Dramatic Control Panels at BBC Belfast in the 1930s

During the 1930s most studio centres were equipped with six-channel Dramatic Control Units. Belfast's unit is seen above near the end of its life in May 1936.

Dramatic Control Panels

See here for a description of the 1932 London units and how they were used.

Early in 1937 a new DC Unit was installed. This was of the latest design of ten or more channels with many additional facilities such as the sudden 'cut' of a channel output instead of a fade and a main control fader with associated programme meter on a panel at the rear of the unit. This fader could be operated by an engineer, as distinct from the producer. The Belfast desk required a great deal of work during final testing to clear interference from keys and relays.

The new DCP.

left to right:
JAG Mitchell, Bill Capon, "LG" Smith and Freddie Haines.

The engineer's main fader mentioned by LG can just be seen on the left of the picture below, right

Studio 5 Belfast, May 1936.

In this section

Belfast Control Room | Belfast DCPs
Radiolympia | Dramatic Control Panels TI

Articles by LG Smith in other sections

Equipment Department in the 1930s
Early War Years at Wood Norton
Later War Years
The Broadcasting House Stronghold

Belfast Dramatic Control Panels, remembered by Les "LG" Smith.