THE MICHIGAN DAILY THURSDAY. DEC -r+rrwW+Y n... "--'-I1iv TLKk :EAR-CUT SOUNDS: Campus Hi-Fi Use Rises By GERALD DeMAAGD What is a high fidelity music stem and what makes it differ- xt? There is no real reason to feel ferior if you don't have the an- 'ers to questions about the ins id outs of the high fidelity pho- graph or tape recorder. For- nately it is not necessary to be electrical engineer to under- and the basic fundamentals of hi-fi system. For a good definition of hi-fi, e company hails it as, "a new ncept in the supreme enjoyment music . . . made possible by a rnbination of audio units which produce sound with a range and alism identical to the original rformance." More Accurate Sound A more down to earth estima- n would simply be that prog7. ss in the field of electrical engi- ering has evolved devices that produce sound with greater ac- racy. These machines present music th greater pleasing effects of alism or 'presence' than could 'erly be obtained. The advan- ges that stand out and that ark high fidelity music as dif- ent are that the set ups mini- ze distortion, reproduce a 'wider quency range, and balance tone. A fundamental precept of hi-fi machines is that they can follow a clarinet to five lines above the scale. A definite advantage of hi- fi is its wide frequency range, that is the ability to reproduce the highest to the lowest note with equal clarity. It reproduces not only the fundamental tones but the overtones as well, and cap- tures the identity of a trumpet or a saxophone. Finally high fidelity produces the balance of tone important 'for real musical enjoyment. All pos- sible attempt is made to eliminate screechy or washed-out tones, and it may be said that high fidelity has definitely come a long way since the first Edison "squak box." Component Systems Most high fidelity phonographs on campus are component sys- tems, that is the various elements of the completed system were manufactured by separate com- panies.I The commercial high fidelity phonograph is one in which all the parts have been made by one com- pany which has put the completed unit on the market. Although most hi-fi addicts look with disdain on such .players, many persons con- cede that they are almost as good as a home arranged system. In fact some are better . . . if you have the price. Before the advent of high fidel- ity only the curious bothered to Give RECORDS FOR CHRISTMAS The perfect gift for your college friends NoV'el Christmas Cards With amusical motif SMALL GIFT ITEMS ~'fur 71(ueic Ciorker 9nc. ' " 312 South Thayer find out how the record player was made. Now high fidelity has appeared on the campus scene with all its various components and mechanisms. A high fidelity phonograph sim- plified consists of four compo- nent parts, the turntable, the cart- ridge, the amplifier, and the loud speaker. Voltages to Amplifier Music is formed on the record in the nature of grooves which waver from side to side with vary- ing amplitude. The needle or stylus embedded in the pickup arm rests in these ditches and the waves are picked up by the needle and transferred into small electrical voltages by the cartridge in the tone arm. These voltages are then sent on to the amplifier. Coeds Do It, Too Many students economize on price without compromising on the quality of a high fidelity system by assembling their own amplifiers. Many men particularly effect quite a saving in cost this way and sev- eral coeds on campus who appar- ently have some mechanical apti- tude have accomplished the task. On the average it only takes about four to five hours to con- struct an amplifier following the illustrated instructions furnished with present kits on the market. Approximate total cost of a pho- no system as is usually ordered from the electronics warehouses ranges from a minimum of $150 up into the high price brackets. Most students order parts through one or two prominent wholesale agen- cies that regularly publish a cata- log. Sell Blood for Tuner After the basic hi-fi system has been purchased many extras may be added. Chief among these in local popularity seems to be the FM radio tuner. Several high fidel- ity disciples have, sold a pint of blood in order to purchase this item. This practice is not gener- ally recommended, but the tuner is delightful for listening to elev- en high fidelity FM (frequency modulated) radio stations in this area that offer excellent pro- grams. Other common additions are multiple speakers and improved enclosures. Some of the more elab- orate systems have as many as two dozen speakers, while two is the usual norm. For those iha little extra cash a tape recorder may round out their electronic inventory. Since the tape recorder plays through the amplifier system the quality is equal. Borrowed records may be taped and then returned and in this manner a collection of many hours of music filed imme- diately at hand. 'I, Gaily decorated hand - madev Christmas cards become more popular as each December rolls around. This hobby has become a stu- dent fun project, according to Professor Alex L. Pickens, who di- rects eight classes in elementary art education. His classes enable students to work painting of Christmas cards into their class work. "The trend has been toward hand-made Christmas cards," said Prof. Pickens. "These art classes enable students to apply class work to a specific need." Each student buys his own pap- er, selects a printing process, and explores techniques at his own development level.. Printing tech- niques invojve a choice of wood- cuts, stencil, silk screen, linoleum block, and rubber stamp print- ing. Once a design is created' it is transferred to a surface that can be inked and then printed. Fifty cards can be printed in two hours and some students have made up to 500. Water soluble printing ink is used and frequently cards are dec- orated by hand and then lettered inside. Many Decorations Decorations range from bells. Trees Here Get Decor for Season Campus evergreens were turned into Christmas trees this week. The plant department recently finished its annual work of string- ing colored lights on trees in front of the League, President Hatch- er's home, the library and hospi- tal. This year in addition de- partment crews decorated a tree by the Kresge Building on North Campus. Lights have been connected with the University electrical system so that they may be turned on automatically with the rest of campus night lighting. fir trees and religious, designs Santa Claus and children's toys. Candy canes,berries, and holly leaves are also popular designs. Glittering sparkles of many col- ors'attract most students. Sparkles may be applied by means of glue and tinsel. Joneses Not Keeping Up With _Smiths More people at the University sign their letters Smith than any other name.. Student Directory statistics re- veal that 124 people named Smith are currently enrolled here. Next most common surname is Miller, with 105 members of that family on campus. Seventy-four Browns are listed in the directory, nearly equalled by the 70 Andersons. Of the John- son family there are 56 local.repre- sentatives, with an equal number -- smaller than is usually expect- ed -- of Joneses, The studentbody includes 51 Taylors and 45 people named Williams. Forty-one Ann Arbor branches can be found on the Davis family tree-one more than their next rivals, the 40 Moores. Dean and Jerry have their namesakes, with 39 Lewises and 38 Martins here. Next on the list, running a close competition, are 34 Clarks, 30 Thompsons, 29 Halls, 28 Murphys and 27 Robinsons.. Goldbergs and Lees rank next on the list, each with 26 bearers at the University.. The directory names 25 Schwartzes and 24 Cooks. Stanley Smith, Grad., said he normally doesn't think of his name as being particularly common, but that he and his wife had to be careful in naming their new son to avoid giving him a name too extreme or, on the other hand, too common. Their result: Jeffrey Bradford Smith. Daily-Dick Gaskill PERSONAL TOUCH - Coed finishes work on her hand-made Christmas cards. Trend In Yule Greetings Toward Hand-made Cards "SPECTACULAR" Three-Part Sampler .For U' TV By ALLAN STILLWAGON The height of Christmas con- fusion is usually considered to be found at Macy's department store, or possibly Times Square, but neither can hold a candle (bay- berry) to the furious preparation at the University Television stu- dios. The one-time funeral home has assumed a decidedly festive look during the preparation of "Christ- mas Studio Sampler," the speech department's Yuletide "Spectacu- lar," termed by Director Don Street as "the biggest thing we've ever done." "Christmas Sampler" will require a staff of over one hundred dur- ing its staging. Forty-five min- utes in length, this year's Christ- mas presentation is the longest live broadcast ever attempted by University Television. Students Do All From the producer, Gary John- ston, on down, all work is being handled by students, including that of engineers, studio technicians, sound men, writers, set designers, and actors. Scheduled to be telecast on Fri- day, Dec. 16, the Christmas pre- sentation will consist primarily of three dramatic. portions, two of which were written by University students. The first, "The Tree," was first presented by the Speech Depart- ment at this time last year. Audi- ence response wes so favorable that it is being repeated this year. "The Tree" is a seasonal message for adults, written by Joe Cole- man, '56E, telling of the appear- ance of the Christmas spirit on a Christmas tree lot. Santa Claus 'Problems' The second vignette, "The Nic- est Christmas Gift of All," is a children's story of their favorite North Pole dweller, Mr. S. Claus. The old gentleman neglects his alarm and suffers much more grevious consequences than the cutting of an eight o'clock. The third portion of "Christmas Sampler" is as familiar as a wreath on the front door. The classic, "Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus," will complete the format of this holiday feature. Christmas Star Mystery Unsolved The mystery of the Christmas star brings popular interest in astronomy to a peak in December, according to Prof. Harel M. Losh of the astronomy department. And ,t's a mysteryastronomers haven't solved yet. "The narrative about the star is too incomplete, the date of the appearance of the star too uncertain, the early calendar too unreliable to lead us to any defi- lite conclusions, she states Christmas Gift from Saffell & Bush doubly appreciated , "'": WE HAVE A VERY COMPLETE SELWC. TION OF FINE MERCHANDISE FOR THE DISCERNING MALE. GET HIM THE IDEAL CHRISTMAS GIFT NOW - BEFORE YOU GO HOME. IT'S NICE TO GET IT FROM SAFFELL N BUSH IN ANN ARBOR. 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