Posted: Monday, June 30, 2014
Posted: Monday, June 30, 2014
Tell us a little bit about yourself: Where are you from? What do you study? How did you discover your passion for audio?
My name is Per Loenicker, I am 31 years old and was born in Hamburg, Germany. I started studying Media Technology in Düsseldorf three years ago. Prior to that, I worked as a sound engineer at the NDR (North German Radio & Television Network) and played guitar in a rock band.
Until I started studying I never thought I would become a software developer, having merely been a software user for years. I started playing guitar when I was seven years old and always wanted to become a professional musician. However, as I wasn’t interested in jazz or classical guitar, I decided to put more effort into sound engineering, and to keep playing guitar as a hobby.
An avid music producer, I find myself using a lot of software instruments, however I love my Dave Smith Instruments Mopho analogue synthesiser as well.
Tell us about your project. What is it? What is the story behind it?
My project, the CHAiOS SYNTH, is an easy to use synthesiser for iOS, which plays random melodies.
The idea for the CHAiOS SYNTH came to me when I was at a party at which the DJ was playing minimal electronic music. I thought it might be cool to develop a tool to create such music in an intuitive way, rather than playing single notes on a keyboard. So I developed an algorithm, which plays notes somewhat randomly but still follows certain rules so that the result doesn’t just sound like chaos.
I found some colleagues at university who were interested in participating in this project, so we became a group of five people, including me and David Bau doing most of the development. It took us about four months to design the initial version of the CHAiOS SYNTH.
Per's App: The CHAiOS SYNTH
There was one big problem: the synth wasn’t “tight”, meaning it played the notes sloppily, with many waveform discontinuities resulting in audible clicks. David and I kept working on it for another three months and finally released it on the Apple Appstore last November. Those last three months where very frustrating at times - especially during periods of not feeling able to solve all the problems - but we ended up with a great product that we are very proud of.
Another challenge was the communication within the team, and the fact that we had spent too little time on the initial design specifications. While that slowed us down in the beginning, we managed to improve greatly towards the end. As this was the first software project ever for all of us, there was a lot to learn.
Tell us about your favourite experiences at the 136th AES Convention in Berlin!
The 136th AES Convention in Berlin was my first AES convention, so that whole world is rather new to me. I really enjoyed it - especially meeting fellow students from all over the world at the SDA meetings.
Obviously, the most exciting moment was getting on stage after winning the gold award!
Where do you see yourself in the future?
Designing software instruments incorporates everything that has fascinated me in my life so far. It is both creative and technical and the product can be used to make music. That’s why I want to pursue it professionally in the future!
Check out CHAiOS SYNTH in this video teaser, and these hands-on video by thesoundtestroom and synthuniverse.com! Also, you can find demo songs on bandcamp!
Find out more about Per's App on Facebook!
!If you want to get in touch with Per, just send him an e-mail.
Posted: Monday, June 30, 2014
Please take a moment to thank SHIZUKA, one of our magnificent sponsors of the AES 136th Convention's Recording Competition! We can't do this without them!
Controlling standing waves and unwanted noise is essential both for enjoying superb sound and for listening comfort. The SHIZUKA Stillness Panel creates a silent space, which is enabled by its unique acoustic structure, and an environment for accurate monitoring that is of primary importance for mixing. Developed by a team of prominent professional musicians, recording engineers, and acoustic space designers, the SHIZUKA Stillness Panel is an optimal panel for creating an acoustic space at a sound studio, live music club, movie theater, or your own home.
Here is their website! http://www.hitori-shizuka.jp/????/??????-shizuka-stillness-panel/
Posted: Sunday, June 29, 2014
After the very popular AES Central European Student Summit in Belgrade last year, AES student members are going to gather in Russia from September 12 - 14 later this year to engage in exciting audio and social activities.
The programme is going to feature workshops for both pop and classical music production alongside technical tours of several prestigious venues, and plenty of opportunity to connect to audio professionals, and students from all around the world.
AES student members can register for the free event on the following webpage: http://www.cess2014moscow.com/
It's promising to be an engaging and unique few days in Russia's capital.
Posted: Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Merging Technologies was a big supporter of the 136th Convention's Student Recording Competition. We're very excited to thank them for their generous support!
Merging Technologies SA is a Swiss manufacturer with over 20 years of experience in developing groundbreaking, professional Audio and Video products for a wide range of entertainment and media industries. With a dedicated user base in the elite end of the music, film, television, mastering and performances industries, Merging is committed to developing product ranges with unrivalled quality and flexibility, no matter what the application. Merging builds tools for people who want more from their systems, have an inherent need to push boundaries, and believe that quality always comes first, every time.
Check out their website: http://www.merging.com
Posted: Monday, June 23, 2014
There's a new video update from the Student Delegate Assembly: http://youtu.be/0a8Fk7Fly8w
The 136th AES Convention was a huge success.
Audio professionals, academics and students from all over the world gathered at the Estrel Hotel and Convention Center in Berlin to engage in workshops, lectures & other audio related activities, and network and socialise.
Further, Brecht De Man from the AES London Section was elected the new SDA Vice Chair for Europe & International Regions.
The Student Delegate Assembly would like to thank everybody who made AES136 such a great experience.
In other news the AES is going to return to Los Angeles for the first time in nearly 12 years later this year. Get ready for the 137th AES Convention from October 9th - 12th! For more information about this upcoming event, visit: http://www.aes.org/events/137/
Please like our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/AESsda
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AESsda
We cannot wait to see you in Los Angeles.
Posted: Monday, June 23, 2014
iZotope makes innovative products that inspire and enable people to be creative.
Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, iZotope has spent over a decade developing award-winning products and audio technologies for professionals and hobbyists alike. Used by millions of people in over 50 countries, iZotope products are a core component of GRAMMY-winning music studios, Oscar and Emmy-winning film and TV post production studios, and prominent radio studios, as well as basement and bedroom studios across the globe. Through a robust licensing program, iZotope also powers products made by industry partners such as Adobe, Avid, Microsoft, and Sony. iZotope was recently honored with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development for its flagship audio repair suite, RX.
For more information visit www.izotope.com.
Posted: Tuesday, June 10, 2014
DSP-Quattro is an extremely powerful Audio Editor/AudioCD Mastering Application with extended real-time and off-line support of AU/VST plug-ins for MacOS X. It is a highly innovative product that utilizes the latest technological advances of computer-based audio editing. It benefits from more than 15 years of development and professional use in the audio production community. DSP-Quattro is designed for the most discriminating professional users. However, because of its simple and intuitive interface, it is also an ideal product for novices in the field seeking to discover the world of digital audio. It allows for professional results, it is simple to use, and with plug-in hosting capabilities, offers seemingly endless possibilities.
DSP-Quattro is the complete solution for Audio Editing, AudioCD Mastering and Plug-in Hosting for the MacOS X.
For more information visit www.dsp-quattro.com.
Posted: Tuesday, June 10, 2014
D16 Group Audio Software officially launched in 2006 with the aim of producing virtual instruments and effects for producers and musicians who required top quality and inspiration in their music. Today, D16 Group Audio Software have become a premium audio plug-ins vendor.
Continuously high level of quality and will of improvement allow us to deliver virtual instruments that set the new standard of sound perfection and effects that take creativity to the next level. Solid trust from audio community and respect for products fruitful in many rewards make the D16 Group Audio Software company of choice for many musicians around the globe.
For more information visit www.d16.pl.
Posted: Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Cycling '74 creates software for the specialized needs of artists, educators, and researchers working with audio, visual media, and physical computing.
It was formed in 1997 by David Zicarelli and has approximately 29 employees and consultants worldwide.
For more information visit www.cycling74.com.
Posted: Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Crane Song is the the company of designer and engineer Dave Hill who crafts hardware and software with exceptional attention to detail.
Dave Hill's intimate knowledge of analog electronics, as well as decades of experience as a recording engineer have spawned a large range of very useful and musical products that deliver top-of-the-line quality throughout.
For more information visit www.cranesong.com and www.davehilldesigns.com.
Posted: Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Reaper is multi-platform digital audio workstation software: a complete multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing, and mastering environment. It works with almost any hardware and can be used in combination with a vast universe of other software and plug-ins.
Cockos Incorporated was founded in 2004, beginning an effort to build quality software that would benefit people throughout the world.
The company's goal is to develop software sustainably while preventing profit rationale from forcing engineering compromises. By doing so, the engineers at Cockos can keep their product visions intact, giving maximum benefit to their users.
They lovingly craft the software that they would want to use.
For more information visit www.reaper.fm and www.cockos.com.
Posted: Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Bettermaker aims to create flexible devices with distinct sonic characteristics and a clean sound.
Besides their purely analogue signal paths, the company's products have full digital recall. Bettermaker's engineers pick the best classic designs and modify them to improve the workflow in everyday use of audio professionals. As audio engineers are required to work faster and faster every day, they need to have high quality equipment that allows them to satisfy their clients' ever growing demands.
Bettermaker combines the advantages of the digital and the analog world to provide just that.
For more information visit www.bettermaker.eu.
Posted: Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Audiofile Engineering build apps for musicians and engineers, because that's what the company consists of: musicians and engineers.
Founded in 2004, they are among the most experienced audio software developers for Mac OS X and iOS with a long history of industry-firsts to their name.
The people at Audiofile Engineering strive to create beautiful and powerful apps that everyone can afford.
For more information visit www.audiofile-engineering.com.
Posted: Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Wes Dooley's longtime passion for audio has infused his company, Audio Engineering Associates (AEA), with a well balanced blend of creativity and technical expertise for forty years. At the core of AEA is a genuine interest in the art and science of audio.
Since its inception AEA has created products to help resolve problems commonly encountered by recording engineers. In the fall of 2003, Wes was awarded the Audio Engineering Society (AES) Silver Medal Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of audio engineering.
AEA is family owned and operated in beautiful Pasadena, California.
For more information visit www.wesdooley.com.
Posted: Tuesday, June 10, 2014