For Release: September 10, 2009

127th AES Convention Posts Eclectic Technical Tour Schedule

Showplace Recording, Education, Communication, Film & TV Production Facilities Plus a Rare Visit To NJ’s Historic Edison Labs

Lou Manno

Technical Tours Chair Lou Manno

NEW YORK: Drawing from the NY area’s unparalleled variety of media-rich options, 127th AES Convention Technical Tours Chair Lou Manno has once again developed a stellar series of rare, behind-the-scenes visits. 127th Committee Chair, Agnieszka Roginska reports that this year’s program covers a particularly diverse field.  “Lou Manno has a keen eye (and ear) for uncovering unique destinations guaranteed to be of great interest to AES attendees,” Roginska says. “We all benefit from his encyclopedic knowledge of New York’s pro audio community.” 

The AES Technical Tour Program Includes:

Friday, October 9

11:30AM – 1:30PM

NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions: At 7500 + sq. ft. this recording studio/teaching complex currently under construction near Washington Sq. Park will be one of the largest and most technically advanced audio teaching facilities in the U.S.  With studio design & acoustics created by the Walters Storyk Design Group, this 10.2 surround complex features oversized control and live rooms, a large iso/drum booth, natural light from multiple windows, and line of site through the entire studio. Construction will be nearing completion at the time of this tour. This will afford attendees a rare opportunity to view architectural and acoustic design elements which will soon be hidden. The tour will be guided by John Storyk and David Kotch.

2PM – 5PM 

Thomas Edison National Historical Park:  For over forty years, Thomas Edison's laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey produced an ongoing series of revolutionary innovations. In addition to the motion picture camera, silent and sound movies and the nickel-iron alkaline electric storage battery, Edison applied his genius to vastly improving phonographs and sound recordings.  His laboratory and Glenmont, his recently renovated residence, will provide an unforgettable perspective on the life and working environment of one of the world’s most influential inventors.

2PM – 5PM

AT&T GNOC: AT&T’s Global Network Operations Center (GNOC) will provide deep insights into the process of distributing voice and data communications around the world.  Opened in Bedminster, NJ in 1999, the complex continues to serve as the nerve center of AT&T's telecommunications network. 

Saturday, October 10 

9AM-12:00PM

DuArt:  Founded in 1922, DuArt is one of the world’s best-known film and video processing companies, recognized for pristine film processing, precisely timed dailies, color correction and Hi-Def film-to-tape transfers.  This tour will provide insights into the highest level of film post production services.

2PM – 5PM 

Industrial Acoustics Company:  This Bronx-based firm is a major player in the design and construction of Acoustic Walls, ‘Varitone’ Sound Absorption Panels and Acoustic Doors used in many world-class recording studios, schools and universities.   They also manufacture modular radio and TV Studios, recording and video post-production facilities.  After this tour you’ll never take another sound lock for granted.

Sunday, October 11

2PM – 5PM

Sterling Sound:  Since 1969 this legendary studio has mastered thousands of Gold and Platinum albums for artists ranging from Cold Play to Usher and Beyonce, Standing in the shadow of  The High Line, NY’s newest ‘destination neighborhood,’  Sterling Sound features nine studios and mastering suites, and 15 celebrated engineers including one dedicated to vinyl. By constantly challenging accepted standards, collaborating with leading manufacturers and developing proprietary signal processing techniques, Sterling Sound has re-defined the standard for CD mastering.

audioEngine

audioEngine Studio F the ‘Cabin In The Sky’

Monday, October 12

9AM - Noon

audioEngine: Since its opening in 2001, the audioEngine complex has earned a reputation as a leader in NY’s audio postproduction market. Providing a full range of creative services to the advertising, broadcast, and film industries, this showplace facility spans two floors and 12,000 square feet. Among the eight mixing rooms and eight unique studio environments (six created by architect/acoustician John Storyk), are the recently completed Studio E which specializes in theatrical mixing, and the Adirondacks-style inspired ‘Cabin In The Sky.’ 

2PM – 5PM

EUE Screen Gems Studios:  In 2005, after three decades of five-day-a-week production on daytime classics Guiding Light, Search For Tomorrow and Edge of Night, thisvast, full-service 125,000 sq. ft. midtown-Manhattan complex completely retooled their six stages and support areas into a fully integrated digital workplace. Beyond providing high-end production, post-production services and “wired” offices to CBS’s Rachael Ray,” the studios host The Onion News Network; Warner Brothers TV, PBS, Food Network, Oxygen History Channel, Fox News and Universal Music Group. 

 

Photo 1: audioEngine Studio F the ‘Cabin In The Sky’

Photo 2: AES 127th Convention Technical Tours Chair Lou Manno

 

PLEASE NOTE:  Tickets for Technical Tours are only available on site at the Javits Center.  Anyone interested in participating should visit the Calendar of Events: http://www.aes.org/events/127/calendar/calendar.cfm for dates and times.  Tickets are sold at the Reception Desk in the main lobby well in advance of departure.

The 127th AES Convention will be held at NY’s Javits Convention Center Oct. 9 – 12, 2009.

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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