MPRT Students Visit NYC for Audio Engineering Society Convention

Twenty-seven Music Production & Recording Technology (MPRT) students and three Shenandoah Conservatory faculty members recently visited New York City to attend the 145th Audio Engineering Society (AES) Convention. The AES convention welcomes audio engineers, music production professionals and manufacturers of audio equipment. It not only brings audio and music production professionals together, but also showcases current audio production trends in the industry.

Shenandoah students experienced the latest audio software and equipment, as well as connected with several Shenandoah alumni who are currently working in the industry.

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Production & Recording Technology and chief audio engineer at Sono Luminus Dan Shores ’99, B.M., presented a listening session in the PMC speaker manufacturer room on 9.1 Immersive Audio. Assistant audio engineer at Central Sound at Arizona PBS David Angell ’15 (Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology) presented on stereo technique for augmented ambiance gradient (STAAG), a microphone technique used for improved stereo imaging for orchestras and live performance. Students also connected with Sense Labs Inc. product marketing manager and adjunct faculty at Tufts University Brad Swanson ’01, who presented a paper on measuring and evaluating noise in resistors for audio. Students also attended several other workshops and presentations throughout the week, and had the opportunity to network with manufactures and software companies of audio products on the exhibit floor.

Students were excited to learn about new formats of audio that consumers will listen to in the future ranging from Dolby Atmos and Headphone Surround 3D, to other formats of immersive audio like 5.1 and 9.1 surround sound. Some of these formats accompany virtual reality technologies. This cutting-edge technology is in the process of being implemented at Shenandoah University.

Attending the AES convention is just one of the many experiences that students have before graduating from the MPRT program. This convention offers the attendees the opportunity to go workshops and presentations hosted by some of the greatest audio engineers and music producers in the world. Students see the latest and greatest in technology and learn about products hitting the market.

Quotes from MPRT Students and Faculty

“Meeting up with multiple SU alums in NYC was great! Hearing these recent graduates tell us how the MPRT program had prepared them for working in the field was incredibly reinforcing for the students, and me being a new faculty member at Shenandoah. Offering an experience like attending AES in NYC to students in an undergraduate program helps them throughout their time here at SU. We have already benefited from it seeing a higher level of focus and motivation from all the students who attended.”

Assistant Professor of Music Production & Recording Technology | Graham Spice, M.S.

“I was blown away with how informative many of the presenters were at AES. Not only were they knowledgeable, but also their experiences were something to be admired. It’s not every day you can talk to the head voice-over director from [the game company] Blizzard!”

Ryan Cook ’19 | Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology

“AES provided several incredible opportunities to network with some of the audio industry’s finest engineers and opened several doors of potential employment post graduation. Personally, I was able to tour CBS New York’s broadcasting studios and a studio called The Mastering Palace, which is responsible for much of the popular music we hear on the radio today! Getting the week to explore the audio industry, learning about emerging and past audio technology, and talking with the famous engineers responsible for our favorite past and present music and motion picture productions was a truly amazing and unforgettable experience.”

Joey Lisko ’19 | Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology

“I learned about not just the degree field, but myself as well. There’s something at AES for everyone – live sound, theatre sound, sound for picture, sound for games, studio recording, location recording, gear, plugins… everything. I learned areas where I am lacking and where to improve so I can better market myself to future potential employers and business professionals.”

Josh Frey ’19 | Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology

“AES was a really great opportunity for me. I learned a lot about spatial audio and virtual reality, which I can now apply to my work at school. I also got a better understanding of the gear and software that is available. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of students and audio professionals, and got a better idea of what career options I am interested in.”

Kaela Dunlap ’20 | Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology

“I had an awesome experience at this convention. It was cool to see how all the engineers at the ‘Mix with the Master’ booth would mix their projects their own way. I highly recommend AES to anyone who loves to do sound or run a studio”

Kyle Windbeck ’21 | Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology