AES Los Angeles 2016
Technical Tour Details
Thursday, September 29, 9:00 am — 12:30 pm (Off-site 1)
TT1 - Sony Computer Entertainment America
Abstract:
Visit Sony Computer Entertainment America’s state-of-the-art audio facilities located within Santa Monica Studios, the game studio behind the hit God of War franchise. This walkthrough tour of the facilities includes an explanation of tools, process and pipeline, and samples of the studio's audio work in recent releases. Attendees will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement to enter the studio.
Space limited to 30 people
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.
Thursday, September 29, 2:00 pm — 4:30 pm (Off-site 2)
TT2 - Iron Mountain
Abstract:
State-of-the-art preservation and restoration for millions of audio and image assets inside this fourteen story architectural gem, in the center Hollywood. With over 200,000 square-feet of archives, a data center and 10,000-square-foot digital studio. Iron Mountain Entertainment Services works with film & television studios, record companies and industry professionals to promote best practices for preserving assets, from original masters to fully digitized copies with complete metadata. Included is their vast collection of vintage machines which can play every format, from the earliest wire recordings. This tour will include the history of their storied 1921 art deco building, and studio tours for audio, video, film, and photo facilities. Attendees will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement to attend this tour.
Space is limited to 25 people
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.
Thursday, September 29, 2:15 pm — 4:45 pm (Off-site 3)
TT2A - Microsoft Theater & Staples Center
Abstract:
Take a tour behind the scenes of the Microsoft Theater at LA Live! Tour includes backstage view of audio patch room, stage, and sound system rigging details. After a walk through the facility, a listening session will include playback of select music on the Vertec sound system, using the Soundcraft house console. Installation team and operations personnel will be on site to answer questions and provide further insight into the challenges of the space. The Microsoft theater is home to the American Music Awards, The Peoples Choice Awards, the ESPY awards and the Emmy Awards as well as numerous musical, comedy and entertainment acts throughout the year
This tour includes an additional stop at the Staples Center, the 20,000 seat multi-purpose sports and entertainment complex in downtown Los Angeles, which hosts over 250 events a year, ranging from the LA Lakers, Clippers, Sparks basketball, and Los Angeles Kings hockey games to live concerts and televised special events such as the Grammy Awards. We’ll visit the broadcast studio, the audio booth, 9’ foot patch bays at the broadcast loading dock, and possibly catch a sound check. The Staples Center features one of the largest installations of JBL’s digitally-networked, powered VerTec loudspeakers that provides an immersive live sound experience for their four million guests each year.
For ticket holders, this tour is now going to be assembling in conference room 508A for a brief presentation about the systems.
Space is limited to 30 people
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.
Thursday, September 29, 2:15 pm — 4:00 pm (Off-site 1)
TT3 - ESPN Broadcast Center at Staples Center
Abstract:
This walking tour will take you through ESPN’s entire broadcast facility, including control rooms, master control area, audio rooms and studios. Participants will learn about the daily workflows and all the components involved to get ESPN shows on the air.
Space is limited to 25 people
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.
Thursday, September 29, 6:00 pm — 9:00 pm (Off-site 3)
TT4 - 20th Century Fox
Abstract:
The studio that first introduced sound on film over seventy years ago continues to provide leading edge technology in sound for cinema and television. Twentieth Century Fox post production facilities are housed in four of the original Fox sound stages with screening and projection rooms adjacent. The complex includes two ADR stages, a Foley stage, newly renovated dubbing, editing and audio transfer facilities, and the fully updated historic Newman Scoring Stage.
Space is limited to 25 people
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.
Friday, September 30, 8:15 am — 11:00 am (Off-site 1)
TT5 - Sunset Sound Recording Studio
Abstract:
Over fifty years of iconic music created in the heart of Hollywood, at one of the few independently owned studios in LA that hasn’t changed ownership. Janis Joplin created her Pearl in the same room where The Doors recorded five albums. With custom consoles, an outstanding collection of mics, outboard gear, and rare compressors to balance the vintage vibe with cutting edge technology, today artists like Beck and the Black Keys come to record their award winning albums where the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin laid down some of their most acclaimed tracks.
Space is limited to 25 people
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.
Friday, September 30, 9:00 am — 12:00 pm (Off-site 2)
TT6 - Dolby Theater
Abstract:
One of the world’s premier entertainment venues, the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood is an ongoing showcase for the latest innovations in Dolby entertainment technology. Inspired by the elegance of a European opera house, the 3,400 seat theater is home to the Academy Awards, and hosts entertainment year round, including theater, ballet, concerts, and numerous other award shows.
This special behind the scenes tour for AES members, led by the top technical and audio staff, will visit the theater's various levels, including the stage and wings, orchestra pit, the stage storage and lift, dressing room level, projection booth with technical explanation of the various systems and capabilities. This tour includes quite a bit of walking and stairs.
Space is limited to 30 people
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.
Friday, September 30, 9:15 am — 12:00 pm (Off-site 3)
TT7 - Paramount Recording Studio
Abstract:
This legendary owner-operated eight-room complex provides state-of-the-art spaces for clients at all levels. Paramount is a favorite destination for many audio engineers, with a mastering room, four pre-production suites, two mixing/overdub studios and their renown Studio C; a classic 1970s era Tom Hidley-designed control room with a large tracking room consisting of multiple rock, parquet wood, and glass surfaces and 20-foot ceilings. These days, artists like Dr. Dre, Justin Timberlake and Celine Dion can be found working in the same spaces where Frank Zappa, The Jackson Five and Marvin Gaye recorded.
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.
Friday, September 30, 1:15 pm — 4:45 pm (Off-site 2)
TT7A - Dolby Atmos Post Production
Abstract:
This visit to Dolby's Umlang Theatre in Burbank will give a first-hand look at Dolby's RMU (Rendering and Mastering Unit) tools for immersive audio in cinema, and show how they integrate into consoles and third-party tools, with time for Q & A. Experienced engineers will demonstrate a live Atmos theatrical mix where attendees can see and hear the process in a Dolby aligned theater.
The mix demonstration will be followed by a selection of recent feature film clips mixed and released in Dolby Atmos
Space is limited to 36 people
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.
Friday, September 30, 2:15 pm — 7:00 pm (Off-site 3)
TT7B - Universal Studios Hollywood’s WaterWorld Attraction
Abstract:
Experience Universal Studios Hollywood’s WaterWorld—the #1 rated stunt show—with jet skiers, firefights, pyrotechnics, and an airplane crash; then get a behind the scenes tour led by the technical staff of Bose Pro and Universal Hollywood’s Tech and AV teams. They will be discussing the challenges of achieving a strict noise abatement requirement while providing coverage of the 3200 seat arena, the ability to control sound effects, increase intelligibility, and show energy while not impacting the overall SPL requirements, all in a very challenging outdoor venue. We’ll be walking directly to the attraction. Following the presentation, attendees will be guided to an eatery along City Walk for a reception with refreshments. This tour includes a lot of walking and is ADA accessible.
Tour is limited to 44 participants
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.
Friday, September 30, 3:00 pm — 6:00 pm (Off-site 1)
TT8 - NRG Recording Studio
Abstract:
NRG Recording Studio’s two full tracking rooms and mix/vocal room feature Neve and SSL boards in unique creative spaces, with an extensive collection of vintage guitars, amplifiers, drums, microphones, and outboard gear. Many artists find inspiration in Studio B's Moroccan motif and Studio C's Gothic Revival décor, with carved oak surfaces. Owner and award winning producer and mixer Jay Baumgardner (Papa Roach, Bush, POD, Evanescence) is hands-on in the design and technology decisions. Alicia Keyes, Bon Jovi, Run DMC and Tracy Chapman are among the diverse range of artists who have recorded during NRG’s thirty years in the Noho Arts District.
Space is limited to 45 people
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.
Saturday, October 1, 12:00 pm — 1:30 pm (Off-site 1)
TT9 - DTLA Recording
Abstract:
One of the newest studios in LA, with an outstanding pedigree. Multi-Grammy winning producer/songwriter Dennis Herring (Counting Crows, Buddy Guy, Elvis Costello,) relocated his classic recording studio Sweet Tea, from Oxford, MS to an old warehouse in the historic Arts District of Los Angeles. The high 25-foot wood ceilings, old brick walls and natural sunlight create an exceptional vibe, in a relaxed living room environment. DTLA features a vintage Neve 8038 console and an excellent selection of tube, analog and digital gear.
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.
Sunday, October 2, 7:00 pm — 10:00 pm (Off-site 1)
TT10 - Capitol Studios
Abstract:
Easily recognizable in the skyline since this Hollywood landmark was completed in 1956, Capitol Studios has been a staple of the recording industry for 60 years. With a strong commitment to sonic integrity, some of their innovative features include adjustable louvered wall panels in Studio A to control variable decay time, and eight subterranean trapezoidal echo chambers 30 feet underground, designed by Les Paul. Studio B has hosted everything from classic rock and roll albums to Frank Sinatra. With production suites and mastering services, Capitol Studios continues to build on their legacy of creative collaboration.
Space is limited to 45 people
Participants need to be ticketed and travel with the tour group to attend a technical tour.