THE CBS STEALS A MARCH
Introduction of the Novachord at 1ZB
imported to New Zealand by the Commercial Broadcasting Service for their new studios at Auckland was claimed at the time of its installation to be the first instrument of its kind in New Zealand; but it now appears that the CBS has stolen a march on Australia as well, and that the instrument at 1ZB is the only one in this part of the world. This much anyway is §uggested by Bert Petersen, writing in the Australian journal, Music Maker, in a recent issue. The Novachord has for some time been featured extensively in American band recordings, and is claimed to be a more versatile and adaptable instrument than its elder cousin, the Hammond electric organ. The Novachord is also all-electric, and has a five and a-half octave keyboard which conveys a series of electric impulses or circuits through a set of 167 valves, which all work to render a faithful reproduction of virtually any musical instrument or combination of instruments, The "works" of the Novachord at 1ZB are housed in a specially constructed console made in New Zealand, and the instrument is the special care and pride of its player, Eric Bell. One of the most interesting fea"to Novachord which was
tures of the method used in broadcasting the Novachord at 1ZB is the fact that when playing solo, Eric Bell may be observed manipulating the keyboard in complete silence. This is because the
notes are fed direct into the transmission circuit, and although not a sound is heard in the studio, listeners receive the music with the utmost clarity and purity of tone.
On his recent trip to America, Beau Sheil, Deputy-Controller of the CBS, was so impressed by the possibilities and versatility of the Novachord, that he. began negotiations for the importation of the one which is now housed at 1ZB. It is regarded as a.feather in the cap of the New Zealand Commercial Broadcasting Service that they should have beaten Australia’s major networks for the distinction of installing the first Novachord.
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 6, Issue 138, 13 February 1942, Page 11
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346THE CBS STEALS A MARCH New Zealand Listener, Volume 6, Issue 138, 13 February 1942, Page 11
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