AES Show 2024 NY: Innovation and Diversity Celebrated

 AES Show 2024 NY Overview

The Audio Engineering Society (AES) celebrated the latest advancements in audio technology at the AES Show 2024 NY, which took place from October 8-10 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. This annual event is the largest gathering of audio professionals in the world, attracting nearly 6,000 attendees, including professionals, enthusiasts, and exhibitors from across the globe.

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Highlights of the Convention

Attendees had the opportunity to engage with top manufacturers showcasing innovative audio solutions and engineers demonstrating the latest products. The event featured a wide range of workshops, panels, demos, and training sessions tailored for both researchers and practitioners. AES President Leslie Gaston-Bird remarked on the positive atmosphere of the show, highlighting its role in fostering a community passionate about audio technology. The convention included hundreds of technological demonstrations, presentations, and networking opportunities, reinforcing the industry's commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise.

Educational Presentations

Throughout the three-day event, over 400 leading audio professionals, researchers, and technology experts delivered more than 230 presentations. Topics included a variety of subjects such as artificial intelligence in audio, spatial audio, immersive audio, audio for games, high-resolution audio, loudspeakers, headphones, machine learning, perception, room acoustics, recording techniques, and signal processing. The discussions emphasized ongoing progress in the audio field and the importance of increasing diversity within the industry.

Keynote Speaker and Notable Sessions

Ebonie Smith, an acclaimed producer and recording engineer, served as the keynote speaker and drew parallels between the rise of artificial intelligence and the impact of Napster on the music industry. Reflecting on her journey from attendee to speaker, Smith expressed gratitude for AES's dedication to fostering dialogue and innovation in audio engineering.

Among the popular sessions was a discussion featuring GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Jack Antonoff and recording engineer Laura Sisk, who shared insights from their successful studio collaboration. Additionally, Smith participated in a panel titled “Sonic Mastery – A Room Of One’s Own,” alongside renowned figures such as Gloria Kaba and Eva Horne, focusing on the experiences of Black women in the audio industry.

Technical Program Highlights

Technical programming at the AES Show continues to be popular, with sessions analyzing high-profile recording projects. This year, attendees learned about the remixing of Bob Marley’s classic albums into Dolby Atmos, presented with humor by audio engineer Eliot Kissileff and Universal Music Group's Nick Rives. Another standout session featured NPR audio engineer Neil Tevault and Music Technical Director Josh Newell discussing the origins of the iconic Tiny Desk Concerts series.

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

The AES Show also provided a platform for discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the audio field. The Gender Equity Townhall brought together representatives from various organizations, including Women’s Audio Mission and She Is the Music, to address the ongoing gender imbalance in the industry. Jeanne Montalvo, co-chair of the convention, expressed satisfaction with the meaningful conversations generated around diversity and the future of audio.

Looking Ahead

Michael Hagen, co-chair of the event, emphasized the balance achieved in programming, which included traditional workshops alongside new topics like immersive music and AI developments. The AES Show was co-located with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show New York, drawing over 18,000 registrants collectively. Looking forward, the AES Show will return to California in October 2025 for the first time since the pandemic, promising more opportunities for learning and engagement in the audio community.