Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: flatbed optical film sound recorder (with lightproof lid)?

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Posted by Matthew Bailey (Member # 601) on 04-12-2009, 11:19 PM:

I'm curiuos is there or has been unless otherwise a flatbed style optical film sound recorder using a lightproof lid for operation in room light conditions? I'm familiar with the vertical & upright recorders but a flatbed style recorder?
The desciption would be taking the unexposed film into the room in a lighproof can or box,turning off the room lights except the safelights, adjusting the optical recording head with the lid open & using a pickup cell while adjusting for best optical sound recording quality then placing & threading the unexposed reel on the left hand plate,winding a few turns of it on the right hand plate & then closing the lid before turning on the room lights. The lid which has a lightproof gasket also has a dark tinted window to view the optical recording head while in operation but to prevent excessive light exposure.

Posted by Sean Weitzel (Member # 244) on 04-13-2009, 11:59 PM:

I've never seen such a configuration. You have to remember that many optical sound cameras, even those configured to shoot modern digital tracks are based on existing camera chassis that are 50 or more years old. Also, a film transport in a flatbed configuration takes up a lot more room than a veritcally oriented system. I suspect that may be another reason these systems were never constructed in such a way. Interesting question nonetheless. Have you ever read "The Audio Cyclopedia" by Howard Tremaine? It was recommended to me years ago when I first became fascinated with optical sound. http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Cyclopedia-Howard-M-Tremaine/dp/0672206757

Posted by Matthew Bailey (Member # 601) on 04-14-2009, 04:14 AM:

The optical recording head I'm referring to is the type an audio signal is fed to in order to record the soundtrack onto the unexposed film i.e. the variable slit mechanism in which the light passes through a horizontal slit then two vertical variable slits the audio is fed to.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 04-14-2009, 09:41 PM:

http://www.mwa-nova.com/llk5.htm