Dolby Digital Sound inventor, Ray Dolby has passed on

It is with much grief that I announce to you guys that Ray Dolby, the engineer who pioneered the noise reduction in audio recordings that produced clearer sound for music and cinema, has died aged 80.

Dolby, whose name became synonymous with home sound systems and cinema and won an Oscar, a Grammy and two Emmys for his work, died yesterday at his home in San Francisco.

Dolby had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease in recent years and had been diagnosed with leukaemia in July.

His son, novelist Tom Dolby, said: "Though he was an engineer at heart, my father's achievements in technology grew out of a love of music and the arts.

"He brought his appreciation of the artistic process to all of his work in film and audio recording."

His other son David, a member of the board of directors at Dolby Laboratories, added: "“My father was a thoughtful, patient and loving man, determined to always do the right thing in business, philanthropy, and as a husband and father.

"Our family is very proud of his achievements and leadership. He will be sorely missed, but his legacy of innovation will live on.”