AES News

Broadcast Legends Gather To Celebrate Half-Century Milestone

NEW YORK: Radio's first four decades were strictly monophonic. Despite some early experimentation by FM inventor Edwin Howard Armstrong, even “high-fidelity” FM remained mono until 1961, when the FCC chose among competing systems to declare a standard for FM stereo broadcasting. On Friday evening, Oct. 21, 2011, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm, a panel of legendary FM Radio engineers will gather at the Clear Channel Studios in the PC Richards & Sons Theater 32 Avenue of the Americas in lower Manhattan to celebrate a half century of FM Stereo.  The event is a highlight of the 131st AES Convention set for Oct. 20-23 at NY’s Jacob Javits Convention Center.

Developed by the New York Section of the AES and by AES Convention Broadcast/ Streaming Events Co-Chair David Bialik, the panel will be Co-chaired by Bialik and Scott Fybush of Fybush.com / Inside Radio. Participants represent a gathering of iconic broadcast figures including: Richard Burden, an original member of the FM Stereo Committee; Frank Foti, Omnia Audio; Richard Mertz, Cavell and Mertz; Arno Meyer, Belar; Robert Orban, Orban; Skip Pizzi, NAB; Bill Sacks, Orban; Eric Small, Modulation Sciences; Jeff Smith, Clear Channel; and former WQXR Radio Chief Engineer, Herb Squire.

Topics to be addressed include: FM stereo’s birth; the merits of the competing systems that sought FCC approval; the initial technical challenges faced by the new medium; the development of high-density FM audio processing; and, the future of analog FM stereo in an increasingly digital world.  

The Audio Engineering Society thanks Clear Channel Communications for providing the theater for this event.

For live streaming of this event please visit: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/aesny

To listen to an MP3 podcast of the presentation, please click here.

NOTE:  ATTENDANCE LIMITED TO 150 AES CONVENTION ATTENDEES
Transportation will be provided from the AES Convention.
YOU MUST PURCHASE YOUR $10.00 BUS TICKET/EVENT REGISTRATION AT THE AES TOUR DESK.
YOUR BUS TICKET IS YOUR EVENT TICKET 
Meet and Greet 7:00 PM
Presentation 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Publication Date: Summer 2012
Special Issue Editors: Agnieszka Roginska, Tony Stockman, Bruce Walker and Oussama Metatla

Auditory Display is a highly interdisciplinary area of research concerning all aspects of the use of sound to convey information and ideas. The focus of this special issue is on auditory displays and the range of interdisciplinary issues related to their use. We invite the submission of high-quality papers in all areas of interest to those who work with sound as a medium for conveying information and ideas. Submitted papers will address the concerns shared by those who work primarily with informational and affective aspects of sound including sonification of data and processes, synthetic and composed sound, musical sound, natural sound, and all issues related to interaction with sound, specifically, how it is presented to and apprehended by listeners. Submissions are sought on topics that extend from basic research in auditory display to application domains in the arts and sciences, mobile applications, accessibility, audio technology, information and communications technology, computer games, engineering analysis, medicine, and more.

Original papers presenting unpublished material relating to research in, but not restricted to, the topics listed below are invited for consideration for the special issue. Submit complete 4- to 10-page papers by 2011 November 11.

Download Call For Papers (PDF)

In an effort to provide 131st AES Convention attendees with up-to-the-minute details on Convention events, AES webmaster Steve Johnson has coordinated the development of a mobile app that will work on iOS devices, such as the iPhone and iPad, plus most Android devices. Available for free download at the Apple and Android stores or via links on the Audio Engineering Society website, the app is loaded with extensive information about the 131st AES Convention, set for Oct. 20-23 at NY’s Javits Convention Center. Additionally, it will be updated frequently to provide ongoing news and videos to keep it a vital year-round AES information source.

The AES “News” tab includes convention news and a full list of exhibitors, plus maps of the technical sessions and the exhibition floor can be found in the “Photos” tab. The “Events” tab features the entire Convention Technical Program Calendar to enable attendees to add each session to their mobile device calendar. Each day’s events are grouped together, and each session includes a descriptive abstract and participant list.

In addition to information about the 131st Convention, the app’s “Video” tab features previews of “AES Oral Histories” interviews, the “Podcasts” tab has audio summaries of recent AES Journal issues, and a Twitter feed contains updates on late-breaking developments.

"A huge percentage of our members rely on smartphones to stay organized and get the latest AES news,” Johnson says. “These iPhone and Android apps are the next logical step in keeping them connected to the AES while on the go.”

Download App

The Audio Engineering Society Inc. is seeking applications for the position of Executive Director; employment will begin on 2012 January 1.

The Executive Director (ED) facilitates the operational activities of the AES and serves as the Society's Chief Operating Officer. The ED is responsible to the AES Board of Governors and its Executive Committee, which provide overall policy guidance and operational oversight. The ED provides leadership and performs such duties as required for AES to refine and successfully meet its strategic objectives, and successfully conduct operations in accordance with its educational and scientific purpose.

The headquarters office of the AES is in New York City, NY and the ED is required to conduct the business of the Society at this office. The ED shall devote best efforts, attention, and energies to the business of the Society, and during the term of employment, may not engage in any other business or occupation which conflicts with this obligation without prior specific written consent of the Board of Governors. This position requires that the applicant be a US citizen or hold a US permanent resident visa. It is preferable that the successful applicant reside in the vicinity of New York City; however, because this is not an absolute requirement, applicants proposing to accomplish the duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director while residing elsewhere should provide details as to how they intend to achieve this.

Read the Full Call for Applications!

The AES Audio Experts are on the way starting Sept. 4th, 2011. Starting today you can text 'AES' to 757575 (in the U.S. or Canada) for 50 days of exclusive content. We're also posting links on Twitter and Facebook.

Watch the first promo video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rS3CSGFCo8

Or you can read the full press release.

View the Oral History Project Gallery

Our Board of Tellers recently announced the results of the AES election, and we can now welcome our new 2011-2012 officers who will take office on October 30, 2011:

President Elect:     Frank Wells

Vice President Central US and Canada:     Michael Fleming

Vice President Central Europe:     Nadja Wallaszkovits

Vice President Southern Europe (3 Yr Term):     Umberto Zanghieri

Vice President Latin America:     Joel Vieira de Brito

Vice President International:     Kimio Hamasaki

Governors: Gary Gottlieb, Ben Kok, and Bozena Kostek.

Please welcome our new officers!

This Week In Radio Tech host Kirk Harnack will feature 131st AES Convention Broadcast & Streaming Sessions Chair David Bialik on the next TWiRT episode. Bialik will preview the upcoming AES Convention at NY's Javits Center October 20-23, 2011. Point your browser to http://live.twit.tv this Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 8pm EDT for David Bialik on This Week in Radio Tech.

Update: The interview was also archived here: http://twit.tv/twirt94

AES voting members are reminded to cast their ballots in the 2011 election for members of the Board of Governors. The deadline to cast your vote is 5:00 PM (EST) on Friday, July 15, 2011.

The positions open this year are:
• President-Elect
• Vice President Central Region, U.S. & Canada
• Vice President Central Region, Europe
• Vice President Southern Region, Europe
• Vice President Latin American Region
• Vice President International
• Governor (3 positions)

There are also two proposals to amend the AES Bylaws.

All voting members should have received an email from Christopher V. Freitag, Chair, Board of Tellers notifying them of the vote. In that email is a Unique PIN which you can use along with your membership number to cast your ballot online.

If you did not receive your ballot call Election Services during normal business hours at +1-800.864.1263.

Associate Members and Student Members are not eligible to vote. We encourage Associate Members to apply to upgrade to Member Status.

Read about Membership Types

Apply for Full Member Status

In 2010, Dr. Charles Limb infiltrated Baltimore’s Hip Hop scene for a study on the parallels between that free form art and “traditional” jazz. On Thursday, October 20th, Dr Limb will detail his findings with a Keynote address at the 131st AES Convention at NY’s Javits Center. Sound, Hearing and Music: A Journey From The Ears to The Brain, will explore the physical and intellectual intricacies of musical creativity; its inception and perception. 

In announcing the address, 131st Convention Chair Jim Anderson remarked, “Dr. Limb’s innovative research into the parallel fields of technology and musical creativity exemplifies the AES mission. His study of brain function in improvising musicians is sure to provide valuable insights.”

“At first glance, the free-form art of musical improvisation and the meticulous environment of the research lab seem to make strange bedfellows,” Dr. Limb remarked. “But through the application of rigorous scientific methods to the study of musicians, we have been able to get a glimpse of how this remarkable process of artistic creativity takes place in the brain.”

An Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Dr. Limb is a hearing specialist and saxophonist.  His groundbreaking work on how the brain develops and assimilates musical creativity has been featured by NPR, PBS, National Geographic, Scientific American, the Smithsonian Institute, the New York Times, Library of Congress and the American Museum of Natural History.  A Faculty Member at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Dr. Limb received his undergraduate degree at Harvard, his medical degree at Yale, and completed his surgical training at Johns Hopkins Hospital. His current research focuses on the neural basis of musical improvisation and the study of music perception in deaf individuals with cochlear implants.

“Expectations for the 131st AES Convention are particularly high this year,” reports committee chair Jim Anderson, “our team is making an extraordinary effort to create an unforgettable event.”  Scheduled for Oct. 20 – 23 at NY’S Jacob Javits Center, this year’s attendees will find a wealth of stimulating, challenging, entertaining and informative Workshops, Tutorials, Papers, Master Classes, Technical Tours and Special Events designed to hone their skills and recharge their batteries.

AES executive director Roger Furness reports that the stellar Committee is comprised of seasoned pros whose enthusiasm for the Convention is matched only by their professional accomplishments and peer recognition.  “Our chairman Jim Anderson is a particularly accomplished engineer, producer and educator.   His organizational acumen and leadership skills make him an indispensible asset. Many of our chairs have served for years and their knowledge of their fields is legendary. Broadcast & Streaming Events chair David Bialik is back for his 23rd consecutive Convention, which we believe is a record,” Furness says.  “We are honored to attract this level of talent each year, and our attendees reap huge benefits from their dedication to producing a first rate event.” 

The 131st AES Convention Committee is comprised of:  Chair Jim Anderson, Broadcast & Streaming Events Chair, David Bialik; Live Sound Co-Chairs Henry Cohen and Mac Kerr; Workshops/Tutorials Chair Natanya Ford; Education Chair John Krivit; Papers Co-Chairs Veronique Larcher and Agnieszka Roginska; Technical Tours Chair, Lou Manno; Games Track Chair, Steve Martz; Facilities Chair, Michael McCoy; EE Co-Chairs, Bob Moses and Jonathan Novick; Tech Tours/Volunteers Chair, Doron Schacter and Master Class Chair, Alan Silverman.

“Our Committee is constantly challenged with topping the previous year’s events, and the 131st Committee is clearly up to the task,” Jim Anderson concludes.  “Over the next few months we will announce a number of surprising innovations and high profile participants. The vigor, good humor we see evidenced at each of our Committee meetings convinces me that the 131st Convention will be one for the books.”