Optical Technology
By Terry Smythe
With all the discussion in recent weeks about optical technology, light sources, et al, I was wondering if those among us in the Dallas area could persuade Bill Flynt to join in. His PHd is in optics, and up till his recent retirement, he specialized in light intensification technology. I suspect also that Richard Tonnesen could similarly be encouraged to join in this absolutely fascinating discussion.
Back in the Sep/Oct 88 issue of the AMICA Bulletin, I wrote a brief item about my fears for the future of paper rolls. Paper rolls are absolutely guaranteed to one day self-destruct and die. Yet so many of us tend to treat them as if they were an inexhaustible, self renewable resource.
I am particularly delighted to see so much interest focusing on this critical issue, to find ways to mass record large numbers of existing music rolls into some form of digital recording medium. I believe it to be absolutely imperative that such tools and techniques be developed, else the instruments we all love so much will grow progressively more quiet.
Within AMICA's Goals and Objectives are:
* To encourage the restoration of automatic
musical instruments to a condition consistent
with the original intent of their manufacture.
* To encourage and assist in the production and
distribution of recordings, both reissues and
new performances.
While our beloved instruments can be repeatedly restored into perpetuity, paper rolls cannot. They will die. It follows then that by interpretation, the music rolls upon which these instruments are totally dependent, are I suggest, well within the spirit and intent of "encourage and assist".
I wonder to what extent AMICA, and perhaps even MBSI in a joint venture, would consider supplementary funding of some kind, aimed at the development of a device that can be shipped to a physical repository of large numbers or rolls for mass transcription into digital form. I suggest the transcription task might well be a most significant project for local Chapters to undertake.
Other thoughts on this important issue?
Regards,
Terry
Terry Smythe | *Sounds of Yesteryear*
55 Rowand Avenue | Restoration and enjoyment of vintage
Winnipeg, MB R3J 2N6 | automatic musical instruments
(204) 832-3982 | email: smythe@mbnet.mb.ca |
(Message sent Tue 9 Jan 1996, 05:56:45 GMT, from time zone GMT-0600.) |
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