AES Los Angeles 2014
Broadcast & Streaming Media Track Event B1
Thursday, October 9, 10:45 am — 12:45 pm (Room 408 A)
Broadcast and Streaming Media: B1 - Facility Design: To Move, or Not to Move? Contrasting Solutions—Two West Coast FM Stations Address Shifting Listener Needs
Panelists:Eddie Kramer, Audio and Technical Consultant for KPFK 90.7FM Studio Upgrade - Los Angeles, CA, USA
John Storyk, Architect, Studio Designer and Principal, Walters-Storyk Design Group - Highland, NY, USA
Mark Torres, Operations Director/Senior Producer Pacifica Radio - Los Angeles, CA USA
Abstract:
The meaningful (and growing) role that radio continues to play in listener lives is clearly illustrated by the contrasting upgrade decisions of two leading west coast FM stations. A staple of Seattle’s booming music scene for over 40 years, KEXP 90.3 FM is preparing to move to a 21st Century broadcast facility. Situated in the world-famous Seattle Center, in the shadow of the iconic Space Needle, KEXP’s new home will feature cutting edge broadcast/recording studios, and, a live performance venue designed to showcase visiting artists. Videotaped live performances will be posted on the station’s website.
Concurrent with this move, KPFK Public Radio in Hollywood, a multi-award-winning, listener-sponsored part of the Pacifica Network since 1959, is upgrading its long-term home. The project will include a major acoustical update of their live performance studio and a brand new control room. With its 110,000-watt main transmitter atop Mount Wilson, KPFK is one of the most powerful FM stations in the western U.S. The redesigned live room and new control room will enable the station to produce high quality performance, political, public affairs, and cultural programming videos for posting on their Website.
Is it purely coincidental that both these stations have commissioned professional-level recording studio/performance venues? Is this a new trend for 21st Century Internet Radio? This panel discussion will include station engineers (TBD) and, celebrated producer/engineer Eddie Kramer who is consulting on the design of the KPFK studio.
