The BBC Radiophonic Workshop

[Chris H]

Here is a great read about The BBC Radiophonic Workshop including notes on how the sounds from the theme of Dr Who where created and edited on tape.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr08/a ... phonic.htm

........especially interesting is this quote from "The New Atlantis" by Francis Bacon written in 1624:

"Wee have also Sound-Houses, wher wee practise and demonstrate all Sounds, and their Generation. Wee have Harmonies which you have not, of Quarter-Sounds and lesser Slides of Sounds. Diverse Instruments of Musick likewise to you unknowne, some sweeter than any you have; Together with Bells and Rings that are dainty and sweet. Wee represent Small Sounds as Great and Deepe; Likewise Great Sounds, Extenuate and Sharpe; Wee make diverse Tremblings and Warblings of Sounds, which in their Originall are Entire. Wee represent and imitate all Articulate Sounds and Letters, and the Voices and Notes of Beasts and Birds. Wee have certaine Helps, which sett to the Eare doe further the Hearing greatly. Wee have also diverse Strange and Artificiall Eccho's, Reflecting the Voice many times, and as it were Tossing it; And some that give back the Voice Lowder then it came, some Shriller, and some Deeper; Yea, some rendring the Voice, Differing in the Letters or Articulate Sound, from that they receyve. Wee have also meanes to convey Sounds in Trunks and Pipes, in strange Lines, and Distances."

Looks like sound studios have been around a few years longer than i thought.

[Milo]

That's a great quote, Chris.
But I sent it to my brother-in-law, who is an on-the-spot genius, and he knows the quote, of course, and elaborated:

John


But this is the description of Salomen's house (given to the author in Spanish) in the South Sea.


It might actually demonstrate that the BBC precursor was, in fact, Australian!