Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> History >> Compton Electrone organ at Maida Vale http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1234803913 Message started by raytwhite on Feb 16^th, 2009, 5:06pm

Title: Compton Electrone organ at Maida Vale
Post by raytwhite on Feb 16^th, 2009, 5:06pm

Does anyone remember a Compton Electrone organ being at the Maida Vale radio studios? Such an instrument is currently being restored by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. Apparently it was built in 1948, was first used in 1953 and left the BBC sometime in the mid eighties.

Initially the volunteers incorrectly claimed that it was used to create the famous 'Dr Who' theme tune but now they think it was only used for some of the incidental music. The problem is I've yet to find anyone from the BBC who remembers it! It consisted of a large transportable console and a pair of large bays containing tone wheels.

As it was portable, it could have been used in any studio. Also in MV, there was the 'Multicolortone' organ (possibly used in MV2 or 3), which eventually found its way to the Radiophonic Workshop and then redundant plant, probably in the late sixties.

Any information, however slight, about either of these machines would be very much appreciated.

Best wishes to all,

Ray