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{{for|the journal|Perspecta (journal)}}
{{for|the journal|Perspecta (journal)}}
'''Perspecta''' was a directional motion picture sound system, invented by the laboratories at Fine Sound Inc. in 1954. As opposed to magnetic stereophonic soundtracks available at the time, its benefits were that it did not require a new sound head for the projector and thus was a cheaper alternative.
'''Perspecta''' was a directional motion picture sound system, invented by the laboratories at Fine Sound Inc. in 1954. As opposed to magnetic stereophonic soundtracks available at the time, its benefits were that it did not require a new sound head for the projector and thus was a cheaper alternative.<ref name=Lecture/>


Introduced as a "directional sound system" rather than a true [[stereophonic sound]] system, Perspecta did not utilize discretely recorded sound signals. Instead, three [[Infrasound|sub-audible]] tones at 30&nbsp;Hz, 35&nbsp;Hz, and 40&nbsp;Hz are mixed appropriately and embedded in a monaural [[Sound-on-film|optical soundtrack]], in addition to the audible sound. When run through a Perspecta [[Signal processing|integrator]], depending on whenever each tone is present, the audio is fed into a left (30&nbsp;Hz), center (35&nbsp;Hz) and right (40&nbsp;Hz) speaker. Unlike true stereophonic sound, which would be described as discrete tracks running in synchronization in time and phase, Perspecta merely panned a mono mix across various channels. Because of this, only isolated dialog or sound effects could be mixed to be directional. Mixed sound effects, dialog and music could not be suitably mixed. Aside from panning, Perspecta controlled [[gain]] levels for each channel through the amplitude of each control signal.
Introduced as a "directional sound system" rather than a true [[stereophonic sound]] system, Perspecta did not utilize discretely recorded sound signals. Instead, three [[Infrasound|sub-audible]] tones at 30&nbsp;Hz, 35&nbsp;Hz, and 40&nbsp;Hz are mixed appropriately and embedded in a monaural [[Sound-on-film|optical soundtrack]], in addition to the audible sound. When run through a Perspecta [[Signal processing|integrator]], depending on whenever each tone is present, the audio is fed into a left (30&nbsp;Hz), center (35&nbsp;Hz) and right (40&nbsp;Hz) speaker. Unlike true stereophonic sound, which would be described as discrete tracks running in synchronization in time and phase, Perspecta merely panned a mono mix across various channels. Because of this, only isolated dialog or sound effects could be mixed to be directional. Mixed sound effects, dialog and music could not be suitably mixed. Aside from panning, Perspecta controlled [[gain]] levels for each channel through the amplitude of each control signal.<ref name=Lecture>{{cite web|title=A Lecture on Sound pathetic Perspecta|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48WWtzSvBBA|website=YouTube|accessdate=23 June 2015}}</ref>


[[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM Studios]] and [[Paramount Pictures]] were major supporters and developers of Perspecta, and used on all Paramount [[VistaVision]] pictures when the system was unveiled in 1954 until it fell out of favor around 1958. [[Universal Studios|Universal-International]], [[Warner Bros.]], [[Columbia Pictures]], [[United Artists]], and [[Toho]] were among some of the other major studios to utilize Perspecta regularly.
[[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM Studios]] and [[Paramount Pictures]] were major supporters and developers of Perspecta, and used on all Paramount [[VistaVision]] pictures when the system was unveiled in 1954 until it fell out of favor around 1958. [[Universal Studios|Universal-International]], [[Warner Bros.]], [[Columbia Pictures]], [[United Artists]], and [[Toho]] were among some of the other major studios to utilize Perspecta regularly.<ref name=Fine>{{cite web|last1=Fine|first1=Robert|title=PERSPECTA - the All-Purpose Recording and Reproducing Sound System|url=http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/widescreen/perspec1.htm|website=The American Widescreen Museum|accessdate=23 June 2015|date=July 1954}} Article originally from International Projectionist.</ref>


==Select list of notable Perspecta features==
==Select list of notable Perspecta features==
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* ''[[Gigi (1958 film)|Gigi]]'' (MGM, 1958) (also magnetic)
* ''[[Gigi (1958 film)|Gigi]]'' (MGM, 1958) (also magnetic)
* ''[[The Hidden Fortress]]'' (Toho, 1958)
* ''[[The Hidden Fortress]]'' (Toho, 1958)
* ''[[Yojimbo (film)|Yojimbo]]'' (Toho, 1961)<ref name=YojimboCC>{{cite web|title=Yojimbo (1961) - The Criterion Collection|url=http://www.criterion.com/films/597-yojimbo|website=The Criterion Collection|accessdate=23 June 2015}}</ref>
* ''[[Yojimbo (film)|Yojimbo]]'' (Toho, 1961)
* ''[[Sanjuro]]'' (Toho, 1962)<ref>{{cite web|title=Sanjuro (1962) - The Criterion Collection|url=http://www.criterion.com/films/598-sanjuro|website=The Criterion Collection|accessdate=23 June 2015}}</ref>
* ''[[Sanjuro]]'' (Toho, 1962)
* ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'' (Toho, 1962)
* ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'' (Toho, 1962)

==References==
<references />


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/widescreen/perspec1.htm Perspecta Article from 1954 written by Robert Fine]
*[http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/widescreen/perspectaref.htm The American Widescreen Museum] (Perspecta wing)
*[http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/widescreen/perspectaref.htm The American Widescreen Museum] (Perspecta wing)
*[https://youtube.com/watch?v=Mv5YhahVi6o Video of a 1955 test film demonstrating the Perspecta stereo effects]


[[Category:Film and video technology]]
[[Category:Film and video technology]]

Revision as of 02:16, 23 June 2015

For the journal, see Perspecta (journal).

Perspecta was a directional motion picture sound system, invented by the laboratories at Fine Sound Inc. in 1954. As opposed to magnetic stereophonic soundtracks available at the time, its benefits were that it did not require a new sound head for the projector and thus was a cheaper alternative.[1]

Introduced as a "directional sound system" rather than a true stereophonic sound system, Perspecta did not utilize discretely recorded sound signals. Instead, three sub-audible tones at 30 Hz, 35 Hz, and 40 Hz are mixed appropriately and embedded in a monaural optical soundtrack, in addition to the audible sound. When run through a Perspecta integrator, depending on whenever each tone is present, the audio is fed into a left (30 Hz), center (35 Hz) and right (40 Hz) speaker. Unlike true stereophonic sound, which would be described as discrete tracks running in synchronization in time and phase, Perspecta merely panned a mono mix across various channels. Because of this, only isolated dialog or sound effects could be mixed to be directional. Mixed sound effects, dialog and music could not be suitably mixed. Aside from panning, Perspecta controlled gain levels for each channel through the amplitude of each control signal.[1]

MGM Studios and Paramount Pictures were major supporters and developers of Perspecta, and used on all Paramount VistaVision pictures when the system was unveiled in 1954 until it fell out of favor around 1958. Universal-International, Warner Bros., Columbia Pictures, United Artists, and Toho were among some of the other major studios to utilize Perspecta regularly.[2]

Select list of notable Perspecta features

References

  1. ^ a b "A Lecture on Sound pathetic Perspecta". YouTube. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  2. ^ Fine, Robert (July 1954). "PERSPECTA - the All-Purpose Recording and Reproducing Sound System". The American Widescreen Museum. Retrieved 23 June 2015. Article originally from International Projectionist.
  3. ^ "Yojimbo (1961) - The Criterion Collection". The Criterion Collection. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  4. ^ "Sanjuro (1962) - The Criterion Collection". The Criterion Collection. Retrieved 23 June 2015.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Perspecta&oldid=668227113"