AES Show: Make the Right Connections Audio Engineering Society

For Release: September 15, 2008

125th AES Convention Offers Quartet of Master Classes

Loudspeakers, Sonic Methodology/Mythology, Multiphysics & Binaural Audio
 
Conrad Cooke SAN FRANCISCO:125th AES Convention Master Class Co-Chairs Conrad Cooke and Jim McTigue have developed a quartet of outstanding programs designed to provide small groups of industry professionals with high-level insights into significant technical issues, the program was introduced in 2005 and immediately became a Convention staple.  “Master Classes are a literal embodiment of the original   AES mandate established by the founders 60 years ago,” remarked Convention Co-Chair Valerie Tyler. “This organization is a forum for the exchange of ideas and information.  This year’s program is an exceptional example of this edict.” 
 
Thursday, October 2, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
 
BASIC ACOUSTICS: UNDERSTANDING THE LOUDSPEAKER - Presenter
John Vanderkooy, University of Waterloo, Ontario. This presentation will address acoustic impedance, compact source operation, and diffraction and related topics.  Live demonstrations will illustrate the basic radiation principle of a typical electrodynamic driver mounted in a sealed box.  
 
Friday, October 3, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
 
BINAURAL AUDIO TECHNOLOGY – HISTORY, CURRENT PRACTICE, EMERGING TRENDS: Presenter Robert B. Schulein, Pasadena. Interest in binaural recording and reproduction has expanded dramatically since early tests by Bell Telephone Laboratories over 75 years ago. Sound field recording and simulation, acoustic research, audio for electronic games, music listening and artificial reality, each application has its own technical concerns involving transducers, environmental simulation, human perception, position sensing and signal processing.  This Master Class will cover the underlying principles germane to binaural perception, simulation, recording and reproduction.  
 
Friday, October 3, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
 
SONIC METHODOLOGY AND MYTHOLOGY: Presenter, Keith O. Johnson, Pacifica, CA. Do extravagant designs and superlative specifications satisfy sonic expectations or, can well-planned systems implementation, careful listening and intelligent measurement reveal probable answers?  Topics will include: Power amplifiers that might degrade recordings, clocks contaminated by environments, loudspeakers favoring key signatures in compositions and isolation devices that distribute noise.
 
Sunday, October 5, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
 
ACOUSTICS AND MULTIPHYSICS MODELING: Presenter, John Dunec, PhD, Comsol, Palo Alto. This Master Class covers Acoustics and Multiphysics modeling using Comsol.  The Acoustics Module is specifically designed for those who work in classical acoustics with devices that produce, measure, and utilize acoustic waves.  Application areas include the design of loudspeakers, microphones, hearing aids, noise control, sound barriers, mufflers, buildings and performance spaces.
 
“We are extremely pleased with the range and quality of the 125th AES Convention Master Class program,” Valerie Tyler said.. “Both our Master Class Co-Chairs are highly qualified. Conrad Cooke began his career at the BBC in London.  He has worked with Oxford/Sony Digital, Euphonix and most recently Apple Computer.  Jim McTigue owns Impulsive Audio Consulting a successful SF-based firm specializing in acoustics and broadcast audio.  He began his career at NY’s legendary A&R Studios.  The Master Class program reflects the value of their knowledge and experience,” Tyler concludes.
 
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Photo: 125th AES Convention Master Class Co-Chair Conrad Cooke.   Please credit photo by Alex Storm courtesy of Dolby Labs.
 
The 125th AES Convention will be held in San Francisco’s Moscone Center October 2-5, 2008.  For information please visit www.aes.org
 
 
Currently celebrating its 60th anniversary,  The Audio Engineering Society was formed in 1948 by a group of concerned audio engineers.  The AES 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.  For additional information visit http://www.aes.org