The Verband Deutscher Tonmeister is holding the International Conference on Spatial Audio (ICSA) for the third time, from September 18th to 20ththis year, and is focusing on the extremely popular topic of professional 3D audio production that experts see as both today’s challenge and a vision of a promising future. This time the conference is taking place in Graz, Austria, in cooperation with the Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics (IEM) at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. In the past years, 2011 in Detmold and 2014 in Erlangen (both in Germany), ICSA was a great success and is already reckoned as an established conference series for late-breaking 3D audio topics.
ICSA is concerned with the technical and theoretical background of three-dimensional audio production and reproduction. Yet the conference also gives participants an opportunity to listen to samples and become acquainted with aspects of different approaches to production relevant to format. An environment optimized for room acoustics provides the experience of spatial audio projects in a conventional 5.1 surround setting, as well as expanded surround formats up to 3D Audio 9.1 or 3D Higher Order Ambisonics systems with more than 25 loudspeakers.
With this year’s motto “The 3D Audio Production Chain,” the event addresses experts from production, research and development who wish to take different technological, commercial or artistic approaches to the subject in future. The content of the conference program is made up of contributions by numerous colleagues from industry, production and science, who specialize in core topics such as binaural technologies and recordings, microphone setups, wave field synthesis, transmission and encoding, standardization, up and down mixing, spatial perception, quality control and channel or object-based production. One task of the conference is also to bring together the scientific and professional experts of both fields tofacilitatean understanding of the complex demands of 3D audio productions.
The presence of two OB trucks (ORF and B&R 3D Audio Soundmobil) underscores the practical aspect and three-dimensional listening experience, which are also emphasized by the cooperation with the manufacturers Fohhn Audio, Barco Technologies, Lambda Labs, Sonible/Synthax und Audio Export. One of the event’s highlights is an Ambisonic evening concert, which will be recorded in one of the OB trucks and transmitted binaurally, using terrestrial, as well as in 5.1 via satellite. The extensive program features workshops, lectures and panel discussions, which will have an exclusive setting in the university, supplemented by an exhibition area and a minimum of three spatial audio demonstration rooms.
The conference is presided over by Dr. Alois Sontacchi (IEM), Dr. Franz Zotter (IEM), Dr. Matthias Frank (IEM), DI Hannes Pomberger (IEM) and Dr. Günther Theile (VDT). The participation fee is EUR 450 including catering. VDT members have access to a discounted rate of EUR 320. Registration is available from July 20th to September 13th. Hotel reservations are available through the Graz Convention Bureau. The language of the conference is English.
ICSA 2015
Date of event: September 18th to 20th, 2015
Venue: University of Music and Performing Arts Graz,
MUMUTH, Theater im Palais
Lichtenfelsgasse 14 / Leonhardstraße 15
8010 Graz
Austria
This international conference is held in English.
Info: www.tonmeister.de