Modern Methods of Musical Reproduction

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 45, 24 May 1929, Page 35

Modern Methods of Musical Reproduction

The Equipment of the Majestic Theatre f ety march of radio, coupled with that of musical reproduction, is clearly indicated in the modern methods employed in the new "Majestic" Theatre, Wellington. This th atre has been recently completed, and as far as the equipment is concerned, neither skill nor expense has been spared to produce the last word in luxury and comfort. In accordance with the idea of modern reproduction, the appointments are noteworthy. Within a fortnight the apparatus for sound motion pictures will be installed, but at the present time music is being supplied by one of the most brilliant combinations of musicians in New Zealand. That they are under the baton of Mr. George Pllwood, the distinguished 'cellist known from 2YA is sufficient proof of this. Directly connected with the theatre is the tea and supper-room with its glass dancing floor and tor * light ing effects. Of interest to radio enthusiasts is the equipment to provide this room with music. ‘This is obtained from three distinct sources:

from 2YA, from a gramophe ». and from the orchestra when it is playing in the main theatre. From 2YA the programme is picked up by an aerial on the top of the building and passed to a crystal detector at the control point in the lounge. Here is located 2 power amplifier, comprising two 281 rectifiers, two 250’s in push-pull, nd two 227’s, This amplifier is capable of strengthening up the output to enormous proportions, so that the question of volume contro] becomes a diffieult one. A small, easily operated switching device at this point controls the electric gramophone avd the relay from the theatre. During the evening session, when the orchestra is performing, the music is picked up by a microphone and relayed to the distribution point in the re. freshment room. It is then. li’ the output from the gramophone and crystal set, passed to the power amplifier. From the power amplifier leads are connected with two "Hpoch" mov ing coil loud-speakers, wh‘ch are situated on the upper floor of ‘he room. These are so neatly designe that from the lower floor they are hard to discern. and it is almost imnossible to tell from whence comes the musicyet it comes, and fills the whole at r ‘ere. It can be toned to a whisper, or can fill the whole room with volume. Technically, the reproduction is perfect. A slight variation from the usual moving-coil loud-speakers has been made in that they are of the high resistance type. Because of this, the over-all reproduction is very even and everything is perfectly natural, as though an orchestra were playing in the room. Indeed, °’ is better than this, for very few orchestras could so approach those whose recordings are played through the gramophone, The equipment of this theatre is merely an indication of the future attainments of musical reproduction, and

it is safe to assume that before very long radio, as usually interpreted, with amplification methods which are inseparably bound up with it, will be universally employed whenever music is + be faithfully reproduced.