Phil Dudderidge
Encyclopedia
Phil Dudderidge, born February 6, 1949 in Hertfordshire, England, is a notable figure in the professional audio
industry, having worked as Led Zeppelin
's first dedicated live sound engineer, and later co-founding Soundcraft Electronics
before serving as Chairman of Focusrite Audio Engineering, Ltd.
in Elstree
, Hertfordshire
, England, but dropped out of school at the age of 17. In 1967, he worked for the noted UK underground newspaper International Times
delivering the paper and posters from Osiris Visions to outlets around London. While there, he met Osiris Visions owner and record producer / band manager Joe Boyd
and ended up working as a roadie / chauffeur for Fairport Convention
and the Incredible String Band
. Dudderidge later worked with Pete Brown
and The Battered Ornaments and Soft Machine
.
, beginning not only Dudderidge's first live sound engineer assignment, but also the notable position of Led Zeppelin's first dedicated live sound engineer (and "WEM expert"). This job lasted from March to May 1970, encompassing tour dates in both Europe and the U.S.
While house engineer for the Implosion concerts at the Roadhouse in London, Dudderidge worked with Hiwatt
to develop professional sound reinforcement system
s. He then partnered with Paul Dobson and Graham Blyth
to form his first company, RSD, building custom PA systems for Roy Wood
's Wizzard
and Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
amongst others, with custom-built mixing consoles derived from a Bill Kelsey original design. During the '70s, Blyth and Dudderidge owned Europa Concert Systems, a live sound company that catered to American bands touring Europe.
Electronics, Ltd., the company specializing in live sound and recording mixing consoles. Dudderidge's involvement with this company also led to his working with notable pro audio industry figures Betty Bennett (CEO of Apogee Electronics
), Wayne Freeman (of Trident USA, Fairlight, Amek, Otari, and most notably Marshall Electronics), and Shane Morris (designer of the ATI Paragon monitor console and later of PRS Guitars
). 15 years later, in 1988, Soundcraft, firmly established as a leading console brand, was sold to Harman International Industries
. For the next year, Dudderidge continued working for Soundcraft as Managing Director.
's company, Focusrite Ltd., thus inheriting the Focusrite range designed prior to 1989. A new company, Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. was formed to continue to develop and manufacture Focusrite products. Dudderidge is currently Chairman of Focusrite Audio Engineering, Ltd. Focusrite acquired the assets of Novation Electronic Music Systems. in 2004 and the Novation brand became integrated into the business. Focusrite established Focusrite Novation Inc. to represent its interests in the United States and manage marketing and Tier One reseller relationships. FNI is based in Los angeles, CA. Focusrite UK also distributes third-party brands from the Stanton Group
, notably KRK Loudspeakers and also Ableton Live
software.
OBE and Dr. Evelyn Dudderidge (nee Hughes). He married Jennifer "Jenny" Hayes in 1973. The couple produced five sons and a daughter: Dr. Tim Dudderidge; Tom Dudderidge, founder of Disruptive Ltd. (Gear4); Jamie Dudderidge, founder of Commute (Sydney, Aus.); Simon Dudderidge Alternative Networks; Jo Dudderidge, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with The Travelling Band
and Joanna Dudderidge, Photographer. Dudderidge has eight grandchildren.
Professional audio
Professional audio, also 'pro audio', refers to both an activity and a type of audio equipment. Typically it encompasses the production or reproduction of sound for an audience, by individuals who do such work as an occupation like live event support, using sound reinforcement systems designed for...
industry, having worked as Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
's first dedicated live sound engineer, and later co-founding Soundcraft Electronics
Soundcraft
Soundcraft is a British manufacturer of mixing consoles and other professional audio equipment. It was founded by sound engineer Phil Dudderidge and electronics designer Graham Blyth in 1973.-History:...
before serving as Chairman of Focusrite Audio Engineering, Ltd.
Early years
Dudderidge attended Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' SchoolHaberdashers' Aske's Boys' School
The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School is a British independent school for boys aged 4–19. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and of the Haileybury Group....
in Elstree
Elstree
Elstree is a village in the Hertsmere borough of Hertfordshire on the A5 road, about 10 miles north of London. In 2001, its population was 4,765, and forms part of the civil parish of Elstree and Borehamwood, originally known simply as Elstree....
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, England, but dropped out of school at the age of 17. In 1967, he worked for the noted UK underground newspaper International Times
International Times
International Times was an underground newspaper founded in London in 1966. Editors included Hoppy, David Mairowitz, Pete Stansill, Barry Miles, Jim Haynes and playwright Tom McGrath...
delivering the paper and posters from Osiris Visions to outlets around London. While there, he met Osiris Visions owner and record producer / band manager Joe Boyd
Joe Boyd
Joe Boyd is an American record producer and former owner of the Witchseason production company. Boyd was instrumental in launching the careers of Nick Drake, Fairport Convention, and The Incredible String Band.-Career:...
and ended up working as a roadie / chauffeur for Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention are an English folk rock and later electric folk band, formed in 1967 who are still recording and touring today. They are widely regarded as the most important single group in the English folk rock movement...
and the Incredible String Band
Incredible String Band
The Incredible String Band were a psychedelic folk band formed in Scotland in 1966. The band built a considerable following, especially within British counterculture, before splitting up in 1974...
. Dudderidge later worked with Pete Brown
Pete Brown
Peter Ronald Brown is an English performance poet and lyricist.Best known for his collaborations with Jack Bruce, Brown also worked with The Battered Ornaments, formed his own group Pete Brown & Piblokto!, and worked with Graham Bond and Phil Ryan. Brown also writes film scores and formed a film...
and The Battered Ornaments and Soft Machine
Soft Machine
Soft Machine were an English rock band from Canterbury, named after the book The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs. They were one of the central bands in the Canterbury scene, and helped pioneer the progressive rock genre...
.
Live sound
In 1970, Charlie Watkins (of WEM PA fame) introduced Dudderidge to Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, beginning not only Dudderidge's first live sound engineer assignment, but also the notable position of Led Zeppelin's first dedicated live sound engineer (and "WEM expert"). This job lasted from March to May 1970, encompassing tour dates in both Europe and the U.S.
While house engineer for the Implosion concerts at the Roadhouse in London, Dudderidge worked with Hiwatt
Hiwatt
Hiwatt was a British company that manufactured amplifiers for electric guitars and electric basses. Starting in the late 1960s, together with Marshall and Vox, the company contributed to the sonic image popularly termed "British sound"....
to develop professional sound reinforcement system
Sound reinforcement system
A sound reinforcement system is the combination of microphones, signal processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers that makes live or pre-recorded sounds louder and may also distribute those sounds to a larger or more distant audience...
s. He then partnered with Paul Dobson and Graham Blyth
Graham Blyth
Graham Blyth is a British audio engineer who is known for designing mixing consoles. He is a co-founder of Soundcraft, a manufacturer which Blyth helped form into a world leader in sound reinforcement and recording mixers, establishing the "British sound". After succeeding in electrical engineering...
to form his first company, RSD, building custom PA systems for Roy Wood
Roy Wood
Roy Adrian Wood is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was particularly successful in the 1960s and 1970s as member and co-founder of the bands The Move, Electric Light Orchestra, and Wizzard. As a songwriter, he contributed a number of hits to the repertoire of these bands.-Career:Wood...
's Wizzard
Wizzard
Wizzard was a Birmingham-based band formed by Roy Wood, former member of The Move and co-founder of Electric Light Orchestra. The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits states, "Wizzard was Roy Wood just as much as Wings were Paul McCartney."-Biography:...
and Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel are an English rock band from the early 1970s. Their music covers a range of styles from pop to progressive rock. Over the years they have had five albums in the UK Albums Chart and twelve singles in the UK Singles Chart.-Career:...
amongst others, with custom-built mixing consoles derived from a Bill Kelsey original design. During the '70s, Blyth and Dudderidge owned Europa Concert Systems, a live sound company that catered to American bands touring Europe.
Soundcraft
In 1973, Dudderidge and Blyth left RSD to form SoundcraftSoundcraft
Soundcraft is a British manufacturer of mixing consoles and other professional audio equipment. It was founded by sound engineer Phil Dudderidge and electronics designer Graham Blyth in 1973.-History:...
Electronics, Ltd., the company specializing in live sound and recording mixing consoles. Dudderidge's involvement with this company also led to his working with notable pro audio industry figures Betty Bennett (CEO of Apogee Electronics
Apogee Electronics
Apogee Electronics is a manufacturer of digital audio interfaces and audio converters based in Santa Monica, CA.- Company Information :...
), Wayne Freeman (of Trident USA, Fairlight, Amek, Otari, and most notably Marshall Electronics), and Shane Morris (designer of the ATI Paragon monitor console and later of PRS Guitars
PRS Guitars
PRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
). 15 years later, in 1988, Soundcraft, firmly established as a leading console brand, was sold to Harman International Industries
Harman International Industries
Harman International Industries is an American-based international audio and infotainment equipment company. The company designs, manufactures and markets audio and infotainment products for the car, the home, theatres and venues, as well as electronics for audio professionals...
. For the next year, Dudderidge continued working for Soundcraft as Managing Director.
Focusrite
Dudderidge left Soundcraft in early 1989 and acquired the assets of Rupert NeveRupert Neve
Rupert Neve is an English electronics engineer and entrepreneur, who is particularly known as a designer of professional recording equipment. He is known for his work on microphone preamplifier, equalizers, and early large format mixing consoles...
's company, Focusrite Ltd., thus inheriting the Focusrite range designed prior to 1989. A new company, Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. was formed to continue to develop and manufacture Focusrite products. Dudderidge is currently Chairman of Focusrite Audio Engineering, Ltd. Focusrite acquired the assets of Novation Electronic Music Systems. in 2004 and the Novation brand became integrated into the business. Focusrite established Focusrite Novation Inc. to represent its interests in the United States and manage marketing and Tier One reseller relationships. FNI is based in Los angeles, CA. Focusrite UK also distributes third-party brands from the Stanton Group
Stanton Group
Stanton Group is a group of small rocky islands close to the coast at the east side of Utstikkar Bay, 4 nautical miles northeast of Falla Bluff Discovered in February 1931 by the British Australian New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition under Mawson. He named it for A.M. Stanton, first...
, notably KRK Loudspeakers and also Ableton Live
Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
software.
Family
Phil Dudderidge was born in 1949, the second son and fourth child of John DudderidgeJohn Dudderidge
John Webster Dudderidge was a British canoer who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.He was born in Sheffield and died in Cambridge....
OBE and Dr. Evelyn Dudderidge (nee Hughes). He married Jennifer "Jenny" Hayes in 1973. The couple produced five sons and a daughter: Dr. Tim Dudderidge; Tom Dudderidge, founder of Disruptive Ltd. (Gear4); Jamie Dudderidge, founder of Commute (Sydney, Aus.); Simon Dudderidge Alternative Networks; Jo Dudderidge, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with The Travelling Band
The Travelling Band
The Travelling Band are an alternative folk band from Manchester England. The band members are Adam Gorman , Jo Dudderidge , Steve Mullen , Chris Spencer , Nick Vaal .- History :The Travelling Band formed...
and Joanna Dudderidge, Photographer. Dudderidge has eight grandchildren.