(Here's something
new, a fan's eye view of what goes on behind the mike. Described in the very words
of the layman that Mr. Ford is, the following story is full of interesting details
that a technician or professional writer might overlook)---Editor)
Over ten years ago I visited the old KYW studio located in the Hearst Building.
To me, it looked exactly like a studio should. Long drapes hung the full length
of the walls. It was stuffy and close. That was ten years ago, when crystal sets
were the rage.
Last Sunday evening, I wandered into the Merchandise Mart to see the NBC studios
which are located on the twentieth floor. A guard at the special desk in the lobby
of the building informed me that this being Sunday, which is comparatively light
as far as visitors are concerned, he would allow me to go up.
When I left the elevator on the twentieth floor a softly lighted lobby greeted
me. Comfortable chairs were scattered around the walls, heavy carpets on the floor.
The very atmosphere seemed to warn one to be silent.
ENTERS STUDIOS
The hostess, a charming young lady, told me that I might go down the long corridor
to the door under the red light, where a program was in progress. I noticed there
were six such doors, each opening into a studio.
.Other fans were crowded around the long oblong window, peering into a studio
below, while a loud speaker in one corner of this surrounding observation room
brought them the program as it was being broadcast.
The walls, paneled with a sound-absorbing material that looked like cork, rose
a full two stories from the linoleum covered floor below. These panels were moveable.
Some were standing out from the wall, while others were folded all the way back.
ORCHESTRA SCATTERED
Morgan H. Eastman's orchestra was seated below. The musicians seemed to take up
little space. The little studio of years ago seemed like a doll's room compared
to this.
The musicians seemed scattered all over the broad expanse of the floor. A few
violinists here, a piano player there, and the drummer over in one corner with
his equipment placed on a rug. The cornetists and trombone players were separated
from the others, forming a little clique of their own.
I later learned that the reason for the orchestra being so widely spread was for
balance of the program. If the drums or the brass section be too close to the
microphone, the violins and all the stringed instruments cannot be heard.
CLARINET NEAR MIKE
But to get back to the broadcast. Suddenly a clarinet player jumped up and hurried
for a microphone. But instead of putting the mouth of his instrument right up
to it, as I thought he would, he shoved it right past, and began to play. His
solo part came out of the loud speaker perfectly, while the rest of the orchestra
mingled into a harmonious background.
Upon finishing his solo, the clarinet player darted back to his seat, and joined
the ensemble again. Once again the orchestra played as a whole.
With a flourish of his hand, the director cut the music short, glancing at his
watch in the meantime. I glanced at mine, too. It was almost on the hour. Just
before the minute hand reached twelve, the announcer signed the program off, rang
his chimes and the loudspeaker was silent.
|
