125th AES Convention Expands Broadcast Audio Profile

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In his 20th turn as Chair of the AES Convention Broadcast Committee, leading industry consultant David K. Bialik has shaped a far-ranging program of Workshops, Special Events and Panels for the 125th Convention scheduled for October 2-5 in SF's Moscone Center. "One of our most resourceful and indomitable Committee Chairs, David Bialik also holds the distinction of coordinating Broadcast events for both our West and East Coast Conventions," said AES Executive Director Roger Furness. "His sense of commitment and dedication are matched only by his ability to produce outstanding and extremely well-attended programs."

"This Convention revisits issues which continue to impact heavily on the Broadcast sector even as they evolve through an on-going chain of permutations," Bialik said. "Loudness, the transition to Digital Broadcasting, Internet Streaming and growing concerns over 'Listener Fatigue' promise to spark lively and informative discussions."

125th AES CONVENTION BROADCAST AUDIO PROGRAM TOPICS:

MOBILE/HANDHELD BROADCASTING — DEVELOPING A NEW MEDIUM: Moderator: Jim Kutzner Public Broadcasting Service — Panelists: Mark Aitken, Sinclair Broadcast Group; Sterling Davis, Cox Broadcasting; Brett Jenkins, Ion Media Networks; Dakx Turcotte, Neural Audio. The broadcast industry, pro and consumer technology vendors, and the Advanced Television Systems Committee have been vigorously moving towards a Mobile/Handheld DTV broadcast standard. Players from various industry segments are collaborating in an unprecedented fashion. The Panel will discus the current situation and future prospects

THE HISTORY OF AUDIO PROCESSING (In association with the Historical Committee): Moderator — Emil Torick, CBS Laboratories (ret), Participants: Marvin Caesar, Aphex; Frank Foti , Omnia; Bob Orban, Orban / CRL;Glen Clark — Glen Clark & Associates; Eric Small, Modulation Sciences; Mike Dorrough — Dorrough Electronics and Dick Burden, Burden Associates. These pioneers in audio processing developed the tools we still use today. A lively discussion of the ongoing "Loudness Wars" is anticipated. This session is a must for understanding how and why audio processing is used.

LOUDNESS WORKSHOP: Moderator, John Chester — Panelists: Thomas Lund, TC Electronics; Jeffery Riedmiller, Dolby; Andrew Mason, BBC; Marvin Caesar, Aphex and James D. Johnston, Neural Audio will consider the multitude of new challenges and opportunities awaiting broadcast engineers concerned about optimum sound quality in this age of multi-channel sound and digital broadcasting. This session will explore the latest techniques in the measurement and control of loudness levels and look ahead to the next generation of technical options.

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CONSIDERATIONS FOR FACILITY DESIGN (A Roundtable): Moderator — Paul McLane, editor, Radio World — Panelists: John Storyk, Walters Storyk Design Group; Bice Wilson, Meridian Design and Sam Berkow, SIA Acoustics This comprehensive overview of the myriad details associated with designing and building a facility will cover radio, television, recording studio and production environments. Wiring, acoustics, ergonomics, system integration, computer-aided design and budgeting will all be explored.

DTV AUDIO MYTHS: Moderator, Andy Butler, PBS and panelists: Ken Hunold, Dolby Laboratories, Inc.; Tim Carroll, Linear Acoustic, Inc.; Robert Bleidt, Fraunhofer USA Digital Media Technologies and David Wilson, Consumer Electronics Association will attempt to bring logic and balance to the confusion created by the multitude of audio options in DTV. What do the systems really do? What happens when they fail? Audience participation is encouraged.

THE LIP SYNC ISSUE: Moderator: Jonathan S. Abrams, Nutmeg Audio Post — Panelists: Richard Fairbanks, Pharoah Editorial, Inc.; Scott Anderson, Syntax Brillian and Kent Terry, Dolby Laboratories. There are many points in the signal path between production and post where lip sync can either be improved or further compromised. Is there an acceptable window of latency? Does one type of video display exhibit less latency than another?

LISTENER FATIGUE & LONGEVITY: Moderator, David Wilson CEA. Participants: Gary Marince, Arbitron; Sam Berkow, SIA Acoustics; Marvin Caesar, Aphex; James D. Johnston, Neural Audio, Ted Ruscitti, On-Air Research. This panel will address listener fatigue and its impact on listener retention. Clearly an issue of interest to broadcasters, listener fatigue is equally important to telecommunications service providers, consumer electronics manufacturers, and music producers. Whether audience members tune out or switch to other carriers, erosion is a critical issue.

ADDITIONAL BROADCAST PANELS INCLUDE:

• Audio & Non Audio Services & Applications for Digital Radio
• Internet Streaming — Audio Quality, Measurement & Monitoring
• Audio Transportation
• The Art Of Sound Effects with Sue Zizza & David Shinn of Radio Works

For more information, visit their web site at www.aes.org.