According to LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI the broadcasting of music is yet far from the perfection stage. At present symphonic and operatic music come from the radio in incomplete and changed form. The difficulty lies in the fact that the character or quality of tone in music is mainly due to harmonics or overtones. Such harmonics in operatic and orchestral music includes frequencies or vibrations as rapid as I3,OOO per second. Unfortunately most of the existing radio receiving sets will deliver sounds up to frequencies of 5000 only, the higher frequencies of the harmonics being lost.
As a possible remedy of this existing defect the author suggests: First, a widening of the present broadcasting channels. At present these channels are so narrow that the full frequency range necessary for the complete and undistorted broadcasting of good music is practically impossible. A second step in the right direction would be for transmission stations to send out music with an equal response from about 30 to 13,ooo frequencies per second. The now necessary third step would be for the makers of receiving sets to design sets that can receive and give out to the listener with an equal sensitivity of response from about 30 to 13,ooo cycles per second.
Another defect in the present broadcasting system is the limitations set upon the intensity range. The range now employed is about 30 decibels instead of the 85 decibels generally used in concert playing. In broadcasting, an engineer at the controls compresses these 85 decibels into a span of 30. The higher intensities must be softened so as to prevent overloading and the low intensities are strengthened in order to raise them above the "noise level."
Another problem is the production of true auditory perspective. It is the author's opinion that music should be broadcast on "double circuits" which could be made to correspond to our method of hearing with two ears and which would give us the tonal spaciousness and beauty of sound that make music so satisfying in a large and well-planned auditorium.
Many of the disadvantages inherent in the present broadcasting system could be eliminated through the use of wired transmission. In this manner, transmission of the full range of frequencies and the full dynamic range would be easily possible. The music would be protected against fading, static, and disturlSances of every kind.
A word also must be said for the possibilities that lie in instruments which produce tones electrically. Qn such instruments the playing of a perfect legato would be relatively simple. There would be no necessary pauses for breath as in the wind instruments nor changed direction of the bow, as with the strings. Such electrically produced tones would not vary and they would always be "in tune."
C.