Moderator:
Howard Massey, Consultant

Panelists:
Chuck Ainlay
Mike Clink
George Massenburg
Russ Titelman
Tony Visconti

Continuing the tradition of the successful Platinum Series, this event featured some of the world's top record producers who provided a lively, thought-provoking discussion about the technical and aesthetic challenges that face today's hit makers. Topics included high-resolution digital audio, 5.1 surround sound, the impact of emerging standards and new media (i.e., DVD-Audio and SACD), and the future of record labels in the face of the Internet and other alternative distribution channels.

Chuck Ainlay is one of the most in-demand engineers and mixers in Nashville. He has worked with a veritable who's who of modern country music, including Vince Gill, George Strait, Wynonna, The Dixie Chicks, Trisha Yearwood, Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, and Mark Knopfler.

Mike Clink is responsible for the powerhouse sound of heavy metal stalwarts such as Guns N' Roses, Whitesnake, Triumph, Megadeth, and Sammy Hagar. Clink paid his dues assisting and engineering at LA's Record Plant in the 80s for such pop artists as Jefferson Starship, Eddie Money, and Heart.

Multi-Grammy-winner George Massenburg is renowned as an engineer's engineer, with credits that include Little Feat, Toto, Linda Ronstadt, Lyle Lovett, Carly Simon, Aaron Neville, and Emmylou Harris. He is also the inventor of the parametric equalizer and the prime architect of the highly regarded line of GML processors and console automation products.

Russ Titelman has produced many of the major recording artists of the past three decades, including Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, George Harrison, Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Randy Newman, James Taylor, and Jimmy Buffett. Mr. Titelman learned the craft of record production from the absolute master of the trade, Phil Spector, for whom he served as a long-time session guitarist and backing singer.

Tony Visconti is best known as David Bowie's producer. He also discovered Marc Bolan and went on to produce a string of hit albums and singles for T Rex. Mr. Visconti has also worked with a wide range of English artists such as Procul Harum, the Moody Blues, Joe Cocker, Iggy Pop, Adam Ant, Hazel O'Connor, Thin Lizzy, the Boomtown Rats, and Sparks.