AES Convention Historical Events chair Mark Gander
The upcoming AES Convention in Los Angeles next month promises to have some momentous offerings, including its first International Conference on Audio for Virtual and Augmented Reality, but you can’t move forward without learning from the past, and that’s where the convention’s Historical Sessions track comes in.
Curated by Historical Events chair Mark Gander of HARMAN Professional Solutions (above), AES Los Angeles Historical Events sessions are slated to include:
“Political Audio: Sound for Past and Recent Presidential Debates and Conventions”
A panel of industry professionals with first-hand experience working on past and present presidential events will come together to discuss the sound reinforcement, broadcast, and audio communications production and workflow of these historic happenings. Panelists include consultant Ken Fause, audio expert Dave Brand, and sound designers Michael Abbott, Patrick Baltzell and Stan Miller.
“The Great British Recording Studios”
Author Howard Massey will explore the origins of the fabled “British Sound” and celebrate the people, equipment and innovative recording techniques of the day through rare photographs, videos and musical examples covering many historic studios and sessions. Panelists will include Geoff Emerick, Dave Harries and Malcolm Toft.
“History of Studio Acoustic Design”
Studio designer George Augspurger, of Perception Incorporated, will give his perspective from over six decades of studio design. Covered will be the evolution of applied acoustics from the 1960’s to the present day, outlining the development of modern studio design principles by presenting key examples of projects and a timeline of historic events that influenced studio development.
“Horns and Waveguides: Evolution of Technology”
This tutorial by Alex Voishvillo of HARMAN will give a retrospective review of horns and waveguide technology including both theoretical design aspects as well as a retrospective review of patented practical developments.
“Historic Microphone Technologies and Their Connection to Pop Vocal Performance”
AES President-Elect Alex Case leads this session highlighting how lessons from audio history can be used to drive our decisions for getting the right vocal sound at our next gig, specifically by analyzing initial limitations in microphone technology and the slow-but-steady advancement of the audio technologies available at the time.
“Control Systems and Electroacoustical Considerations for Large-Scale Loudspeaker Arrays: Past, Present & Future”
The AES’s David Scheirman reviews four decades of system development, presenting highlights of the evolutionary process from control-only networks to networked digital audio, and migration paths from powered speaker arrays to line array elements to beam-steerable systems, as well as developments that have taken place since the 6th International Conference (Sound Reinforcement) and the 13th International Conference (Computer-Controlled Sound Systems), with content at these landmark AES events having foreshadowed today’s high-powered loudspeaker arrays that incorporate beam-steering technology.
Historical Events chair Mark Gander comments, “The AES Historical Track sessions present achievements by audio pioneers whose innovative ideas and inventions have contributed to this industry and beyond. The rich history of science and art in audio design and production has much to teach us about the future evolution of audio, and we look forward to sharing many of these great stories throughout the AES Los Angeles Convention.”
Register now for an All Access badge to attend these Historical Track sessions and other Tech Program events, or register to receive a Free Exhibit-Plus badge (promo code AES141NOW) for the AES Los Angeles Convention: aesshow.com. Exclusive convention housing options with partner hotels are still available.
Audio Engineering Society
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