Vintage microphone data from the BBC archives - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Mike-repairman · 13th Feb 2019, 12:38 pm

Hope this is in the right section Admin?

Came across a link to the BBC R&D dept. publications archive when researching vintage Ribbon microphones (of which I have a few). There are test reports (some showing internal workings) of many early types including the Marconi AXBT (the holy grail of collectors). Also test data of some of the later types, Condenser mics (some with circuits), etc.

The R&D page is here; enter the type of microphone in the search box and it'll give you a list of models; clicking on the model gives you another page where there is a download button to view on your browser. Plenty of interesting reading on the site.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications

TIMTAPE · 14th Feb 2019, 7:04 am

Thanks Mike. Looks like some great data on mics but also lots of other pro gear.

Tim

Mike-repairman · 14th Feb 2019, 9:44 am

Indeed it does Timtape; I ran out of time yesterday searching through it. So much to read.
Mike.

Uncle Bulgaria · 21st Feb 2019, 12:18 am

There's also this on the Radiophonic Workshop including descriptions of some of the machines constructed.

It seems they're still doing R&D, though admittedly on things I find far less interesting. I thought the BBC had outsourced all that engineering expertise!

Thank you for pointing out a fine resource.

Mike-repairman · 21st Feb 2019, 9:27 am

Thanks for that link Uncle Bulgaria; that's a fascinating document with some pics of the workshops and equipment. Surprised to see that they are still going but doubt they have so many staff these days.
Mike.

13th Feb 2019, 12:38 pm	#1
Mike-repairman Heptode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 613	Vintage microphone data from the BBC archives Hope this is in the right section Admin? Came across a link to the BBC R&D dept. publications archive when researching vintage Ribbon microphones (of which I have a few). There are test reports (some showing internal workings) of many early types including the Marconi AXBT (the holy grail of collectors). Also test data of some of the later types, Condenser mics (some with circuits), etc. The R&D page is here; enter the type of microphone in the search box and it'll give you a list of models; clicking on the model gives you another page where there is a download button to view on your browser. Plenty of interesting reading on the site. https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications

14th Feb 2019, 7:04 am	#2
TIMTAPE Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,969	Re: Vintage microphone data from the BBC archives Thanks Mike. Looks like some great data on mics but also lots of other pro gear. Tim

14th Feb 2019, 9:44 am	#3
Mike-repairman Heptode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 613	Re: Vintage microphone data from the BBC archives Indeed it does Timtape; I ran out of time yesterday searching through it. So much to read. Mike.

21st Feb 2019, 12:18 am	#4
Uncle Bulgaria Nonode Join Date: May 2016 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,330	Re: Vintage microphone data from the BBC archives There's also this on the Radiophonic Workshop including descriptions of some of the machines constructed. It seems they're still doing R&D, though admittedly on things I find far less interesting. I thought the BBC had outsourced all that engineering expertise! Thank you for pointing out a fine resource.

21st Feb 2019, 9:27 am	#5
Mike-repairman Heptode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 613	Re: Vintage microphone data from the BBC archives Thanks for that link Uncle Bulgaria; that's a fascinating document with some pics of the workshops and equipment. Surprised to see that they are still going but doubt they have so many staff these days. Mike.