Almost 450 audio manufacturers, distributors, retailers and
enthusiasts gathered for four days to share new products, ideas and audio
interests. The Audio Engineering
Society’s 123rd Convention had New York City’s Javits Center cranked
to eleven over the second weekend of October, and www.MicrophoneReviews.com was in
the mix.
All the industry’s biggest celebrities were there: Shure,
Digidesign, Mogami, and many others, all boasting the best of their company’s
products. Over 20,000 people came by to
check out the next tier of audio technology.
The exhibit floor was a labyrinth of booths, each with their
own mini galaxy of electronics. The
hoods of preamps were up so you peer into the engines. Every corner could poke your eyes out with
XY-mounted condenser mics. Live
performances demonstrating the latest plugins created a “sale day”
atmosphere. AES 123rd was what the world
would be like if every street corner was a Guitar Center.
Among the more impressive microphone displays was
Sennheiser’s exhibit. Their entire line
of condensers, dynamics, wireless, shotgun and specialty mics were set up with
headphones to hear the mic’s qualities.
Groove Tubes had a similar setup, though a little more
modest. The staff manning the GT booth
exemplified the type of people behind the gear we, as consumers, faithfully trust. Not only were they customer-oriented, but
they were able to answer (with a degree of passion) any questions off-hand
about their products.
Digidesign had another impressive presence on the show
floor. In addition to its three or four
computer stations that showed off the new Pro Tools 7.4 (with a new, incredible
time compression/expansion tool), they had their new C24 and D-Control ES on
display demonstrating audio editing for video.
The true grit of the convention took place below all the
mayhem of the exhibit floor. Over 150
seminars, workshops, detailed product demonstrations and lectures from
acclaimed industry professionals gave convention-goers an insider’s perspective
of the audio world. It was
non-exclusive, as all doors were wide open and everyone from amateur to highly
experienced felt welcomed. Some
distinguished guests included Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick, author Daniel
Levitin, and organist Graham Blyth.
The Audio Engineering Society’s 124th convention
will be hosted in Amsterdam in May 2008.
For more information about the organization, its history and the 124th
convention, visit AES.org.
