The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've just come across this charming video today about the microphone used to record many early royal speeches - apparently the BBC believed that it was too vulgar for the King to look at standard microphones of the day and they designed the art deco boxes you see in the Kings Speech.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12580470

Interestingly enough - it still works!

If I saw one sitting in a shop, I'd never pick it to be a microphone. It's actually quite nice for what it is, and no doubt the components used were the best of the best.
A microphone fit for a king!
It should be interesting to see whatelse the BBC drags from the vaults in the future. I'm sure there's some pretty unique stuff hidden away in the dark corners.
Thanks for sharing.

Shane, according to this article there is quite a few hidden treasures packed away in the BBC vaults!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12591587

Apparently the BBC sound engineers originally covered the microphone with a blue cloth and the deceptions became more and more elaborate as time went on

Many people don't realise how good recording could be in the 1930s, these microphones could easily reach 15.000 Hz, still the broadcasting standard for FM radio. True high fidelity recording was possible, but the average gramophone simply couldn't cope, wearing down a record in just one play. RCA Victor introduced 331/3rpm records in the early 30s and you don't believe your ears when a good copy is played with modern equipment. They had to stop and revert to low fi because the radiograms needed to play these records were simply too expensive in those worst of the depression years. Blumlein invented stereo sound, but again it was too expensive. We are still using his principles today though, including the 45 degree modulation.

Probably the only reason it has survived is that it was put in a cupboard and forgotten LOL! Pity the same didn't happen with master tapes of some of their tv shows from the 50's and 60's!

On the subject of RCA transcription programs - the quality of these varied tremendously. I have a few of these and they are all dubs from standard 12" disks and so the sound quality is decidedly muddy. I haven't heard a pressing from a directly recorded 33rpm disk - although I know they did do some. Also although they used quieter surfaces to press these disks its still not great - although alot better than the rough concrete HMV were pressing their disks from

All in all i'm not surprised the RCA experiment flopped...not only due to he econimic situation but also the technical side of things just weren't developed enough at that point. Most importnanly pick ups in 1934 were far too heavy for the materials used for pressing the disks and record wear was a problem. I don't know how long these 33rpm disks were available for but they still appear in the 1934 RCA record catelogue - if fact they are given a ¼ page advertisement right at the front.

The Blumlien stereo test recordings still exisit and I have heard some of them. Some are just the sound of a person talking and walking from left to right. The recordings also feature orchestral music and there is a very impressive big band recording where the stero sound is very good indeed. They were broadcast on a radio show back in the late 1980's. I don't know if they are availble on CD today though.

S-B-H

Thanks for posting the video and info on the mike. It was very interesting and informative.
Harvey Kravitz

Swing Band Heaven wrote: The Blumlien stereo test recordings still exisit and I have heard some of them. Some are just the sound of a person talking and walking from left to right. The recordings also feature orchestral music and there is a very impressive big band recording where the stero sound is very good indeed. They were broadcast on a radio show back in the late 1980's. I don't know if they are availble on CD today though.

A Blumlein big band binaural recording would be interesting to hear. Wonder who the band was.

Those wouldn't be to be confused with something like the Duke Ellington RCA stereo recordings of the time which were the result of two cutting lathes running with separately placed microphones connected to each.

I can't remember which UK band it was...I did have it on casette at one point but despite looking for it a few years ago I haven't been able to track it down amongst my collection of tapes. I just wish that the person assigned with writing his auto biography would get on and do it. It has been years in the waiting and I have no idea why there is such a delay.

I did just find this article on line about him and his test recordings..

http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=Vb5M ... gs&f=false

if this has already been discussed, then please forgive me for being late to the party (once again). The topic of the early 1930s RCA transcription recordings was discussed on Youtube in one of several postings by a member that goes by the name of "prozoot". I hope the link below works, it's an RCA disc of Fred Waring dance music of 1932. Yes, yes I know that Mr Prozoot likely has sophisticated sound processing equipment to clean up a recording, but that won't supply things that aren't there---like the bite of the cymbals and the overall crispness of the instruments. If you're used to the bass-heavy sound of the late-1920s dance recordings (and I tend to like those, but that's just me) this may sound a bit thin, but the clarity is a surprise.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GppO-LVtttc


Also check out his posting of Ted Weems "Look who's here", in this case a non-transcription release. I like hearing how clear the vocalist's diction is, and this sounds like it was recorded just yesterday.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aTA2Z9HD_k