Vintage Audio & Stereo Sound History Films

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Vintage Audio & Stereo Sound History Films

This DVD has pretty much all the best films about sound and sound reproduction from this historical age. The films encompass a wide range of topics too, from vinyl pressing to film transfer to motion picture sound science to stereophonic sound reproduction. This is a one-of-a-kind compilation, so you cant buy this anywhere else n the world.

Included Films:

Finding His Voice

Produced: 1929

Length: 10 Minutes

This film about sound recording for motion pictures features the talents of animator Max Fleischer who would later go on to make Betty Boop and Popeye. This film is a great example of his transition from the simple blacks and whites that characterized his earlier works, to his 1930s animation which contained many shades of grey and more complex backgrounds. The narrator is a film strip who is trying to find the voice of his friend, a silent film. Their quest will reveal fascinating facts about the history of sound recording and sound editing, as well as answering the question, how did sound get on film? They are funny animations that make the information fun. The two film strips meet up with Dr. Western, who explains how sound was recorded back in 1920s talkies. There is footage of cameras being used in soundproof rooms and old folded horn style stage speakers. Eventually, the film strip finds his voice and the two sing Merrily We Roll Along together. This gem of a film is a wonderful opportunity to check out early cartoons made by one of the most famous animators of the twentieth century.

How to Listen To...New Dimensions in Sound

How to Listen To…New Dimensions in Sound

Produced: 1957

Length: 17 Minutes

This is a promotional film from RCA that introduces their significant product innovation: new stereophonic sound and recording technology! For 1957, this was exciting new technology for sound enthusiasts and home stereo equipment junkies. In fact, the film focuses on several such audiophiles who are willing to let their social relationships erode completely in favor of better sound! The film also has a nifty gimmick: youre supposed to play music on your new RCA stereo system at certain points in the film to appreciate the fine sound quality! Groovy record players and high fidelity home speakers are on display. Vintage home stereo speakers fill every home. Hi-fi is no longer new, to understate things, but this funky old video reveals how sound technology has evolved over the years.

Sound Recording and Reproduction

Produced: 1943

Length: 10 Minutes

This detailed technical film explains through animation, diagrams, and footage of recording equipment how sound is recorded for motion picture films. There are many interesting scenes of how this engaging process works, including shots of the narrator of the film shown actually recording the soundtrack in real time. As the film will explain in more detail, photographic light valves imprint the film to make variable density soundtracks. The film includes shots of vintage projectors and footage of the actual sound variations that allows an audience to see a soundtrack. Grand footage of old microphones and music recording equipment highlight this intriguing classic educational video.

Sound Waves and Their Sources

Produced: 1933

Length: 9 Minutes

This educational video produced by Encyclopedia Britannica explains the science of sound. The physics of sound effects are made easy to understand. There are three basic sources of sound: vibrating columns of air, vibrating surfaces, and vibrating strings. Many examples are given of how sound is produced, such as how each musical instrument, even when playing the same note, creates different tones because of the way the sound is made. This creates the unique sound an orchestra makes when playing a symphony. Answering the question How does sound travel? is not easy to do in a science video made to be understood by all, but this film uses tuning forks, oscilloscopes, and basic animation to make science sound waves easy to understand.

The Nature of Sound

Produced: 1948

Length: 11 Minutes

A cute kids science video! The elusive and fascinating Nature of Sound is quaintly and cleverly illuminated in this vintage film. When adorable little Jimmy becomes curious about the vibrations caused by a moving train, he goes and gets the scoop on sound from his cousin Phil Hanson. Together they explore science with a folksy charm and good nature that is largely missing from educational movies today. The Nature of Sound is an excellent physics primer on a subject that is understandable and engaging for any child.