone CURTISS B. SCHAFER able to EPROM our "pingles," and Director of R & D This month's cover features Studio A please -by AIR MAIL. Surface mail Biophysical Research, Inc. of Sound Emporium Recording Studios takes about three months. in Nashville, Tennessee. Studio A fea- CAL DONNER, tures a Harrison 3232 AB console, Studio Manager DON'T FORGET AMBISONICS 2 -track and 24 -track Studer tape ma- Trans -World Radio To THE EDITOR: chines, Sierra Monitors, and Altec, P.O. Box 64 Re: Len Feldman's article "Sound BGW, McIntosh, and Sony monitor am- Manzini, Swaziland with Images," May 1983. I believe any plifiers. Artists who have recorded in discussion on Surround Sound tech- Studio A include Johnny Cash, the db replies: niques (whether applied to disc, video, Marshall Tucker Band, and Kenny Hom about it readers? Can anyone or FM /TV broadcasting) should at Rogers. The photograph was taken by .. help TWR? least make mention of the "Ambisonics John Fleming. MORE RECORDING STUDIOS USE CROWN MONITOR AMPS THAN ANY OTHER BRAND. If you're going for gold, you've They know they'll get the but never at the loss of sonic got to have the best - the best clearest highs, the most accu- accuracy. Crown amps are talent, the best writing, the rate mid -range, the most solid reliable, but our first concern best equipment. You'll leave lows with Crown amps. is sonic accuracy. nothing to chance. Sonic accuracy has always Crown amps will never get That's why most studio been the first goal - and the in the way of the music. With professionals choose Crown hallmark - of Crown engineer- Crown, you'll know for sure monitor amplifiers. ing. Crown amps are powerful, when you've got a gold. .see BilltmanA International Recording crown® Equipment & Studio Directory. 1982 -1983. 1718 West Mishawaka Road, Elkhart, IN 46517 (219) 294 -5571 Circle 13 on Reader Service Card Sound System" developed with support Further information can be obtained db replies: from the National Research Develop- by contacting any of the manufacturers, Thanks for the kind words, Harvey. ment Corporation of Great Britain. including Audio + Design, P.O. Box 786, And we wouldn't dream of trying to Ambisonics may be encoded using: Bremerton, WA 98310 Tel: (206) 275- please everyone.