Tape and Splicing Block from BBC Radiophonic Workshop
Splicing block with two boxes of tape and razor blade.
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'An experimental, physically modified editing block (made from two standard editing blocks) to produce long "cross-fade edits". Very difficult to use, as razor blades often just curled the edge of the tape', Dick MIlls.
Used to make music by splicing tiny pieces of tape together, an extremely time consuming method. Each length would be cut, then joined with tape to the next. A piece could take days to construct.
The BBC Radiophonic Workshop was one of the sound effects units of the BBC, created in 1958 to produce incidental sounds and new music for radio and, later, television. The unit is known for its experimental and pioneering work in electronic music and music technology, as well as its popular scores for programs such as Doctor Who and Quatermass and the Pit during the 1950s and 1960s.
The original Radiophonic Workshop was based in the BBC's Maida Vale Studios in Delaware Road, Maida Vale, London. The Workshop was closed in March 1998, although much of its traditional work had already been outsourced by 1995. Its members included Daphne Oram, Delia Derbyshire, David Cain, John Baker, Paddy Kingsland, Glynis Jones, Maddalena Fagandini and Richard Yeoman-Clark.
- Materials:
- steel (metal) , wood (unidentified) , cardboard and plastic (unidentified)
- Object Number:
- 2012-5118/242/1
- type:
- sound device
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London