stever@tektronix.UUCP (Steve Rogers) (07/30/83)
I first took notice of 16RPM several years ago when I wanted to play my Environments records at this speed as suggested in order to get a different effect. Many of these records can be used for relaxation, meditation, and being with someone. The different speeds evoke different rhythms and responses. For example, when the "Gentle Rain in a Pine Forest" is played at 16, the bird sounds are stretched out so that they echo throughout the forest, giving a much greater sense of space. Several of the records in the Environments series were designed for playing at 16, 33, and 45. Most of them are playable at 33 and 45. One has to be careful with 16 and high volume as that speed can generate some really low frequencies that might harm equipment, vibrate household objects, or be obnoxious to close neighbors. It took several months of searching used audio stores to find a Lenco 75 from Switzerland that had all four speeds. I have also used my open reel to speed up or slow down. I have several open reel tapes with several of the environments back-to-back giving me 1 to 2 hours of the "music of nature" at a time. It is great for concentrating! I have always wanted to create a four-channel version with the "Ultimate Seashore" on the front speakers and "Wind in the Trees" on the back. But fortune has not favored me with a four-channel tape deck. For those who are interested, the following is a list of the 10 records that I know about: l. The Psychologically Ultimate Seashore Optimum Aviary 2. Tintinnabulation Dawn at New Hope, Penn. 3. Be In Dusk at New Hope, Penn. 4. Ultimate Thunderstorms Gentle Rain in the Pine Forest 5. Ultimate Heartbeat Wind in the Trees 6. Dawn in the Okefenokee Swamp Dusk in the Okefenokee Swamp 7. Intonation Summer Cornfield 8. Wood-masted Sailboat A Country Stream 9. Pacific Ocean Carribean Lagoon 10. English Meadow Night in the Country Syntonic Research, Inc or your local record store 175 5th Ave New York, N.Y. 10010