THE NATURE OF SOUND IN RADIO

The Science of Sound

• After learning the basic characteristics of sound, we need to know how sound is generated and how it is used.

We have said that radio production is an art. An artist must know the capability of his tools, the condition of their use and the perceiving power and manner of the sense to which they are directed.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUND

“Sound is a disturbance of the normal distribution of molecules in the air, caused by some vibrating object”.

Sound has four characteristics: pitch, volume, quality and duration. All the differences between sounds, no matter how simple or complex can be explained in terms of these four characteristics. Sound may include: Human voice, Animal, Music, Effects, man made or natural etc.

PITCH

Pitch is commonly designated as high or low, and it is a precisely definable characteristic. Pitch is determined by the number of complete vibrations per second, which the vibrator makes in originating the sound. Each individual or instrument can have different pitch – but don’t confuse pitch with volume.

VOLUME

Volume is the common term applied to intensity or loudness of sound. Unlike pitch, volume cannot be reduced to accurate measurements as long as it remains within the realm of sound. However, as soon as sound is transformed into electrical energy by a microphone, it can be measured..

QUALITY

The quality of sound, sometimes called its timbre, is a definitely discernible characteristic, but one, which results from a complex set of circumstances. Actually one hears few pure sounds in any form. Almost any sound or noise we hear from nature or from musical instruments is not a single pitch but a complex pattern of pitches.

DURATION

Because sound is physical phenomenon, which occurs within the framework of time, and because the length of the sound’s existence can be controlled, duration must be considered as one of the basic characteristics of sound.

Having described these basic objective factors of the characteristics of sound, we can now consider it as it is received by the human ear in Radio programme.

The Theory of Radio Transmission

• No one planning to work in the field of radio should be ignorant of basic technical principles of his medium. One must understand three basic phenomena:
  • The characteristics of sound
  • The translation of sound into electromotive force
  • The wireless transmission and reception of this force.
• Let us list the various stages of transmission of sound in radio b’casting:

1. Sound is generated. It may be speech, music, noise or any combination of these.
2. It is acoustically controlled. In studios this is managed by softening the walls or by the use of artificial echo or by other means.
3. Sound energy is translated into electrical energy. The microphone is the instrument that accomplishes this transformation.
4. This electrical energy is amplified. It is very weak in its original form. The vacuum tube accomplishes this amplifying process.
5. It is controlled as to volume and placement by the use of conductors, non-conductors, and resistors.
6. It is broadcast and function is radio transmitter.
7. The electrical energy is retranslated into sound energy. Headphones serve the same purpose.

A History of Radio Pakistan by Nihal Ahmed

1. Indian Broadcasting Service (IBC) was founded in 1926 – in private sector under Ministry of Industries – Ran into financial problems Bombay & Calcutta stations stopped functioning.
2. Replaced by Indian State Broadcast service in 1930 – Renamed as AIR in 1936.
3. In 1935 post of controller created, Lionel Fieldem of BBC appointed first controller.

Station included Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Lucknow, Madras, Lahore and later Peshawar & Dacca

4. Indian Foreign broadcast began during Second World War.
5. June 3^rd is a memorable day when Partition of Indian Plan was announced on AIR. Mountbeetan, Jinnah, Nahru, Sardar Baldev Singh addressed in English – subsequently translated.
6. Partition of AIR – out of nine, six went to India and three to Pakistan. No share of equipment given to Pakistan by India
7. Declaration of Pakistan – midnight 14-15 August – Lahore Mustafa Ali Hamdani’s announcement پاکستان براڈ کاسٹنگ سروس
8. one problem was – no Radio Station at Federal Capital

Team of engineers – visits to UK & USA. Holland & Germany were big supplier before war.

9. 1948 Radio Station – under tent – no furniture – no money – no resources.

Incident – Power breakdown – Bokhari Sahab used torch – Prime Minister was to be told the proposal to purchase pertromax. It was not approved by Finance Ministry

PM mentioned this while inaugurating the BH on Bunder Road in 1951.

10. Another problem – no Karachi – Dacca
11. Information policy based on Islamic way of life – government institutions – discouragement of parochial & other social evils – relations with friendly countries – public order – decency – morality etc.
12. Guidelines – detailed guidelines for programmes of all kinds i.e. music, drama, children, Regional culture, News.

A code of censorship was developed

External Services

Began during War – in response of initial success of AXIS power –

At the times of partition broadcasts directed to Afghanistan – Middle East and later South East Asia.