Chronophone: First-Ever Mixer and Crossfader, 1910

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Chronophone: First-Ever Mixer and Crossfader, 1910

Spotted on the Dieselpunk site:

In 1910 Gaumont demonstrated his Chronophone system, which synchronised sound and film, at the Gaumont Palace in Paris. The compressed-air amplifier, which he called the Eglephone, was just a part of the whole system. The volume was enough for an audience of 4000. Initially the longest moving picture that could be made with synchronised sound was only 200ft, due to the limited playing time of the Gramophone record. (Projection was at 16 frames per second) Gaumont surmounted this problem by having two gramophone platters; a deft operator could switch between them to give a more or less continuous soundtrack.

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10 thoughts on “Chronophone: First-Ever Mixer and Crossfader, 1910

  1. First-Ever Mixer and Crossfader Dates Back Over a Century [Past Perfect] « VidenOmkring says:

    […] out this page for more on this and the history of other compressed air amplifiers. [Makezine via […]

  2. Sabrina Merlo says:

    I believe this is in the Museum des Arts et Metier in Paris—a must-see for any makerheads visiting Paris.

    1. Jon Danforth says:

      I think this is in the Musee des Arts et Métier also, Sabrina. I seem to remember drooling when I saw it a few years ago. That museum alone is worth going to Paris for!

  3. Ooontini says:

    Where it’s at?
    Got two turn tables on my Chronophone.

  4. MAKE | Your Comments says:

    […] the piece Chronophone: First-Ever Mixer and Crossfader, 1910, Oontini says: Where it’s at? Got two turn tables on my […]

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Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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