High Resolution Audio to Be a Major Focus at 137th AES Convention
The annual Audio Engineering Society convention is going to happen in Los Angeles this year from October 9-12 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It’s the first time the show has been in LA for at least a few years and should be a great opportunity to see the latest equipment and visit with some engineer friends. A press release yesterday from the AES and DEG (Digital Entertainment Group) announced that a series of panels and seminars will take place on Friday; October 10, 2014 focuses on the emerging world of High-Resolution Audio. Here’s a portion of the press release:
“The 137th Audio Engineering Society Convention (October 9-12, 2014, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles) will feature a High Resolution Audio (HRA) program Friday, October 10, 2014. The direct result of a collaborative effort between the Audio Engineering Society (AES) and DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group, the HRA program will include a number of panels and sessions that address the current and future direction of HRA from various perspectives, including content creation, digital distribution, licensing of hi-res music files, archiving, subscription models, marketing/promotion of hi-res music, compatibility of playback devices and more. These panels and sessions will feature some of the brightest minds in the business as they discuss some of the most current and controversial issues concerning the rapid adoption of high-resolution audio across the industry.”
The DEG is the same group that spearheaded the definition of high-resolution audio that was announced back in June. That press release defines High-Resolution Audio as, ““lossless audio that is capable of reproducing the full range of sound from recordings that have been mastered from better than CD quality music sources.” This is just one of many definitions that have been proposed. It remains to be seen if it will stick with professionals, labels, consumers, and equipment makers. I have some doubts about the value of the definition as stated above. You can check out my response to the original definition and the accompany “descriptors” by clicking here.
The AES Convention is one of my favorite events. I’ve been involved in many panels and presentations. A few years ago, I was invited to give the keynote address at the Latin American AES Convention in Bogota, Columbia and I presented a paper of recording high-resolution audio at an AES event in London. So when the event is right in my backyard…it’s important that I show up. I would love to participate in the DEG/AES high-resolution focused events; I’ve spoken to one of the organizers and may be able to put my two cents in.
However, the 137th AES Convention conflicts with the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in Denver, Colorado, an audio trade show that I’ve done for many years. I’ve already booked travel to Denver and look forward to visiting with my sister and brother-in-law in Boulder when I’m not standing in front of my sales tables. But it’s also important that I help get the message out regarding high-resolution audio…to the professional audio community. After all, they are the ones making the recordings. If high-resolution is important, it has to be part of the production process not just a bunch of numbers and logo on the consumer end of the equation.
We’ll see what happens. If I’m offered an opportunity to be involved with the DEG/AES HRA events, I’ll hang for the day and then fly to Denver later that afternoon or evening.
