Spring 2001

The recent survey of APPS members' training needs highlighted the need for training in the following main areas.

• Training for admin and support staff in the basic principles of studio operation and the jargon used.
• Update training for operational staff on particular pieces of equipment
• A basic principles training for some operational staff.

Courses are already being written for admin and support staff and these will be available in the next few months. These courses will also form the basis of training in studio procedures for the staff of studio clients, eg. record company personnel, bookers and the staff of publishers. We have been in contact with major manufacturers and are in the process of prioritising courses on specific equipment. We still look forward to hearing from any members of other sectors who have identified training needs. Once the needs are identified we can start the process of course construction.

The recruitment database of students graduating from accredited courses will be ready in the next few months and we shall soon be starting on the database of freelance engineers.

David Ward
Director of Training � APRS

Two highly successful events have already taken place on the Studio Accord 2001 calendar and many more are already in the diary. On 31 January, the Strongroom kindly provided the venue for a "Rocket Network" demonstration. The place was packed. Rocket founders and engineers were in force to answer questions while groups of 10 were taken into the studio for half hour demos throughout the evening. Another "Rocket" evening is planned, due to popular demand.

The second event, in March, on "The Truth About Audio Watermarking" was almost standing room only at Olympic Studios. Organised in conjunction with MPG and AES and boasting 2 formidable panels of speakers, the evening clearly tackled a subject close to the heart of many in the industry at the moment. See the next APRS newsletter for a fuller report. 

The next Studio Accord event is the Bookers meeting on 28 March at Kettners, London W1.

Malcolm Atkin (Sphere Studios)
Studio Accord � Chairman

APPS enjoyed the Christmas break by not having December and January meetings. So we all gathered at Saunders and Gordon to kick the New Year off. Thanks to Tim Lofts for the great hospitality. I hope the red wine stains come out of the carpet!

For all you AMS users there was a terrific bit of software by APPS member, John Emmas (Creative Post Production, Manchester) to deal with stereo cues in OMFi in Audiofile. There was a lot of excitement about this very concise and direct bit of kit.

For me the two highlights of the meeting were Saunders and Gordon reception, which is perfect, and the photo album of S&G putting the Harrison into Tim's room when he was younger, thinner and hairier. But then we all were.

Tie-line has been full of discussion about two very important issues. 1) Multitrack dubbers for film work and, 2) David Hamilton-Smith's motion to have an APPS Best Curry in the UK award. (And I thought June was the silly season!) But really having missed two months of meetings, it was great to all be together just to talk about dubbing, sound and reaffirm that this is a group committed to quality audio. Professionals, glad to share a drink and meet with others who care as much as each other about great sound.

Dennis Weinreich (Videosonics)
APPS - Chairman

Supplier members continue to benefit from DTi support at overseas exhibitions. Twelve companies will be attending AES, Amsterdam in May this year. The APRS will also be at AES, New York.

A number of "networking" opportunities are also planned during this year.

Phil Dudderidge (Focusrite) 
Suppliers Group � Chairman

Plans are in the pipeline to re-structure the PAD group in reponse to changes in the industry and a need to re-focus how the APRS can best serve the sector. The PAD membership will be invited to become a part of a new Mastering and Music Facilities sector being launched in March