Archives for March 2003

The 114th AES Convention, the major annual European event of the Audio Engineering Society, opens Saturday March 22nd at Amsterdam’s RAI Convention Center, and runs until next Tuesday, March 25th.

As the only professional Convention devoted exclusively to audio technology, the AES shows in Europe and the U.S. (in the fall) are known as important gatherings for exhibitors, engineers, scientists and those from the recording, broadcasting and live sound worlds. In Amsterdam, AES is expecting a large attendance of audio professionals from all parts of Europe, as well as from Asia and the U.S.

In a question-and-answer session, AES executive director Roger Furness explains the key elements of this year’s European AES show.

Roger, why did the AES choose Amsterdam as this years location?

“The AES Conventions go to different places throughout Europe each year, in order to enable a larger geographic audience to take part. Amsterdam is easy to reach and it is an enjoyable and cosmopolitan metropolis. In the future we will be adding new cities in Europe.”

What makes the Exhibition floor at an AES Convention so important?

“There is no other place in the world where you can find all the important pro audio companies under one roof – the AES exhibition is all about audio. This means that not only the big names, but also smaller companies and developers have the opportunity to show their products on a level playing field. So people who go around the exhibit floor don’t miss a new product from a small company because it is overwhelmed by a huge multi-media presentation on the stand next door.”

During the last couple of years, the pro audio business has changed quite a bit. How does the AES react to this change?

“The AES Convention adapts from year to year to meet the wishes and needs of the attendees. This time, we have added two main new elements: Exhibitor Seminars and Tutorial Seminars. These open up the Technical Program to people who might feel that the traditional program of papers and workshops concentrates too much on academic and theoretical topics.”

How are the Exhibitors Seminars and the Tutorial Seminars different from the traditional program?

“Let’s start with the Exhibitor Seminars. Within the traditional Technical Program there was no place for product-related information. This is exactly what the Exhibitors Seminars offer because new products need much more explanation and are more complex than they used to be. Genelec, for example, is giving an Exhibitor Seminar about their new subwoofer technology. DVD-Audio and SACD authorities will be telling us how to make recordings in these new formats.”

So the Exhibitor Seminars are presentations of a new product or product-related technology?

“Yes, exactly. We offer the new Exhibitor Seminars in a quiet room away from the lively atmosphere of the exhibition as concentrated one-hour presentations. We have already had a strong response from the Exhibitors, showing that this brand-new part of our program will be well received!”

And how about the Tutorial Seminars?

“The Tutorial Seminars are lectures about the fundamentals of audio. They are intended both as starting tutorials, and as refresher courses for engineers who may be moving into a new field or just want to brush up their knowledge. People from all backgrounds in pro audio, from the motivated student to the seasoned sound engineer, are welcome to this new type of technical presentation.”

How many Tutorial Seminars does the Convention program offer?

“Knowledge is the basis for success, so we organized a complete series of Tutorial Seminars with, in total, 10 different topics. Lectures will be held every day in the morning and afternoon. The Seminars will be given by presenters who are experts in their field and are experienced in giving tutorials.”

Apart from the Exhibitor Seminars and the Tutorial Seminars – what do you feel is the most important event at the show?

“Well, don’t forget our traditional Technical Program. It is a good reflection of the state of developments in the industry and in new technology. This year’s program is the strongest we have ever offered in an European Convention! Due to some slight changes we now offer a diversified program with Papers, Posters and Workshops. We have also organized Technical Tours, an intensive Students program and a set of Historical Events and Social Events.”

“However, I really believe that the two new seminar formats we are introducing are very fundamental and important additions to our Conventions. The AES has always been the source of audio information – but now, not just at a very high level – but for every single visitor to the show. I look forward to seeing you in Amsterdam for a highly informative and exciting Convention.”

AES 114th Convention Web Site

You know consumer electronics manufacturers are selling a lot of portable audio players when the battery makers jump on the bandwagon.

Duracell®, one of the leading battery manufacturers, and part of the enormous Gillette empire, has announced the LP1. The new battery will be the first-ever alkaline prismatic battery designed specifically for portable digital audio devices such as MP3 players.

The LP1 will be available later this year in North America, Europe and Asia. It will be packaged in blister cards containing two batteries. Duracell says there are more than 200 digital audio devices that can already be powered by LP1 batteries.

The LP1 has a flat profile to meet the shrinking size requirements of today’s ever-thinner audio devices. It measures 6.1 millimeters thick, and thus offers manufacturers a slim alkaline battery with long-lasting, dependable performance to design into these smaller and thinner audio devices.

“As digital audio technology continues to progress, Duracell will innovate with new portable power solutions,” says Mark Bertolami, Duracell’s vice president of business development and strategy.

Unlike rechargeable batteries that lose power even when they are not being used, Duracell says the LP1 provides consumers with “always ready” portable power for audio enjoyment anytime and anywhere.

Getting down to the nitty-gritty of what’s in it for manufacturers of audio portables, Duracell points out that they can “design slim digital audio devices that run on primary power.”

The LP1 will be a lower-cost alternative to secondary batteries. Device manufacturers that wish to offer devices with interchangeable (i.e., primary and secondary) power solutions, the new battery provides a high-quality, primary battery option. The retail trade will benefit from ongoing battery sales as consumers replace their Duracell LP1 batteries over time.