Tape and Splicing Block from BBC Radiophonic Workshop
- Materials:
- steel (metal) , wood (unidentified) , cardboard and plastic (unidentified)
- Object Number:
- 2012-5118/242/1
- type:
- sound device
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.