Parsons Expo99:Keeping Up

With Technology

At the Parsons Audio Expo99 on November 11 (Veterans Day), Paul Lehrman of MIX Magazine moderated a lively discussion of Keeping Up With Technology. The panelists included Jim Anderson of Sound Techniques, Tom Bates (independent engineer), Michael Bierylo of Berklee and Virtual Planet, Jeff Largent of National/Boston Video Center, Scott Metcalfe of the Hartt School of Music, Andy Munitz of Sony Professional Audio, Allen Smith of Soundtrack, and Jonathan Wyner of M Works.

The event began with words about technology of another era, written by Henry D. Thoreau shortly after the railroad first pushed its way past Walden Pond to his native Concord: "We do not ride upon the railroad. It rides upon us." As the evening unfolded the panelists proved that, with regard to today's audio technology, the riding process is mutual. Technology is us.

Paul Lehrman remarked that our audio tools are forever changing, leav- ing us to face some of the difficulties a musician would face if forced to change instruments repeatedly in mid-career. As product cycles get shorter, he observed, the situation gets worse. Product cycles begin to blend together, to the extent that sometimes something is obsolete by the time you learn it. He referred to a treadmill of continuous upgrades.

Paul posed three questions to the panel. What are the interesting tech- nologies out there now and why are they interesting to you? What could manufacturers do to help you with your technology upgrade decisions? What do you need from audio journalists to help you in your technology