Tape and Splicing Block from BBC Radiophonic Workshop
Splicing block with two boxes of tape and razor blade.
- 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.
Splicing block with two boxes of tape and razor blade.
Mijwiz, twin reed musical instrument.
Plastic Swannee Whistle from the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop.
Ocarina, used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Manufacturer unknown.
Tambourine, used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Manufacturer unknown.
Beater from BBC's Radiophonic Workshop.
Tape guide without stand, labelled, 'Do not fiddle with'. 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.
‘Crystal Palace’ capacitive fader designed by Dave Young. It was used in Brian Hodgson's music for 'The Machine Stops' in 1966.
Bronze hand bell mounted on right-angle metal bracket.
Tape guide used in the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop.
Scotch 3M 67 splicing tape with box. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
BASF Klebeband PW254 (splicing tape). Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Wooden drumstick. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Wooden drumstick with end broken off. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Accusound contact microphone. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Metal cylinder, possibly a tape guide. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Tuning peg from unidentified stringed instrument. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Metal chain. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Metal washer, slightly domed. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Metal clamp. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Guitar capo. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Bass guitar string. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Electric bell on wooden base, with kettle whistle. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Metal electric bell cover. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Morse key on wooden base. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
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. ...
Brass dome - bell or bell cover, marked 24B. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Percussion mallet head. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Percussion mallet. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Percussion mallet. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Small percussion mallet. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Percussion mallet with red yarn head. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Percussion mallet with green rubber head, made by Premier Percussion. Inscribed "Premier 592 Hard". Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Percussion mallet with black handle. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Small percussion mallet with black rubber head. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Small percussion mallet with black rubber head. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Green plastic penny whistle/ recorder. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Triangle musical instrument. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Dark wood clave (percussion instrument). Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Light wood clave (percussion instrument). Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Plastic chopstick, BBC Radiophonic Workshop Collection, England, 1958 – 1998.
Metal bell cover. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Metal discs on wire, possibly arcade tokens. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Small metal gong. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Guitar strings with finger cymbals. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.
Spiral metal wire on domed metal base. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.