Recent News from APRS

23rd January 1998

Audio 98 - Show Details Announced

Mark Broad, Chief Executive of the APRS, comments: "Audio 98 will encompass every aspect of the industry - from quality-standard writing platforms to full-scale top-of-the-range music recording, sound-to-picture and duplication. We are delighted to be returning to Olympia 2 - a great venue for this style of event in that it has excellent conference, seminar and demonstration facilities. The show will be lively, comprehensive and well-promoted - a critical fixture in the audio calendar, not least because the opening night will be marked by the second occasion of the APRS Awards dinner. There have been numerous requests for the exhibition to be open on a Saturday, especially from visitors to previous shows. We have been able to respond to this demand, which makes it a little easier for those hard-working professionals who find it difficult to attend at other times."

Throughout the lead-up to the show, the content of features and workshops both on and off the show floor will be guided by the APRS Exhibition Group - which represents the interests of a broad cross-section of manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to the valuable input that this committee are providing, they are also inviting suggestions from all exhibitors regarding the show's style and content. "It is agreed that there'll be an emphasis on music this year", adds Mark Broad. "We'll be looking at the critical interplay of technical, creative and commercial issues, as well as enjoying the general excitement that a music related show can have. The UK excels in music and music production, so there is enormous scope".

The Olympia 2 site boasts a 450-seat theatre, two 150-seat conference rooms and 5 workshop rooms, all of which will be available during the show - whether for a performance, an audio master class, a product launch or seminar. These facilities will help to ensure that Audio 98 offers everyone a valuable opportunity for networking, entertainment and keeping up to date with the latest developments.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Broad
APRS
Tel:+ 44 (0) 118 975 6218
Fax: + 44 (0) 118 975 6216
e-mail [email protected]

Georgina Garrett/Simon Jones
Garrett Axford PR
Tel: + 44 (0) 1273 441200
Fax: + 44 (0) 1273 441300
e-mail: [email protected]

Jonathan Bainbridge
Single Market Events
Tel: + 44 (0) 181 948 1666
Fax: + 44 (0) 181 332 9376
e-mail: [email protected]

13 February 1998

PAD Group in Talks with MCPS

PAD, the pressers and duplicators association within The APRS, is holding talks with the MCPS over matters of licensing and regulation.

PAD Committee members, Mel Gale, Martin Maynard, and Trevor Southam met recently with the Director and Managers from the MCPS Copyright Enforcement Department, Graham Churchill, Carole Howells and Carmen Porter, to discuss the Code of Practice for sound-carrier manufacturers and how the principles of the code might be extended to cover effectively multimedia CD-ROM duplication.

Graham Churchill confirmed MCPS recognition of PAD as the manufacturers' Industry Association. `There is immense value for us in working with a recognised trade body,� he stated. `PAD is the organisation set up specifically to represent sound-carrier manufacturers in the UK, and, from our point of view, if we can find ways in which it's possible to co-operate further, that's most welcome�.

PAD membership is made up of twenty-five companies, all of whom hold a significant investment in a UK manufacturing base, estimated in total to represent around 80% of national output. Under consideration presently is the eligibility of international companies who maintain a UK office and also the position of brokers in the market - their responsibility to rights holders and to the manufacturing suppliers.

Martin Maynard, Secretary to the PAD Committee and a director of The APRS, comments `I think there are a number of useful ways in which we can continue to build our relationship with MCPS. We can help to promote standard data-submission formats, for instance. Dialogue with MCPS is important to us, and meetings are being arranged with other bodies representing the music and multimedia industries. Generally, we are promoting the benefits of networking and sharing information, which is possible with a group of reputable suppliers participating actively in self-regulation.�

The current PAD Committee members are :

Mel Gale - Audio Services, Keith Lloyd - Forward Technology plc, Martin Maynard - Sounds Good Ltd Trevor Southam - CD Plant, Bill Warhurst - Nimbus Manufacturing plc

The Committee meets again on February 25th and will hold a further round of talks with MCPS on March 24th.

For further information contact :

Martin Maynard - PAD - 0118 930 2600

Mark Broad - APRS - 0118 975 6218

13 February 1998

APRS VENTURE SET FOR AES AMSTERDAM

Action by APRS, The Professional Recording Association, is to make it easier for British pro audio firms to participate in the next European AES Exhibition (Amsterdam 16-19 May).

The 'Joint Venture' packaged by APRS has been approved by the DTI, to guarantee financial help to all qualifying Exhibitors (of British-sourced equipment, or services). The deal will mean reimbursement of around 50% of the stand rental cost, as well as promotion and on-site support by APRS staff. Non-members of Association can join the group as well as APRS member-companies (but members enjoy a discount on charges).

The APRS has run regular Joint Ventures to the USA and Europe on behalf of the pro audio industry, and expects good support for the Amsterdam event.

Companies interested in the Venture, or in membership, are invited to contact the APRS promptly.

10 November 1997

APRS' Galactic Golden Gala - a Piratical Night's Success

The APRS Gala was held on the first day of Vision & Audio 97, the annual APRS show. Piracy and bootlegging was the theme, which gave plenty of scope for humour in terms of costumes and decor, with a presentation from the BPI Anti-Piracy Unit highlighting the damage that these issues can cause the record industry. A champagne reception and dinner, which was sponsored by console manufacturer AMS Neve, got the celebrations off to a lively start. The evening's ceremony, introduced by APRS Chief Executive Mark Broad, involved the presentation of four Awards, recognising both historic and outstanding new industry contributions.

The APRS Professional Recording Association Award for Technical Achievement, sponsored by Studio Sound magazine, was presented to HHB Communications in recognition of the company's active encouragement of technical excellence throughout all its many areas of operation - retail, distribution and manufacture. Introduced by Studio Sound's executive editor Zenon Schoepe and presented by co-chairman of the APRS Studio Accord, Piers Ford-Crush, the Award was received by Steve Angel, Richard Kershaw and Martin Westwood on behalf of HHB.

On behalf of Re-Pro - the Guild of Recording Producers, Directors and Engineers - Suggs from the band Madness presented the Producer's Guild Fellowship to the production team of Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. Sponsored by Quantegy, the Fellowship acknowledged the producers' numerous successes and immense contribution to the music industry over many years - for example, Blur, Elvis Costello and Style Council.

Sponsored by console manufacturer Solid State Logic, the APRS Professional Recording Association Award for Most Exciting New Production was presented to producer Jim Abbiss for the brilliance of his technical and creative work with Sneaker Pimps. Jim accepted the Award and prize of �5000 from SSL's Hazel Simpson.

Finally, a special Award for an outstanding contribution, not only to the industry but in this case to world history. The APRS Professional Recording Association Award in recognition of A Lifetime's Service was presented to Sir George Martin by Cilla Black, who paid affectionate tribute to Sir George's decades of production credits and his immense achievements in the music business. The presentation was supported by a fascinating selection of archive photographs, taken during the course of Sir George's career at Abbey Road and Air Studios.

The evening continued, with the Bootleg Beatles providing an appropriate musical foil to Sir George Martin's presentation. As a footnote to the evening, APRS Chief Executive Mark Broad commented:"The evening has been a great success and brings our 50th anniversary to a crescendo. I feel there has been a lot of pent-up optimism - this provided a vehicle for everyone to let go and celebrate not only our 50 years but also the feeling of renewal that is running through the industry. Our thanks to everyone who worked so hard on the production front, and to our guests who made it swing so well! We look forward to this becoming a regular celebration."

6 October 1997

AMS Neve Sponsors APRS 50th Anniversary Dinner

Leading UK audio equipment manufacturer, AMS Neve PLC, is to sponsor the APRS dinner/dance commemorating its 50th anniversary, taking place on Tuesday 4th November at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington. The high profile event will combine a light-hearted look at the business with an opportunity to recognise some of the outstanding contributions made to the industry, in the form of three first-time APRS awards.

AMS Neve's decision to sponsor the evening highlights the long-standing relationship between the company and the APRS, as Colin Pringle, Marketing Director of AMS Neve, elaborates: "AMS Neve has worked closely with the APRS over many years, aiming to further the interests of our strong, vibrant industry in the UK and promote British audio excellence in the global marketplace. It is a pleasure to be able to participate in what promises to be an highly enjoyable and noteworthy event, and we offer the APRS our warmest congratulations in its 50th anniversary year."

The APRS promises an action-packed evening with the emphasis on entertainment. The evening kicks off with a champagne reception, taking the theme of "Bootlegging and Piracy", which is being supported by the BPI Anti-Piracy Unit. Over three hundred guests are already booked in for the gala dinner/dance, which features the Bootleg Beatles as the headline act. The evening's Awards comprise just three categories: the APRS Professional Recording Association Award in recognition of a Lifetime's Service; the APRS Professional Recording Association Award for The Most Exciting New Production, sponsored by SSL, and the APRS Professional Recording Association Award for Technical Achievement, sponsored by Studio Sound magazine.

Mark Broad, the APRS Chief Executive, has received a very positive reaction to the event: "The APRS sent out a rallying call to the industry and we are delighted at the way in which everyone has responded. AMS Neve's decision to sponsor the dinner is a tremendous boost - they really have come up trumps. We wanted to add an extra added dimension to our annual showcase, marking a very special milestone anniversary for the APRS. Everything is in place to make this year a memorable one!"

The APRS Golden Anniversary Dinner is taking place in the Palace Suite at the Royal Garden Hotel on the first night of the annual APRS show - Vision & Audio 97, which is being held at Earls Court 2 from 4th - 6th November. The APRS is supporting War Child as part of the APRS Gold evening, in aid of the charity's work with children who suffer the trauma of war. Equipment donations and the proceeds of a raffle are to go towards the War Child Music Centre in Mostar.

6 October 1997

SSL Sponsors APRS Award for "Most Exciting New Production"

The Award will be judged by a panel of industry professionals, representing SSL, the APRS Studio Accord, and Re-Pro, plus representatives from the professional and consumer music press - including Phil Ward, Editor of Pro Sound News Europe. Mark Broad, the APRS Chief Executive, is to act as moderator of the judging panel. Nominations will be canvassed from a range of professional industry bodies, including the A&R; community and all APRS members. Each judge will be responsible for polling their specialist sector in order to arrive at a fair consensus. The winner is also to receive a year's free membership of the Re-Pro organisation, over and above the �5000 prize from SSL.

SSL's Hazel Simpson believes that this will rapidly become recognised as a premier industry award, commenting: As a leading contributor to the industry, SSL is keen to find new ways of encouraging and rewarding up and coming talent. We need young blood to keep our business vibrant and alive, and we are delighted to have found a new way of putting something extra back. SSL is committed to supporting the APRS "Most Exciting New Production" Award as an ongoing event on this basis.

The awards will be presented on November 4th 1997, during the APRS' Anniversary Dinner to celebrate 50 years of Recording Excellence. The other awards are: The APRS Professional Recording Association Award in recognition of a Lifetime's Service; and The APRS Professional Recording Association Award for Technical Achievement, sponsored by Studio Sound magazine. The APRS is supporting War Child as part of the event, in aid of the charity's work with children who suffer the trauma of war. Equipment donations and the proceeds of a raffle will go towards the War Child Music Centre in Mostar.

The celebration dinner is being held at the Royal Garden Hotel, on the first night of the annual APRS Show, which is taking place under the banner "Vision & Audio 97" at Earls Court, London - between 4th-6th November 1997. The show will provide a top class forum across the full spectrum of broadcasting, post-production, multimedia, film and recording techniques and technologies.

6 October 1997

Studio Sound Sponsors the APRS Technical Achievement Award

Designed to recognise the outstanding technical achievement of an individual or company within the audio industry, the Award will be judged by a panel of APRS representatives, together with Studio Sound's executive editor Zenon Schoepe and editor Tim Goodyer. The panel will canvass nominations from within the APRS membership and from the Studio Sound editorial team.

Steve Haysom, Studio Sound's publisher, commented on the magazine's sponsorship: "Studio Sound is delighted to be associated with this award. We feel it is important to acknowledge the far-reaching technical achievements that drive our industry and this new award is the perfect medium. As the leading publisher in this market place, we are pleased to be working with the APRS to help raise public awareness of the industry's most significant technical milestones."

The awards will be presented during the APRS' Anniversary Dinner, celebrating 50 years of Recording Excellence, which takes place on November 4th 1997, at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington. The other awards are: The APRS Professional Recording Association Award for Most Exciting New Production, sponsored by SSL, and The APRS Professional Recording Association Award in recognition of a Lifetime's Service. The APRS is supporting War Child as part of the event, in aid of the charity's work with children who suffer the trauma of war. Equipment donations and the proceeds of a raffle will go towards the War Child Music Centre in Mostar.

The celebration dinner is being held on the first night of the annual APRS Show, which is taking place under the banner "Vision & Audio 97", at Earls Court 2, London - between 4th-6th November 1997. The show is providing a top class forum across the full spectrum of broadcasting, post-production, multimedia, film and recording techniques and technologies.

9 July 1997

APRS Broadens its Appeal
- with new Chief Executive

The Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS) has appointed Mark Broad as its new Chief Executive, with effect from 14th July 1997. Well-versed in the music business, Mark joins the APRS from Barnes Music, a production company focusing on music publishing, which he co-founded in 1986.

Commenting on his appointment, Mark said: "I want to develop and promote the benefits of the APRS for the UK industry, which makes a great and highly-regarded contribution to the world of professional audio. There is always scope for fresh thinking, and this will be my main point of focus in the coming months - upgrading the Association's services and gradually broadening the membership. The APRS has a unique opportunity to bring together the concerns of each specialist sector in its membership. We can extend this further to all the themes and issues which affect our businesses, ensuring that the Association is a truly dynamic forum. The bringing together of Vision and Audio for the 1997 APRS exhibition is particularly significant at this time and very exciting for the industry - our aim is to sustain and develop the show to everyone's advantage."

Mark is succeeding Philip Vaughan, the APRS Chief Executive of some ten years' standing, who is retiring this year. Chairman Adrian Kerridge highlighted the contribution of the Chief Executive role: "Philip has worked extremely hard for the APRS and the industry as a whole during his tenure and we wish him a fruitful and enjoyable retirement - he deserves the rest! Mark joins us at a very interesting stage in our development - as the APRS celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is well aware of the need constantly to move forwards in line with the fast-changing pace of the music business and its technology. The APRS is extremely active in pursuing issues which are of topical importance, listening to the concerns of its members as well as acting as a sounding board. We believe that Mark, with his combination of management expertise and industry knowledge, will take the Association forward in a positive, evolutionary way. We welcome him and look forward to engaging his enthusiasm and talent for the challenges ahead!" APRS membership embraces a wide cross-section of interests, including the APRS Studio Accord; Re-Pro (The Guild of Recording Producers, Directors and Engineers); the Suppliers Group; APPS (Audio Post-Production Studios group); PAD (Pressing and Duplicating Group); the Educational Group; and Associates (individual members from all parts of the audio industry).

Aged 41, Mark is married with two children. He is a member of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, and includes music, art and exploring the countryside amongst his wide-ranging interests.

6 March 1997 Press Release

The APPS Group Takes Off

Following recent activity by numerous leading UK audio post-production houses, the committee which will represent the facilities in a new trade body held its first meeting on 3rd march at De Lane Lea studios, London.

The committee confirmed that this sector would operate, under the umbrella of the APRS as the APPS Group (Audio Post-Production Studios). The APPS Group would be open to all facilities having an interest in audio post-production: but applicants would need to satisfy a minimum quality threshold.

One of the major steps agreed by the committee was for the creation of an e-mail listing network to provide a permanent link between all APPS locations, to facilitate direct communication mainly on technical issues and queries. Known as TIE-line (Technical Information Exchange), this service will be set up immediately.

Concern about training for the audio post-production sector was high on the agenda. The committee will take this issue forward through David Ward, who leads the APRS Training Initiative.

All companies which specialise in sound for film and television, including commercials and jingles, are welcome to apply for membership of the APPS Group. Contact Philip Vaughan at APRS , 2 Windsor Square, Silver Street, Reading, RG1 2TH, Tel: 0118 975 6218, Fax: 0118 975 6216, e-mail: [email protected]

14 February 1997

APRS Celebrates 50 Years of Audio Excellence

1997 marks the 50th anniversary of the Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS). The Association announces a wide-ranging programme of events to celebrate its continuing role as the champion of audio excellence in the UK and internationally. Reinforcing its mission to promote the highest standards of professionalism and quality within the audio industry, the 1997 activity includes a high-profile conference, participation in international events and a gala dinner, culminating in the annual UK exhibition - Vision & Audio 97- in London this November.

APRS Chairman Adrian Kerridge commented: "It is a particular privilege to be chairing the APRS at this vital time. The Association has a prestigious and extremely successful past, with a catalogue of achievements to its name. Whilst we wish to celebrate our history, the APRS of today is very clearly focused on the future. We continue to have a fundamental role to play within the industry, working to set new standards, represent new interests and to reinforce at every opportunity the global importance of the UK music industry in its widest sense. During 1997, we invite everyone to celebrate the successes of the past by looking forwards, taking part in a series of highly relevant, dynamic events."

The APRS programme for 1997 currently comprises: A significant presence in April at the London Music Week, representing the whole range of members' interests "Recording for Profit" - a major conference, of critical interest to the entire music production industry, focusing on studio marketing and new technology Special summer social events, including a barbecue with live music Vision & Audio 97 (the APRS Show) - with new activities, in parallel with the main exhibition, to enhance its higher European profile Gala Dinner and Awards in November, with the President of the APRS, Sir George Martin Continuing membership support, ranging from developing new membership categories, to discussion forums, an improved and enlarged Internet site, lobbying, new networking events and more.

Since its foundation in 1947, the APRS has steadily expanded to reflect the evolution of the professional audio industry and currently embraces: recording studios, post-production including broadcast and film, mastering, replication, pressing and duplication facilities, as well as record producers, audio engineers, providers of education and training, manufacturers, suppliers, and consultants.

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