1979: The RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP at 21 | Nationwide | Radiophonic Workshop | BBC Archive

"Once you've got sound on tape it becomes an object".

Vera Gilbert reports from the BBC Maida Vale Studios, where the BBC Radiophonic Workshop is celebrating its 21st birthday. Among the projects being worked on is Rockoco - the department's first ever "electronic rock opera" - a production replete with live vocalists, musicians and all manner of advanced synthesisers. It's a far cry from the early days of the studio; Demond Briscoe recalls that when he and co-founder Daphne Oram started the Radiophonic Workshop in April 1958 they were allocated just a single room and some largely obsolete equipment.

Now the Radiophonic Workshop employs seven full-time producers, who have access to sophisticated equipment in order to create sound effects, scores and soundscapes for shows like Doctor Who and Blake's 7. Elizabeth Parker is currently working on Blake's 7, and discusses how science fiction shows in particular rely heavily on sound effects to make them come alive. Roger Limb demonstrates how a sound effect can be the genesis of a theme tune. Dick Mills divulges the techniques used to create two of the Radiophonic Workshop's most famous contributions to popular culture - the voice of the Daleks and the sound of the TARDIS from Doctor Who.

Originally broadcast 2 April, 1979.






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