> NEWS Tributes pour in for audio legend The distinguished work of Doctor Sidney Harman is remembered and admired by friends and colleagues
TRIBUTES HAVE been made in the thousands to audio pioneer and all- round mogul Sidney Harman, as several industries, not least professional audio, remember the invaluable contributions he made throughout his distinguished career. Harman, who died
last month at the age of 92 after a short battle with cancer, was known as much for his impeccable business acumen as he was for his inventiveness and grasp of physics. Among his abundant achievements were establishing Harman/Kardon (with Bernard Kardon), inventing the concept of hi-fi and subsequently developing the world’s first integrated home system, with a polished wooden case. More innovations followed, until he sold Harman/Kardon, bought it back and built it up again and sold it once more, making a fortune. Harman was active in audio, education, government and, in the last few months of his life, publishing. He bought the ailing Newsweek last year, just two days before his 92nd birthday. It cost him $1 and liabilities of $47m.
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In the months since he has merged it with The Daily Beast website and turned its fortunes around, telling Jonathon Alter, a 28-year veteran of Newsweek and a columnist for The Daily Beast, that the publication is now on track to break even.
Harman is
remembered for both his business acumen and inventiveness.
American classical music website The Gramaphone noted how Harman’s shrewd business sense has brought the sound of his speakers to listeners all over the world: “Way back
in the early days of the company, Harman astutely pinpointed his target customers – he said that colleges were the breeding grounds for a generation who loved the music and felt that the best way to listen to it was in the dorm with Harman/Kardon equipment. As a result, generations of Americans – and many users around the world – have grown up listening to Harman/Kardon equipment, and the products of Harman group companies, from home stereo and surround-sound equipment to PA speakers at huge rock concerts and the sound systems in the likes of Mercedes and Rolls-Royces.”
Dave Swallow tops the bill at PLASA Focus Thought-provoking session discusses the creative processes of live mixing during Leeds trade show
RENOWNED FOH engineer Dave Swallow’s PLASA Focus seminar attracted a raft of eager punters for his discussion of the creative aspects of live mixing. Presented by Audio Pro International, The Art of Mixing a Show was one of the most subscribed sessions of the show and proved a worthy event for live sound engineers and audio pros alike. Swallow provided some fundamental tips for establishing an ‘audio canvas’ and looked at the elements that inspire creativity and explained that engineers need to use those influences to paint an ‘audio picture’. He stated that the engineer’s job is to realise the artist’s creative vision and provide the tools and methods to achieve this goal, while bringing their own creative influences to the board. This lead to a discussion on
phase, filters and dynamics before 4 audioPRO May 2011
of people so passionate about audio, and so willing to learn. Looking out over the audience to see lots of little light bulbs flickering into life made all the time and effort worthwhile. I even had a lampie asking questions by the end of the talk, which shows that it's not just the noise boys that appreciate what comes out of the speakers." A renowned live sound engineer,
Swallow’s Focus seminar discussed the creative elements of live mixing Swallow commented: “I feel
delving into suggestions on the proper way to use a compressor, understanding the focal point of a song and creating space in the mix.
honoured that PLASA and Audio Pro asked me to come and speak; it's a real privilege to be in a room
Swallow has mixed for Amy Winehouse, La Roux, Seasick Steve, James Blake, Corinne Bailey Rae and many other big name acts during his career. His book, The Art of Mixing a Show, is now available from Focal Press. Swallow will be holding a follow- up seminar at the PLASA London show this September. The video of his Focus seminar will also be available to view on the PLASA
website shortly. >
plasafocus.com/leeds
www.audioprointernational.com
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