AES London 2011
Technical Tour Details
Friday, May 13, 14:00 — 16:00
TT1 - British Grove Studios
Abstract:
British Grove Studios is a purpose-built facility situated in West London. Completed in 2005 to exacting technical specifications, it has an interesting collection of equipment including EMI REDD51 and TG12345 mixing desks, a Neve 88R console, six Studer A800 multitrack recorders together with a large collection of the latest and some vintage microphones.
Capacity limited to 20 persons.
These times reflect the tours, not travel times. Maps and directions will be available when you sign up. No buses will be provided.
Saturday, May 14, 10:30 — 12:30
TT2 - BBC Maida Vale Studios
Abstract:
Originally built as a roller skating rink, this site has been occupied by the BBC for over 70 years. The complex contains seven large studios, five of which are currently in use and was home to the BBC Radiophonic Workshop for many years; this unit was influential in early electronic music. This former studio is now the home of the operation to digitize the audio archives of the BBC. Music and drama now play a large part in the output from the Maida Vale Studios for BBC Radio with Studio One being used for broadcasting public concerts, recordings, and
rehearsals by the BBC Symphony Orchestra. It is also the orchestra’s home.
Capacity limited to 15 persons.
These times reflect the tours, not travel times. Maps and directions will be available when you sign up. No buses will be provided.
Saturday, May 14, 14:00 — 16:00
TT3 - BBC Broadcasting House
Abstract:
Broadcasting House is an iconic building constructed in the art deco style in 1932 as a center for BBC Radio in the United Kingdom. Over the past seven years it has undergone extensive redevelopment with the addition of a major new extension and new East Wing. Now nearing completion, this 80,000 square meter structure will provide state-of-the-art, digital broadcast facilities for all the BBC Radio channels together with the BBC World Service. Within the complex will be the largest live TV and radio newsroom in Europe scheduled to open in 2012.
Capacity limited to 15 persons.
These times reflect the tours, not travel times. Maps and directions will be available when you sign up. No buses will be provided.
Saturday, May 14, 15:00 — 17:00
TT4 - Royal Opera House
Abstract:
The Royal Opera House was originally built in 1732 and is the home of The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet, and The Royal Opera House Orchestra. The present building is the third reincarnation following disastrous fires. The present complex is a result of extensive reconstruction in the 1990s and now incorporates sophisticated audio and video facilities used for live and recorded transmissions all over the world. It is hoped visitors will be able to witness preparations for an opera transmission on BBC Radio 3 later the same day.
Capacity limited to 15 persons.
These times reflect the tours, not travel times. Maps and directions will be available when you sign up. No buses will be provided.
Monday, May 16, 10:00 — 12:00
TT5 - The British Library Sound Archive
Abstract:
The British Library Sound Archive holds more than a million discs and 200,000 tapes, featuring around 3.5 million recordings. The collections come from all over the world and cover the entire range of recorded sound from music, drama, and literature to oral history and wildlife sounds stretching back to the earliest experiments in sound recording. In 2007 the BL opened a new suite of technical facilities for the work of the Sound Archive. The key objective was to create acoustically isolated studios, a tough challenge given that they are sited within 100 meters of several underground tunnels. The visit will include a tour of the studios, an introduction to processes ranging from the rescue of signals from the earliest sound carriers to mass-digitization processes.
Capacity limited to 40 persons.
These times reflect the tours, not travel times. Maps and directions will be available when you sign up. No buses will be provided.
Monday, May 16, 11:00 — 13:00
TT6 - The Royal Festival Hall
Abstract:
The Royal Festival Hall was opened in 1951 with acoustics designed by Hope Bagenal and a team from the Building Research Centre at Watford. At the time it was considered to be one of the finest concert halls in the country. However, over the years musicians and concert-goers began to criticize the acoustics as being too dry, in particular, musicians complained of being unable to hear other sections of the orchestra. Various attempts at introducing artificial aids to improve the acoustics failed to satisfy the requirements of both players and audience. In the early part of the millennium, Larry Kirkegaard of Kirkegaard Associates of Chicago was retained to improve the acoustics of the hall and following a two-year closure for major refurbishment, the hall reopened in 2007.
Dr. William McVicker, the organ curator, will talk about the acoustics of the hall by demonstrating the Harrison organ. The organ, originally designed by Ralph Downes and Harrison & Harrison the builders, has been restored in the their workshops in Durham and part of the instrument re-installed in the hall in 2007. It is anticipated the remaining sections of the organ will be installed in 2015.
Capacity TBA.
These times reflect the tours, not travel times. Maps and directions will be available when you sign up. No buses will be provided.
Monday, May 16, 14:00 — 17:00
TT7 - The Science Museum – Reserve Collection
Abstract:
Blythe House is shared between the Science Museum, the British Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum as a storage facility for small- and medium-sized objects. Within the section occupied by the Science Museum is a large collection of historical artifacts relating to the audio industry.
Capacity limited to 12 persons.
These times reflect the tours, not travel times. Maps and directions will be available when you sign up. No buses will be provided.
