TME > Audio > Special Sounds

Special Sounds Discography

The sound design of Doctor Who was cutting edge from the very first episode. With no sound library to turn to for the noises of a time and space machine or winds of alien planets, the resources of the BBC's in-house sound manipulation factory were utilised to breath-taking effect - creating many distinctive effects that were as important to the series as any of it's actors, writers, directors or music. As with the best music scores, only when heard in isolation can their full importance be fully appreciated: and the many Doctor Who sound effects releases have always been warmly received.

Many effects were initially released on the BBC's ongoing series of Sound Effect LPs, whose labels gave sweet hints and tips to those wishing to create their own radio or theatre productions (some of which, they clearly felt, could benefit from a TARDIS take-off or two, or from being set on the distinctive planet of the Daleks). As appreciation of the art and craft of Doctor Who grew, so too did an anthology of CD releases highlighting the original and unique sounds that Brian and Dick had created - many of which, particularly the 60s sound designs, were as distinctive and recognisable as the programme's theme music.

Click here for a chronological guide (from An Unearthly Child in 1963 to Survival in 1989) that lists every effect that has been commercially available, ordered by the stories from whence they came.

Albums and Compilation Tracks

Track/s [Release Title]
Format
Release Code
Date
Tardis / Nightmare Forest [Out of This World: BBC SFX No. 12]
LP
BBC REC 225
1975
LP/Cass
BBC REH / ZCR 316
1978
Swarming Insects [Disasters - BBC SFX No. 16]
LP
BBC REC 295
1977
TARDIS [BBC RWS: 21]
LP
BBC REC 354
1979
LP/Cass
BBC REC 420
1981
US LP/Cass
BBC / Gemcon BBC 22316
1982
US PD
BBC 22002
1984
US PD
BBC 22004
1985
CD
BBC CD 847
1991
CD
BBC CD 871
1993
CD
V-Sat ASTRA 3967
1998
CD
BBC WMSF 6023-2
2000
CD
BBC WMSF 6024-2
2000
CD
BBC WMSF 6052-2
2002
CD
- - -
2003

* - reissue (in part or full) of a previous release, with no significant new material

Dr Who Sound Effects - BBC Sound Effects No. 19



Produced by Dick Mills and Brian Hodgson of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop
BBC Sound Effects No. 19: Dr. Who Sound Effects
UK 12" LP / Cassette, May 1978, BBC Records REC / ZCM 316
US 12" LP, 1982, BBC / Gemcon BBC 22316

SIDE 1

1.
The Central Control Room In Exillon City - Dr. Who And The Exillons
2.
The Dalek Control Room - Death To The Daleks
3.
Metebelis III Atmosphere - Planet Of The Spiders
4.
Styre's Scouting Machine (Approach, Stop, Seach, Depart) - The Destructors
5.
Dalek Hatching Tanks On Skaros - Genesis Of The Daleks
6.
Zygon Spaceship Control Centre - Dr. Who And The Zygons
7.
Sutekh Time Tunnel - Pyramid Of Mars
8.
The Interior Of Xoanon - Face Of Evil

SIDE 2

1.
The Shine Of The Sisterhood Of Karn - Dr. Who And The Brain Of Morbius
2.
Kraal Disorientation Chamber - Android Invasion
3.
The Mandragora Helix - The Curse Of Mandragora
4.
Atomic Reactor Runs Wild - The Hand Of Death
5.
Wind-Mine Machine - Robots Of Death
6.
Distillation Chamber - The Talons Of Weng-Chi'ang
7.
Cloning And Miniaturisation Process - The Enemy Within
8.
Inside Dr. Who's Mind - The Enemy Within
9.
TARDIS Interior (In Flight)
10.
TARDIS Interior (Stationary)
11.
TARDIS Observation Screen Operates
12.
TARDIS Door Opens
13.
Sonic Screwdriver
14.
Fission Gun (2 Blasts) - Ark In Space
15.
Tesh Gun - Face Of Evil
16.
Gallifreyan Staser Gun (3 Blasts) - The Deadly Assassin
17.
Vardan Gun - The Invasion Of Time
18.
Sontaran Gun (3 Blasts) - The Invasion Of Time
19.
Gallifreyan Staser (3 Blasts) - The Invasion Of Time
20.
Dematerializer Gun (Switch On And Fire) - The Invasion Of Time
21.
Dalek Gun (3 Blasts) - Genesis Of The Daleks
22.
Dragon Ray-Gun - The Talons Of Weng Chi'ang

After over 15 years of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop's involvement with Doctor Who, the first dedicated soundtrack release from BBC Records was a packed-to-bursting compilation of soundscapes and effects, assembled from the Workshop's archives by the two maestros responsible for their creation since 1963: Brian Hodgson and Dick Mills. Reaching back only as far as Season Eleven, keeping the sounds within recent memory of their audience, many of the tracks are credited to the working titles of their appropriate stories; this reflected the labelling of the Workshop's own library tapes, which were often created prior to the episode's completitions and subsequent name changes.

Both sides of the record were re-released in 1984 and 1985, split over two American picture discs that also included one side each of Doctor Who - The Music. The track names, story titles and track orders remained the same.

30 Years at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop



Band I Ron Grainer arr. Delia Derbyshire/Dick Mills
Bands 2-13, 15-32, 34 Brian Hodgson
Band 14 Ron Grainer arr. Delia Derbyshire
Band 33 Ron Grainer arr. Delia Derbyshire/Brian Hodgson, Paddy Kingsland
Bands 35-44, 47-63, 65-86 Dick Mills
Bands 45-46, 64 Elizabeth Parker
Band 87 arr. Peter Howell
Band 88 Ron Grainer arr. Peter Howell
Spatial Enhancement, using the Bedini
Audio Spatial Environment by David Sharp



Second pressings of the disc were packaged in a slightly different sleeve, featuring Delia Derbyshire at work in the Workshop, after fans pointed out to the BBC that the two people originally pictured had never worked on Doctor Who!
Doctor Who - 30 Years At The BBC Radiophonic Workshop
CD, July 1993
BBC CD 871

1.
Original Theme
2.
TARDIS exterior
3.
TARDIS Take-off
4.
Sensorites in Laboratory - The Sensorites
5.
Slyther on the move - The Dalek Invasion of Earth
6.
Death of a Mirebeast - The Chase
7.
Mechanoid - The Chase
8.
Dalek Space Ship Takes Off - The Chase
9
Dalek Space Ship Lands - The Chase
10.
Chumblie constant run - Galaxy Four
11.
Chumblie at rest - Galaxy Four
12.
Chumblies dies - Galaxy Four
13.
A Few Fish People - The Underwater Menace
14.
Signature Tune: A New Beginning
15.
Propaganda Sleep Machine - The Macra Terror
16.
Macra Control and Macra - The Macra Terror
17.
Destruction of the Daleks - The Evil of the Daleks
18.
Cobweb Mutates - The Web of Fear
19.
Yeti Growls roars and dies - The Web of Fear
20.
Four Yetis Signalling - The Web of Fear
21.
Cybermats attracted to Ship - The Wheel in Space
22.
Start of the Cyber Invasion - The Wheel in Space
23.
Birth of Cybermats - The Wheel in Space
24.
Cybermat killed by Special Sound - The Wheel in Space
25.
Quarks chuckle - The Dominators
26.
Quark Kills - The Dominators
27.
Quark goes beserk and explodes - The Dominators
28.
Kroton Theme with Birth andDeath of a Kroton - The Krotons
29.
Original Sonic Screwdriver - The War Games
30.
Time Zone - The War Games
31.
Sidrat Control - The War Games
32.
Factory with Mechanical andPhysiological Autons and Auton Guns - Spearhead from Space
33.
Signature Tune: 'The Delaware' version
34.
TARDIS Lands
35.
Threat to Sarah - The Sontaran Experiment
36.
Sonic Screwdriver (multi-purpose mode)
37.
Wirrn in the Infrastructure - The Ark in Space
38.
Void - Masque of Madragora
39.
Shuttle Landing Sequence - The Invisible Enemy
40.
Fendahl Shuffle and Slobber - Image of the Fendahl
41.
Vardan materialises and shimmers - The Invasion of Time
42.
K9 Probe and Gun - The Invasion of Time
43.
TARDIS Doors - The Invasion of Time
44.
White Guardian's Windbells - The Ribos Operation
45.
An Ogri About - Stones of Blood
46.
Pouring Crystals - Stones of Blood
47.
Attack on War Room - The Armageddon Factor
48.
Doctor's repair to Tardis Central Column Fails - The Horns of Nimon
49.
Foamasi Voices - The Leisure Hive
50.
Doors - Meglos
51.
Reactivation and Laboratory Rises - Meglos
52.
Dodecahedron Beams - Meglos
53.
Marshmen emerge from the Mistfall -Full Circle
54.
Timewinds - Warrior's Gate
55.
Tardis Landing Bleep
56.
Cloister Bell - Castrovalva
57.
March of the Victims - Terminus
58.
Search, Capture and Display Dolls - The Five Doctors
59.
Scrolls Self-destruct - The Five Doctors
60.
Borussa destroyed - The Five Doctors
61.
Merkur passes - Warriors of the Deep
62.
Sea-Devils Energising Chamber inside Silurian Rock - Warriors of the Deep
63.
Exploding River of Mud - The Caves of Androzani
64.
Timelash: Music Suite - Timelash
65.
Tissue Compression Eliminator - Trial of a Time Lord
66.
Limbo Atrophier - Trial of a Time Lord
67.
Drinks Machine - Paradise Towers
68.
Transformer Machine - Delta and the Bannermen
69.
Sonic Cone switch on and Detonate - Delta and the Bannermen
70.
Bees - Delta and the Bannermen
71.
Singing trees with Dragon Shotsand Two Nitro-9 Bombs - Dragonfire
72.
Confuser Machine - Remembrance of the Daleks
73.
Baseball Bat hits Daleks - Remembrance of the Daleks
74.
Big Dalek Gun - Remembrance of the Daleks
75.
Doctor in Time Tunnel - The Greatest Show in the Galaxy
76.
Cybership lands, doors open - Silver Nemesis
77.
Statue - Silver Nemesis
78.
Execution Sequence - The Happiness Patrol
79.
Letters burnt on Crypt Wall - The Curse of Fenric
80.
Phial breaks, gas escapes - The Curse of Fenric
81.
Energy bursts - Battlefield
82.
Bessie drives off - Battlefield
83.
Transmaterialisation - Survival
84.
Light petrifies victims - Ghostlight
85.
Bird Nightmare - Ghostlight
86.
Sphere - Shada
87.
Paradise of Death - Paradise of Death
88.
Closing Theme

The most comprehensive and representative Doctor Who soundtrack/effects release to date, this 1993 CD - which sold extraordinarily well, despite its apparently specialist audience - became the benchmark for all future releases, and the BBC Music compilations Doctor Who at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop (2000-2003) were hard-pushed not to simply replicate the track listing. Some effects - namely TARDIS Exterior (mis-titled as TARDIS Interior), TARDIS Landing, TARDIS Doors, TARDIS Take-Off and Signiature Tune: A New Beginning - were lifted from this release and included on Music From Tomb of the Cybermen in 1998, despite none of these effects having appeared in the story.

Doctor Who at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop



compiled, produced and remastered for compact disc by Mark Ayres
Various Artists: Doctor Who At The BBC Radiophonic Workshop Volume 1 - The Early Years 1963 - 1969
CD, May 2000
BBC Music BBC WMSF 6023-2

1.
Doctor Who (Original Theme) Ron Grainer realised Delia Derbyshire

AN UNEARTHLY CHILD (Pilot Episode)
2.
TARDIS Exterior Hum and Door (original) Brian Hodgson
3.
Entry into the TARDIS Brian Hodgson
4.
TARDIS: Original Takeoff Sequence Brian Hodgson

5.
Doctor Who (Original Titles Music) Ron Grainer realised Delia Derbyshire

AN UNEARTHLY CHILD (Serial A)
6.
TARDIS Takeoff Brian Hodgson

THE DALEKS (Serial B)
7.
Skaro: Petrified Forest Atmosphere ("Thal Wind") Brian Hodgson
8.
TARDIS Computer Brian Hodgson
9.
Dalek City Corridor Brian Hodgson
10.
Dalek Control Room Brian Hodgson
11.
Capsule Oscilation (Dalek Destructor Fuse / Bomb Countdown) Brian Hodgson

THE EDGE OF DESTRUCTION (Serial C)
12.
Explosion, TARDIS Stops Brian Hodgson

THE KEYS OF MARINUS (Serial E)
13.
Sleeping Machine Brian Hodgson

THE SENSORITES (Serial G)
14.
Sensorite Speech Background Brian Hodgson

THE CHASE (Serial R)
15.
Dalek Spaceship Lands Brian Hodgson
16.
TARDIS Lands Brian Hodgson

GALAXY FOUR (Serial T)
17.
Chumbley (constant run) Brian Hodgson
18.
Chumbley at rest Brian Hodgson
19.
Chumbley sends message Brian Hodgson
20.
Chumbley dome (rises / falls / rises / falls) Brian Hodgson
21.
Chumbley dies Brian Hodgson

THE DALEKS' MASTERPLAN (Serial V)
22.
Activity on Dalek Ship Control Panel Brian Hodgson

THE SAVAGES (Serial AA)
23.
Energy Escapes Brian Hodgson

THE TENTH PLANET (Serial DD)
24.
Machinery in TARDIS Goes Wild (Regeneration) Brian Hodgson

THE POWER OF THE DALEKS (Serial EE)
25.
Regeneration Runs Down Brian Hodgson and Dick Mills
26.
The Doctor's Transitional Trauma Brian Hodgson and Dick Mills

THE UNDERWATER MENACE (Serial GG)
27.
The Fish People (Incidental Music) Dudley Simspon realised Brian Hodgson

THE MACRA TERROR (Serial JJ)
28.
Heartbeat Chase Brian Hodgson
29.
Chromophone Band Dudley Simpson realised Delia Derbshire
30.
Controller Chimes Brian Hodgson
31.
Musak (From "Time in Advance") John Baker
32.
Propaganda Sleep Machine Brian Hodgson
33.
Doctor Who (New Opening Theme, 1967) Ron Grainer realised Delia Derbyshire

THE WEB OF FEAR (Serial QQ)
34.
Sting & Web (Cocooning Interior) / Cobweb Pulsates Brian Hodgson
35.
4 Stings Brian Hodgson

FURY FROM THE DEEP (Serial RR)
36.
Mr Oak and Mr Quill (Incidental Music) Dudley Simpson realised Brian Hodgson

THE WHEEL IN SPACE (Serial SS)
37.
Lead-in to Cyber Planner Brian Hodgson
38.
Cyber Planner Background Brian Hodgson
39.
Cyberman Stab & Music Brian Hodgson
40.
Rocket Stab Brian Hodgson
41.
Birth of Cybermats Brian Hodgson
42.
Cybermats attracted to Wheel Brian Hodgson
43.
Rocket in Space Brian Hodgson
44.
Interior Rocket (Suspense Music) Brian Hodgson
45.
Servo Robot Music Brian Hodgson
46.
Wheel Stab Brian Hodgson
47.
Cosmos Atmosphere Brian Hodgson
48.
Alien Ship Music Brian Hodgson
49.
Jarvis in a Dream State Brian Hodgson
50.
Floating Through Space Brian Hodgson
51.
2 Stabs Brian Hodgson

THE DOMINATORS (Serial TT)
52.
TARDIS (New Landing) Brian Hodgson
53.
Galaxy Atmosphere Brian Hodgson
54.
Tension Builder (a) Brian Hodgson
55.
Tension Builder (b) Brian Hodgson
56.
Tension Builder (c) Brian Hodgson
57.
Low Sting Brian Hodgson

THE MIND ROBBER (Serial UU)
58.
TARDIS: Extra Power Unit Plugged In Brian Hodgson
59.
Zoe's Theme Brian Hodgson
60.
White Void Brian Hodgson

THE INVASION (Serial VV)
61.
Muzak (From "Time in Advance") John Baker
62.
Cybermen brought to Life Brian Hodgson
63.
Cyber Invasion Brian Hodgson

THE KROTONS (Serial WW)
64.
The Learning Hall Brian Hodgson
65.
Entry into the Machine Brian Hodgson
66.
Sting Brian Hodgson
67.
Machine and City Theme Brian Hodgson
68.
Kroton Theme Brian Hodgson

THE SPACE PIRATES (Serial YY)
69.
TARDIS Land Brian Hodgson

THE WAR GAMES (Serial ZZ)
70.
Alien Control Centre Brian Hodgson
71.
Time Zone Atmosphere Brian Hodgson
72.
Dimensional Control (SIDRAT dimensions contract) Brian Hodgson
73.
War Lord Arrival Brian Hodgson
74.
Silver Box (The Doctor calls for help) Brian Hodgson
75.
Time Lord Court Atmosphere Brian Hodgson

76.
Doctor Who (Closing Titles) Ron Grainer realised Delia Derbyshire

Mark Ayres' research for these albums took place whilst cataloguing the entire Radiophonic Workshop archives, and many tracks not featured on the first round of CDs (two of which were released simultaneously in 2000 and 2002 before the range was prematurely halted) featured on DVD releases of selected stories, playing in the background of the Photo Gallery features. Three tracks from The Daleks - namely Thal Wind, Dalek City Corridor and Dalek City Control Room - were included on the 2003 soundtrack release Devils' Planets: The Music of Tristram Cary, along with select edits of the theme music.


compiled, produced and remastered for compact disc by Mark Ayres

Various Artists: Doctor Who At The BBC Radiophonic Workshop Volume 2 - New Beginnings 1970 - 1980
CD, May 2000
BBC Music BBC WMSF 6024-2

INFERNO (Serial DDD)
2.
TARDIS Control On & Warp Transfer Brian Hodgson

THE MIND OF EVIL (Serial FFF)
7.
Keller Machine Appears / Vanishes Brian Hodgson

THE CLAWS OF AXOS (Serial GGG)
9.
Brain Centre Atmosphere Brian Hodgson
11.
TARDIS Lands Brian Hodgson

SOUND EFFECTS SELECTION 1974 - 1979
40.
Aggedor's Temple Atmosphere, Peladon ("The Monster of Peladon", YYY) Dick Mills
41.
Metebelis III Atmosphere ("Planet of the Spiders", ZZZ) Dick Mills
42.
Nerva Beacon Infrastructure & T-Mat Couch ("The Ark in Space", 4C) Dick Mills
43.
The Planet Karn ("The Brain of Morbius", 4K) Dick Mills
44.
The Shrine of the Sisterhood of Karn ("The Brain of Morbius", 4K) Dick Mills
45.
The Mandragora Helix ("The Masque of Mandragora", 4M) Dick Mills
46.
Nova Device Countdown & Explosion ("Destiny of the Daleks", 5J) Dick Mills




compiled, produced and remastered for compact disc by Mark Ayres

Various Artists: Doctor Who At The BBC Radiophonic Workshop Volume 3 - The Leisure Hive
CD, March 2002
BBC Music BBC WMSF6052-2

SOUND EFFECTS

THE LEISURE HIVE (Serial 5N)
21.
Argolis Exterior Planet Atmosphere Dick Mills
22.
Earth Shuttle Arriving Dick Mills
23.
Generator Hall Dick Mills
24.
Boardroom Dick Mills
25.
Hologram Dick Mills
26.
Corridor Background Dick Mills
27.
Generator and Screen Dick Mills
28.
Tachyon Drive Engaged Dick Mills

MEGLOS (Serial 5Q)
29.
The Screens of Zolpha-Thura Dick Mills
30.
Laboratory Ascends Dick Mills
31.
Dodecahedron Energy Beams Dick Mills

FULL CIRCLE (Serial 5R)
32.
Mistfall Mist Dick Mills
33.
Operating Room Dick Mills
34.
Starliner Instrument Panel Dick Mills