Equipment for hire

Equipment produced by "STC".

Standard Cables & Telephones.

Large ribbon/cardiod microphone, used by BBC radio & television and on tv studio microphone booms. Notes: The 4033A was produced as a direct result of the needs of the 'talkies', which required a microphone that could eliminate unwanted sound from the camera and other noises off. It contains two elements, a ribbon and a moving coil (similar to a 4021 minus the biscuit). The microphone incorporated a screwdriver-operated switch that allowed either or both elements to be routed to the output. The switch was marked P. R. C. P - (Pressure) - omni directional - moving coil only. R - (Ribbon) - bi-directional (figure of 8) - ribbon only. C - (Cardioid) - uni-directional - combining both elements. The 4033A was somewhat of a compromise as it tended to be "toppy" in all three positions. Nevertheless, it was the standard TV Boom microphone for many years and was also used on Radio OBs where its cardioid response was useful for rejecting colouration from PA. (Chris Owen-Senior BBC sound engineer)

The STC 4037 was named the 'Stick'. Popular with Alan Whicker type reporters. Notes: The 4037B is a neat and unobtrusive omni directional hand held microphone designed specifically to meet the needs of television. With a frequency response described by STC as 'sensibly flat' from 30 to 12000 c/s. Finished in black shrivel enamel paint. Used extensively on both radio and TV OBs until the late 1970s when they were gradually replaced by the Electrovoice 635A and RE50. (Chris Owen)

Large hand-held moving coil microphone. Notes: Designed specifically as a light (12ozs) hand held microphone for commentators and interviewers. It was capable of working in all weathers including marine and tropical conditions. A moving coil transducer was mounted in a black Bakelite body with a stainless steel mesh screen. The handle incorporated a switch, which could be wired to provide muting or remote start/stop function for a tape recorder. In this photograph the switch has been replaced by the BBC logo. The 4032 was often issued with the EMI Midget reel to reel recorder and was also the star of many "This Is Your Life" programmes when it was thrust under the nose of the unsuspecting victim! (Chris Owen)

This is an original BBC outside broadcast microphone type STC 4017C, complete and very rare with its detachable oak handle (the cable went up the centre). The mic type was first introduced by STC and the BBC in 1938. The design originated from the Western Electric type 618A (circa 1931) which used a 'dynamic' moving coil as the transducer. These brass microphones (very heavy at 1.5kgs) were used by the BBC throughout the Second World War and can be seen (hand-held interviewing) in many BBC photographs of the period. Notes: The mics overall performance was excellent, with coil resonances damped by acoustic filtering which was incorporated in the mechanical construction. The 4017C remained in widespread BBC use up to about 1950.(Chris Owen) The letters 'LO OB' are engraved below the mic on the metal stem. They referred to 'LOndon OB' (outside broadcasts). The 'BBC' badge is an exact reproduction.

Still used, this STC 'lip' mike is termed a Broadcasters Ribbon Noise Cancelling. 80/8,000 Hz.

Another STC 4017C dynamic microphone with exact repro BBC badge. This type of microphone was used extensively by the BBC in studios and on outside broadcasts until about 1953. The mic type was first introduced in 1938 by STC and the BBC. The design originated from the Western Electric type 618A (circa 1931) which used a 'dynamic' moving coil as the transducer. Notes: The mics overall performance was excellent, with coil resonances damped by acoustic filtering which was incorporated in the mechanical construction. Chris Owen)

STC type telephonist's headset with horn-shaped mouth piece. Used by BBC Television cameramen throughout the 1960s. Also BBC Radio (but without the mouthpiece)