Altec Theatrical Equipment

[Bob Furmanek]

I just acquired a unique piece of Altec equipment: a vintage 1954 Perspecta Stereosound integrator. It was made by Newpaths' Inc - a subsidiary of Altec Service Corporation - and is labeled "Model A Integrator." For those not familiar with the process, Perspecta was an alternative to magnetic stereo, and was developed by MGM and Fine Recording in 1954. It took a standard mono optical track and, with the use of 3 sub-audible control tones, directed the audio to either left, center or right speakers. It could also control the gain level of each channel, and (when the tracks are mixed properly) the result can be quite effective. Most of the studios used the process, notably MGM, Warner Brothers and Universal.

Does anyone have information on this Altec integrator, or on Newpaths' Inc? Was this a prototype, or did it actually go into production? This unit came out of a screening room in Hollywood. The schematic is dated 11-4-54, and it was last serviced in 4-55!

Any information (especially ads or literature) would be greatly appreciated. I intend to restore this audio artifact and put it to good use screening Perspecta prints. Thanks so much!

Bob Furmanek

[rghinton]

You may already be aware of this site. If not, it is a good start. http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/wide...rspectaref.htm
Good luck, Reed

[Bob Furmanek]

Thanks very much Reed, but they've never heard of this model either. I spoke with a man who worked for the company that developed the Perspecta system for MGM, and he didn't have any recollection of Altec/Newpaths' making an integrator. That's why I'm thinking it may be a prototype for a unit that never went into production.

Is there anybody that has additional information on Newpaths' Inc?

[Mirrophonic Sound System]

I saw two Tom & Jerry cartoons from 1949 & 1950 and they said 'Westrex Perspecta Sound'.
One of these cartoons was "Tennis Chumps", so they could have applied PERSPECTA switching
for L/R 'ping-pong' sound effects with tennis game.

U.S. movie theater attendance peaked in the early 50's so this
was the last great spending spree before the closures caused by Television

[Mirrophonic Sound System]

I've just figured out why some pre-1954 features state they have Perspecta Sound (post 1954).
It turns out many cartoons were re-mixed for Perspecta in the 50's
- so was "Gone with the Wind" and other classic films.