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of experiments the 1890s. The considerable distance between
the film projector the rear the auditorium and the
phonograph behind the screen added the complications of
adjusting the two machines work unison. was pointless trying market talking picture
machine without movies show with it. clutch
mechanism was developed alter the speed the playback in
order synchronize with the film but this was very
difficult mechanism work. took experienced man keep the sounds
. Recording the
soundtrack accompany the film presented another group of
technical problems.
Edison's men not only had design commercial machine,
they also had produce library kinetophone film
subjects. The
projectionist had continually adjust the speed the film
and kinetophone playback keep the sound time with the
image. Edison's recording staff had plenty of
experience recording musicians, but actors and dancers
presented much more complex sonic environment and posed some
tricky questions: How can you increase the sensitivity the
recording without also increasing the volume background and
reflected sound? How you position the actors for best
technical results without destroying the quality the
performance? The recording was done with large horn the
phonograph which picked and amplified the sound the
action stage. was linked the operator in
the projection booth cord running pulleys