131st AES NYC 2011

Henry Cohen

Freshman
Jan 12, 2011
83
0
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Westchester Co., NY, USA
It's that time of year again, when the AES convention Live Sound Session chairs (Mac and me) attempt to put together a program to entice all of you to give up jobs, loved ones and hard earned money for three to four days to attend the AES convention in the world's 29th most expensive city.

So what subjects are of interest and might actually get you to attend? Or, if you attended either or both of the last two conventions in SF and/or NYC, what do you feel worked or didn't work?

NYC 2009
SF 2010

(Let us pre-empt the perennial request for a line array, or any type of hardware shoot-out: It's not going to happen. Costs and logistics are simply too excessive to make this a reality, as well as a lack of perceived sense of fairness.)

We already have some topics in mind and will update the community as these become viable. Thank you in advance for your input.

Henry Cohen
Mac Kerr
Co-Chairs, Live Sound
131st AES Convention
20-23 October 2011
New York, NY
 
Re: 131st AES NYC 2011

The two panels from 2009 that I wanted to have a secondary section were the Networking Digital Audio(a fight almost erupt between the panelists :lol:), and Mary McGregor's microphone dressing.

I see that SF 2010 had a Networking panel as well, but I don't think that it is a subject that can be under discussed.
 
Re: 131st AES NYC 2011

I'd love to see one on digital audio playback for live venues, both theatre and concerts. I think this was done in the last few years, but that may have been at USITT. QLab, SFX, ProTools, etc.

I'd also volunteer to be a part of it, as somebody who's built and supported redundant rigs for lots of theatres and shops here in NYC/on tour, and who now manufactures a line of MIDI hardware designed specifically for controlling live audio playback, as well as some other new ideas and toys up my sleeve between now and then :)~:)~:smile:
:eek:
 
Re: 131st AES NYC 2011

One session that stuck out for me at the 2007? NYC event (only one I have been to) was the one on placing mics and bodypacks on actors and what the tricks were.

Perhaps more on quick mounts for corp type gigs and best practices (and perhaps favorite gear - not all top of the line?) to get best GBF?

We can't go see Les Paul again but perhaps something else some night.
 
Re: 131st AES NYC 2011

I'd love to see one on digital audio playback for live venues, both theatre and concerts. I think this was done in the last few years, but that may have been at USITT. QLab, SFX, ProTools, etc.

I'd also volunteer to be a part of it, as somebody who's built and supported redundant rigs for lots of theatres and shops here in NYC/on tour, and who now manufactures a line of MIDI hardware designed specifically for controlling live audio playback, as well as some other new ideas and toys up my sleeve between now and then :)~:)~:smile:
Andy,

good to see you here, by the way.
 
Re: 131st AES NYC 2011

in the world's 29th most expensive city.

According to Business Week, 29th in the world but still #1 in the USA :p~:p~:razz:

Thank Lee. I was trying to soften the hard, cruel reality :roll:

If you don't mind having the toilet and shower down the hall, The Larchmont, in the Village on 11th St., between 5th and 6th Ave., is the best cheap hotel I've found in Manhattan. Great location on a quiet residential street between NYU and the New School.

Kimpton has the INK 48 hotel which is on 48th and 11th - walking distance or very short cab hop to Javits. Nice, like all Kimptons, and not overpriced by NYC standards, but still twice as pricey as the same room would be in other US cities. Ouch, unless you have a corporate expense account.
 
Re: 131st AES NYC 2011

Thanks Lee. I was trying to soften the hard, cruel reality :roll:

I'd bet if you if the mayor worked hard at it NYC could be a top 10 contender. ;)~;-)~:wink: There is always Jersey City. Not too bad, PATH train close. There are also a few of these revamped older residence hotels in Manhattan that have small rooms (even by NYC standards) and shared baths and showers. I wouldn't take the Mrs to one but going solo it's a great way to save some cash.
 
Re: 131st AES NYC 2011

So what subjects are of interest and might actually get you to attend?

Stiff drinks and good strippers...

Considering where you currently live and work, you need to travel 2700 miles for that?

If Dave can get a grant to research ''regional differences'' in the styles of strippers and the stiffness level of the DRINKS :roll: in those establishments, it might help defray the cost of attending a convention in NYC.
 
Re: 131st AES NYC 2011

I posted this on the LAB but there seems to be more discussion here so I'll cross post if that's alright.

I want an indepth comprehensive RF seminar, perhapse two: one dealing with practical and real world deployment issues and practices, the other theory based and to include all the new legal shit we have to deal with. If it were a whole day long session, that would be even better.

Other topics I'd like to see are modern matrix style coms systems and a sort of console pogramming/automation tips, tricks, and best practices. A non-manufacturer specific system tuning and alignment workshop would be great also.

But most of all I want that RF workshop. If you were teaching it, I'd gladly make the trip to NYC for it.

But I also like Andy's playback systems for theatre idea and the networked audio.
 
Re: 131st AES NYC 2011

I know the AES likes panels but...

What about something more interactive for a change. Here are two.

1: What Not to Do with Loudspeakers. Here is a chance for us to see what really happens when loudspeakers get abused. We could easily get people/manufacturers to donate some loudspeakers and watch what happens when they (the loudspeakers) blow up. Get a voice coil hot enough to light a gig. See how far a cone gets launched. How much power is too much, etc.

2. Man vs Machine (or software): Have a guy(s) with great ears race a software operator to ring out a room over a set time period and compare the results.
 
Re: 131st AES NYC 2011

I know the AES likes panels but...

What about something more interactive for a change. Here are two.

1: What Not to Do with Loudspeakers. Here is a chance for us to see what really happens when loudspeakers get abused. We could easily get people/manufacturers to donate some loudspeakers and watch what happens when they (the loudspeakers) blow up. Get a voice coil hot enough to light a gig. See how far a cone gets launched. How much power is too much, etc.

2. Man vs Machine (or software): Have a guy(s) with great ears race a software operator to ring out a room over a set time period and compare the results.

It's not that AES (or us chairs) like panels; it's that we attempt to present topics in any form, be it single presenter, panel or one-on-one interview, that are tutorial and instructive in nature. In other words, topics that show you how to provide an improved sound reinforcement system/experience for your client, the audience and yourself.

Although your two suggestions would certainly be fun (though I suspect we'd have significant trouble finding manufacturers willing to donate speakers for the sole purpose of showing them failing, and spectacularly at that), I'm failing to see any significant educational value. But I'll make you this offer: If you want to organize and run such a session/demo, I'll do my best to schedule it in and find an appropriate room if the regular room assigned to the Live Sound sessions doesn't lend itself to the activities. Contact me offline if you'd like to pursue this.

And before anybody points to the ''History of'' sessions, those are presented in conjunction with the Historical Committee.