A panel discusses behind the scenes audio at “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Photo: Scott Fybush
As busy as the AES exhibit hall at the Jacob Javits Center was on its final day, the sidewalk out on 11th Avenue was just as crowded with attendees enjoying a fresh air break in 75 degree October sunshine. It might have been nice to move the show outside for the day; alas, the action stayed indoors.
On the broadcast session track masterfully curated by David Bialik, topics ranged from mic cable technology (the always present Steve Lampen from Belden) to a packed session on podcast production (one of the show’s hot topics) to the digital dashboard.
The AES show always offers insight into how some of its host city’s big productions come together — this writer vividly remembers a field trip to the “Saturday Night Live” set at 30 Rock a few years back — and this year was no exception. Friday closed with the team from CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” sharing stories about how their complex audio mix comes together.
Ever wanted to get behind the scenes in the cramped quarters of the Ed Sullivan Theater? This was about as close as you’ll probably ever get, complete with a detailed photo tour.
Back at the Javits Center, the NAB New York side of the show situated upstairs had packed up and moved out, but there were big crowds all day on the AES floor.
What caught our eye? Interconnectivity has become a big part of every aspect of pro audio, with “Dante spoken here,” Ravenna or AES67 signs on almost every booth except the soundproofing manufacturers. Want an AES67 mic with an RJ45 instead of an XLR on the back, powered by PoE and with its own built-in web server? They’re coming!
The AES broadcast sessions wrapped up Saturday with BBC engineers talking about their surround sound production of “Doctor Who.”
The AES will be back here in New York in 2018, synchronized once again with NAB New York.
