“For a gathering as filled with exceptional programs as the 117th AES Art of Audio Convention, the term ‘special event’ is almost an oxymoron,” says convention chair John Strawn, “Committee co-chairs Valerie Tyler and Van Webster have coordinated an epic series of symposiums, parties, panels, roundtables, ‘soundtables’, recitals and forums designed to appeal to even the most jaded attendee.”
AES is scheduled to run from October 28-31 in the Moscone Center, and this year’s executive director Roger Furness reports that, “Over 400 exhibitors have signed on, and 18,000 attendees are anticipated.”
Convention special events include:
SYMPOSIUM: SURROUND LIVE 2004– MORE SURROUND! This expanded event will combine interactive workshops, live and pre-recorded performances and live demos from the theatrical and broadcast communities. (Wed., Oct. 27, 10 am–6 pm)
OPENING CEREMONIES: Introductory remarks by AES executive director, Roger Furness, president Ron Streicher and convention chair John Strawn will be followed by the AES Awards Presentation and a highly anticipated keynote address by Ron Fair, Platinum producer/arranger/engineer and president of A&M Records. (Thurs. Oct. 28 11:30 am–1 pm)
16TH ANNUAL GRAMMY® RECORDING ‘SOUNDTABLE’: The producers and engineers wing of the Recording Academy® presents “Game On! Videogames: The Future of Music and Entertainment.” Dave Adelson of Hits Magazine and producer/music correspondent for E! News Live will moderate a panel featuring Buzz Burrowes , director of tools, technology and services at Sony Computer Entertainment America; Niles Rodgers, multiple Grammy®-Nominated songwriter and producer; Brian Schmidt , program manager for Xbox Audio, Media and Voice Technologies; Tommy Tallarico , founder of Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.); and president of Tommy Tallarico Studios Inc. (Thursday, October 28, 4 pm–6 pm)
ORGAN RECITAL: An AES Convention favorite, virtuoso Graham Blyth, will perform on the legendary Alexander Memorial Organ in SF’s Grace Cathedral. The Alexander is comprises 7,347 pipes and produces unforgettable music. (Thurs. Oct. 28, 8:30–10 pm)
PROFESSIONAL AUDIO IN LATIN AMERICA: Key issues in Latin America’s Audio Industry such as education, career opportunities, production trends and technical advances, will be discussed (in Spanish). Panel members include Mix magazine editor George Petersen, David Rodriquez of Discmakers, Mercedes Onorato, AES VP, Latin American Region and Moderator: Elmar Leal, technical director, Taller de Arte Sonoro, Caracas. (Fri. Oct. 29, 9 am–12 noon)
GAMESOCIETY: Dolby, Genelec, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony will participate in demonstrations of the best examples of contemporary game audio. Attendees will be able to hear and play games and call it “industry research!” (Fri. Oct. 29, 10 am–6 pm)
PLATINUM PRODUCERS: A&M Records President (and AES Keynote speaker) Ron Fair will moderate a panel of producers including Howard Benson (Hoobastank, My Chemical Romance, Papa Roach, POD); Grammy®-winner Jack Joseph Puig (John Mayer, Green Day, No Doubt); multi-Platinum Grammy®-winner Phil Ramone (Elton John, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Ray Charles Duets); and Chink Santana (Fat Joe f/Ashanti, Luv, Ja Rule); will address the continually evolving technical and creative issues facing today’s hit producers. (Fri. Oct. 29 1 pm–2:30 pm)
PLATINUM ENGINEERS: The All-Star Mix Engineers Panel: Moderator:
Jack Joseph Puig. The panel will feature Bob Clearmountain (The Finn Brothers, the Rolling Stones, Bryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Cocker, Shawn Colvin, INXS, etc) and Tom Lord-Alge (Avril Lavigne, blink 182, Dave Matthews, etc.). Subject matter will explore the impact of emerging technology, which has opened the field of engineering to almost anyone with raw talent and basic mixing chops. Issues will answer the questions “Who really is an engineer?” to “How has the lack of quality in recordings impacted CD sales?” (Fri. Oct. 29, 3 pm–4:30 pm)
SURROUND SOUND: Celebrated engineer Nathaniel Kunkel will moderate a panel discussion on the impact that Surround Sound has had in studios, cars and homes. The panel will also address misgivings held by producers, engineers and labels not yet committed to this “provocative format.” (Sat., Oct.30 at 12:30 pm)
AN AFTERNOON WITH BOB MOOG: The “father of electronic music,” Bob Moog, Moog continues to play a vital role in the professional audio community. Moderated by EQ Magazine editor-at-large, Craig Anderton. (Sat., Oct. 30, 2:30 pm–4 pm)
SPARS MENTORING SESSION: An elite group of studio owners and managers will explore strategies for adapting to changing times. Mentors will be available to discuss innovative ways to approach challenges to survival. Participants include: David Amlen, Sound On Sound, NYC; Jeff Greenberg, The Village Recorder, LA; Leslie Ann Jones, Skywalker Sound, SF; Andrew Kautz, Emerald, Nashville; Kevin Mills, Larrabee, LA; and Paula Salvatore, Capitol Studios, LA. SPARS executive director Paul Gallo will moderate. (Sat. Oct. 30 4 pm–5:30 pm)
STREAMING DSD AUDIO COMES TO THE AES: A live jazz performance at Montreal’s McGill University will be streamed in six channels of DSD audio and SDI digital video projection via McGill’s UltraVideoconferencing system to UC’s Genentech Hall in San Francisco in real time to demonstrate the flawless quality of these cutting-edge technologies. The demonstration will be moderated by Jeremy Cooperstock and Wieslaw Woszczyk, members of the AES Technical Committee on Network Audio Systems. (Sun. Oct. 31, 9:30 am–12 noon)
ROAD WARRIORS–LIVE SOUND: Pro Sound News senior editor and author of Crank It Up: Live Sound Secrets of the Top Tour Engineers, CliveYoung, will moderate a panel of touring professionals. Topics will include the latest trends, techniques and tools shaping modern sound reinforcement. The all-star panel will address an agenda ranging from gear to gossip. (Sun. Oct. 31 12:30-2pm)
TOM DOWD & THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC: This eagerly awaited 90-minute documentary profiles the life and work of producer and recording engineer Tom Dowd. Featuring powerful interviews and film clips of such industry legends as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Phil Ramone, Les Paul and Ahmet Ertegun, the screening was made possible by Dana Dowd, principal of Silver Fox Productions, a company she founded in 2003 to help preserve her father’s legacy. (Sun., Oct. 31, 2:00 pm–4:00 pm)
A complete schedule of AES 117th Convention events is available at: www.aes.org.
