Exploring Billboard for Quadraphonic Information

[Old Quad Guy]

May 20, 1972

ElA Study For
'Q' Radio Plans

By CLAUDE HALL

WASHINGTON-
More than 25 companies and Organizations took part in the Electronic Industries Association's first organizational meeting of its National Quadraphonic Radio Committee held here May 9–evidence of the strong industry interest in quadrasonic radio transmission. The purpose of the ElA special committee will be to evaluate various approaches to the multi-channel FM broadcasting, and to give the Federal Communications Commission the benefit of its thinking.
The committee, which closely parallels the EIA's stereo radio committee of over a decade ago, will have six panels on system specifications, interconnecting facilities, broadcast transmitters,
broadcast receivers, field tests and subjective aspects. In an earlier announcement EIA named Norman Parker, Motorola Inc., as head of the systems specifications group.
Among others, the EIA committee will study the discrete system of Lou Dorren, whose sponsor, James Gabbert, KIOI-FM, San Francisco, has petitioned the FCC for rulemaking to approve to the Dorren system for radio transmission of discrete 4-channel sound.
General Electric has submitted a report to the FCC on its own system and its authorized experimental broadcasts over its Schenectady N.Y., station, but has not requested rulemaking.
Systems not presented at the May 9 meeting are invited to submit information by July 15, 1972.
Participation in the NORC open to any organization having an interest in quadrasonic sound.
Indication is that the NORC will try to make a recommendation within a year.
Among the organizations represented at the first meeting were the FCC, the National Association of FM Broadcasters, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., and the Japan Light Machinery Information Center. Twenty companies were represented including CBS Laboratories, Delco Electronics, Electro-Voice, Fisher, GTE Sylvania,
Gates, GE, JVC America, Magnavox, Motorola, Panasonic, Philco-Ford, Quadracast Systems, RCA Records, Rogers Broadcasting Ltd., H.H. Scott, Pioneer, Warwick Electronics, Zenith.

 

[Old Quad Guy]

 

[par4ken]

Connaught Equipment. Ltd., Gibraltar-based international com-pany, has been named the first European licensee of the CBS SQ system (Billboard, March 18)

Connaught actually produced the first SQ boards for Audionics. The Audionics name is used by another company in the UK so I guess that is why they later became "Audionics of Oregon". That early decoder sported DIN input and output jacks.

 

[Old Quad Guy]

Sansui reports on
the 4-channel scene

Since 1969, when Sansui developed the advanced quadraphonic technique called QS Regular Matrix, 4-channel sound has exploded on the musical scene with a plethora of 4-channel records broadcast by radio stations throughout the world, with the QS approach incorporated as part of Regular Matrix standards, almost all 4-channel consumer equipment produced today has QS Regular Matrix playback capability. More and more record companies, producers and engineers understand the superiority of Sansui 4-channel sound and the tremendous marketing opportunities the system affords. Dealers all over the country report continual increases in 4-channel record sales.
We are gratified that such famous record companies as Vox, BAS, French Decca and the Longines Symphonette Society, have recently joined the ranks of manufacturers producing QS encoded records. Dozens of new QS discs are scheduled for release before fall on these and other labels.

Sansui continues to lead the industry in new developments. Today, the Sansui QS vario matrix IC chip, which shortly will be available in production quantities, represents the latest refinement of the QS Regular Matrix Decoder for both consumer and professional.
The new vario matrix circuit yields separation indistinguishable from 4-channel master tape. It is included in our full line of QRX receivers and is part of our QSD-4 Studio Decoder.
Over 130 discs now bear the emblem of QS Regular Matrix in the United States. Artists who have recorded with our system include Carole King, B. B. King, Enoch Light, Dick Schory, Joan Baez, and a host of others. Some of America's best known producers have chosen the QS approach. Worldwide QS is represented by over 500 titles on 32 labels.

OS 4-channel compatible albums are available from the following labels and the number is rapidly increasing. Keep yourself informed.

ABC/A&M/ Audio Treasury/ BASF/Barclay/Black Jazz/
Bluesway/Blue Thumb/Command/Crown/ Decca (France)/Impulse/Jockey/ Kilmarnock/
King/Longines Symphonette Society/
Minoruphone/Nippon Columbia/ Ode/Ovation/ PCA-Recar/Polydor (Japan)/ Project 3/Pye/ Quad Spectrum/RTV Era/Teichiku/Toho/ Toshiba/Tumbleweed/Vox/Warner Pioneer

 

[Old Quad Guy]

May 20, 1972

Dealers Say ‘Q’ OK, But
There's Still Confusion

LOS ANGELES-
Four-channel is again going to be more prominent than ever at the Consumer
Electronics Show.
It's also going to be more confusing.
Consumers, beginning in the fall, will see 4-channel receivers, ampli-fiers, pre-amps, tape decks, record and tape software--all in matrix, discrete and "universal" modes.
These, not to mention various encoders, decoders and adaptors, all promise quadrasonic sound.
This is all very well for the industry.
It proves 4-channel is catching on, that manufacturers and retailers think it is a salable item, and that most feel the consumer has gotten over the notion that 4-channel is a gimmick. He now feels it is a genuine innovation.
The consumer and retailer may feel that 4-channel is a real step forward in sound, but he's also completely confused. And this confusion can only get worse unless some form of standardization is reached.
This brings the issue to Columbia and RCA and their current disagreement in software standardization.
At the moment, RCA is getting set to send its discrete disks into the marketplace, while Columbia is already selling its SQ (matrix) disks.
This is but one example of the current 4-channel confusion.
The average consumer is not an audiophile. He does not know the difference between discrete and matrix or encoder and decoder.
The retailer must educate him, and most dealers are doing their best to help consumers.
But it's an extremely difficult job when the retailer himself is often unsure of what he's selling.
"Nobody is asking every manufacturer to make his 4-channel product exactly like his competitors," said a dealer, "but the current situation is ridiculous.
"Columbia and RCA are not the only manufacturers at fault," he said, "but their size almost makes them villains by default. However, there is a certain amount of guilt due all around."
Manufacturers deserve credit for making 4-channel a salable item and for proving it is not a gim-mick. But unless some form in standardization is arrived at soon, retailers and consumers are going to get tired and some manufacturers may "confuse themselves" right out of the 4-channel market.

 

[Old Quad Guy]

June 17, 1972

4-Channel Units
in Spotlight But..

By EARL PAIGE & RADCLIFFE JOE

The dominant trend in four-channel equipment is the sheer abundance of it. Very few hardware firms are waiting. And while some companies have one or two models, others have as many as 10 new quadrasonic machines.
Another dominant trend, though, is the battle between the disk player manufacturers- those pushing the CBS' SQ, Sansui, Electro-Voice type matrix system and those going with the discrete "Quadradisc system developed by JVC, Panasonic and RCA.

While CBS has been lining up SQ licensees for months, at least 12 hardware companies have committed to make discrete phonograph equipment: Harman-Kardon, Toshiba, Hitachi, Nippon Columbia trio (Kenwood in U.S.), Onkyo, Sanyo, Sharp, Pioneer, RCA, JC and Mitsushita (Panasonic).
One more area of intense activity is in four-channel adapters, decoders and systems for converting two-channel to four-channel.
Tape equipment is not so affected by the matrix vs discrete contest, because two-channel 8-track was established and had the capability for four-channel; more important, perhaps, dealers selling huge amounts of 8-track prerecorded cartridges did not hesitate to stock four-channel cartridges too.
In other words. where 8-track four-channel is concerned, the software was set (though it is still not in great abundance).
In fact, 8-track, never really embraced by audiophiles, now blossoms forth in hi-fi magazine specials on four-channel.
Compatability also helped; most
8-track machines are described as combination two- and four-channel units
Virtually every manufacturers seriously involved in automotive tape players has four-channel in the line.
There are of course, many open reel machines. But software, long a problem in two-channel open reel, looms very large in quadrasonic.
Thus, Toyo's offer to provide 40 tape selections from Ovation, Capitol, Project 3 and Alshire Presents.
One area where four-channel has not been a factor, naturally, is in cassette. Compatibility with two-channel is one problem, but again, software retailers would be less inclined to handle a double prerecorded cassette inventory, experts point out.
One more area of rapid four-channel growth however is in receivers and amplifiers. Some firms stress the "ali systems" theme; Lafayette, for example, advertises its LR-440 $369.95 receiver as handling "all the new four-channel program sources.”
Of course, discrete FM broadcasts are still experimental and await FCC sanction; Lafayette has provided a detector output for this contingency.
Still another area where four-channel will be promoted is in consoles. Motorola, which has announced it will push the console market, has introduced a unit with four-channel sound from one cabinet--five cabinet designs are available.
There are more sophisticated combination units too.
Philco's component system at $739.95 (M5780DWA) features four channel systems AM/FM stereo and built-in cassette recorder.
A number of hardware manufacturers are constructing special store displays and demonstration promotions. Among them is Motorola, which initially had a four-channel player equipped automobile at various shows and conventions. The firm now has a "sound paddle" allowing retail salesmen to demonstrate everything from monaural to four-channel.
Teledyne, for example, is offering dealers two four-channel displays, one eight foot tall and the other see-over height.

Car Units

Pioneer, Bowman Astrosonix and Afco are among those showing four-channel auto stereo units. Pioneer's OT-444E is a two/four channel machine at $119.95. Boman's BM-950 combines four-channel and burglar alarm at $79.95 and BM-1950 has AM/FM stereo radio at $99.95. Afco Electronics is introducing a four-channel adaptor at $20.
Other auto units include JVC's 4AE1352, also a two/four channel unit with burglar alarm at $149.95.
Craig is confining its 4-channel representation to one 8-track car unit and is holding back from any home models. The company plans to have some new 4-channel hardware at the midwinter CES show in January.
For the time being, however, Craig's one tape unit is the 3129, which is offered with a Columbia Records demonstration tape and four speakers at $129.95.
This car unit which has been available for the past year, has been a "steady item,” according to Loren Davies, the company's sales director. "We're finding the movement right on a predictable curve.
It still is a new concept and right now we're filling the supply lines.
"Quadrasonic sound is still a conversation topic. Four-channel sound in the 8-track market is still down the road and we do see it as a potential market."
In the car field, Toyo has the 721 and 722 8-tracks both below the dash installations at $139.95.
Already available as a home unit is the 707 with input functions for a QC decoder and phonograph and tape decks at $179.95. Speakers are additional.
C.T.I., Inc. (nee Car Tapes, Inc.), will bow a four-channel 40-watt
8-track car unit with automatic head cleaner, slide controls, program lights, fine tuning and 28-watt peak power, according to E. Holtz, projects director. List is $89.95.
Dyn Electronics, a pioneer with innovations such as remote controlled car units will only show one model in four-channel: DS905 at $89.95.
Sparkomatic is among dozens of firms with adaptors for cars; it's "quadsonic" matrix adaptors range
$12-$16.

Home Equipment

In home equipment, one of the largest entries in four-channel is Sanyo's line that includes 10 units.
Highlight items are DXL-5485 with
AM/FM stereo, four amps, two-and four-channel 8-track deck, four speakers, list $250; GXT-4830 component system with two- and four-channel 8-track deck, record changer, AM/FM receiver, four book shelf speakers, list $350.
Also: DXR-5111 four channel system with decoder matrix circuitry, four amps, AM/FM stereo receiver, with facility for playing two-channel tapes through the four-channel circuitry, list $175; DXR-5111P same as DXR-5111 but with turnatable at $225.
Teledyne Packard-Bell, the TV set specialist, is building its audio console line with 12 models, all with matrix 4-channel circuitry and built-in 8-track players. These units will be sold through audio specialty dealers as well as existing accounts.
The price range for these units skyrockets at $1,200 and drops to $99.95 for a compact receiver. The top of the line is the RPC 489 series with extension speakers which may be removed from the console.

Open Reel

Teac is introducing two new 4-channel open reel players and eliminating four in its TCA line.
The new units are the 2340 ($759.50) and the 3340 ($849.50).
Both units have a "simulsynch" feature which allows the user to record on each of the four individual channels and then play that data back simultaneously in a fixed situation.
The four units being phased out by the Japanese manufacturer are the TCA 40, 41, 42 and 43.
Sony Superscope has 4-channel equipment in open reel and 8-track modes. There is the auto 8-track TC84 at $169.95 and the home
8-track with AM radio, the TC 248D at $169.95. In the open reel category, Superscope has the 854-4S with sound synchronization capabilities at $1,795; the 277-4 at $339.95; the 366-4 at $499.95 and 654-4 at $875.
The company calls its 4-channel open reel machines home audiophile units since they are designed for sound buffs.
Toyo, with three units already available and two home units to be bowed at CES, aims to also provide its dealers with programming.
"The biggest problem in the 4-channel field has been software," states Ted Inhara, Toyo's sales chieftain. "So were coming up with a 40 tape carousel along with our equipment.
Toyo's distributors will be able to reorder the tapes and Inhara feels this will help get the music before the public along with the machines.
Toyo's two CES models for the home are the 730 8-track along with AM/FM stereo at $279.95.
This unit has to use Toyo's QC-2 decoder which sells for $69.95. The model 740 is a stepup from the 739, with built-in decoder at $349.95. Speakers are extra for both units.
Toyo has encountered fair sales for its 4-channel equipment, Inhaha says.

Other Units

Among the many companies with equipment to convert existing systems for four-channel is Lafayette Radio with its LA-524 auxillary amplifier and decoder to "convert" standard stereo into discrete and matrix four channel. The unit lists for $79.95 and features built-in SQ decoding circuitry for Columbia SQ type disks. The 524 and two speakers are add-on units for discrete application. In the unit,
Lafayette included its
"composer circuitry" for deriving four dimensional sound from normal two-channel sources.
Pioneer is offering its GT-6600 four-channel open reel player/recorder deck at $599.95 and QC-800 four-channel preamplifier with a
"quadralizer" at $249.95.
Other four-channel open reel decks include JVC's 4RD-1401 at $449.95, 1400 at $399.95 and RD-1405 at $299.95.
Magnavox's 8911 four-channel converter for component and console systems does not require a separate amplifier and produces four-channel from four-channel sources and simulated four-chan-nel from other sources.
In amplifier/receiver equipment, Kenwood will bow the KR-6140A to be marketed later in the year.
It has circuitry for the SQ matrix broadcasts and capability of playing matrix disks and tapes as well as discrete software.
A KSQ-20 adaptor and KSQ-400 adaptor/amplifier rated 40 watts (IHF) for driving the rear channels are other units designed to help convert present two-channel set-ups.
Another unit combining matrix and discrete is Admiral's STC981 component system incorporating AM/FM stereo radio, plug-in turntable and 8-track. The unit, which lists for $269.95, also has four matched speaker enclosures each containing a 6-in. and a 3½-in. speaker.
As with other manufacturers, Topp is combining discrete and matrix in its two Juliette branded players by offering synthesizer and discrete capability. There is AQS-42 two-channel synthesizer with discrete four-channel: 8TQM-474 two/four channel automatic compatible player; 8TQM-5920 two-four channel with built-in amplifier and pre-amplifier; PAX-650 entertainment center (contains 8TQD-474 deck, AQS-42 synthesizer, four speakers and stands) which lists for $350.
Of many with two-four channel decks is Hitachi's TPQ-144 listing at $I29.95. Hitachi also has AA-100 adaptor, $24.95.
Pioneer has a home two/four channel deck, QH-666K, with four speakers at $239.95.

Pioneer

Pioneer Electronics is unveiling a broad line of quadrasonic equipment units including two quadrasonic amplifiers, one quadrasonic preamplifier, a quadralizer adapter, an SQ decoder two quadrasonic receivers, an innovate line of new speakers and other accessories.
Pioneer model No. OX-8000A
four-channel receiver is a single unit receiver designed to decode the majority of regular matrix-type records, as well as the less conventional SQ system sources.
Officials of the company also claim that Model OX-8000A is equally compatible with discrete four-channel recordings, as well as regular two-channel records and tapes. List price is $549.95.
Also in the line of new Pioneer four-channel receivers is model No.
QX-4000. This is a unit that lists for $349.99. Its features include AM/FM reception, two kinds of matrix decoders for the reproduction of all matrix encoded sound sources available today.
Leading the line of Pioneer four-channel amplifiers is the model
QA-800A. Described as a total capability unit, it provides up to 204 watts of musical power at four ohms.
This brand new system is completely integrated with four amplifiers and matrix decoding circuitry.
The unit is compatible with all existing matrix four-channel sources, as well as discrete four-channel sources and conventional two-chan-nel records and tapes. It carries a price tag of $369.95.
Pioneer's model No. QM-800A is designed for use as the power unit incorporated into a professional four-channel stereo system.
It has a power bandwidth of 10 to 50,000 Hz, with 30 watts per channel of continuous power at 8 ohms. According to Pioneer officials, QM-800A is recommended for use with the identically sized and styled four-channel preamplifier, the Pioneer model QC-800A.
The unit can also be used in a two-channel two-way multi-amplifier system, in conjunction with an electronic crossover network. Its signal-to-noise ratio is 90db or more, distortion is low and the power output is stable. List price on this unit is $329.95.
Further down the line is the Pioneer model No. QC-800A, a single unit, four-channel preamplifier with self-contained SQ decoder and regular matrix decoder, will create four-channel sound from any existing two-channel source. The QC-800A is fair traded at $269.95.
Pioneer's QL-600A is a decoding amplifier designed for use with four speakers and an existing stereo amplifier. The unit affords the listener a choice of two types of decoding circuits—a regular matrix circuit for sound reproduction of most four-channel program sources now available, and the other an SQ matrix for reproduction of SO four-channel sources.
The QL-600A also provides terminals for discrete four-channel, as well as conventional two-channel stereo. It carries a list price of $229.95.
Pioneer's QD-210, an SQ de-coder. features a low-noise, low distortion decoder circuit with a high signal-to-noise ratio. The unit which also features solid state circuitry, weighs six pounds-13 ounces and is fair traded at $99.95.
Rounding out the line are the QT-6600, a four-channel tape deck with record and playback features; and the O1-2100 a four-channel 8-track tape deck with a list price of $249.95.

Sansui

The Sansui Electric Co., will thrust into four-channel with several sophisticated pieces of equip-ment.
Top of the line is the Sansui model No. QR-6500, a four-chan-nel AM/FM stereo receiver, that works as a decoder for matrixed four-channel recordings and broadcasts, plus a synthesizer for two-channel sources.
This unit offers 37 watts of continuous power per channel at 8 ohms, has a stabilized power supply, is capable of tape to tape copying, and has a power bandwidth of 20 to 30,000 Hz.
Sansui's model No. QR4500 is another four-channel AM/FM stereo receiver with most of the features of model No. QR6500.
This unit is driven by 27 watts of continuous power per channel at 8 ohms, with power bandwidth of 20 to 30.000 Hz.
Also incorporated into this piece of equipment are a discrete four-channel input mode, four- and two-channel tape recording outputs and monitors, headphone jacks for front and rear channels and stabilized power supply.
Sansui model OR1500 is a complete four-channel center with all the control facilities for every four-channel and two-channel mode. It also boasts a decoder for four-channel reproduction, and a synthesizer for converting two-channel sources.
Also included are illuminated digital four-channel mode indicator, an exclusive QS phase shift and phase modulator circuits for true four-channel source localization, and live sound-field effect.
The Sansui model No. QR500 is another four-channel AM/FM stereo receiver which decodes all matrixed FM broadcasts and recordings for reproduction in four authentic channels. It also synthesizes four-channel sound from any two-channel source. It operates on 60 watts of IHF music power, and features many of the innovations utilized in the more expensive models.
The Sansui model Q8500 is a four - channel converter, decoder, amplifier that completely updates any conventional two-channel stereo system for full four-channel capability. It also decodes matrixed quadrasonic recordings and broadcasts, and synthesizes four channels of sound from any two-channel source. Complete control capability, and power amplifiers for the rear channels are included.
Another four-channel converter-decoder-ampliier is the Sansui model QS100. A scaled down version of the QS500, this unit also converts regular two-channel stereo systems into complete four-channel centers. Like its bigger brother also decodes matrixed four-channel broadcasts and recordings, and synthesizes four-channel sound with any two-channel input.
The Sansui model No. MQ2000 is a four-channel stereo AM/FM receiver/phonograph module. Features include a high fidelity automatic turntable, with a quality magnetic cartridge.
Also included are matching acoustic suspension speakers, a decoder for reproducing all matrixed FM broadcasts and recordings in the four authentic channels, a synthesizer for converting any standard two-channel stereo broadcast or recording to a four-channel sound field, an AM/FM tuner, and four power amplifiers.

Cassette 'Q'

Sansui is also suggesting that its new dolbyized stereo cassette deck, model No. SC700, be hooked up to the MQ2000 for copies of all four-channel encoded recordings or broadcasts.
These can, in turn be played back in full four-channel sound through the decoder in the MQ-2000.

Panasonic

Panasonic features four new quadrasonic music systems. Top of the line is the Anandale, model RS-864S, a four-channel 8-track home entertainment center with a built-in FM/AM/FM stereo radio.
In this unit, four-channel sound presence is delivered to the listener from conventional two-channel sources via quadruplex circuitry.
The unit is fitted with the Panasonic "Pana-Ject” innovation which automatically ejects cartridges at the end of the program.
Other features in the Anandale include a speaker separation control, AC bias and erase, two VU meters, direct read-out program in-dicator, three position monitor switch. There are also input and output jacks and remote balance control. List price on this unit is $399.95.
Panasonic's Rosemead, model KE-8840 is a custom four-channel stereo music center with a car convertible four-channel 8-track player, and FM/AM/ FM stereo radio that has a built-in four-channel balance scope.
The Rosemead operates on 60 watts of power, and its four-chan-nel 8-track player can snap into an optional car bracket. Also optional is a cassette adaptor.
The unit, model No. RE8840, utilizes quadruple circuitry, and features jacks for headphones, phonograph, tape, and four-channel auxiliary. It carries a price tag of $379.95.
Panasonic's model SE-4040 is a complete four-channel stereo home entertainment center with four-channel 8-track cartridge player, stereo phonograph and FM/AM/ FM stereo radio.
According to Panasonic's officials, use of the company’s exclusive “direct coupled” circuits
ITL-OtL-OCL helps eliminate unnecessary transformers and capacitors. Suggested minimum retail price on this unit is $299.95.
Also included in the new group of quadrasonic equipment is the Wittier by Panasonic. This unit, model RE-8420 is four-channel 8-track cartridge player with built-in FM/AM/FM stereo radeo. It features many of the innovations utilized in other models, and carries a suggested retail price of $279.95.
Optional extras for this piece of equipment include a four-speed record changer, stereo headphones, four-channel remote balancer.
Meanwhile the company has also developed a demodulator, and an automatic record changer that plays back and reproduces four separate, discrete stereo channels from discrete four-channel records.
The demodulator, Model SE-405, has been designed for both the general consumer and the high fidelity buff, according to Ray Gates, vice president of Panasonic's consumer electronics group.
He added that it would be sold with a semiconductor cartridge for ideal discrete four-channel repro-duction. The demodulator may also be used with any four-channel amplifier and most high quality magnetic cartridges. Suggested minimum retail price on this unit is $134.95.
The Panasonic Model SL-800 is a fully automatic record changer with a built-in discrete four-chan-nel disk demodulator. It is priced at $199.95.

 

[Old Quad Guy]

 

[Old Quad Guy]

 

[Old Quad Guy]

 

[Old Quad Guy]

 

[Old Quad Guy]

October 26, 1974

Court Ruling Delays 4-Channel Promotion

NEW YORK-
Plans for a major audio equipment retailer 4-channel promotion to coincide with the launching of WQIV-FM, originally scheduled for Oct. 5, have been suspended pending a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals, Washington, on a temporary injunction which barred the station from going on the air.
The station which had, for years, operated as WNCN-FM, New York City's only 24-hour classical station, was recently acquired by the Starr Broadcasting Co. and slated for conversion to a 24-hour 4-channel rock station, using the Sansui QSEB QS 4-channel decoder.
Planned promotional tie-in had been a joint effort of WQIV-FM, Sansui Electronics, and the dealers involved. According to Sansui officials, these numbered about 85, including such key names as Sam Goody and Willoughby-Peerless.
The promotion had been designed to create consumer awareness of the station, with the hope that it would give a boost to sagging 4-channel equipment sales.
Generated by Sansui officials, the idea was based on the premise that in most cases where a radio station switched to a 4-channel broadcast format (there are a number currently in operation around the country), the sales of quad receivers in the station's listening area immediately shot up.
Sansui also claims to be selling the QSEB broadcast 4-channel decoder at the rate of one a week, giving rise to the speculation that receiver manufacturers could back into a quadraphonic market they have tried unsuccessfully to create for about four years.
Because of the injunction (a ruling on which was expected shortly), special media advertising, point-of-purchase displays and promotional prices on 4-channel equipment have also been suspended.
However, Sansui and Starr Broadcasting Co. officials are confident that the court's final ruling will be in favor of the station's format change. They feel this way despite thousands of signatures and a 250-page petition in favor of the retention of the present classical format.
Consequently, as one Sansui spokesman put it, “all systems are go for the launching of the promotion as soon as the green light is given by the Court of Appeals."

 

[Old Quad Guy]

October 26, 1974

DSR: Album and QS
'On Tour' Producers

By JACK McDONOUGH

BERKELEY-
DSR Productions here, specializing in remote recording, is busy working simultaneously on a relatively new quadraphonic (Sansui QS) radio show, "On Tour," which is now syndicated to about 150 progressive FM stations throughout the country, and on producing albums for a select roster of artists signed to production contracts with DSR.
The principals in the company are Doug Clifford and Stu Cook, ex-drummer and bassist respectively for Creedence Clearwater Revival and Ross Gary, who engineered the last six Creedence albums and has done much independent production work also. They are assisted by Bruce Young.
The operation is run from a funky building in Berkeley's industrial warehouse district. The building, originally purchased by Creedence as a rehearsal hall, business office and all-around second home, is known as Cosmo's Factory, after Clifford's nickname. Though one Creedence record was titled after the building, no real recording was done there during the Creedence era.
Now, however, with the addition of a sleek mobile unit, much recording is going on. The first product from DSR is Tom Fogerty's Fantasy album, "Zephyr National." Fogerty's latest (and last for Fantasy) album, "Myopia," has been completed at DSR and is in the mixing stages.
Doug Sahm's "Groover's Paradise," produced by Clifford, was also recorded here. Sahm has a production contract with DSR, which in turn has an arrangement to provide Warner Bros. with Sahm masters. In addition, both Clifford and Cook play with Sahm's band, the Tex-Mex Trip, on this LP.
The Valley Boys, an electrified pop country discovery of Cook's from the Sacramento Valley, are also working on an album here which Cook will then undertake to contract out to a major label.
In time the company hopes to strike a setup whereby it can function as a custom label for a major.
The company has done nine remotes so far for "On Tour," which is headed in Los Angeles by John Parker, who hopes eventually to do the same type programs with soul and country music. DSR has gone to such cities as Denver, L.A., Albu-querque, and Sacramento to record such acts as Dave Mason, Poco, Rory Gallagher, Boz Scaggs, Foghat, Electric Light Orchestra and Steve Miller,
It did a remote for the Gamble-Huff night at the Columbia Convention in San Francisco and has also recorded in 1973 and 1974 the Concord Jazz Festival, for the City of Concord's own record label.
Firm is able with its remote truck to record its own bands live whenever it wishes or it can go to record a band at the band's own favorite rehearsal spot. And in Clifford and Cook the company has its own built-in rhythm section to back up any band-less artists in whom they take an interest.
The mobile unit, housed in a large GMC truck, has, they say, "every conceivable option suitable to mobile recording need." Everything in the truck-which is air conditioned, acoustically designed, and fitted with telephones and closed-circuit TV -was either custom ordered or built to DSR's specifications.
Inside there are two 3M 16-track recorders. The console was custom built by deMideo Engineering and incorporates API amps, EQ's and faders. There are 24 inputs, 16 out-puts, a complete patch bay, four limiters and two additional mid-range equalizers. Monitoring, with quad, stereo and mono capabilities is powered by Macintosh 2100 power amps. The speakers are Altec 604E monitors which utilize a sound ramp for flat frequency response.

 

[Old Quad Guy]

November 2, 1974

Slow 'Q' Situation
Changing By Jan.?

LOS ANGELES
Out of the two million albums being pressed each month at the pressing plants of the Victor, Musical Industries, approximately 10 percent are CD-4 quad discrete records, reports James Y. Mochizuki.
He says that Vic Goh, president of JVC America, just returned from an extensive quad study in Japan with these and other facts.
These facts were among those discussed here Thursday (24) in a CD-4 quad "summit" meeting at the Century Plaza attended by executives from several companies.
In the U.S., Mochizuki expects quad to get back into high gear in January. Tom Nishida, vice president and resident engineer of the JVC Cutting Center, which he directs, worked double shifts cutting CD-4 discrete masters for two months this summer and has constantly been cutting test product for various labels.
Discrete albums are following the release of the stereo versions by about a month. Mochizuki says.
“When this happens, total sales rise considerably, especially with classical albums ... so we can definitely see the impact that quad is having in the market place."
Mochizuki says that three things have hampered more labels switching to CD-4;
• The economic scene in the U.S.-a combination of inflation and recession put all quad in a holding pattern for a while.
• The vinyl shortage:
• The fact that some labels were releasing quad product in batches rather than in a normal release pattern like ordinary stereo product.
Mochizuki says that Russell Peters, vice president of Keysor-Century, has a new quad compound just released this week called Q540-3.
"It's especially blended for CD-4 records.
In addition, Peters estimates that there is still a 20 percent shortage of vinyl to market demand, but that Jan. I should see an abatement of the shortages to some extent.
Hardware in quad has been
"coming along nicely," Mochizuki says. "If it has been conservative at all, it's been because of the compound shortage.”

 

[Old Quad Guy]

1974 has been a special year for Herbie Hancock, because he has at last reached a mass audience without compromising his artistic integrity. Sure, his music has evolved -it's more earthy and rhythmic-but it's just as demanding, and when Herbie solos over that great rhythm section, he really burns.
Herbie Hancock is that rare artist who can forecast the future and capture the present. In 1974 Herbie has had a hit single, "Chameleon," and a gold album, "Head Hunters," which has sold over 900,000 and is still on the charts.
His new album, “Thrust,” is taking up where “Head Hunters" left off, and after a few weeks it's 16 in Billboard, 16 (bullet) in Cash Box and 20 in Record World. His new single,
"Palm Grease,” 3-10050 is starting out like "Chameleon," 4-46002 receiving very heavy R&B airplay.
And on top of these successes comes Herbie's brilliant score for "Death Wish," the soundtrack album from the most talked-about movie of the year.

 

[Old Quad Guy]

June 17, 1972

GE Requests FCC
Review Of 'Quadcast'

WASHINGTON-
General Electric has formally entered its discrete quadrasonic system as a contender in the 4-channel transmission sweepstakes and has further petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to make an extended inquiry into all aspects of the new-found technique. The company said it endorses the new ad hoc Quadraphonic Radio Committee of the Electronics Industries Association, which will study all aspects of 4-channel broadcasting, and will recommend standards to the FCC.
The G.E. 4-channel system is now in more direct competition at the commission with the Darren Quadraplex system, which was proposed by James Gabbert, president of KIOI-FM, San Francisco. Both are discrete systems which would carry the 4-channel transmission directly to the listener, as opposed to the matrix system which blends four channels into two, and decodes them back into an approximate of four channels at the receiver.
General Electric recommended three main goals for the FCC in a full-scale inquiry into the new sound development: One, to determine both public and industry interest in the new sound for broadcasting; two, to check such aspects of the new quadrasonic sound as quality and performance standards, need for additional frequency alloca-tions, and the impact on the FM service's SCA's. (These are the Subsidiary Communications Authorizations presently used by FM's in background music and store casting.)
General Electric had previously submitted results of quadraphonic broadcast tests made under FCC authorization, on its FM station, WGFM-FM, Schenectady, but took the further opportunity to plug its system on several grounds. G.E. said its system is compatible with present monaural and stereo receivers. Although the system cannot use the normal SCA frequencies of either 41 or 67 KHZ, "theoretical investigation indicates these (SCA) communications may be carried on below 100 KHz.
G.E. also claimed the system's distortion factor is "well within"
the existing FCC requirements for broadcast equipment. Due to the additional information transmitted in the 4-channel mode, there is a loss of seven db in signal-to-noise ratio. G.E. said this may be compared with a 23 db loss incurred when going from monaural to 2-channel stereo transmission.
Another feature claimed for the
G.E. system is automatic switching in 4-channel receiving equipment, which is provided by a low-level pilot signal.

 

[par4ken]

View attachment 95343

Notice Joe Walsh "So What" with catalogue number (CQD -40017). Why oh why did it not get released?

 

[Old Quad Guy]

Notice Joe Walsh "So What" with catalogue number (CQD -40017). Why oh why did it not get released?

And where are the original master tapes? ABC or whoever bought control of the tapes supposedly didn’t preserve or save them, from what people have mentioned here on QQ. Although anything could show up in the future, if it still exists.

I could be wrong, but I don’t recall seeing much of anything in Hi-Rez in recent years from the ABC catalog in stereo or quad.

 

[par4ken]

And where are the original master tapes?

I still believe that our old friend Oxford Dickie has a copy of the QS encode but he is tight lipped about where it came from. I would hope that the discrete Quad master turns up someday, sad if it was destroyed in the fire. Hard to believe that nobody involved wIth the ABC Command Quadraphonic project wouldn't have kept a copy for themselves! As an eternal optimist I hope that someday a copy will surface.

 

[Old Quad Guy]

There are industry personnel in some of these old articles that mention QS Quads not being labeled as being Quad, because of fear of double inventory and not selling. So, instead quad stuff was listed as being stereo, according to some of the old articles.

 

[Old Quad Guy]

June 17, 1972

Anticipate Immediate
Purchasing Response at
CES Audio Booths

By EARL PAIGE

CHICAGO -
Consumer Electronics Show's (CES) second outing in McCormick Place here will be a buying show, because for the first time in recent years, Items heretofore mainly in prototype stages (i.e., four-channel sound, television cartridge players/recorders) are now in production.
The expected 30,000 delegates will see, also for the first time in CES's six years, an all audio show.
Many big TV manufacturers are taking a pass RCA, Zenith, Sylvania, Motorola, Magnavox (some will maintain Loop hotel suites though but cannot show product in them).
The show opening Sunday (11) will find CES's sponsors (Consumner Electronics Group, Electronic Industries Association) generally satisfied with "71's shakedown
event. Thus CES will essentially repeat the three morning industry seminars starting 9 a.m. Monday (12)—marketing, video, audio. Exhibit hours are 9-6 p.m. Mon.-Tues., 9-3 p.m. Wed.
Fireworks could erupt at the Wednesday audio seminar because at least one strong advocate of discrete four-channel sound, producer Brad Miller, promised Billboard he was going to fire back at matrix proponents. Miller said he will be the only software panelist.
Everything about CES is bigger, more space (300,000 square feet vs 220,000 last year), more exhibitors (288 vs 261 as of last printed list).
However, it's still mainly a hardware event. Though software is crucial to four-channel's growth, the mass merchandisers of records-tapes met previously at the National Association of Record Merchandisers (N A R M) convention (Billboard, Mar. 18).
Nevertheless, at least one software area will be well represented-blank tape.
Other highlights buyers can ex-pect:
• Modest increases in prices;
• Myriad accessories from carrying cases to "quad" needles;
• Many firms expanding lines; going from compacts into components; from home to auto units.
As for prices, one barometer is the recent introduction of TV sets Motorola's new line shows list price boosts of $10-$25. These pre-CES introductions to distributors/ retailers are one reason as well why the big TV set makers pass up CES (though privately some say CES is too dominated by Japanese made product).
Paul Van Orden of GE's audio division said GE's audio items are up from 1 to 4 percent and estimated a general '72 hike of near 5 percent.
Thus, there is reflection of Japanese Yen re-evaluation and other factors boosting prices. Also, the U. S. Treasury announced recently an investigation into possibly setting countervailing duties on Japanese-made electronics. But despite all this, there will be show specials.
One area of CES that keeps growing is accessories. There are 50 different firms marketing carrying cases now. Many of the new exhibitors at CES are accessory firms, many with various products to plug into or couple with units to synthesize four-channel. Though some familiar names are gone from CES '72 (83 exhibitors did not return) the 113 new ones demonstrate the heady growth of consumer electronics.
Though some exhibitors are well known for, say compacts, buyers will find them offering components this year too. Examples of firms broadening lines and adding new ones include Pioneer's entry in car stereo and auto-oriented Tenna's introduction of home units.
This kind of intra-product line competition could hold prices down too, but it will make buying more of a challenge.
One challenge, of course, will relate to the keynote items at CES four-channel. It will be everywhere.
However, there will be those firms boosting matrix and others discrete and many showing units that combine both (though for the most part such combinations have matrix disk capability and discrete tape capability).
As for TVC equipment, CES' location here is all the more appropriate because retailers such as Sears are showing units (as of Memorial Day, a spokesman at the State Street store said 18 of the $1,600 list units had been sold-Sears has TVC at 18 stores locally)
For most exhibitors at CES, the past weeks have been feverish and in only another few weeks many will return for the July 8-12 Independent Housewares Exhibit at Conrad Hilton.