For Release: September 26, 2014
Product Design Events to Be Featured at 137th Audio Engineering Society Convention
— This year’s AES Product Design Track combines two themes to bring a significant learning opportunity to audio engineering professionals; Theme 1 events are focused on audio design topics, while Theme 2 brings to AES the subject of product development in the age of global engineering and sourcing —
The audio industry today competes with a myriad of other entertainment forms, from gaming to video everywhere to social networking and beyond. Audio companies must bring products to market that no longer compete just with other audio products but also with other entertainment options in order for the audio industry to grow and be at the forefront of professional and consumer markets. To address audio engineering professionals seeking to expand their knowledge of product development best practices and techniques, AES has expanded this year’s Product Design Track at the 137th Audio Engineering Society Convention, which runs Thursday, October 9, through Sunday, October 12, 2014, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. The Product Design Track will take place all four days of the convention, bringing a wide variety of topics to today’s engineers, managers and product management professionals. The Track is organized by Chairman Scott Leslie, founder of PD Squared, who has held previous positions in the industry including VP of Engineering at JBL Pro and CEO at Renkus-Heinz. Audio Precision is the sponsor for the track.
The two-theme approach combines audio design topics and product development practices into one track. Theme 1 addresses key audio design topics such as D/A and A/D design for modern high-resolution audio formats, how to best leverage DSP, the most effective way to go about optimizing active loudspeaker systems, and measuring loudspeaker systems. Attendees will also learn about the criticality of testing product designs for the real world, where problems like hum, buzz, clicks, pops and other unexplained misbehavior can be traced to design issues, such as internal grounding schemes or conceptual misunderstandings of signal interface circuitry, and that cost little or nothing to remedy.
Theme 2 targets audio engineering professionals who face the challenge of getting new products to market faster, while costing less and building a competitive advantage. The theme focuses on how today’s engineers and managers must develop the skill sets necessary to deal with the complex world of global availability of manufacturing and supply chain partners, design services, engineering services and community development. The theme opens with an observational panel that explores this topic at a high level and is followed by a number of track sessions that provide depth and insight in areas such as DSPs, power supply and amplifiers, transducer selection, system engineering, software integration, production test techniques and succeeding with external engineering partners. Additionally, the Product Design Track will offer an off-site Technical Tour to QSC’s state-of-the-art production facility, giving a behind-the-scenes look at one of today’s top manufacturing facilities.
Finally, the next generation of product designers will benefit from the Product Design For Students presentation, which will offer insight to the pro audio community’s newest members about career ideas and how they might just help change the audio world.
“Product development has become a mix of engineering, sourcing, partnering and business skills,” observes AES Product Design Chair Scott Leslie. “What we’ve done this year is included more of the business aspects of the product development process, as well as addressed how globalized the process has become from supply chain to development partners. Anyone who designs and builds audio products, or is contemplating doing so (or even if they’re just curious as to what it takes to create a product), will benefit from attending these sessions.”
AES Executive Director Bob Moses concludes, “"As a former product designer myself, I always found my experiences at AES Conventions to be invaluable in connecting with top recording engineers and learning what they struggled with in the studio. Several products I created were inspired by these conversations. And, of course, I learned pretty much everything I know about audio hanging with these folks.”
For further information about the Product Design Track, FREE Exhibits-Plus badges (pre-registration required), premium All Access badges, and Technical Program information, and more visit http://www.aes.org/events/137/.
About the Audio Engineering Society
The Audio Engineering Society was formed in 1948 and now counts over 14,000 members throughout the U.S., Latin America, Europe, Japan and the Far East. The organization serves as the pivotal force in the exchange and dissemination of technical information for the industry. Currently, its members are affiliated with more than 75 AES professional sections and more than 95 AES student sections around the world. Section activities may include guest speakers, technical tours, demonstrations and social functions. Through local AES section events, members experience valuable opportunities for professional networking and personal growth. For additional information visit http://www.aes.org.
