Equipment for hire

Equipment produced by "STC".

Standard Cables & Telephones.

The STC 4037(B)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 In this photograph the switch has been replaced by the BBC logo.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)

The STC 4021 moving coil mic was developed circa 1935. Because of its shape it was known within the BBC as the 'apple and biscuit'. Some writers have called it the 'ball and biscuit' - this is ill-informed nonsense! The mic was designed to be used with the 'biscuit' horizontal, but there were few studio applications for an omni-directional mic. (Though local radio sometimes used the 4021 for 'round table' discussions) Useful outdoors as an effects/ambience mic, indoors it was mainly used as a talkback/gallery mic (tv & radio). For talkback it was never used as the manufacturers intended; it was either fitted flush to a panel on the mixer or used with the 'biscuit' vertical on a swan neck that could barely support its weight. (Notes by Chris Owen Senior BBC Radio Engineer)

The STC telephonists type headset was used by BBC television cameramen during the 1960s. Also BBC radio but without the horn-shaped mouthpiece

An STC 4017C dynamic microphone with an exact repro BBC base and 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)Larger image shows the rear aspect

Long version of the STC 4037 type 'Stick' dynamic microphone. Working condition. Used on radio and television. Hand-held or stand-mounted option.

Sturdy microphone of the 1950s, the STC 4035 was used by the BBC at various locations as a speech, interview or effects mic. Also available with a single or double goose neck table stand suitable for 'conferences' or 'speeches'.

The BBC L.2. LIP MIC, designed originally in 1937, was used (and still is) for sports commentaries and venues with a noisy ambience. For the best results, it is necessary to speak very closely into the microphone. For this purpose, a metal guard at the front of the microphone gives a precise speaking distance of 2 1/2 inches when pressed against the top lip. The design was improved further in 1951 and production models were used extensively by commentators at the 1953 Coronation broadcast. Our example pictured, is ex-BBC OBs circa 1950/60s.

Another STC 4017C dynamic microphone on an original BBC circular base. This mic 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)Larger image shows the rear aspect

Large ribbon/cardioid microphone, used by BBC radio & television and on tv studio microphone booms. This example is mounted on a desk/hanging cradle.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)

Desirable iconic ribbon microphone from STC. This microphone is'fig' shaped and compact. Senior BBC sound engineer Chris Owen adds: The 4038 has internal hum neutralizing wiring coupled with magnetic shielding of the toroidal ribbon-to-microphone line transformer reducing response to stray magnetic fields by 30 to 40 dB. For many years, the 4038 was found in virtually all BBC studios. Indeed, many studios were equipped with no other type of mic. Optional BBC logo and cue light.

An STC type headset with soft ears. For film or sound recording'