EDINBURGH — A special event hosted by the Audio Engineering Society Scottish Group has been hailed one of the most successful to date. The event hosted at Edinburgh Napier University last month focused on Front of House sound. Leading staff from BBC Scotland and pro-audio company The Warehouse Sound Services presented to over 100 students in audio related education and industry professionals.
More details at The Audio Engineering Society (AES) (www.aes.org):
The Audio Engineering Society (AES) is the foremost international organisation dedicated to the increasingly wide field of audio engineering. In the sixty years since it was founded, it has provided the industry with a worldwide framework for the advancement of both the science and the art of audio.
The AES Scottish Group is headed up by Dr David Moore of Glasgow Caledonian University and Jim Hunter Senior Sound supervisor for BBC Scotland. Jim Hunter has been a Television Sound Supervisor for 25 years. He continues to deliver both live and recorded shows, in studios and on outside broadcasts. Dr Moore is a lecturer in Audio Technology and leader of the BSc Audio Technology degree programme at Glasgow Caledonian University.
The event kicked off with Andrew Britton, Operations Resource Manager at BBC Scotland, who explained the law and regulations for front of house sound and Noise at Work regulations.
It was followed by a presentation from leading pro-audio provider The Warehouse Sound Services. The lecture drew upon The Warehouse’s unique perspective and experience and outlined the creative and technical challenges of working in a Front of House environment.
The Warehouse’s clients have included the BBC, Paramount Pictures, Edinburgh Festival Fireworks Concert, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. The company has also supplied equipment to bands including Muse, Biffy Clyro and Simple Minds.
Pete Harris sound hire manager at The Warehouse and Derek Blair, the company’s Director discussed what it was like to work FOH as part of Scotland’s biggest pro-audio provider. Harris and Blair discussed the way in which The Warehouse Sound Services works with performers, instrument technicians and stage managers to perform sound-checks, ensure that all equipment is working properly and that the audience hears and experiences the ultimate performance.
Harris drew on vast FOH experiences including working for the BBC Proms in the Park, the BBC Hogmanay Show and for Scottish folk band Capercaillie. Harris explained to the students that front of house engineering requires a good ear and the ability to work well under pressure. He also outlined the way in which FOH engineers diligently work to find the best possible mix for the performer and venue. Drawing on his experience Harris also detailed the way in which live performance schedules can be very stressful, especially at events like music festivals, with dozens of bands on the bill and stage changes that must happen in very narrow windows.
Derek Blair also explained the importance in keeping up with the constant advances in live sound technology and the requirement for constant learning. Blair commented, “Advances in audio production technology have sparked amazing creative responses from audio providers, musicians and venues. Advanced audio equipment can enhance the experience of a consumer in ways that were almost unimaginable thirty years ago.
Derek added, “The pro-audio business is ever-evolving and the main challenge our industry faces is finding high calibre staff who are switched on and excited by the new technology. It was amazing to find a room full of excited and switched on students eager to learn and advance in the industry.”
David Moore, AES Scotland Chair, added, “This talk was definitely one of the stand-out events of the year! This was a rare opportunity for students to listen to three of the countries leading professionals as they shared their unique perspectives in the field of audio. The talk certainly inspired and encouraged the attendees and the feedback was very positive indeed!”.
