AES Show 2024 NY

Wireless audio, both mics and in-ear-monitors, has become essential in many live productions of music and theatre, but it is often fraught with uneasiness and uncertainty. The panel of presenters will draw on their varied experience and knowledge to show how practitioners can use best engineering practices to ensure reliability and performance of their wireless mic and in-ear-monitor systems.

The Healthy Ears, Limited Annoyance (HELA) certification scheme, which originated within the AES Technical Committee on Acoustics and Sound Reinforcement, launched in summer 2024. Tailored for event organizers, sound engineers, venue managers, musicians, and all other key live event industry stakeholders, HELA offers a comprehensive framework for delivering live music experiences that protect audience hearing and minimize neighborhood disturbances. This session will delve into the balance between sound quality, hearing health and community harmony. Attendees will gain practical insights into HELA's guidance on sound level management and effective communication strategies, fostering a community dedicated to sustainable live event production. Join us to discover how HELA Certification can set a new industry standard, creating memorable yet safe and respectful experiences for everyone involved.

This workshop falls under the category of an AES Tutorial. This workshop outlines the tested method implemented in a small house of worship, and aims to demystify WHO standards as well as communicate an effective solution to implement hearing health monitoring.

Implementing affordable and efficient hearing health monitoring in small music venues is crucial to align with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines aimed at preventing hearing damage due to prolonged exposure to high sound levels, which have become much more standardized in recent years. This tutorial will address the unique challenges faced by small music venues, especially houses of worship, which often operate under tighter budgets and where user-friendly permanent solutions are key to long term success. The WHO guidelines emphasize regular monitoring of sound levels, provision of adequate hearing protection, and educating both patrons and staff about the risks of hearing loss and the measures that can be taken to mitigate these risks. This workshop will provide a detailed, practical, and cost-effective roadmap for small venues to implement these recommendations without compromising on the quality of the musical experience. We will walk through interpreting the WHO and AES hearing health standards for live venues, and making sense of large technical documents to communicate to volunteers and newer employees, as well as outline a real world tested solution to implementing hearing health monitoring. Another area of focus will be a brief explanation of how human hearing works, and how it can be damaged. The tutorial will demonstrate how to collect and interpret data, and practical everyman solutions to adapt to hearing health challenges as they arise. Another critical aspect of the tutorial will be on hearing protection strategies. Small music venues can provide disposable earplugs to patrons and staff at a minimal cost or invest in reusable earplugs that offer better sound quality while protecting hearing. The tutorial will discuss the different types of earplugs available, their cost, and how to encourage their use among patrons without detracting from the concert experience. Education is a cornerstone of the WHO guidelines, and this tutorial will explore effective ways to raise awareness about hearing health. This includes training staff to recognize the signs of excessive sound exposure and understand the importance of hearing protection, as well as developing clear and engaging signage and informational materials for patrons. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a comprehensive understanding of how to implement a hearing health monitoring system in their venues that is both practical and affordable, aligned with the WHO guidelines, and tailored to the unique needs of small music venues. They will leave equipped with actionable strategies, practical tools, and a network of peers committed to promoting hearing health in the music community. This tutorial not only aims to protect the hearing of patrons and staff but also to enhance the overall quality of the live music experience by fostering a safer and more aware listening environment.

This presentation provides an insightful overview of statistical acoustic calculation techniques and geometrical acoustic modeling. It addresses the unique challenges associated with small to medium-sized spaces and delves into the intricacies of contemporary ray tracing software tools. Attendees will also learn about the latest advancements of using these tools in immersive audio environments. Additionally, the presentation will showcase comparative low-frequency analysis calculations obtained using a variety of tools, including boundary element methods (BEM), finite element
methods (FEM) and others. The session includes a series of real-world case studies to illustrate these concepts in practical applications.

Join SoundGirls as we explore the different skill sets required for various production environments, from clubs to arena and stadium tours, as well as corporate events. We'll discuss what it takes to become the ideal candidate in each setting and how to stay relevant as a freelance live sound engineer.

In addition, we'll cover the importance of education in audio engineering, focusing on career development, networking, certifications, and the value of continuing education.

The panel will include members from SoundGirls.


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Barbara Adams is an audio engineer and educator with 30 years of experience in the music industry. She specializes in live sound and production management. Her strong and varied experience also includes recording and artist management. She has worked in Philadelphia’s top music venues, toured and worked festivals as FOH and monitor engineer, and educated and mentored the next generation since 2010.

Barbara is an Associate Teaching Professor at Rowan University and a vital part of their music industry program. In addition to teaching classes in recording technology and live sound, she helps students find opportunities to gain valuable experience both in and out of the university community.

Barbara advocates for creating more diversity in this industry while she inspires the next generation of techs to follow their dreams in the music industry. She is a member of the Audio Engineering Society, Recording Academy, and the Philadelphia chapter president of Soundgirls.


Carolyn Slothour is a freelance live sound engineer based in New York with 10 years of experience in the audio industry with a specialization in FOH, monitor, and systems engineering. She has recently worked with artists such as Matchbox Twenty, Rob Thomas and Michael Bublé, and has mixed at festivals including Download, When We Were Young, Corona Capital, Slam Dunk and Lollapalooza. In addition to engineering, she develops curriculum and teaches live sound engineering courses for a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve accessibility and diversity within the audio industry. When not working, Carolyn enjoys making electronic music and spinning fire.


Kitzy is an audio engineer with experience in live sound, recording, post-production, and podcasting. As a touring FOH engineer, she has worked with artists like Maude Latour, Devon Again, Leanna Firestone, and Bartees Strange. In addition to her work as a touring engineer, Kitzy owns a small audio production & rental company in Philadelphia.

Kitzy was the co-host of the independent music podcast Left of the Dial, as well as the engineer behind the board for Left of the Dial's live in-studio sessions. She is also one of the co-hosts for the upcoming relaunch of the SoundGirls podcast.

Kitzy strives to be an advocate for people who are gender non-conforming, neurodivergent, and/or disabled in the live sound and production industry. When she isn't working, Kitzy enjoys fixing and riding motorcycles, playing with her housemate's dog, and working on her own music.

This tutorial presents a detailed examination of the first known large-scale implementation of the WHO Global Standard for Safe Listening Venues and Events at the 2023 Serendipity Arts Festival, India's largest multidisciplinary arts event. The case study highlights the methods used to monitor and manage sound levels, the design and deployment of sound systems, and the provision of personal hearing protection, training and information. The session will delve into the practical challenges encountered, the strategies employed to adhere to the WHO Global Standard, and the outcomes of these efforts. Attendees will gain an understanding of the complexities involved in applying safe listening principles in a live event context and the implications for future large-scale events.

The workshop will offer an insight into what develops beside Dolby Atmos and immersive live applications. A brand new LED Dome project in LA will be introduced and how audio will be managed not only on a 40-channel custom configuration but also in other areas of the venue like different bars, launches, and broadcasts. The challenge is dealing with various spaces and formats, interactively, and how to create content for such a location.

Large scale systems face unique challenges of scale, shape, acoustic overflow restrictions, flown weight restrictions and yet still must produce high quality experiences for the audience. Join Bob McCarthy for a discussion of the large-scale outdoor systems used in festivals from the NY Philharmonic in Central Park through major rock festivals.