The BBC’s groundbreaking archive of experimental music and sound, which made up a crucial part of shows such as Doctor Who and Blake’s Seven, is now open to the public as a virtual studio (VST).

BBC Studios worked with Spitfire Audio to make available an unprecedented package of samples from the pioneering BBC Radiophonic Workshop. This includes everything from the TARDIS engine sound to the work done for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

With exclusive access to the Workshop’s archives, tools, and hardware at the legendary Maida Vale Studios and guidance from Radiophonic Workshop archivist Mark Ayres and other Workshop members, Spitfire Audio has captured the essence of this sonic playground. The library features sounds from the original tapes, as well as new recordings and experiments by Workshop members and associates, including Mark Ayres, Kieron Pepper, Bob Earland, Dick Mills, Paddy Kingsland, Roger Limb, Glynis Jones, and Peter Howell.

Mark Ayres told the press, “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.

“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.”

This modern system includes new patches and performances on precious EMS VCS 3 synths, choirs of the lampshades Delia Derbyshire famously sampled and composed with Skeleton Guitars, and tape loops.

The Spitfire Audio BBC Radiophonic Workshop VST can be purchased here.