THE VOICE OF THE EXHIBITION

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 19, 3 November 1939, Page 10

THE VOICE OF THE EXHIBITION

NBS Will Broadcast Every Week Night From Complete Model Studio

N lonely farmhouses far from the town, l radio is for the farm folk the voice that bids them a suave, impersonal good-day as they sit at breakfast; radio means the soothing music that floats through the open window into the field as the farmer comes in from the day’s work. In the city, the voice of radio is one of the many that speak among the strident calls of factory hooter and clank-

ing tram. Radio is the cool voice that says good-night to the farm wife as she glances once more out of the window at moonlit fields and slow-moving cows and sheep before going to sleep; the voice that speaks to the tired business man as he puts down his detective novel with a yawn. Radio was the voice that told New Zealand one spring night two months ago that Britain was at war with Germany. Modern Magic Although the voice of radio speaks to people in all walks of life every day and night of the year, and despite the fact that broadcasting has been described dozens of times, most people still have but a vague picture of the working of a_ broadcasting studio. They twist a knob, and at their command comes speech or music out of the ether. But these

come much as does the white rabbit from a conjuror’s hat. A conjuring trick on a vast scale, a trick which requires valves and transformers and other equipment worth hundreds of pounds, instead of an inexpensive topper, is broadcasting. You See It Happening At the Wellington Centennial Exhibition there are many remarkable things. There are sectional models which show how sugar is refined, how aeroplane engines work, how different articles are made. There is, also, in the Government Court, a complete broadcasting studio, which is almost a sectional model in itself, and perhaps most remarkable of all such exhibits. It is constructed with large glass windows, so that you may see this wonderful rabbit of our _ century — broadcasting — being produced from the equally wonderful hat. The chief magicians are the operators, the announcers and broadcasters themselves.

Completely Sound-Proof The programmes from inside the studio will be heard in the National Broadcasting Service Court through a loudspeaker, because the actual studio is completely soundproof. Double walls, with an air space between, guard against outside noise getting through to the microphone, and the floor of the studio is insulated from the rest in the

building. Many substances have been pressed into service to provide insulation against sound, but one of the most efficacious is still a space filled with nothing more surprising than air. The interior walls are built of a material which gives the right reverberations, so important in the science of acoustics. Studio And Control Room The main studio is about 20 feet.by 30 feet-large enough to accommodate the cast of a play or a small band. There is, besides, an announcers’ and talks studio, and the control room. In the control room is a set of modern equipment, and the visitor will be able to watch, for himself. the operator at the control panel which sends the programme out on to the sound waves. Opening Programme There will be a programme broadcast from the studio every night except Sundays, with

all the diversity that is shown by the programme for the opening night on Wednesday. This opening programme includes Mavis Edmonds and her Rhythm Makers; Hedley Renee, vocalist; Herbi Burton, playing the accordion; and "The Crew of the Maude Woodlock" in a short comedy by W. GraemeHolder. > Visitors will find that there are many

other things of interest in the exhibit. On one wall a huge diorama of interlocking cogs represents every phase of broadcasting in this country in pictures. On another wall, a wireless mast towers into a blue sky, and valves gleam in costly splendour. Watching The Sound Waves When programmes are not being broadcast from the studio, demonstrations will be given, showing ® various aspects of broadcasting technique. There is a complete recording apparatus, which will show how programmes are put on to discs; with a cathode ray oscillograph, sound waves will be shown as well as heard on a tiny screen. Visitors will find there is a peculiar fascination in watching the blue and green waves dancing on the screen. The reason why you could not get a certain

station when you particularly wanted to one night will also be demonstrated with the oscillograph. Noises Off The slamming of doors, thuds of fists. against flesh, creaking of yardarms, sounds of motors honking horns and trams clanging bells, of pistol shots and galloping horses and soughing wind, of railway trains, soaring aeroplanes, clashing sabres and tumultuous oceans-these will no longer be darkly-hid-den secrets to visitors who will see sound effects being produced. When, at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, His Excellency the Governor-General performs the Official Opening Ceremony of the Centennial Exhibition, radio will be the voice that carries this historic occasion to the far corners of New Zealand.