Behind Good Imprint

Good Imprint was established in December 1999, marking a change in structure for work that its proprietor, Ivor Humphreys, had been involved with for a decade and more. For nearly 14 years from January 1986 he worked for a privately owned publishing company based in Harrow, UK: Gramophone Publications Limited. His primary role was Audio Editor of the company's world-famous classical record review magazine Gramophone, where he was responsible for contributing and commissioning articles and equipment reviews. He penned many features, interviews and reviews, edited all copy and effected the final page make-up. He was the focal point for a team of five contributing writers, chairing monthly meetings and reporting directly to company management. In addition to his editorial work he assumed responsibility for a growing network of computers, overseeing the company's transition from traditional 'glue & scissors' page make-up to fully electronic, in-house publishing.

Before Gramophone, from 1978-86, he worked for Hi-Fi News & Record Review magazine, latterly as Deputy Editor, and before HFN/RR for G Schirmer music publishers in London. Academically his early focus was on music: he has an MA in Analysis of 20th Century Music. Audio, electronics and later computing began as complementary interests, combining with music to shape his career.

After 22 years as a journalist, editor and DTP/IT specialist he felt the need for a change in focus and to eliminate the punishing 120-mile round trip from home in Sussex to Harrow. (He was head-hunted for Gramophone but chose not to relocate.) Accordingly he left the magazine to start Good Imprint.