[net.audio] 16RPM uses

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