BBC publishes Radiophonic Workshop archive for the first time

The BBC Radiophonic Workshop archive is set to be made available for the first time for use by musicians and producers.

The archive, which will be published via a package of samples with the help of Spitfire Audio and BBC Studios, was recorded at Maida Vale Studios during the BBC Radiophonic Workshop's 40-year run.

Alongside creating sonic identities for shows such as Doctor Who, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Living Planet, the Radiophonic Workshop acted as a testing ground for the development of electronic music in the UK, counting pioneering composers Delia Derbyshire, Daphne Oram, John Baker and more among its alumni.

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“As a kid born in the 1960s, I realised there was a department at the BBC that was purely for making bonkers noises," says BBC Radiophonic Workshop archivist Mark Ayres. "It blew my mind!” Ayres worked in conjunction with Spitfire Audio to put the library together, with exclusive access to Maida Vale's tools and hardware.

"I'm the youngest member of the core Radiophonic Workshop – and I'm 64! We're not going to be around forever. It was really important to leave a creative tool, inspired by our work, for other people to use going forward. I hope we've made an instrument that will inspire future generations," says Ayres.

“This instrument is all formed from the work, processes and equipment that the Workshop created and used. You know, sampling now really looks like sampling then, but with a few more twiddles. I've been saying for years that Workshop composers such as Delia Derbyshire and John Baker were really samplists.”

Alongside electronic instruments such as synthesisers, drum machines and more, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop was known for its unconventional use of milk bottles, lampshades and more to create distinctive sounds.

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The machines, performances and archived sounds of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop are now available as a sample library VTS, including a host of "deeply sampled" loops and one-shots, archival content, junk percussion and vintage synthesisers – all alongside new recordings and experiments by workshop members and associates.

The pack is available now for an introductory price of £119 until March 17, click here to find out more.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter