KSD’S NEW STUDIOS, NOW OPERATING WITH HIGH FIDELITY MECHANISM, AMONG MOST ATTRACTIVE IN COUNTRY
DESIGNED TO INSURE REALISM OF RECEPTION ON RADIO SETS IN HOMES – TWO STORIES HIGH, WITH THEIR FLOORS AND CEILINGS SUSPENDED BY SPRINGS.
WALLS SOUND-PROOFED – FINEST OF CONTROL ROOM APPARATUS ENABLES ENGINEERS TO MAINTAIN QUALITY OF TRANSMISSION CONTINUALLY AT PEAK LEVEL.
PROCESS OF BROADCASTING, FROM MICROPHONE TO LISTENER’S EAR, DESCRIBED – HOW STATION IS HELD ON CHANNEL ASSIGNED BY FEDERAL COMMISSION.
REFLECTOR AERIAL ERECTED ON ROOF OF BUILDING NEAR THE POST-DISPATCH TO PREVENT RADIATIONS FROM INTERFERING WITH THISE STATIONS TO THE EAST.
(February 17, 1935, by J.L.S.)
KSD’s new studios, which have been under construction for several months on the Olive street side of the Post-Dispatch building, are now being used for broadcasting.. Architecturally, and in decorative effect, there are no more attractive studios in the country. Not even those in the New York and Chicago headquarters of the national networks are better suited accoustically for quality broadcasting. Their perfection of equipment and mechanism insures KSD transmission of programs with a fidelity to test the reproduction of any radio set likely to be available for some years. They have been designed specifically for use with the 5000 watt transmitter that has been ordered for KSD to be erected and in service some time this spring.
Entrance to the new studios is from the lobby on the ground floor of the Post-Dispatch Building through a hall decorated in ice blue with wall border in tan figures, ceiling in “off white” and furniture in dark blue. A room for artists and entertainers is decorated in the same color scheme.
The two main studios – “A” and “B” – are entered through a “sound lock,” which is a small room with heavily insulated walls and soundproof doors. One may enter it from the artists’ room or a control room, close the door, then open a door into either of the studios and be sure that no noise from outside will enter with one to mar the effect of a program that is being broadcast from the studio.
Studios Two Stories High Studio “A” is two stories high, 12 feet long and 18 feet wide. Its walls are decorated in light coral and “off white” with silver trim. Its floating floor – suspended on springs and independent of the walls – is in brown with large squares outlined in buff. At the far end is a large recess with draperies of accoustical material that may be expanded to dampen strident tones or contracted to brighten tonal effects. Wall and ceiling lights are in the modern classic style, and there are ceiling corner spot lights so the floor may be illuminated to any desired degree of brilliancy. The walls – of accoustical material backed by blanketing of rock wool and an air space – are designed to be impervious to outside noises. The ceiling, which is done in off white, is suspended by springs in the same manner as is the floor, the purpose being to bar vibrations from the street and other parts of the building.
Studio “B” – also two stories high – is 23 feet long and 15 feet wide.. Its walls are decorated in buff yellow with light cobalt blue trim, while the floor is in gray with trim of blue and terra cotta. Wall and ceiling lights are in the modified Regency style. The floor and ceiling are suspended by springs, and the walls, floor and ceiling have the same accoustical treatment as Studio “A.”
Air-Conditioning System On the mezzanine floor are an observation room with windows looking down into both studios and fitted with loud speakers, and offices for the program director and his assistants. The walls of the observation room are in pale, grayish green and the ceiling in cloudy terra cotta. The floor is covered with a heavy rust-colored carpet, and the chairs and settees are in the modern classical style with rust-colored upholstery.
Both of the new studios and the control rooms, offices and reception room connected with them are air conditioned. Thermostatic control in each room and studio makes it possible to maintain the temperature within one or two degrees. All air entering the studios and other rooms is filtered. The system supplies heat as well as ventilation in winter and properly cooled air in the warm months. The studio hitherto used for KSD’s local broadcasting is now known as “C.” It is reserved for auditions, rehearsals and special auditions. The offices connected with it are used by KSD’s sales force.