Jazz, Hip Hop, Creativity & The Brain… An Inquiry Into Relationships

NEW YORK: In 2010, Dr. Charles Limb infiltrated Baltimore’s Hip Hop scene for a study on the parallels between that free form art and “traditional” jazz. On Thursday, October 20th, Dr Limb will detail his findings with a Keynote address at the 131st AES Convention at NY’s Javits Center. Sound, Hearing and Music: A Journey From The Ears to The Brain, will explore the physical and intellectual intricacies of musical creativity; its inception and perception.

In announcing the address, 131st Convention Chair Jim Anderson remarked, “Dr. Limb’s innovative research into the parallel fields of technology and musical creativity exemplifies the AES mission. His study of brain function in improvising musicians is sure to provide valuable insights.”

“At first glance, the free-form art of musical improvisation and the meticulous environment of the research lab seem more

LUZERN, SWITZERLAND: From its opening performance by the Berlin Philharmonic in August 1998, the KKL Luzern Grand Concert Hall was recognized as one of the world’s great performance centers. An international landmark, both architecturally and culturally, the complex attracts music fans from around the world to its picturesque lakeside setting.

Designed by architect Jean Nouvel and fully opened in 2000 KKL Luzern is comprised of three distinctive sectors: The conference and meeting room wing, complemented by a number of lounges and restaurants. A black box-style multipurpose hall which presents events ranging from rock concerts to general assemblies. And, an 1800 seat concert hall distinguished by world-class acoustics designed by Russell Johnson’s Artec.

A dozen years of constant use coupled with significant technological advances prompted the KKL Luzern management group to upgrade and re-tune it’s retractable electro acoustical system. WSDG, an international team of acoustical more

NY’S Javits Center Set For International Pro Audio Gathering Oct. 20 – 23, 2011

NEW YORK: “Expectations for the 131st AES Convention are particularly high this year,” reports committee chair Jim Anderson, “our team is making an extraordinary effort to create an unforgettable event.” Scheduled for Oct. 20 – 23 at NY’S Jacob Javits Center, this year’s attendees will find a wealth of stimulating, challenging, entertaining and informative Workshops, Tutorials, Papers, Master Classes, Technical Tours and Special Events designed to hone their skills and recharge their batteries.

AES executive director Roger Furness reports that the stellar Committee is comprised of seasoned pros whose enthusiasm for the Convention is matched only by their professional accomplishments and peer recognition. “Our chairman Jim Anderson is a particularly accomplished engineer, producer and educator. His organizational acumen and leadership skills make him an indispensible asset. Many of our chairs more

OXFORD, ENGLAND: A game-changing collaboration between Germany-based mp3 creator Fraunhofer IIS, and pioneering plug-in designer/manufacturer Sonnox Ltd., has produced a revolutionary solution for improving the quality of online music.

“Our Sonnox Fraunhofer Pro-Codec marks the first time engineers are able to precisely audition codecs in real time,” reports Sonnox Managing Director Rod Densham. “Additionally, the Pro-Codec eliminates the time-consuming cycle of encoding a mix to mp3/AAC, previewing, tweaking and re-rendering. The entire process may now be accomplished ‘on the fly,’ freeing the engineer to concentrate on producing an optimized mix during the preview process.”

Mix and mastering engineers may now audition up to five codecs in real time within a DAW environment. The Sonnox Fraunhofer Pro-Codec plug-in enables the production of optimized mixes, and provides the option to simultaneously batch encode to multiple formats. All major codecs, including: mp3, mp3 Surround, AAC-LC and HE-AAC are more

WSDG Design For Upstate NY Showplace

NEW YORK: Set on a 300-acre horse farm/vineyard in Upstate New York, World Harmony Studios is a high-end destination studio; geared to accommodate a wide range of theatrical, feature film and music recording projects. Owned by producer/ businessman Samuel Nappi, and designed by architect/acoustician/ WSDG co-principal John Storyk, the 2500 sq. ft. complex integrates cutting-edge technology within an impeccable acoustic footprint.

Built into a 3-story, 4500 sq. ft. redwood lodge/guest house, the 2500 sq. ft. complex includes a custom-built 700 sq. ft. ‘live/screening room,’ a 300 sq. ft. control room; 120 and 220 sq. ft. iso rooms a lounge and a full bore tech support system. The guesthouse offers a comprehensive range of comfort-focused amenities including a gourmet kitchen.

“To take advantage of its pastoral setting, we incorporated as much glass as possible throughout the studio,” WSDG project manager Joshua more

LONDON: Careers are magically unpredictable. Many successful audio world icons, count a chance meeting, or the whims of fortune for their success. Others had a clear direction, some swear by training and hard earned skills. On Monday, May 16, 14:00 – 15:45 the AES 130th Convention will present I Didn’t Get Where I am Today . . . a panel moderated by Peter Filleul of the APRS. The 90-minute seminar will address the roads to success traveled by prominent artist/producer/engineers.

Panelists will describe their career influences, and discuss whether flexibility, a broad outlook and the “maverick” spirit are essential elements to achieving longevity in the audio business. They will muse on the expectations generated by audio education, training and, the tacit suspicion that “Mindset” is more important than ‘Skillset” in most employment areas.

Panelists include:

Dennis Weinreich: Bass player turned consummate audio engineer, built a more

$36 Million DiMenna Center for Classical Music Raises System Integration Bar

NEW YORK: The recently completed DiMenna Center for Classical Music provides an exemplary home for Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Constructed over the past year on the first three floors of a six story West 37th building shared with the celebrated Baryshnikov Arts Center, the new complex is designed to serve a multiplicity of music rehearsal, recording, broadcast, teleconferencing, educational and streaming purposes.

Featuring an innovative acoustic design developed by Akustiks, LLC, and installed by Masque Sound

, the ambitious project is highlighted by the Mary Flagler Cary Hall, a 50 x 50 sq. ft. rehearsal/recording studio with a 30′ high ceiling. The 20 x 30 sq.ft. Norman S. Benzaquen Hall rehearsal/recording studio capped by a 25′ high ceiling, offers a similarly comprehensive integration scheme. The complex also encompasses two more

LONDON: As influential as he is controversial, Phil Spector created an
unrivaled legacy of innovative music production techniques and, a priceless treasure of unforgettable music performances. On Sunday, May 15, 14:30 – 16:15, the AES 130th Convention will host producer/musician Barry Marshall’s presentation: Phil Spector And The Legacy of The Svengali Producer.

An in-depth exploration of Spector’s genius, the event will describe his literal creation of the role of the record producer. Marshall will trace Spector’s evolution, from his early career as an artist, his apprenticeship with Atlantic Records and Leiber & Stoller, his flowering as a producer-mogul with his Philles record label, his initial “retirement” in 1967, his re-invention as the producer of John Lennon and George Harrison and his later work with artists like the Ramones. The lecture will emphasize Spector’s evolution from the initial creation of his “Wall of Sound” through his Svengali-like approach to artist more

LONDON: The 130th AES Convention will be highlighted by a Richard C. Heyser Lecture Series presentation by Karlheinz Brandenburg. A driving force behind such innovative digital audio technology as mp3 and MPEG audio standards, Mr. Brandenburg’s lecture is entitled, “How to Provide High Quality Audio Everywhere: The mp3 Story And More…” The presentation will be held Saturday, May 14, 18:30 – 20:00, at the Novotel London West Convention Center.

Once upon a time professional audio was challenged by the need to transmit high quality audio over phone lines. Psychoacoustics experts and signal processing researchers eventually solved the equation. mp3 and other audio Codec’s were developed to enable seamless transport of audio over thin lines. However, the mp3 story did not end there. The Internet was transforming from a text-based medium into a major carrier for sound of all kinds, including music. This issue introduced new dangers for audio quality. more

LONDON: The 130th AES Convention will be highlighted by a Richard C. Heyser Lecture Series presentation by Karlheinz Brandenburg. A driving force behind such innovative digital audio technology as mp3 and MPEG audio standards, Mr. Brandenburg’s lecture is entitled, “How to Provide High Quality Audio Everywhere: The mp3 Story And More…” The presentation will be held Saturday, May 14, 18:30 – 20:00, at the Novotel London West Convention Center.

Once upon a time professional audio was challenged by the need to transmit high quality audio over phone lines. Psychoacoustics experts and signal processing researchers eventually solved the equation. mp3 and other audio Codec’s were developed to enable seamless transport of audio over thin lines. However, the mp3 story did not end there. The Internet was transforming from a text-based medium into a major carrier for sound of all kinds, including music. This issue introduced new dangers for audio quality. more