Microphone Trials

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 12, 4 October 1929, Page 27

Microphone Trials

For Aspiring Broadcast. Artists GINCE the advent of the Australian Broadeasting Company, it has been their policy to place the best available talent before the listening public, and, realising the stupendous task that lies before them in the lack of first-class broadcasting artists, they have recently inaugurated what they term a Trial Day. This is a day set aside for aspirants desiring to achieve success in the realms of broadcasting, and every artist is given a trial to ascertain his, or her, suitability for the work. One of the greatest difficulties for intending aspirants to overcome, is for them to remember that softness is the keynote of successful broadcasting, as ‘their performance is intended for the entertainment of listeners who are individually domiciled, and who are not members of one immense audience. The studio is specially constructed for this type of work, having soundproof walls draped with heavy black curtains to absorb echo, and prevent resonance. The only persons in the room during the trial are the accompanist and the artist. The sound is picked up by the microphone, amplified, and conveyed to the loudspeaker in the adjudicator’s room, where the quality of the performance is judged. Those who are suitable are engaged, and those who show promise are invited to join the newly inaugurated Microphone class held once a week under the direction of an expert. This commendable innovation will certainly materially increase the amount of talent at present available, and first-class programmes, with widespread variation, should result.