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The Educational Foundation of the Audio Engineering Society is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 AES Educational Grants for Graduate Studies in Audio Engineering. The announcement was made by Don Puluse, President of the AES Educational Foundation (AESEF), on behalf of the foundation’s Board of Directors. The 2019 grant awards are as follows: 

Audio Precision’s Advancing Audio – Tom Kite Scholarship is awarded to Claire Wenner, a student at the University of Rochester, working towards an MS in electrical and computer engineering. Her BS is in audio and music engineering. She is Vice President of the UR student AES. Claire has created a new type of FM synthesizer featuring intuitive analog control. 

The Dolby Institute Scholar is Peng Huang, who earns an MA in audio sciences at Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. He also has a BA from Peabody. After completing an undergraduate in China, Peng served as a freelance engineer and won six CSMPTE Sound Academy Awards. He has a keen interest in audio science. 

The Genelec Ilpo Martikainen Audio Visionary Scholar is Christian Steinmetz, who will earn an MS in music computing from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona. He holds a BS in EE and BA in audio technology from Clemson University. Christian was the first recipient of the AES Educational Foundation Mary Lea Simpson Memorial Scholarship in 2018. He has a research interest in audio signal processing and machine learning with a focus on intelligent music production systems that aid audio engineers.  

Our 2019 L-Acoustics Dr. Christian Heil Scholar is Ben Creelman. He is pursuing an MM in sound recording from McGill University. Ben is a former recipient of the AES Educational Foundation John Eargle Award. His interests include film sound and visual media. He has also built a mix interface responsive to listener’s behavior. 

The first PMC Sound for the Future AES Scholarship recipient is Dora Filipovic. She is a PhD candidate in Digital Media Arts at the University of Surrey. Her previous degrees are from the University of Arts in Belgrade, Serbia. Her documentary, Glances of Closed Eyes, examines sound and its impact on socialization through the experience of individuals who are blind or otherwise visually impaired. Dora’s continuation of her research in this field uses three dimensional sound in virtual reality to enable discovery of new theories about auditory perception.

Marta Gospodarek is the John Eargle Scholar for 2019. She will earn a PhD in music technology and performing arts at NYU Steinhardt School. Her master’s degree in sound engineering is from The Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. Marta earned a Gold Award in an AES Convention student recording competition and is the author of two AES papers. 

Ibrahim Onafeko is the Larry Estrin Scholar. He is pursuing an MA in Audio Technology from American University and has a BS is from Howard University. Ibrahim has experience in radio and podcast production, including working for Sirius FM Radio. 

Kathleen Zhang is named the Bruce Swedien “Music First” Scholar. She is working towards a PhD in sound recording at McGill University and has an MM and BM in music technology from NYU. Kathleen has also studied at IRCAM. She is founding member and current co-president of the NYU Recording Engineer and Producer Group. 

The Emil Torick Scholar for 2019 is Bartlomiej Chojnacki, a PhD candidate in acoustics from AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow. Chair of the International AES SDA and author of over 20 scientific papers, several in the AES E-Library, Bartlomiej also won the Silver award in AES Convention Student Design Competitions in 2016 and 2017. 

Andrea Genovese receives a renewal grant for his PhD in music and performing arts from NYU’s Steinhardt School. He holds a degree in electronic engineering with music technology systems from York University, UK, as well as a MEng degree from York University. Andrea has published six AES papers.

The Foundation accepts Jacob Hollebon’s grant renewal request. Jacob is receiving his PhD in virtual acoustics at the University of Southampton, UK. His BS in physics is from the University of Warwick, and his MS from the University of South Hampton. 

Claudia Nader Jaime is studying at the University of York, earning a PhD from the department of Theatre, Film, TV and Interactive Media. Her previous studies were at Academia de Musica Fermatta and the University of York. 

Yuanwu Jiang is pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering at the Pusan National University in Korea, and has a master’s degree from the University of Shanghai and Pusan for Science and Technology.

Dan Johnston studies at York University towards a PhD in music technology. His previous study was at the University of York and South Downs College, Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Julian Neri is at McGill University, studying for a PhD in music technology. His BS is in engineering mechanics and astronautics from the University of Wisconsin, and his MA is from McGill.

Ryan Miller attends Belmont University, working on an MS in audio engineering technology. His BS EE is from the University of Wisconsin. 

Cristina Ochoa pursues an MS in Acoustics from Penn State University. She is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines and has an MFA from Middle Tennessee State University. 

Hyunjoung Yang, with a BA from Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts (DIMA), attends McGill University, pursuing an MM in sound recording.  

The AES Educational Foundation was established in 1984 to encourage talented students to enter the profession of audio engineering. Grants for graduate studies with emphasis on audio topics are awarded annually. Recipients are selected on the basis of demonstrated talent, achievements, goals and recommendations. 

The AES Educational Foundation is affiliated with the Audio Engineering Society. Grants have been made possible by contributions from the estate of John K. Hilliard, Audio Precision, Dolby, Genelec, HARMAN International Industries Inc., JBL Inc., L-Acoustics, PMC, the Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio, the families of John Eargle, David Smith, Mary Lea Simpson, Emil Torick and the family and friends of Bruce Swedien, Don and Fran Pearson and Larry Estrin. 

The Foundation also receives support from other benefactors such as in-memoriam donors, and individuals and companies that support education in audio. Application forms and additional information are available from the Audio Engineering Society, 551 Fifth Ave., Suite 1225, New York, NY 10176, USA, or on its web site: www.aes.org/education/foundation/.

Preliminary program details for the upcoming Audio Engineering Society International Conference on Automotive Audio – including a detailed program schedule, keynote speakers, online registration, and more – are now online. Taking place September 11 – 13 at the Audi Driving Experience Center in Neuburg an der Donau (Bavaria), Germany, this year’s conference builds on the overwhelming success of its predecessors by gathering the leading global authorities in Automotive Audio for three days of in-depth examination of the latest trends, challenges and solutions in the field, plus exhibitions and demos showcasing the latest automotive audio technologies.

The Conference is chaired by Alfred Svobodnik, who leads the AES Automotive Audio Technical Committee. “This year’s program for the AES International Conference on Automotive Audio is set to cover all facets of creating outstanding sound in vehicles and to give our attendees first-hand knowledge and experience in what today’s systems are capable of achieving,” states Svobodnik. “Whether taking a look at new perspectives in the challenges of creating quality automotive sound, or offering new techniques in product development, or solving the challenges of designing the sound of electric vehicles, this conference is an essential event for automotive audio professionals who want to stay ahead of the pack.”

Daily keynote presentations will highlight key areas of interest, beginning with Wednesday’s keynote featuring Ivo Muth, Vice President User Experience/User Interface for Audi, on the topic “The Holistic User Experience.” “Audio Engineering in Today’s Automotive Industry: from Technical Performance to Sound Quality” is the topic of Thursday’s keynote, presented by Laurent Gagliadrini, DQI/DAPF/NVH (PSA Peugeot Citroën), and Thursday’s keynote, given by Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Grill, Director with focus on Audio and Media Technologies (Fraunhofer IIS), will expound on “Immersive Audio listening experience in Cars – the Future of Music.”

The conference will also present opportunities for attendees to get up to date on the latest in scientific research in automotive audio and related fields through technical papers, tutorials, workshops, and panel discussions being presented throughout the three days. Additionally, attendees will have an exciting opportunity take a critical listen to the Sound Demos on the road.

Online registration is currently available, which includes a lunch and coffee break on all three days, and shuttle service from “Enso hotel” in Ingolstadt and “Parkhotel” in Gaimersheim to the Audi Driving Experience Center. More information available at aes.org/conferences/2019/automotive. 

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 — As audio product development surges forward at a breakneck pace, the 147th Audio Engineering Society International Convention is the premier destination for audio product developers to enhance their trade —

Each year the Product Development Track presents four days of themed Workshops during the AES Convention. Building on last year’s theme “Make Audio Matter,” the 2019 Product Development Track is built on the theme “The New Era of Product Development.” The Track’s sessions will dive into next-generation methodologies, practices and technologies involved in developing and bringing products to market. The Product Design sessions are open to AES New York Convention All Access badge-holders and will take place at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, October 16 – October 19.

“In the past we have focused on what makes great products, and it has been highly energized by our audiences,” said Scott Leslie, AES New York Product Development Track chair. “This year we are looking at where product development is headed and how it applies to the audio products business.”

One highlight of this year’s Product Development Track will be the Virtual Development Day on “Super Friday.” Presentations diving into virtual development practices and technologies begin with “Product Management Modeling,” a session hosted by Leslie which will examine what product managers can do to pre-engineer products to speed time to market, increase market success and lower development risk. Additional Virtual Development Day sessions include “Simulation Drives a New Era" with Alfred Svobodnik and the workshop “HW Development in Sprints,” where presenter Remi Vaucher will show how to apply the practices of software development to hardware development.

“As we expand our audience, we have also grown the Product Development Track sessions to cover a wider area of product categories. This year we have more sessions on automotive audio than we’ve ever done before, including workshops such as ‘Correcting Vehicle Audio’ and ‘Automotive Audio: A Systems Approach.’ Many of the other sessions also address the needs of the automotive audio product developer,” Leslie continues.

The 2019 Product Development Track is launching a new initiative to augment attendee experiences by following up select Product Development track workshops with complementary exhibitor-led sessions in a demo room or at a manufacturer’s Exhibit Floor booth. “For the first time we will expand the learning experience by directly connecting workshops with relevant product development sessions presented by key exhibitors,” says Leslie. “This is part of a continuous evolution of enrichment of our attendees’ experience, making AES New York the number-one destination for product developers to learn and congregate.” Exhibitors Analog Devices, Audio Precision and Menlo Scientific are currently slated to participate.

Additional AES New York 2019 Product Development Track events will also include the sessions “Can DSP fix a bad loudspeaker?,” “The Predictable Horn,” “Directivity Optimization of a Passive Speaker,” and a legal session on topics such as IP, licensing, and patents.

The Product Development Track events are only available with All Access registration to AES New York 2019 – All Access registration is the ticket to everything the Convention has to offer. Advance online registration is available at aesshow.com, saving time at onsite registration and money. AES Members, including student members, enjoy substantial discounts on All Access registration. Registration at any level for AES New York 2019 includes access to the NAB Show New York exhibition. AES New York 2019 Exhibits-Plus registration is complimentary for AES Members and, for a limited time, those using the VIP code “AES19NOW” at checkout. Come to AES New York’s Product Development Track and engage in “The New Era of Product Development.”

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— From sound system design to optimization, Sound Reinforcement Track events offer practical ideas and solutions for getting the best possible sound for a live event —

Whether perfecting your sound for a one-off event or setting the stage for an international touring act, the Sound Reinforcement Track sessions at the AES New York 147th Audio Engineering Society International Pro Audio Convention, October 16 – 19 at the Javits Center, offer insights for sound professionals of today and tomorrow. In addition to the exclusive presentations offered with All Access registration, attendees will also have the opportunity to learn and network with peers and professionals at dedicated Inspiration Stage events and through exhibition showcases and demonstrations.

“This year, we have once again gathered top industry experts and manufacturers at the pinnacle of live event production and sound reinforcement to share their hard-won knowledge,” states AES New York Sound Reinforcement chair Henry Cohen. “From foundations of systems design, to the latest in the science and technology of audio perception, the AES New York Sound Reinforcement events offer unprecedented access to the latest from the industry’s top researchers and gear designers, as well as the engineers that exemplify best practices in the craft of sound reinforcement.”

This AES New York Sound Reinforcement Track’s varied and informative series of educational opportunities includes sessions revealing crucial details of sound reinforcement implementation such as “Seven Steps to a Successful Sound System Design” and further ideas and techniques in “A Cookbook Approach to Sound System Optimization with Bob McCarthy.”

Delving further into system specifics, the multi-part RF Super Session will host a discussion of RF spectrum and regulatory changes, an update on the latest compliant equipment, and best and advanced RF practices including filtering techniques and RF over fiber. Another Super Session, “AC Power, Grounding and Shielding,” will cover theory and practice of AC power for small to large sound systems, including multiple transformers and company switches, service types, generator sets, single- to three-phase mains, AC source voltages and more, while mitigating hum and buzz noise problems.

Perception of live audio by the audience, engineers and performers is also of top importance for proper sound reinforcement. The tutorial “Psychoacoustics for Sound Engineers” will present topics including how we integrate and perceive sounds, perception of frequency and frequency balance, audible effects of latency, IEMs and sound / video synchronization, and more. For the larger captive audience, including inadvertent audiences, sound exposure and noise pollution due to outdoor entertainment events are addressed in the session “Your Noise Isn’t My Noise: improving Sound Exposure and Noise Pollution Management at Outdoor Events.”

Additional AES New York Sound Reinforcement events will include dedicated Broadway production sessions, along with other tutorials, workshops, scientific paper presentations and more.

All Access registration is the ticket to everything the largest dedicated pro audio event and exhibition of the year has to offer, including all Sound Reinforcement Track sessions – four full days of the best in pro audio education, gear, networking opportunities, and much more. 

Advance Registration prices and options are still available, as well as select housing options through AES partner hotels. Find out more and register now at aesshow.com.

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The Audio Engineering Society has announced the incoming Officers and Governors following the 2019 Board of Governors elections, with terms beginning January 1, 2020. The Society's membership has elected Jonathan Wyner as President-Elect and re-elected Richard Wollrich as Treasurer. Additionally, Thomas Görne has been re-elected as Vice President Central Region, Europe; Cesar Lamschtein has been re-elected as Vice President Latin America Region; Shusen Wang has been re-elected as Vice President Asia-Pacific Region; Ian Corbett will join the Board of Governors as Vice President Central Region, USA/Canada; and Alberto Pinto will join the Board as Vice President Southern Europe/Middle East/Africa Region. Newly elected Governors are Brecht De Man, Valeria Palomino and Magdalena Piotrowska. Save for the President-Elect, each newly-elected individual will serve a two-year term, while those re-elected will have their current term of office extended for two years. Wyner will serve a year as President-Elect, in 2021 as President, in 2022 as Past-President and two-years as a Governor.

Outgoing from the Board of Governors as regional Vice Presidents are Ufuk Önen (Southern Europe/Middle East/Africa Region) and Mike Porter (Central Region, USA/Canada). Governors with terms ending at the end of 2019 are Martha de Francisco, Kyle P. Snyder and, as he assumes the position of President-Elect, Jonathan Wyner. Additionally, Governor (and Past President, twice removed) John Krivit will complete his five-year commitment to the BoG, while Current Past President David Scheirman will transition to Governor for the first year of a two-year term.

"The Society owes a debt of gratitude to all those who have served on the Board of Governors," says AES President Nadja Wallaszkovits, "as well as those continuing to serve. We also sincerely appreciate the entire slate of outstanding candidates on the 2019 ballot for their commitment to the AES, and we congratulate our newly-elected Governors and Directors. I look forward to their contributions as we work together in the coming year."

Per the AES bylaws amendment passed in the 2019 elections, the Society's governing structure will be revised to conform to legal requirements, effective in August of 2019. A newly formed Board of Directors (BoD), the governing body of the Society, will consist of the Society's Member-elected officers plus two Directors to be elected by the Board of Governors (BoG). Those eligible to become BoG-elected Directors must be either a current or recent member of the BoG. The Board of Governors (BoG) will retain many of its current responsibilities and will continue to be composed of the Regional Vice Presidents and Governors-at-large, along with the members of the BoD. The responsibilities currently held by the Executive Committee of the BoG, which will cease to exist, will be filled primarily by the BoD.

The election was monitored, and the results presented, by Gary Louie, Chair of the AES's Tellers Committee.

The 2020 Audio Engineering Society Board of Directors will be:
Agnieszka Roginska: President
Nadja Wallaszkovits: Past President
Jonathan Wyner: President-Elect
Valerie Tyler: Secretary
Richard Wollrich: Treasurer
Two additional Directors will be named by the Board of Governors per the new AES Bylaws.

In addition to the Directors listed above, the 2020 Board of Governors will be:
Ian Corbett: Vice President, Central Region, USA/Canada
Thomas Görne: Vice President, Central Region, Europe
Gary Gottlieb: Vice President, Eastern Region, USA/Canada
Alex Kosiorek: Vice President, Western Region, USA/Canada
Cesar Lamschtein: Vice President, Latin American Region
Per Sjösten: Vice President, Northern Region, Europe
Alberto Pinto: Vice President, Southern Europe/Middle East/Africa Region
Shusen Wang: Vice President, Asia-Pacific Region
Alex U. Case: Governor
Brecht De Man: Governor
Leslie Gaston-Bird: Governor  
Jessica Livingston: Governor
Piper Payne: Governor 
Valeria Palomino: Governor  
Magdalena Piotrowska: Governor  
David W. Scheirman: Governor

- The display augments a cutting-edge program of broadcast and online delivery content - 

The Empire State Building has gifted the Audio Engineering Society with one of the 32 elements from its Alford antenna array, which overlooked Manhattan from high above for more than half a century. This piece of FM broadcast history will be on display at AES New York 2019, the 147th Audio Engineering Society International Pro Audio Convention, at the Jacob K. Javits Center in October.

“The Alford Antenna is an important part of what made broadcasting as we know it today possible, and the Empire State Building is excited to share this special piece of history with the Audio Engineering Society,” said Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman and CEO of Empire State Realty Trust. 

Since its opening in 1931, the Empire State Building has been on the cusp of innovation. When the Alford master FM antenna was installed around the 102nd-floor observation deck of the Empire State Building in 1965, it was a revolutionary development in broadcast technology. Instead of operating at lower power from various rooftops and hilltops around the city, for the first time multiple FM stations could operate at full power from a single shared antenna system atop what was then the tallest building in the U.S., carrying the signals of more than a dozen top New York radio stations to tens of millions of listeners in the tri-state area.

“The Alford Antenna played a critical role in the delivery of spoken word and music to millions for decades,” notes Nadja Wallaszkovits, AES President. “The AES is proud to present this slice of New York’s rich broadcasting legacy to the attendees of AES New York.”

The 32 elements from the Alford antenna ringed the 102nd-floor observation deck, 16 each above and below the viewing windows, each element angled at 45 degrees to create both horizontal and vertical polarization, another pioneering aspect of Andrew Alford's design. The array continued to serve as a backup antenna for New York FM stations well into the 21st century, including being used for emergency restoration of FM signals that had transmitted from the World Trade Center.

The antenna's 50th anniversary was celebrated at a joint AES/SBE event held at the World Trade Center in 2015, recognizing its place in FM history as the first of what would eventually be hundreds of FM master antenna systems around the globe. Additionally, due to their longstanding relationship with the Audio Engineering Society, the Empire State Building authorities and the broadcasters of the building have long supported the Society and have hosted special tours and events for AES members and convention attendees.

The Alford Antenna display is just a part of a full slate of Broadcast and Online Delivery content at AES New York 2019, including workshops, tutorials and presentations of cutting-edge research, best practices, standards work and additional historical perspectives. Registration for AES New York 2019 is now open at www.aesshow.com. 

Additionally, videos of special events hosted during the AES New York 139^th International Convention in 2015 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Empire State Building’s Alford antenna are available:

Video 1 - AES Empire State Building special event at AES 139th International Convention celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Master FM Alford Antenna during the AES New York 139th International Convention (https://youtu.be/h3_Xv78fK-E)

Video 2 - Empire State Building Alford antenna 50th anniversary lightshow held during the AES New York 139th International Convention (https://youtu.be/rhrI9Xgg6j4)

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#AESorg 

The June issue of the AES Journal is available online, featuring the latest news and research in audio engineering, AES events, section activities, and more.

Features include:
Immersive and Interactive Audio Conference Report, York

Headphone Technology Conference Preview, San Francisco

Automotive Audio Conference Preview, Neuburg on the Danube

Article: Immersive and Interactive Audio Technology

The Journal of the Audio Engineering Society — the official publication of the AES — is the only peer-reviewed journal devoted exclusively to audio technology. Published 10 times each year, it is available to all AES members and subscribers.

The Journal contains state-of-the-art technical papers and engineering reports; feature articles covering timely topics; pre and post reports of AES conventions and other society activities; news from AES sections around the world; Standards and Education Committee work; membership news, patents, new products, and newsworthy developments in the field of audio.

View now at aes.org/journal

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 Registration Opens for AES International Conference on Headphone Technology

The Audio Engineering Society is pleased to announce that registration is now open for its second AES International Conference on Headphone Technology which will be held on August 27–29, 2019 in San Francisco, CA, USA. This conference focuses on technologies for headphones with a special emphasis on the emerging fields of Mobile Spatial Audio, Individualization, Assistive Listening and Audio for Augmented Reality and will gather scientists, developers and practitioners who are involved in theory, technical design, application or evaluation of headphone technology. The conference will be an interdisciplinary gathering encouraging fruitful discussions across the headphone, hearing aid and audio delivery industries.

San Francisco is a melting pot of a multitude of European and Asian cultures and the origin of the "easy living" west coast attitude towards life, and it is the home of some of the world’s most innovative digital industries in audio and sound for cinema and gaming. Located in the San Francisco Bay and known for its cool summers, fog and steep rolling hills, it offers popular tourist destinations like the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Fisherman's Wharf and its vivid Chinatown district. An ideal setting for a fascinating and informative conference!

Click here for complete conference information, registration and other useful links.

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