His Master's Voice (HMV) started issuing Stereo Classical LPs in 1958 and the first catalogue numbers began with ASD and 3 Digits. The first labels were white/gold and the second labels had a red /black Semi-circle with Nipper the dog looking in to the horn of a Gramophone.

HMVs ASD 4 Digit Classical record series was launched in 1964 when EMI opted to replace the HMV ASD 3 Digit range with a new EMI ASD 4 digit series that might accommodate a much expanded classical music catalogue. The new category eventually numbered over 2000 titles (ASD 2252 - ASD 4415) and ushered in the advent of digital LPs.

The ASD 4 Digit series featured the latest recordings from EMI's renowned artists as well as introducing many younger up and coming musicians such as Jacqueline Du Pre, Daniel Barenboim and Itzhak Perlman. In 1967 it established the partnership with the state owned Russian label Melodiya, that enabled EMI to press and issue original Russian recordings in the UK under licence. This  made available many interesting artists and much little known Russian music to enrich the repertoire of music on LP worldwide.