University of Virginia Library

Japanese Unit

Sansui, a fast climbing Japanese
sound company, had the best
sounding unit of the show, which
was a 4 channel stereo record
"synthesizer." This is an elaborate
mixer, costing $200, that can
transform any stereo source, (i.e.
records, tuner, tapes, etc.) into a
simulated four track sound. Four
channel records, needless, and
cartridges are still in the
experimental stage and some will
probably be mass produced within
a year.

Another highlight was the
McIntosh display of their new very
low distortion speakers which were
the best sounding of the show (and
started at $400 each).

The "Muse," a computer
composer invented by two M.I.T.
professors, was on display boasting
that "anyone can compose and play
music on it." The muse is a
computer music box which can
easily be programmed to make and
play back its own music. Anyone
can work it, and there are 14
trillion note combinations that can
be used. It is also possible to
program in a matter of seconds a
song that lasts for three months.
The Muse sounds like a calliope,
but unfortunately it can't play
"Circus Boy" (it only plays
computer music).