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Each year, AES Conventions are the place to be to experience and learn about the latest audio technologies and techniques, and, just as importantly, the talented individuals who make audio engineering possible and limitless. This year’s AES New York 2018 Convention’s series of Special Events – open to all convention badgeholders – brings a top-notch array of insights from industry luminaries including Thomas Dolby, Derek Smalls, Al Schmitt, Bob Ludwig, Prince Charles Alexander, Chuck Ainlay, Ed Cherney, Frank Filipetti, George Massenburg, Elliot Scheiner, Greg Wells, and many more. This year’s AES 145th International Convention will take place at the Javits Center in New York City, October 17 – 20, offering four full days of over-the-top experiences and encounters sure to excite anyone with an appreciation for professional audio.  

“The AES New York 2018 Convention Special Events program is going to be bigger and better than ever, with more of the biggest names in audio engineering offering revealing insights on historic sessions, new projects and advanced tech. With innovative additions like the fast-paced AESx talks which dig deep on a single topic in 30 minutes, there’s more chances than ever to be a part of the Audio Engineering Society,” states Lisa Roy, AES New York 2018 Special Events co-chair. “Whether it’s your first time at an AES Convention, or you’re one of our industry pro’s that come back, year after year, to network and offer insights into the top-tier of audio productions around the world, the 2018 AES New York Convention’s Special Events connect you with the audio engineering community.”  The Special Events series of presentations is open to all AES New York 2018 attendees, and access is FREE with your Exhibits-Plus advance registration (use code AES18NOW at checkout).

Day One of the Convention holds several noteworthy events, as well as some of the biggest names to grace he AES Special Events stage. The activities kick off with the AES Diversity and Inclusion Committees Townhall, followed by the noontime Opening Ceremonies event will host an introduction from AES President David Scheirman, AES awards presentations and a not-to-be-missed keynote speech “The Conscious Sound Byte“ by musician, technologist and educator Thomas Dolby, known for his seminal song and music video “She Blinded Me with Science.” The afternoon continues with special guest Derek Smalls, formerly of the band formerly known as Spinal Tap, as he deconstructs his record, Smalls Change (Meditations Upon Ageing), with producer/mixer CJ Vanston.

Day Two of the AES New York Convention offers another unique array of Special Event offerings. The day begins with the AES Platinum Latin Producers and Engineers Panel, followed by a lunchtime keynote by Richard Jensen on new digital technologies such as Blockchain, Smart Contracts, Music Metadata, and the Creative Passport. Tuesday afternoon keeps tracking with presentations such as “Al Schmitt – On the Record”, “Mastered by Bob Ludwig: An Exploration of his Career and Techniques”, and “The P&E Wing Presents: Getting Paid and Credited - Lessons in Self Preservation” with multi-GRAMMY Award producer/mixer Jeff Balding, GRAMMY nominated guitarist/songwriter Danny Kortchmar and GRAMMY Award-winning bassist and Musicians Hall of Fame inductee Will Lee. The day’s Special Events conclude with Capitol Studios’ Paula Salvatore and Candace Stewart of EastWest Studios presenting “Music Mavens: Managing Legacy Studios in Challenging Times.”

Day Three brings another set of in-depth presentations to the stage, beginning with a lunchtime keynote by recording and mix engineer Prince Charles Alexander (The Notorious B.I.G., P. Diddy, Destiny's Child, Aretha Franklin), moderated by Paul "Willie Green" Womack. Following is a special Studio Stories event – “Remastering Jackson Browne's Running on Empty” with moderator Ken Reeves of Universal Music Group. This panel features mastering engineers Reuben Cohen, Gavin Lurssen and Ron McMaster, as well as guitarist Danny Kortchmar, who served as lead guitarist on the original album and contributed vocal and songwriting skills. Another session of heavy-hitters follow with the panel “METAlliance – The Mission” moderated by Jim Pace and featuring panelists Chuck Ainlay, Ed Cherney, Frank Filipetti, George Massenburg, Elliott Scheiner and Al Schmitt. The day is capped of by sound reinforcement pioneer John Meyer of Meyer Sound Labs in his Heyser Lecture “Taking the Room Out of the Loudspeaker: New Tools for Transparent Reproduction.“ In his presentation, Meyer will touch on benchmarks in the quest for linear sound amplification, including the early Glyph large-horn systems, the Grateful Dead’s “Wall of Sound.”.

On the final day of the AES New York 2018 Convention, first up is a look at “Platinum Mastering — Past, Present, Future: Changes in Audio Mastering Technology/Aesthetics,” with mastering engineers Bob Ludwig, Andres A. Mayo and Ron McMaster. A lunchtime keynote follows with producer, mixer and songwriter Greg Wells (Adele, OneRepublic, Keith Urban) and in the special event series, legendary GRAMMY Award nominee Michael Beinhorn and GRAMMY Award winner Frank Filipetti offer their take on “Cracking the Creativity Process”.

The Special Events series of presentations is open to all AES New York 2018 attendees. Onsite registration for AES New York 2018 remains open throughout the convention.

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