This marks the 50th year of HHB Communications, established in February 1976 as a local live sound company.
Over the past five decades, the company has transformed to meet the needs of audio professionals across the United Kingdom. HHB continues to support innovate technologies with specialist advice and technical support, counting the world’s leading broadcasters, recording studios, postproduction facilities and higher education institutions among its clients.
HHB is headquartered in Northwest London and houses technical facilities, a service department, warehousing, demo suites and accounts offices, and is also home to the company’s sales team. Scrub, HHB’s specialist Fitzrovia outpost, continues to serve the needs of the independent postproduction community. Scrub is home to an Experience Centre where customers can demo an expansive list of audio products, be trained on the latest formats tools, and participate in events to hear from leading audio manufactures.
Founded by Ian Jones in 1976, then manager of the band Half Human Band, who adopted the band’s initials for his business. Since then, Jones as led the company to pivot as major technical shifts occurred in the industry. Including the introduction of digital multitrack recording, which HHB led in the UK studio industry. In the 1990s HHB took on manufacture by bringing the world’s highest-performing DAT tape to professionals worldwide. Later in the early 2000s, the HHB Professional Recording Media Range had grown to be one of the most comprehensive selection professional digital audio recording media. During this time HHB would produce the PortaDAT range, CDR range and the HHB FlashMic – the first digital recording microphone.
While no longer manufacturing products, HHB continues to take a leading role in providing, educating, and supporting the latest technologies. In 2013 when Avid launched the Pro Tools S6 Console, HHB provided the UK’s exclusive debut of the product and go on to install hundreds across the country. That same year Dolby announced Dolby Atmos for postproduction, which HHB spearheaded across the industry. In 2019, when Dolby Atmos for music was launched, the company outfitted the first UK recording studio and continues to lead provider of Dolby Atmos enabled systems.
In 2023 HHB was the first reseller selected by Audinate to provide Dante Connect, which enables cloud-based Audio-over-IP workflows for broadcasters. Then in 2024 Wohler launched MAVRIC, which allows broadcasters to monitor broadcast signals from anywhere. HHB supported the launch of DAD Thunder|Core which offers 256 input and output channels at 48kHz or 96kHz, and reduced channel count for sample rates up to 384kHz with a direct link to the latest Thunderbolt enabled computers. Helping broadcasters to future proof their studios and systems is a part of the core ethos of HHB.
In 2023, HHB was acquired by Midwich, a leading distributor of technology solutions, continuing with its leadership team and Jones at the helm as MD. In Midwich HHB found a partner that recognised and supported HHB’s culture and ethos.
‘As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, the group continues to thrive with strong performance across all divisions,’ Jones reflects. ‘This success is built on the dedication of a team widely respected for their expertise and their unwavering willingness to support every aspect of audio production.’
More: www.hhb.co.uk