Events planned for the Audio Engineering Society 121st Convention (Oct. 5–8, 2006, at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco) will address a broad spectrum of emerging and long-standing issues that continue to challenge industry professionals. Events include:
•Loudness workshop: This broadcast event will address concerns about optimum sound quality in the age of multichannel sound and digital broadcasting. It will explore the current state of the art in the measurement and control of loudness levels and look ahead to the next generation of techniques that may be available to audio broadcasters. Moderated by Emil Torrick, former head of CBS Labs, the panel includes: Thomas Lund, TC Electronics; Jeff Reidmiller, Dolby Labs; Frank Foti, Telos-Omnia; Gilbert Soulodre, CRC; and Bob Orban, CRL Orban.
• Audio for HDTV — the lip sync issue: This is a problem caused by HD video's extensive processing requirements, from pre- and post-production, to broadcast, to playback on your TV. The result is audio being delivered a split second ahead of the video. Brad Dick, editor of Broadcast Engineering magazine, will moderate this panel, which features: Kent Terry, Dolby Labs; Stanley Chayka, Sigma Electronics; Junichi Yoshio, Pioneer; and J. Patrick Waddell, Harmonic.
• Broadcasting in the IP age: With audiences receiving programming via the Internet, and computers having assumed many functions previously handled by flesh-and-blood broadcasters, the future has arrived. Issues to be considered include streaming, automated playback, control and delivery. Moderator David Layer, NAB, will chair a distinguished panel that includes: Tony Masiello, XM Radio; Eric Manchester, America Online; Andy Butler, PBS; Dan Braverman, Radio Systems; Michael Dosch, AXIA; Gregory Massey, APT; and Fridolin Mueller, D.A.V.I.D. Systems.
• Considerations for facility design:MIX Magazine Sr. Editor Sarah Jones will moderate a panel of leading architects, designers and acousticians in a discussion ranging from upgrades to surround sound, HDTV and digital integration, to integration into the IP age, loudness, transporting audio over distances and other issues related to radio, television, recording, production and post-production studio design. Panelists include: Tony Masiello, XM Radio; John Storyk, Walters-Storyk Design Group; Bice C. Wilson, Meridian Design; David Prentice, VCA; Mike Dosch, Axia and Dan Braverman, Radio Systems.
• Audio transport for broadcast over distance: This session will cover the latest techniques and technologies used for audio contribution and distribution channels, whereby real-time audio signals are transported between recording studios, broadcast facilities and/or remote locations during the production and dissemination of content prior to broadcast transmission. This panel is moderated by Skip Pizzi, Radio World columnist and Microsoft exec. Panelists include: Russ Hamm, Rainbow Broadband; Herb Squire, DSI; Art Constantine, APT; Rolf Taylor, TELOS; Bob Band, Harris and Chris Crump, Comrex.
