AES Vienna 2007: Technical Tour Details

Saturday, May 5, 09:30 — 12:30

TT1 - ORF RADIO BROADCASTING STUDIOS

Abstract:
ORF Radio is the National Public Broadcaster for Austria, with 3 nationwide, 9 regional, and 2 MW/SW stations. The Tour to the Radio Broadcasting House gives access to the music recording studios, continuity studios for 3 different radio stations, and insight into the practical 5.1-Surround Sound operation of the satellite radio channel OE1DD.

Saturday, May 5, 13:30 — 16:30

TT2 - ORF TV BROADCASTING STUDIOS

Abstract:
ORF TV is the National Public Broadcaster for Austria with 2 main TV channels (ORF 1+2), 2 dedicated theme channels (TW1 – tourism and weather, ORF Sport Plus), regional programs, and diverse off-air activities, as well as being by far the most popular webpresence in the country. The focus of the tour to ORF TV will be the 3 newly refurbished postproduction studios with outstanding acoustic design and full surround sound capability, unique for European broadcast studios. Example clips will be demonstrated, and the tour will also cover the general infrastructure shortly after a major relaunch of a substantial part of ORF's programs.

Saturday, May 5, 14:00 — 17:00

TT3 - TECHNICAL MUSEUM

Abstract:
Beside mechanical musical instruments developed in the early twenties of the last century and operated by sophisticated light- or air-controlled devices this visit will comprise the first Austrian TV-studio (1950) and a demonstration of a laser vibrometer with a discussion of results obtained with it (research on fortepiano soundboards and violins; in a cooperation with the Vienna University of Music some students used the vibrometer for investigations of kettle drums, violins, and cellos), an introduction to a restoration project (a Neo-Bechstein grand) where electroacoustical research was necessary to find the appropriate material for the strings, and a guided tour through the gallery of musical instruments.

Sunday, May 6, 09:30 — 12:30

TT4 - ORF TV BROADCASTING STUDIOS

Abstract:
ORF TV is the National Public Broadcaster for Austria with 2 main TV channels (ORF 1+2), 2 dedicated theme channels (TW1 – tourism and weather, ORF Sport Plus), regional programs, and diverse off-air activities, as well as being by far the most popular webpresence in the country. The focus of the tour to ORF TV will be the 3 newly refurbished postproduction studios with outstanding acoustic design and full surround sound capability, unique for European broadcast studios. Example clips will be demonstrated, and the tour will also cover the general infrastructure shortly after a major relaunch of a substantial part of ORF's programs.

Sunday, May 6, 13:00 — 16:00

TT5 - ORF RADIO BROADCASTING STUDIOS

Abstract:
ORF Radio is the National Public Broadcaster for Austria, with 3 nationwide, 9 regional, and 2 MW/SW stations. The Tour to the Radio Broadcasting House gives access to the music recording studios, continuity studios for 3 different radio stations, and insight into the practical 5.1-Surround Sound operation of the satellite radio channel OE1DD.

Monday, May 7, 08:30 — 11:00

TT6 - WIENER MUSIKVEREIN—THE GOLDEN HALL AND THE 4 NEW HALLS

Abstract:
Creating the four new halls in Musikverein Vienna has been the largest building project since the famous "Golden Hall" was established in 1870. The first intention was the creation of four new rehearsal halls, since Musikverein had already met capacity problems. The excavation for a new Vienna Metro line next to the Musikverein Building triggered the construction of the project, reaching down to as much as 16 meters below ground. In 2000, the architects Holzbauer and Irresberger upgraded the project by “materializing” each hall: The Glass Hall (Magna Auditorium), the Metal Hall, The Stone Hall, and The Wooden Hall. This materialization provided a high representative character as well as a big challenge for the acoustical consultant. The opening of The Four New Halls took place in March 2004.

The technical Tour is guided by K. Bernd Quiring who designed the acoustics of these halls. Acoustical measures are presented and a life chamber music example will be presented in all halls in order to give the opportunity for personal judgements to the participants.

Monday, May 7, 09:30 — 13:30

TT7 - VIENNA SYMPHONIC LIBRARY

Abstract:
Have a sneak peek into the Silent Stage of the Vienna Symphonic Library, one of the biggest producers of virtual instruments world-wide. Here, recording musicians as well as sound technicians and musical directors find optimal conditions for capturing perfect samples—ultimate control over the recording conditions and the absolute silence required for sampling sessions—in a studio solely designed for that purpose. See a presentation of the Vienna Instruments, the most powerful virtual instruments currently on the market, tailor-made for the massive sample database of over 1.5 million samples recorded in the Silent Stage. Meet the creator of MIR, the Multi Impulse Mixing and Reverberation Engine which adds space to the alchemy of digital orchestral music production. Based upon the principle of multi impulse response convolution, the Vienna Symphonic Library digitizes (“samples”) the characteristics of spaces like the Great Hall of the Wiener Konzerthaus with unprecedented detail and methodology, taking this technology to the next level and capturing the great concert stages of the world in their full glory—wall to wall, floor to ceiling, in three dimensions! For more information go to www.vsl.co.at.

Monday, May 7, 14:00 — 17:00

TT8 - MEDIATHEK

Abstract:
The Österreichische Mediathek in Vienna is the national archive for audio and video recordings. Over 1.2 million audio recordings are stored on various carriers like tape, records, 78s, CDs, DATs, or audio cassettes. Since the year 2000 our staff developed and implemented half automated workflows for digitizing all these different formats. Meanwhile there exists a complete system for digitizing over cataloging to long term preservation in a mass storage system. The tour starts with a short presentation of this concept, followed by a visit of the storage vault and various premises. Also interesting is the digital presentation platfom of the content: the catalog and a growing collection of galleries on the Web.

Monday, May 7, 16:00 — 22:00

TT9 - ORGAN CONCERT RECORDING

Abstract:
This tour will center on the setup and recording of Graham Blyth's organ concert at the Jesuitenkirche. This will be a hands-on session with direct involvement of anybody attending. The concert will be recorded in 2+2+2+2 surround with height and in conventional 5.1 surround.

The following aspects of the recording process will be explained during the setup:
- Microphone selection and placement
- Equipment configuration, recording chain
- On-location monitoring via headphones

The new organ of the Jesuitenkirche is one of the most famous organs in Vienna. Its control elements are rebuilt from a typical Cavaillé-Coll console.

Tickets for this technical tour will be available at the front desk. Meeting point is the ACV main entrance. A student will guide all participants to the church (Dr. Ignaz Seipel Platz). Public transportation will be used.

In conjunction with this recording, Werner Dabringhaus and Ulrich Vette will present a workshop at the convention on Tuesday at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. For details see W26, W27.

Tuesday, May 8, 09:00 — 13:00

TT10 - BOESENDORFER GRAND PIANO FACTORY

Abstract:
Watch the birth of a famous Boesendorfer Grand Piano! See the initial preprocessing stages of the wooden and iron raw material, the treatment of the iron frame, the sound board, pin blocks, key blocks, the frame installation, string production, voicing, assembly, etc. You can get more information of the process at www.boesendorfer.com.

Tuesday, May 8, 13:30 — 16:30

TT11 - MUSIC STUDIO THOMAS RABITSCH

Abstract:
Studio Rabitsch is the home of producer / arranger / musician Thomas Rabitsch who started as a keyboard player in the Viennese Underground Music scene, later playing with Austria´s most popular and successful popstar, Falco. Among various pop-music projects for a vast number of Austrian artists, he works for TV and radio companies, as a music supervisor and composer as well as arranger.

The main studio features an AMS / Neve Capricorn console with 5.1 Dynaudio Air20 Monitoring and an extensive ProTools and Nuendo rig. Visitors will be able to get a first impression of a current surround sound remix project of a Falco-Live-Concert.

Tuesday, May 8, 14:00 — 16:00

TT12 - VIENNA STATE OPERA

Abstract:
The Vienna State Opera is one of the most famous and important opera houses in the world. With about 50 operas and 20 ballet performances every season it is a true repertoire theater with a special bonus: the orchestra consists of members of the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic! The tour through this prestigeous house will include a behind-the-scenes look of the stage and the most prominent mechanical installations and will continue to various well-known halls within the State Opera like the “Gobelin-Saal,” the “Marmorsaal,” and the “Schwindfoyer.” There is also a fully-featured organ to be seen in the “Orgelsaal” before the visitors will get an in-depth view of the elaborate electro-acoustical possibilities like the tailor-made TOA ix-3000 theater-console, the computer-controlled amplifier- and sequence switching as well as the enormous loudspeaker installation. Professor Wolfgang Fritz, the head of the electroacoustical department, will be the guide on this exciting tour through one of the premier sights of Vienna and Austria.