SAN FRANCISCO: “From a keynote address by FOH guru Robert Scovill to panel discussions amplifying Large Scale Theatrical Sound Design, The Business of Touring Sound and a host of other critical issues, 121^st AES Convention Live Sound Chair Larry the O has packaged an exceptional program,” says Committee Chair John Strawn. “As Meyer Sound Senior Marketing Writer, Larry has an exceptional perspective on one of the highest profile sectors of our industry. We greatly appreciate the time and energy he’s devoted to this year’s live sound events.”

THURSDAY, OCT. 5:

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Concert sound and recording engineer and six time TEC Award winner Robert Scovill’s presentation will detail highlights of a career spent manning the boards for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Matchbook Twenty, Prince, Def Leppard, Rush and dozens of other headliners.

THE BUSINESS OF TOURING SOUND: Moderator Dave Shadoan of Sound Images will chair a blue-ribbon panel featuring Bruce Eisenberg, Audio Analysts; Derek Featherstone, Ultra Sound; Dan Scheirman, JBL Professional and Dan Cleland, Nettwerk Management. They will discuss the crunch touring sound companies face at a time when equipment costs seem to be increasing in inverse proportion to the length of time it remains in demand by clients.

WIRELESS MICROPHONE ISSUES – Frequency Coordination & The Impact of FCC Rule Changes: James Stoffo, Professional Wireless Systems will moderate a panel including: Edgar Riehl, Shure; Volker Schmitt, Sennheiser, Henry Cohen, Production Radio Rentals and Dave Bellamy of Soundtronics to provide an overview of recent FCC frequency reallocation rules and their ramifications to spectrum band planning.


FRIDAY, OCT. 6:

ELECTROACOUSTIC ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS: Moderator Kurt Graffy, ARUP Acoustics and panelists: Steve Barbar, LARES Associates; Steve Ellison, Meyer Sound; Yasushi Shimizu, Yamaha and�Michael Jarzabkowski, Acousthetics Inc. will discuss the challenges of balancing physical and acoustical variables when implementing an EES for performances that range from dramatic to symphonic.

CASE STUDIES IN DIGITAL AUDIO DISTRIBUTION FOR FIXED INSTALLATIONS: Kevin Gross of Cirrus Logic will moderate a discussion with: Dan Erickson, General Communications; Gary Hardesty, Sound.Media.Fusion; Rodrigo Ordonez, K2 Audio and Josh Thompson, Polysonics Corp. Panelists will share recent audio distribution challenges, describe options they considered and discuss their solutions.


SATURDAY, OCT. 7:

DIGITAL AUDIO IN TOURING AND CONCERT SOUND REINFORCEMENT: John Monitto, Meyer Sound will moderate a panel which includes Gary Hardesty, Sound.Media.Fusion; Robert Scovill, Digidesign (and AES Keynote speaker); Derek Featherstone, Ultra Sound and Michael Reeves, Dolby/Lake. Their discussion will explore the practical implications of the migration to digital audio: Educating clients, managing their expectations and orienting the audience to live sound’s new mindset.

LIVE SOUND FOR MEGA EVENTS: David Scheirman of JBL Professional will moderate a panel including: Wolfgang Neumann, Sirius Show Equipment; Dave Shadoan, Sound Image; Michael Hardesty, Sound/Media.Fusion and independent engineer Michael Abbott. They will discuss the trials, tribulations and tricks of the trade engaged in the design, deployment and operation of large-scale sound reinforcement for “global” events.


SUNDAY, OCT. 8:

TOURING SYSTEM DESIGN AND TUNING, When Theory is Put Into Practice: Independent FOH mixer Dave Dennison will moderate a panel featuring Tom Lyon, Ultra Sound; Mario Lecesse, Audio Analysts; Derek Featherstone, Ultra Sound; and independent mixer Tony Szabo in a discussion of what happens when planning meets reality. Real world adjustments necessary for installing a sound system.

LARGE-SCALE THEATRICAL SOUND DESIGN: Jon Gottlieb, a leading independent sound designer, will moderate a panel which includes: sound designer Peter Hylenski; Francois Bergeron and Vikram Kirby both of Thinkwell Design. Their topic: The meeting point between creative visions and logistical realities when implementing multi-channel sound systems for elaborate Broadway, theme park and Cirque du Soleil-style productions.