Mark Frink (center), Director of Program & Content and Manager, Live Sound Content heads the team of AES@NAMM2019 program organizers. The team includes Charlie Hughes, Manager, Scientific & Technical content (left) and Bobby Owsinski, Manager, Studio Recording content (right).
Posted: Thursday, August 23, 2018
Electronic music pioneer and technologist Thomas Dolby will focus on next-generation sound technologies in his AES New York 2018 keynote address "The Conscious Sound Byte"
— Thomas Dolby’s AES Opening Ceremonies Keynote address “The Conscious Sound Byte” will focus on next-generation sound technologies, in particular adaptive/non-linear music and audio for games, VR/AR, “hearables” and other new media platforms —
The Audio Engineering Society is delighted to announce that Thomas Dolby will deliver the keynote address during the Opening Ceremonies of the AES New York 2018 International Convention. Since he burst onto the music scene in the 80s with genre-warping compositions and a pioneering production style that embraced and exploited emerging technologies, Prof. Dolby has been a seminal influence on legions of musicians, fans and audio professionals alike. For decades, his work has been introduced to successive generations of audio production students as instructors use his recordings as examples of sonic excellence in music engineering and critical listening courses. While most widely known for his work as a musician, producer, film score composer and filmmaker, Prof. Dolby is also one of the world’s leading innovators in digital technology and has served as a technical consultant on emerging entertainment platforms during his 35-year career, including Laserdiscs, computer games, interactive TV, virtual reality installations and location-based entertainment. His latest roll is as an educator – since the fall of 2014, Thomas Dolby has held the post of Homewood Professor of the Arts at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.
With the title “The Conscious Sound Byte,” Thomas Dolby’s AES Keynote address will focus on next-generation sound technologies, in particular adaptive/non-linear music and audio for games, VR/AR, “hearables” and other new media platforms. “A big difference between ‘real’ and ‘electronic' sounds is that electronic sounds have zero awareness of each other,” shares Prof. Dolby. “Sound bytes blindly follow orders, and fire off (usually) as instructed by a human. Yet musicians playing ‘real’ instruments listen, resonate, and respond to the music, the room, and to each other, in a matter of microseconds.”
“In the hands of master arranger or programmer, this is not a problem,” he continues. “Many of the nuances of real music can be simulated quite effectively as processor speed, bandwidth and resolution improve. But as entertainment becomes more interactive, with games and augmented reality and ‘wearable’ technologies, it is increasingly vital that electronic sounds and music learn an awareness of the context in which they are playing.”
“Soon,” Prof. Dolby concludes, “all the accumulated craft and skills of a century of post-production legacy will have to operate in real time, controlled not by the programmer, but by the users themselves via the choices they make. Is it time for us to reconsider why our sound and music files are so ‘dumb’ and rigid?”
“Thomas Dolby is uniquely qualified to address the role of emerging technologies in entertainment,” says Bob Moses, Special Events Chair for the 145th AES International Convention. “As the AES celebrates this 70th anniversary of its own leadership in technological innovation, there’s no more appropriate voice to set the stage for four days of immersion in all things audio. Thomas’ influence on the way artists and content creators embrace technology is nothing short of iconic – his keynote address is sure to be a highlight of the Convention.” Prof. Dolby’s keynote address is open to all AES New York registered attendees.
AES New York 2018 will feature four full days of Technical Program research presentations, workshops and tutorials (October 17-20) and three days of Exhibition Floor showcases and demos (October 17-19) from leading names in professional audio manufacturing and services, along with the popular Project Studio Expo, Live Sound Expo, and other specialized events. Additionally, AES Student and Career activities will include recording and design competitions, a new MATLAB plugin design competition, the annual education and career fair and other ways to network with students and professionals from around the world. If it’s about audio, it’s at AES – the ultimate opportunity for audio professionals of all specialties, and future audio pros, to listen, learn and connect!
Advance registration is open now at aesshow.com, offering the best possible pricing and options. All Access registration is the ticket to everything the Convention has to offer. AES Members, including student members, enjoy substantial discounts on All Access registration. Registration at any level for AES New York 2018 includes access to the NAB Show New York exhibition. AES New York 2018 Exhibits-Plus registration is complimentary for AES Members and those using the VIP code “AES18NOW” at checkout.
Posted: Sunday, August 12, 2018
2018 AES International Conference on Audio for Virtual and Augmented Reality
— Keynote speakers to include experts from Magic Leap, Facebook Reality Labs, and Microsoft Research Labs Redmond —
The Audio Engineering Society is pleased to announce the second International Conference on Audio for Virtual and Augmented Reality, taking place August 20-22, 2018, at the DigiPen Institute of Technology, Redmond, WA. The conference and exhibition will bring together a community of influential research scientists, engineers, VR and AR developers, and content creators.
The conference’s esteemed keynote presenters – Jean-Marc Jot, Distinguished Fellow, Magic Leap; Ivan Tashev, Partner Architect, Microsoft Research Labs Redmond; and Ravish Mehra, Lead Research Scientist, Facebook Reality Labs – are at the forefront of innovation for VR and AR.
According to Tashev, “Audio and video are integral components of AR/VR devices. Spatial audio is an area still under development; we need better capture, representation and rendering technologies. To make it mainstream, we have to catch up with authoring and editing tools as well.”
The three-day conference and expo will focus on the dissemination of top-level research in the field of spatial audio for virtual and augmented reality, with demonstrations and discussions focused on technical solutions and recommended practices. Leading researchers, practitioners and industry luminaries will offer panel discussions, tutorials, and workshops on new and forthcoming technologies.
The conference promises to be as interactive and cross-disciplinary as the field of VR and AR itself, and will include an exhibition of relevant software and product demos. The conference will bring together talented researchers and developers who are creating the next generation of audio tools for immersive content, with presentation topics including:
- The state of AR/VR audio content development tools and workflows, including personalized vs. generic HRTFs
- Realistic sound propagation for immersing the user in virtual environments
- Auditory distance discrimination in cinematic virtual reality
- Spatial audio capture, rendering, and synthesis over headphones and speakers
- Binaural, ambisonics, and wave field synthesis techniques
- 3D sound field navigation
- HRTF modeling and derivation from optical and/or acoustic measurements
- Reverb and room acoustics synthesis
- 3D audio mixing and content production
- Music and sound design for VR/AR
- Higher education & immersive media
- Sound for 360 VR
- XR [extended reality] audio in diverse industries
- Dialogue for VR/AR and MPEG-H
Sponsors include Microsoft, Facebook, Bacch Labs, and Game Sound Con. A variety of sponsorship packages are still available for sponsors who’d like to engage with this highly specialized and influential group. Please contact organizers at [email protected] for more information.
Posted: Wednesday, August 1, 2018
2018 AES International Conference on Spatial Reproduction - Aesthetics and Science -
The 2018 AES International Conference on Spatial Reproduction has begun in Tokyo, Japan. Full program and registration info available at aes.org/conferences/2018/spatial/.
Papers being presented at the conference are available for preview in the AES E-Library at http://www.aes.org/e-lib/.
Posted: Tuesday, July 31, 2018
John Storyk of the Walters-Storyk Design Group moderates the discussion "New Frontiers in Project Studios" during the AES New York 2017 Project Studio Expo. Joining Storyk were producer/engineers Eddie Kramer and Scott Riesett, musical director David Rosenthal and sound designer Peter Hylenski.
Audio Engineering Society conventions connect audio engineers, producers, artists, and enthusiasts with the latest research and information, while also providing the premier showcase for the latest audio gear and technologies from the industry’s most relevant brands. The AES New York 2018 Convention, taking place October 17 – 20 at the Jacob Javits Center, will offer not only the AES flagship Technical Program, but also the year’s largest dedicated professional audio showcase and exhibition, taking place the first three days of the show (October 17 – 19), featuring the largest-ever offering of free-to-attend workshops and tutorials on the exhibition floor and throughout the convention’s demo room areas. These events are free to all attendees, and complimentary Exhibits-Plus badges are available to AES Members or with a VIP promo code.
The exhibition floor presentations offer practical knowledge and demonstrate real-world applications of many of the technologies on exhibit at the convention and a sampling of the vast range of in depth sessions in the full All-Access Technical Program. Exhibition-floor events include:
PSE Recording Stage
One of the most highly anticipated events at the convention, the PSE Recording Stage is aimed at professional and home studio recording engineers, and at this year’s AES Convention, the PSE Recording Stage is the ultimate destination for three days of workshops, advice and education from professionals and peers involved in the recording process. New sessions for this year include a specialized set of tutorials covering vocal recording, from choosing the right vocal mic, to laying vocals within the track, to making your vocals stand out properly in the mix. Sponsors for the PSE Recording Stage include Antelope Audio, Eventide, Focusrite, Genelec, Meyer Sound, Neumann, Universal Audio and Waves.
Live Production Stage
This year’s Live Production Stage offers three days of workshops, panels and sessions covering Broadcast Audio, Broadway Sound and Live Events. Immerse yourself in learning and networking with the industry’s pros with events covering the latest trends in audio networking, live broadcast productions, wireless updates, Broadway productions, sound design and managing a live gig. Live Production Stage sponsors include d&b Audiotechnik, DPA, Lawo, L-Acoustics, Lectrosonics, Sennheiser Neumann, Shure, TSL Products and Yamaha.
AES Mix with the Masters Mixing Workshops
A series of events consistently drawing standing-room-only crowds at past AES conventions, the AES Mix with the Masters mixing workshops invite you to come and learn from the masters! The biggest names in the industry share how they mixed the greatest artists, tracks and albums, offering three days packed with award-winning producers, engineers and mixers sharing their experience in person.
AoIP Technology Pavilion
New for 2018 is the Audio over IP Technology Pavilion, presented in partnership with the Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS). Audio networking is becoming integral in all aspects of media production, and AES will bring together the top professionals on the cutting edge of using AoIP as a means for a wide variety of audio routing and interface solutions. Leading manufacturers introduce three days of application and product sessions to guide professionals past the pitfalls towards enhanced productivity with AoIP. Visit the partners in the AoIP Technology Pavilion for one-to-one presentations.
software@aes Pavilion
AES and the International Music Software Trade Association (IMSTA) invite you to experience the latest in virtual tools and techniques at this year’s software@aes Pavilion area. Activities include three days of music software demonstrations, together with DAW and plug-in clinics.
AVID Partner Pavilion
The AES and AVID bring together leading AVID AAX Partners for the AES Partner Pavilion, ready to show you the latest and greatest products to take your Pro Tools productions to the next level.
AES New York Demo Rooms
Two floors of demonstration rooms present the latest gear and technologies hosted by brands such as Alteros, Dolby, Eventide, Grace Design, JBL, Kii, L-Acoustics, Meyer Sound, Neumann, Nexo and Yamaha.
This year’s convention celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Audio Engineering Society, and there’s no better event at which to “Listen, Learn and Connect” with audio engineers, producers, artists, students, and peers from around the world. In addition to the exhibitions themselves and the exhibition-floor events, major focuses of the full Convention technical program (brought together by this year’s organizing committee, led by Co-Chairs Paul Gallo, Valerie Tyler and Jonathan Wyner) include Broadcast & Online Delivery, Applications in Audio, Sound Reinforcement, Recording & Production, Game Audio/AVAR/Spatial Audio, Networked Audio, Product Development, Archiving & Restoration, and Audio for Cinema, with numerous presentations and opportunities offering an inside look at nearly every facet of the audio industry.
Register now at aesshow.com for Advance Registration pricing and discounts on Exhibits-Plus and premium All Access badges, as well as deals on AES New York partner hotels. Registration at any level for AES New York 2018 includes access to the co-located NAB Show New York exhibition. Substantial registration discounts are available for AES Members and Associate Members, with even deeper discounts for Student Members.
Posted: Tuesday, July 31, 2018
A sold-out crowd of attendees gather during the AES International Conference on Audio Archiving, Preservation & Restoration at the Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) Packard Campus in Culpeper, Virginia, June 28-30, 2018.
Research papers presented at the AES Conference on Audio Archiving, Preservation, and Restoration are available for download in the AES E-Library, and are available for free to AES Members.
Posted: Monday, July 30, 2018
The Audio Engineering Society will be exhibiting at the Loudspeaker Sourcing Show to be held in Nansha, China on October 16 - 18, 2018 at the Nansha Grand Hotel. The fourth annual Loudspeaker Sourcing Show provides a focused platform for qualified component manufacturers to establish relationships and conduct business directly with brands across the globe. Registration and further information at http://www.loudspeakersourcingshow.com.
Posted: Tuesday, July 17, 2018
The Audio Engineering Society International Conference on Audio Archiving, Preservation & Restoration will be held at the Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) Packard Campus in Culpeper, Virginia, June 28-30, 2018.
The Audio Engineering Society (AES) is pleased to announce that Iron Mountain Incorporated® Entertainment Services, a global leader in protection and preservation of entertainment content, will serve as the Platinum Sponsor for the upcoming AES (Audio Engineering Society) Conference on Audio Archiving, Preservation & Restoration, to be held at the Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) Packard Campus in Culpeper, Virginia, June 28-30, 2018.
The AES and Library of Congress are uniquely poised to bring together a variety of experts representing corporate and national archivists, media companies, libraries, historical societies, labs, post-production professionals, universities and more. This conference provides an opportunity to interact with every facet of the archiving industry and a single forum to address the best ways to preserve and provide access to the wide heritage of digital and analog media formats.
“We are enormously grateful to Iron Mountain for their support and for lending their voice to the dialogue about audio archiving, preservation and restoration,” stated John Krivit, Conference Chair, 2018 AES Conference on Audio Archiving Preservation & Restoration. “Having key Iron Mountain personnel like Kelly Pribble participate alongside other experts like Jack Douglas and George Massenburg in important panels like ‘The Challenge of Archiving Multitrack Recordings’ is so critical for attendees because of all of their knowledge and the amazing work that they do. When it comes to archiving, preservation and restoration, Iron Mountain is a critical player and leads the way.”
Greg Parkin, Iron Mountain Entertainment Services Vice President, North America, stated, “AES continues to bring important issues to the forefront, and this conference is a perfect example by addressing best practices in archiving, preservation, restoration and the transfer of film and audio. Working closely with AES and other organizations like the Producers and Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy, who also share our vision relevant to the preservation and archiving of their most valued works, is monumentally important to our clients and all attendees of this conference. We are glad to lend our knowledge and expertise to this critical topic.”
The conference will feature a wide range of presentations, academic papers and panel discussions focused on the latest strategies and technologies for protecting audio assets as the industry rapidly evolves. Some important themes will be addressed, including Physical/object based preservation & material science, handling and storage of audio carriers, preservation by digitization, mechanical vs. optical transfer, magnetic media, digitization, and restoration of content from obsolete disk formats, preservation issues for emerging high-end audio formats, preserving legacy professional formats, multi-track tapes and obsolete digital formats, considerations for archiving in preserving commercial audio, aesthetic considerations in digital restoration of historical audio collaborative performance, virtual reality, born-digital assets and much more.
Posted: Monday, June 25, 2018
Voting is Open for AES 2019 Elections
It is again time to vote for the next group of officers and governors to provide the leadership of the Audio Engineering Society!
All Members should have received their election notice by email from:
"[email protected]"
AES Members: you can go directly to: https://GES.Vote to cast your vote – have your AES Member Number handy.
Voting continues until 5pm on July 5, EDT.
View candidate AES Member Profiles, bios and more at http://www.aes.org/elections/slate/
AES Associate Members: You can vote if you are approved for a free upgrade to Member status. You must apply for the upgrade by June 25 to allow time for application review and processing in time to vote by July 5th. Let your voice be heard in the selection of future AES leaders AND get peer acknowledgement of your status in the industry with an upgrade to Member. Apply here: https://secure.aes.org/membership/upgrade/
Non-Members: Join the AES today at aes.org/membership. All new professional members join as Associates. You can immediately apply for upgrade to Member status as above.
Posted: Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Planning to attend this year's AES New York Convention?
Posted: Tuesday, June 12, 2018
