BBC Radiophonic Workshop Items

Made:: 1963-1993

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Items from the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop, 1963-1993. Three boxes containing various musical instruments, drumsticks, bells, gongs, recorders, etc. Plus tape splicing items & contact microphone used in the Radiophonic Workshop. There is a Fortiphone device and mouthpiece in its original box, but the model number is not clear. This is a fascinating instrument which, using a false upper palate, fitted with a transistor buzzer, takes over the duties of the human larynx. Sound produced by the buzzer or artificial voice is modulated by the movement of the lips and mouth, producing clearly intelligible words. It was originally designed by a dental surgeon.

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.

Details

Category:: Television

Collection:: BBC Heritage Collection

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242

Materials:: wood (unidentified), metal (unknown), textile, plastic (unidentified) and electrical component

type:: radiophonic equipment

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Parts

Splicing block with two boxes of tape and razor blade (see

Tape and Splicing Block from BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Splicing block with two boxes of tape and razor blade.

'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.

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

Splicing Block from BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Splicing block.

Measurements:: overall: 25 mm x 305 mm x 45 mm, .19 kg

Materials:: metal (unknown) and wood (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/1/1

type:: splicing block

Part of:: 2012-5118/242/1

Splicing Tape from BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Roll of Scotch 3M 67 splicing tape, 1 in. x 100 ft., in carton, made in U.S.A.

Measurements:: overall: 60 mm x 60 mm x 28 mm, .05 kg

Materials:: paper (fibre product) and plastic (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/1/2

type:: splicing tape

Part of:: 2012-5118/242/1

Splicing Tape from BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Roll of Scotch 3M 67 splicing tape, 7/32 in. x 100 ft., in carton, made in U.S.A.

Measurements:: overall: 60 mm x 60 mm x 15 mm, .01 kg

Materials:: paper (fibre product) and plastic (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/1/3

type:: splicing tape

Part of:: 2012-5118/242/1

Razor blade from BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Razor blade.

Measurements:: overall: 19 mm x 40 mm

Materials:: metal (unknown)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/1/4

type:: razor blade

Part of:: 2012-5118/242/1

Mijwiz musical instrument used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop (aerophone)

Mijwiz musical instrument used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Mijwiz, twin reed musical instrument.

Measurements:: overall: 130 mm x 290 mm x 125 mm, 100 g

Materials:: horn , wood (unidentified) , cotton (thread) , wool (thread) and leather

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/2

type:: aerophone

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Swannee Whistle from BBC's Radiophonic Workshop (whistle)

Swannee Whistle from BBC's Radiophonic Workshop

Plastic Swannee Whistle from the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop.

Measurements:: overall: 480 mm x 30 mm x 25 mm, .14 kg

Materials:: steel (metal) and plastic (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/3

type:: whistle

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Ocarina used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop (ocarina)

Ocarina used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Ocarina, used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Manufacturer unknown.

Measurements:: overall: 70 mm x 40 mm x 205 mm, 0.2 kg

Materials:: wood (unidentified) and paint

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/4

type:: ocarina

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tambourine used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop (tambourine)

Tambourine used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Tambourine, used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Manufacturer unknown.

Measurements:: overall: 45 mm x 220 mm x 230 mm, 0.19 kg

Materials:: wood (unidentified) , steel (metal) and skin (untanned)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/5

type:: tambourine

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Beater from BBC's Radiophonic Workshop (percussion beater)

Beater from BBC's Radiophonic Workshop

Beater from BBC's Radiophonic Workshop.

Measurements:: overall: 385 mm x 75 mm x 75 mm, .09 kg

Materials:: wood (unidentified) , textile and rubber (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/6

type:: percussion beater

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Tape guide without stand, labelled, 'Do not fiddle with'

Tape guide without stand used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Tape guide without stand, labelled, 'Do not fiddle with'. Used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

'The do not fiddle with tape guide was a hefty metal stand, with a drum on the top, and it was spring-loaded, so when you put your tape loop thorugh, it would tension it for you. Producers would often absent-mindedly twist the arm round and break the spring, so someone had written on the top "do not fiddle with".' Brian Hodgson.

Measurements:: overall: 15 mm x 177 mm x 62 mm, .11 kg

Materials:: steel (metal) and plastic (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/7

type:: accessory

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Lamp shade used as a sound source by Delia Derbyshire for 'Blue

Lampshade used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop (lampshade)

Lampshade used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

"Coolicon" utility lighting shade, made in England, used as a sound source by Delia Derbyshire for 'Blue Veils & Golden Sands', 1967. Used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

'I like using natural sounds combined with synthesized sounds to create something that perhaps hasn't been heard before.' Delia Derbyshire.

Measurements:: overall: 210 mm x 290 mm x 290 mm, .25 kg

Materials:: steel (metal) , brass (copper, zinc alloy) and paint

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/8

type:: lampshade

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

‘Crystal Palace’ capacitive fader designed by Dave Young

‘Crystal Palace’ Capacitive Fader used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop (sound device)

‘Crystal Palace’ Capacitive Fader used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

‘Crystal Palace’ capacitive fader designed by Dave Young. It was used in Brian Hodgson's music for 'The Machine Stops' in 1966.

In this device, an electric motor cannibalised from a variable-speed dictation machine turns a ‘capacitive’ vane. The vane is connected to the input of a FET amplifier via the gold nib of a Conway-Stewart fountain pen. There are a series of audio inputs and outputs wired within the unit which can be configured to produce different effects. Sixteen sounds could be smoothly combined using this device, opening up the possibility of rich sound montages.

Measurements:: overall: 327 mm x 307 mm x 230 mm, 11.3 kg

Materials:: plastic (unidentified) , steel (metal) and electrical components

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/9

type:: sound device

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Bronze hand bell mounted on right-angle metal bracket.

Hand Bell used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop (hand bell)

Hand Bell used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Bronze hand bell mounted on right-angle metal bracket.

Measurements:: overall: 130 mm x 75 mm x 75 mm, 210 g

Materials:: bronze (copper, tin alloy) and iron

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/10

type:: hand bell

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tape guide used in BBC Radiophonic workshop

Tape guide used in the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop.

Measurements:: overall: 72 mm x 80 mm x 60 mm, .96 kg

Materials:: steel (metal)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/11

type:: accessory

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Splicing tape used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Scotch 3M 67 splicing tape with box. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: paper (fibre product) and plastic (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/12

type:: tape

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Splicing tape used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

BASF Klebeband PW254 (splicing tape). Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: paper (fibre product) and plastic (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/13

type:: tape

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Drumstick used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Wooden drumstick. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: wood (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/14

type:: drumstick

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Drumstick used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Wooden drumstick with end broken off. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: wood (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/15

type:: drumstick

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Accusound microphone used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Accusound contact microphone. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/16

type:: microphone

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Metal Cylinder used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal cylinder, possibly a tape guide. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: metal (unknown)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/17

type:: component

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Tuning peg used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Tuning peg from unidentified stringed instrument. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: wood (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/18

type:: component

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Metal chain. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection

Metal chain used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal chain. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: metal (unknown)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/19

type:: chain

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Metal washer used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal washer, slightly domed. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: metal (unknown)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/20

type:: washer

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Metal clamp. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection

Metal clamp used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal clamp. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: metal (unknown)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/21

type:: clamp

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Guitar capo. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection

Guitar Capo used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Guitar capo. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: metal (unknown) , rubber (unidentified) and fibre (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/22

type:: accessory

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Bass guitar string used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Bass guitar string. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: metal (unknown) and fibre (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/23

type:: component

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Electric bell on wooden base, with kettle whistle

Electric bell on wooden base with kettle whistle, BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Electric bell on wooden base, with kettle whistle. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: metal (unknown) , wood (unidentified) and electronic components

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/24

type:: sound device

Metal electric bell cover used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal electric bell cover. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Measurements:: overall: 15 mm 80 mm,

Materials:: metal (unknown)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/25

type:: accessory

Morse key on wooden base used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Morse key on wooden base. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: metal (unknown) , wood (unidentified) , textile and plastic (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/26

type:: sound device

Artificial aid to speech by Fortiphone

Fortiphone device and mouthpiece in its original box, but the model number is not clear. This instrument uses a false upper palate, fitted with a transistor buzzer, to take over the duties of the human larynx. Sound produced by the buzzer or artificial voice is modulated by the movement of the lips and mouth, producing clearly intelligible words. It was originally designed by a dental surgeon. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection

Materials:: metal (unknown) , plastic (unidentified) and electronic components

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/27

type:: radiophonic workshop items

Artificial aid to speech by Fortiphone (sound device)

Fortiphone device and mouthpiece in its original box

Artificial aid to speech by Fortiphone

Fortiphone device and mouthpiece, model number is not clear. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

This instrument uses a false upper palate, fitted with a transistor buzzer, to take over the duties of the human larynx. Sound produced by the buzzer or artificial voice is modulated by the movement of the lips and mouth, producing clearly intelligible words. It was originally designed by a dental surgeon.

Measurements:: overall: 65 g

Materials:: plastic (unidentified) , electronic components and metal (unknown)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/27/1

type:: sound device

Part of:: 2012-5118/242/27

Box for artificial aid to speech by Fortiphone (box - container)

Box for artificial aid to speech by Fortiphone

Box for Fortiphone device and mouthpiece, model number is not clear. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Measurements:: overall: 40 mm x 110 mm x 88 mm,

Materials:: cardboard and paper (fibre product)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/27/2

type:: box - container

Part of:: 2012-5118/242/27

Brass dome - bell or bell cover, marked 24B

Brass Bell Cover used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Brass dome - bell or bell cover, marked 24B. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: brass (copper, zinc alloy)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/28

type:: accessory

Mallet head used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Percussion mallet head. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Measurements:: overall: 25 mm,

Materials:: rubber (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/29

type:: sound device

Percussion mallet used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Percussion mallet. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: wood (unidentified) and textile

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/30

type:: mallet - percussion beater

Percussion mallet used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Percussion mallet. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: wood (unidentified) and textile

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/31

type:: mallet - percussion beater

Percussion mallet used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Small percussion mallet. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: rubber (unidentified) and wood (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/32

type:: mallet - percussion beater

Percussion mallet with yarn head used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Percussion mallet with red yarn head. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: fibre (unidentified) and plastic (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/33

type:: mallet - percussion beater

Percussion mallet used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Percussion mallet with green rubber head, made by Premier Percussion. Inscribed "Premier 592 Hard". Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: rubber (unidentified) and wood (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/34

type:: mallet - percussion beater

Percussion mallet used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Percussion mallet with black handle. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: fibre (unidentified) and wood (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/35

type:: mallet - percussion beater

Small percussion mallet used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Small percussion mallet with black rubber head. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: wood (unidentified) and rubber (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/36

type:: mallet - percussion beater

Small percussion mallet used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Small percussion mallet with black rubber head. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: wood (unidentified) and rubber (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/37

type:: mallet - percussion beater

Penny whistle/recorder used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Green plastic penny whistle/ recorder. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: plastic (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/38

type:: aerophone

Triangle musical instrument used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Triangle musical instrument. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: metal (unknown)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/39

type:: struck idiophone

Clave used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Dark wood clave (percussion instrument). Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:: wood (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/40

type:: percussion idiophone

Clave used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Light wood clave (percussion instrument). Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Measurements:: overall: 190 mm 20 mm,

Materials:: wood (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2012-5118/242/41

type:: percussion idiophone

Plastic chopstick. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Chopstick used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Plastic chopstick, BBC Radiophonic Workshop Collection, England, 1958 – 1998.

This plastic chopstick is part of the objects and instruments used by BBC’s pioneer music studio, the Radiophonic Workshop which run between 1958 to 1998. Known for creating strange new sounds by using synthesizers, manipulating sound, and using everyday objects, the Radiophonic Workshop created over 100 musical pieces, with Doctor Who’s theme by Delia Derbyshire being their most famous one. Due to their constrained budget, they used all sorts of objects to make their soundscapes from more traditional ones like tambourines and bells, to chopsticks, lamps, and metal spirals.