The BPI, the representative voice for independent and major record labels across the UK, welcomes members to its latest BPI Insight Session: ‘All Around You: Exploring Immersive Audio’ – which will take a deep dive into all things immersive audio.

The BPI is also pleased to announce the launch of Insight Sessions: On Demand, where members can find video highlights, blogs and reports from previous Insight Sessions on the BPI website.

Presented in association with BPI official partner Bowers & Wilkins, this edition takes place on Wednesday,   30th November from 12.30-4.30pm at Metropolis Studios, London W4, with a live stream from 1-3pm.

The BPI Insight Session is free for BPI Members. Tickets can be accessed here.

Focusing on immersive audio, this BPI Insight Session will explore how changes in product and consumer markets have increased its adoption and widened markets along with the future creative and market opportunities it could represent. Panels from industry experts will delve into mixing and mastering tools and what they might mean for bringing catalogue into the present.

There will also be a listening experience featuring tracks by Max Cooper, while Simon Connor will provide content for audiences to experience at home with headphones in advance of the event.

Panels & Discussions:

What actually is immersive audio?

Mike Hillier (Metropolis) breaks it down clearly, including a potted history, what different brands now exist in the space, and why now could be an interesting time to explore all things immersive.  

Understanding the consumer market

Rasika D’Souza, (Futuresource) uses data and insights to tell the story of current immersive consumption in the UK and global marketplace.

Latest updates from Dolby Atmos

Jane Gillard (Dolby Atmos) shares an update from the brand, before presenting a panel of Dolby Atmos Producers.

Q&A  - everything you need to know about mixing and mastering in Atmos for labels

Myles Clarke (Dolby Atmos) is joined by a panel of Atmos producers, Mike Hillier, Prash Mistry and Ali Staton, exploring what the mixing and mastering process entails, how much it would cost labels per track, what formats are required, and why they’re engaging in the space.

Artist talk: Halina Rice

Artist Halina Rice will also explore her work in the live immersive space, before joining Andy Kerr (Bowers & Wilkins) for a panel discussion.

Unlocking the creative potential of immersive audio

Andy Kerr (Bowers & Wilkins) is joined by acclaimed musician Bernard Butler (Suede, McAlmont & Butler among others) – recently shortlisted with Jessie Buckley for the Mercury Prize 2023 – and a range of other artists and experts, to explore the ‘other sides’ to immersive audio: are there ethical or financial considerations that might prevent a label investing? What is happening in the live space? Is immersive audio all about marketing, or does it have other potential uses? What are the creative potentials (or limitations) to immersive audio? What do DSPs really think about it? With Bernard Butler,  Halina Rice (artist), Michael Neidus (Demon Music Group), Dan Mackta (Qobuz) and Glen Andrew Brown (composer, artist, producer).

Closing discussion

Richard Burki, (Future Phonic Studios) closes the event with a call to action for creatives and rightsholders to see what would happen if they ‘immersive first’. Could this lead to a genuine revolution in listening behaviours and the way we consume music?

BPI is pleased to announce the launch of Insight Sessions: On Demand – a section on the BPI website where users can find video highlights alongside exclusive blogs and reports from each Insight Session. Click here to catch the series so far: Let’s Talk About Shortform Video, and The House That Rap BuiltYou can find Insight Sessions: On Demand at bpi.co.uk under the ‘More’ drop-down menu.

The BPI’s Insight Sessions explore the intersection of music, technology, popular culture and social trends, and the resulting implications for the music industry and its consumers.  Since 2020, the BPI Insight Sessions have been presented in association with BPI official partner Bowers & Wilkins, with over twenty stimulating sessions hosted since its inception in 2014, including some jointly with Music Ally and with ERA (Digital Entertainment Retail Association). Previous sessions have focused on subjects as wide ranging as In Car Entertainment, Blockchain, Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Generation Z, Smart Speakers, Kids Insights, Music & Wellbeing, 10 x 10: Ten Trends for the Next Ten Years, Shortform Video and most recently, UK Rap.