Presenter Sessions 2021

Mastering: Past, Present & Future (45 min)

It’s important to know where we came from. Mastering is an art that evolved from science, adapting to new technologies. In this session, we’ll dig into the roots of mastering to understand where recordings came from and how we got to the process we know today. From recording into a single mic, directly cut into the groove of a record, to digital enhancement and streaming music on our phones, let’s learn the lessons from our past to inform our future.

Mastering: What it is and how to do it (1.5 hr) 

Mastering is the last creative step before manufacturing/distribution. Some say it’s the first step in manufacturing & distribution. Either way, the concept of mastering equates to one thing: translation. We’re translating the creative vision of the artist to the fans listening. We’re doing this by converting the audio to the final form. But also enhancing the experience for the listener so that the music is impactful on any system you play it on. Here Anna Frick will take you along as she shows she gets from mix to final master.

Performing Arts in the Virtual World: Creating Virtual Videos for Performance Groups (1.5 hr.)

An in-depth “how to” workshop on creating virtual ensemble performance videos. We will talk through the do’s and don’ts, the steps and processes involved in capturing and collecting your audio and video files, and what is involved in the final edits and mixes of your song. Programs used will be Pro Tools and Adobe Premiere Pro.

Live Sound Production (1.5 hr)

A broad overview of live sound production for a music event. We will use a mid-sized set up to go over the fundamentals of setting up your own PA, optimizing up your console to maximize workflow efficiency, frequency & amplitude adjustments, time-based effects, and routing. We will also cover  audio networking for multiple protocols and destinations. Products used will be Allen & Heath, Dante, and QSC.

Immersive Audio and Women (1.5hr)

Although some audio-related disciplines such as music recording are seeing an increase in diversity and inclusion, others do not seem to be keeping pace. Immersive and spatial audio are disciplines in which diversity is measurably lacking. Mixed-gender social media groups dedicated to audio are comprised of less than 10% women and minorities, and similar groups dedicated to immersive audio exhibit poorer representation. The aim of this presentation is to give an overview of immersive audio and compare the existing data for related fields in order to discover barriers to entry, which include sociological and economic factors.

Live Production: The Four Corners of our New Reality (1.5hr)

The Four Corners — where Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico meet — is the only point in the U.S. shared by four states. You’ve probably seen photos of tourists nimbly “straddling” the land, like a game of Twister, with a foot or hand in each corner. In this session, learn how to keep your Artists, Audiences, Sponsors and Crew alive and happy in Covid-19’s second year. What works for one of these key constituents may not be a good idea–or legal–for the other. It’s the “new reality” of live concert and festival production.

In the Mix with Ms. Lago (1.5hr)

What is mixing? Why do we need to mix? This session offers an in-depth overview in understanding the world of mixing with the tools at hand, creating a workflow that works for you, and knowing when you are ready to deliver a mix for approval.

It All Starts With A Song (45 min)

Judy will share her vision on how to become a more successful songwriter by developing your creative process. She will give you a unique perspective into being an artist: body, mind and soul. And intends to spark your imagination and visualization using your voice, melody and lyric.

5 Song Critique (1.5 hr)

Judy will be demonstrating how to critique songs using examples from the audience. She will share with you techniques that have proven to be successful to gain perspective on your own song.

COVID Career Casualty (45 min)

A personal story of job-seeking in the audio industry during the pandemic.  We’ll talk about mistakes to avoid, lessons learned, and informal advice for students and recent grads entering the job market.”

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (45 min)

This workshop on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion aims to construct a safe space for participants to grow and learn how to be better advocates and allies in the arts and entertainment industry.

Music Supervision while Working Remotely (1.5 hr)

Take a closer look at the process of music selection and licensing for music in film and TV. From finding a song to fit a certain scene, to contacting the artist and licensing the song, all while staying on budget, music supervisors do it all.