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Helen Hooke

David R Lerner

A series of beat signals (e.g. sixteen) corresponding to a desired rhythm or tempo are recorded on one track of a multi-track magnetic tape, which is then cut and spliced into a loop just long enough to contain the entire series of recorded beats. During a performance the loop is used in a recorder designed to cause the recorded beat signals repeatedly to be played back by a first head at a first terminal, which can be connected through an amplifier to an ear-piece and/or lamp so that the reproduced beat signals can be heard and/or seen only by the performer. A second, combination record-playback-erase head in the recorder is mounted adjacent a second track on the tape and is connected by, for example, a foot-operated switch to a circuit which enables the second head instantaneously to be switched from a record to a playback mode, and vice versa. The performer can then use the foot-operated switch momentarily to switch the second head into its recording mode to record on the second track, during one complete revolution of the tape, background music or rhythm compatible to the beat signals. The last-recorded material can then be amplified and instantly played back through a second terminal to a live audience repeatedly as the performer continues the performance. The beat signals appearing at the first-named terminal can also be utilized to energize a synthesizer or a light show.

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Port Chester, NY, United States of America

Helen Hooke