Jonathan Novick.San Francisco (September 22, 2008)–Perhaps the most visible star in the pro audio universe, Live Sound is the embodiment of hands-on mixing and micing. There are no do-overs on the road. Thousands of sound reinforcement professionals from around the world will visit the 125th AES Convention in SF’s Moscone Center October 2-5.
“Our Live Sound Event Co-Chairs Bob Lee and Jonathan Novick have fine-tuned a program geared to help attendees hone their craft,” states Convention Co-Chair John Strawn. “Visitors will acquire invaluable information from a rich pallet of Tutorials, Papers, Platinum Panels and Workshops. We have always prided ourselves on exceptional Live Events. This year we’ve got a bumper crop.”
The Live Sound Events Program includes:
AC POWER AND GROUNDING: Chair, Bruce C. Olson, Olson Sound Design; Panelists – Bill Whitlock, Jensen Transformers and David Stevens, Carlson Sound,will discuss the critical issues of how to provide AC power, avoid hum and avoid killing performers, technicians and yourself. They will also address the use of generator sets and myths and facts about grounding.
RF WHITE SPACE ISSUES: Chair: Chris Lyons, Shure Inc., panelist, Henry Cohen, Production Radio Rentals will discuss the DTV conversion scheduled for completion in February, 2009. FCC decisions surrounding this event are of great concern to wireless mic users. Will 700 MHz band mics retain type certification? Will proposed white space devices create new interference? Will there be an FCC crack-down on unlicensed mic use? These and other critical issues will be addressed.
PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR WIRELESS MIC USERS: Chair: Karl Winkler, Lectrosonics – Panelists: Henry Cohen, Production Radio Rentals; Shannon Slaton, Sound Designer and Michael Petterson, Shure Inc: From houses of worship to wedding bands and community theaters, small-to-medium-sized wireless microphone systems and IEMs are in constant use everywhere. Unlike Super Bowl/Grammy scale events, these systems rarely have the luxury of dedicated technicians or sophisticated frequency coordination. This panel will cover the basics of component selection and designing / installing systems that minimize interference and maximize performance.
AUTOMIXING FOR LIVE SOUND: Chair, Michael ‘Bink’ Knowles, freelance live sound mixer. Panelists: Dan Dugan, Dan Dugan Sound Design Gordon Moore, Lectrosonics; Tom Stuckman, Peavey Electronics; Mac Kerr, freelance live sound mixer. This seminar offers live sound mixers an opportunity to audition various analog and digital automixers. Panelists will discuss system strengths and weaknesses with respect to their sound quality and ease of use.
LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION: Chair: Bruce C. Olson, Olson Sound Design. Panel includes Ralph Heinz, Renkus Heinz. Band engineers and system techs will learn recommended ways to optimize loudspeaker systems for use in venues typically frequented by local bands and regional sound companies.
INNOVATIONS IN LIVE SOUND – AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Chair, Ted Leamy, Pro Media/UltraSound: Panelists Ken Lopez, UCLA; John Meyer, Meyer Sound; Graham Blyth, Soundcraft. Today’s sound professional have a myriad of products to choose from. That wasn’t always the case. Sometimes a look in the rearview mirror can provide insights to the road ahead. These industry pioneers will review past live sound innovations and consider the constraints that drove their development.
“Bob Lee and I developed a full Live Sound program that is both comprehensive and compelling,” Co-Chair Jonathan Novick remarked. “The events listed below illustrate the range of subjects. Attendees seeking detailed abstracts should visit the Calendar of Events at www.aes.org. We look forward to seeing our many friends and associates at the show.”
AES
www.aes.org
