Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Kevin · Apr 28, 2007, 09:46 AM

"Footage of the early 80s remake of the doctor who theme song for the show of the same name by Peter Howell. Get a great behind-the-scenes view of how it was made and close glimpse at the equipment used (this is a portion of the Music Arcade - Radiophonic Workshop special) "

http://www.demonoid.com/files/details/1133224/5805896/

I've spoken about this in the forum before. I've always loved the spacey sound of this show theme. analogica told me about some of the equipment they used. Here is a glimpse of the process. Not the ORIGINAL theme, but the two are close enough.

I just got the torrent myself, haven't gotten it downloaded. But I am sure it's gonna be cool.

Kevin · Apr 28, 2007, 10:04 AM

OK just watched it. Took about 10 minutes to d/l

It's all snyth stuff. Really cool. The original I know was recorded differently. More "organically" I think.

But this was still pretty cool.

I want a old synth now.

wolfen · Apr 28, 2007, 10:06 AM

Thanks very much, Kevin. I remember watching Dr. Who in the early morning, running around the house excitedly making all the theme song noises while the adults were trying to get their first cup of coffee.

It still makes me silly.

Kevin · Apr 28, 2007, 11:38 AM

Demonoid.com - Doctor Who - Space Adventures - Music from Dr Who 1963-1971 (WAV)

Chuckit · Apr 28, 2007, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Kevin

OK just watched it. Took about 10 minutes to d/l

It's all snyth stuff. Really cool. The original I know was recorded differently. More "organically" I think.

But this was still pretty cool.

I want a old synth now.

I heard it was always synthesized, which was the entire point. They wanted to be some kind of synthesized music pioneers. But maybe I've heard wrong, because I don't really remember the source.

Kerrigan · Apr 28, 2007, 03:13 PM

It's always been my favorite theme-song, even though I'm not terribly interested in the show.

Kevin · Apr 28, 2007, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by Chuckit

I heard it was always synthesized, which was the entire point. They wanted to be some kind of synthesized music pioneers. But maybe I've heard wrong, because I don't really remember the source.

Well it has ALWAYS had synthetic man made noises in it yes.

Go to the wiki page on it. A LOT of info.

analogika · Apr 29, 2007, 05:00 PM

YouTube - Creating the Dr Who Theme

YouTube - Making of the Doctor Who theme (full)

Kevin · Apr 30, 2007, 07:03 AM

Thanks

The one I d/l seemed a bit better quality and sound. But the YouTube is les of a PITA.

Mr_E · 11:48 AM

You need a demonoid account to get it now. It's been up long enough to no longer be listed as new, so you need an account to DL.
That stinks - I'm a big fan of The Doctor.
Is it posted anywhere else?

Kevin · Apr 30, 2007, 03:00 PM

Yes look at the link analog posted above my last post.

analogika · Apr 30, 2007, 03:04 PM

Those I posted are actually two different ones.

One is the late 70s version, with a Yamaha CS80 and an Arp Odyssey, they other talks about the original late 60s version, with a plucked string on a box for the bass sound, copied to tape bits at different speeds for different pitches and then stuck together for the bass track.

olePigeon · Apr 30, 2007, 05:21 PM

I noticed he was using Garage Band. I wonder if they'll release a Garage Band version of Doctor Who?

analogika · Apr 30, 2007, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

I noticed he was using Garage Band.

moonmonkey · Apr 30, 2007, 10:37 PM

The orbital version is very good too.

Kevin · May 1, 2007, 06:20 AM

Yeah I have that version as well. There is something about that theme...

I am going to try to recreate some of that on the guitar.

starman · May 1, 2007, 08:26 AM

I have a 45 of the theme from the Tom Baker days. This thread inspired me to grab the CD at Best Buy. Very good music on that CD.

olePigeon · May 1, 2007, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by analogika

Look at the secreen when he's putting together the digital version of the original sound track. Looks like Garage Band.

analogika · May 1, 2007, 06:14 PM

No, it doesn't.

olePigeon · May 1, 2007, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by analogika

No, it doesn't.

Looks like it to me:

olePigeon · May 1, 2007, 06:26 PM

YouTube - Tom Baker, This Is Your Life - Part 1 of 3
YouTube - Tom Baker, This Is Your Life - Part 2 of 3
YouTube - Tom Baker, This Is Your Life - Part 3 of 3

"This is Your Life" with the best Doctor ever, Tom Baker.

analogika · May 1, 2007, 06:27 PM

Are you using a beta of iLife 07?

Because my GarageBand sure doesn't have a mixer across the bottom of the screen.

Looks like Cubase to me, but I'm not sure.

Why the hell would the BBC Radiophonic workshop be using GarageBand for their soundtrack production?

It's not good for anything beyond rough sketches!

olePigeon · May 1, 2007, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by analogika

Are you using a beta of iLife 07?

Because my GarageBand sure doesn't have a mixer across the bottom of the screen.

Looks like Cubase to me, but I'm not sure.

Why the hell would the BBC Radiophonic workshop be using GarageBand for their soundtrack production?

It's not good for anything beyond rough sketches!

That's not a mixer if you watch it when he plays it. I just said it looked like Garage Band, that's all. And if he's just "layering them together," Garage Band would work perfectly for it.

analogika · May 1, 2007, 07:52 PM

There's a whole row of meters along the bottom.

Yes, GarageBand would work perfectly for "just layering them together", as would Fruity Loops, probably.

It wouldn't do it any better, though, than the DAW set-up already completely tailored to the studio hardware set-up for daily business, so why should they bother?

Kevin · May 2, 2007, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

YouTube - Tom Baker, This Is Your Life - Part 1 of 3
YouTube - Tom Baker, This Is Your Life - Part 2 of 3
YouTube - Tom Baker, This Is Your Life - Part 3 of 3

"This is Your Life" with the best Doctor ever, Tom Baker.

Ok I watched it and it had nothing about the making of the theme.