There are a lot of pro audio-oriented tradeshows, with some events cropping up somewhere almost every month throughout the year. In fact, this month, we’re privy to several such conclaves — PLASA in London, Oct. 6-9, and AES in New York, Oct. 17-20. Problem is, despite the size and relatively robust health of the sound reinforcement industry, there still is no tradeshow specifically catering to the live audio community.
PLASA is more like a lighting expo with a few audio exhibits, while — like it or not — AES is mostly a recording convention.
As an example, consider the humble (yet essential) Shure SM57 microphone. After assembly, it’s carefully placed in its carry pouch and protective outer packaging and sent out in the real world. However, once on that retail shelf, its fate is still undecided. Life in a studio (where it will be gently handled and lovingly tucked away in a mic locker for the night after each session) is going to be a lot different than the fate of another SM57 that goes into the live environment, where the treatment is, to put it mildly, a lot less pretty. I will go out on a limb here and state the lifespan of a studio-use SM57 is probably 20 years or more, while its sibling on the road or in a club will be lucky to celebrate its second birthday. And the SM57 is one of the toughest mics around. If this scenario were applied to a small-diaphragm condenser mic, the long-term outlook for that live model is a lot less rosy.
The point? Even though we share certain common technologies and products — i.e., mics, direct boxes, stands, cables and certain signal processors (both hardware and software) — the live industry lives in a different world than our other pro audio cousins. Even the one live show we did “have” (NSCA) was slurped into
InfoComm (presentation technology), and meanwhile we share information and exhibits with shows in other disciplines, whether it’s NAMM/Musikmesse (musical instruments); NAB/IBC (broadcasting); LDI/PLASA (lighting); AES/ProLight+Sound (general pro audio) and so on. But a live sound-only show? Not a chance.
That said, AES has made significant strides in altering its “recording-only” identity. This year’s impressive track of events, seminars, workshops, technical sessions and papers targeting sound reinforcement professionals.
Live-relevant papers include topics such as “Digitally Steered Columns,” “Adapting Loudspeaker Array Radiation Using FIR Filters,” “Stereo Subwoofer Systems” and more. On the seminar lineup are: “AC Power and Grounding,” “Sound System Optimization,” “Design for Houses of Worship,” “Beam Steering Loudspeakers and Line Arrays,” “Assuring Speech Intelligibility for Stadium Sports Events,” “Audio for Corporate Presentations,” “Designing for Broadway Theater” and an interview with noted live sound mixer Dave Natale. Good stuff!
Wireless — always a concern with live audio — is addressed by “Mic Placement and Handling for Multiple Actors,” “Antennas, Coax, Filters and Other Tricks from the Experts” and a timely, in-depth look at “TVBDs, Geo-Location Databases, Upcoming Spectrum Auctions and their Impact on Wireless Mic Operations.”
Audio networking is another relevant issue. Besides a program on “How the New X192/AES67 Networked Audio Interoperability Standard was Designed,” other scheduled sessions are “Fundamental Concepts of Media Networking,” “The Role of Standards in Audio Networking” and “Implementation of AES-64 for Ethernet Audio/Video Bridging Devices.”
All in all, a pretty intensive and well-rounded live program crammed into a four-day convention. Along with the exhibits and (non-Facebook/non-Cat-5) networking opportunities, there’s also the city itself, home, of course, to NBC’s Late Night with David Letterman show. Still on the fence? Check out our “Top 10 Reasons to Attend” list, and see you at the show!
Top 10 Reasons to Attend AES NYC
#10: Great deals on quad 21-inch subs from sidewalk vendors on 7th Ave
#9: Friday night RT60 measurement workshop in Lincoln Tunnel
#8: Easy money betting on midnight roach races in SoHo nightclubs
#7: Underwater line array shootout at pier behind Javits Center
#6: Annual SGA (Sewer Grating Aroma) festival in Times Square this week
#5: Free AES app for measuring the exact length of a “New York minute”
#4: First look at new Gucci, Versace and Dior designer phase plugs
#3: NYC taxi air fresheners replace mini-MagLites as top show swag
#2: No lines at women’s restrooms during AES!
#1: Ray’s Pizza!
Catch George’s commentary at www.fohonline.com/foh-tv
