The Institute of Broadcast Sound (IBS) is to rename itself The Institute of Professional Sound as of 1 January 2012.
Founded in 1977 to represent professionals working in audio for broadcast, the new name reflects the shifts in the audio and broadcast industries over the past 34 years, and also the changes in the Institute’s own membership and working practices. Where once sound people working in broadcast had staff jobs with the BBC, ITV or independent local radio, most IBS members are now freelancers. Of necessity, the Institute’s members also now tend to operate in more than one field in the audio industry – they may work on radio ads one day and a TV sound dub the next, while a location sound recordist might work on TV drama, documentaries, corporate video or live sound events over the course of a few weeks.
‘Our new name more fairly reflects who we are,’ says Simon Bishop, Chairman of the IBS’s Executive Committee. ‘With members that move freely between the varied worlds of radio, video, TV, music recording, location and live sound, broadcast is no longer necessarily the single thread that binds us all together. However, all of us work as audio professionals, and we would like to speak for all who fit that description, whilst also reaching out to others who might have been dissuaded by our old name. Hence the change to something more inclusive.’
The IBS/IPS name change will come into effect on New Year’s Day 2012, but already the regular programme of training events and meetings organised by the IBS for its members is reflecting its more inclusive emphasis. Events this Autumn have included training on Sadie, Riedel and Studer products for broadcast and live production, and the forthcoming annual training weekend in February 2012, the first to be held as the IPS, will be split between outside broadcast training on one day, and PA and live sound workshops on the other.
‘With the 2012 Games coming up, it’s appropriate that we focus on OB work on the Saturday,’ Bishop explains. ‘However, on the Sunday, we will be offering training on foldback and PA mixing, with live bands playing throughout the day. We’re going to make some noise – and you’ll see much more of this kind of event from us in the future.’
Dates and venue for the first IPS training weekend will be announced shortly.
More: www.ibs.org.uk
