More than 200 audio engineers, sound researchers, developers and academics will gather for the conference entitled Multichannel Audio: The New Reality that runs June 26 to June 28. The three-day event features seminars, presentations, and demonstrations of surround sound technology and equipment.

"We are at an important phase in the audio industry and although surround sound has been in movie theatres for decades it is leaping into home theatres not only for movies but for music playback as well," says conference chair Theresa Leonard of The Banff Centre. "This event is a gathering of the best minds and ears in the industry - talented individuals who will be leading the next wave of surround sound technology, bringing it into living rooms and dens around the world."

Individually or collaboratively, Massenburg has participated in over 200 record albums during the past 30 years. His engineering and producing credits include songs and albums for Earth Wind and Fire, Billy Joel, Kenny Loggins, Journey, Madeleine Peyroux, James Taylor, Randy Newman, Lyle Lovett, Aaron Neville, Little Feat, Michael Ruff, Toto, The Dixie Chicks, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Linda Ronstadt. Massenburg is a multiple Grammy-winning producer and engineer and has received a Grammy for Technical Achievement in audio.

Massenburg is currently Adjunct Professor of Recording Arts and Sciences at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and visiting lecturer at UCLA and USC in Los Angeles, California and MTSU in Murfreesborom, Tennessee. He is also chairman of the Technical Council on Studio Practices for AES.

For more information about the AES conference visit www.banffcentre.ca/aes

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