Dr. AIX

Mark Waldrep, aka Dr. AIX, has been producing and engineering music for over 40 years. He learned electronics as a teenager from his HAM radio father while learning to play the guitar. Mark received the first doctorate in music composition from UCLA in 1986 for a "binaural" electronic music composition. Other advanced degrees include an MS in computer science, an MFA/MA in music, BM in music and a BA in art. As an engineer and producer, Mark has worked on projects for the Rolling Stones, 311, Tool, KISS, Blink 182, Blues Traveler, Britney Spears, the San Francisco Symphony, The Dover Quartet, Willie Nelson, Paul Williams, The Allman Brothers, Bad Company and many more. Dr. Waldrep has been an innovator when it comes to multimedia and music. He created the first enhanced CDs in the 90s, the first DVD-Videos released in the U.S., the first web-connected DVD, the first DVD-Audio title, the first music Blu-ray disc and the first 3D Music Album. Additionally, he launched the first High Definition Music Download site in 2007 called iTrax.com. A frequency speaker at audio events, author of numerous articles, Dr. Waldrep is currently writing a book on the production and reproduction of high-end music called, "High-End Audio: A Practical Guide to Production and Playback". The book should be completed in the fall of 2013.

6 thoughts on “Immersive Audio: AES Day 3

  • Carlo Lo Raso

    Wow! Ambisonics. Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time! I’ve wondered on a few occasions if Atmos or Aura3D took any cues from Ambisonics technology of if it is completely different stuff.

    Reply
    • Not really, different technologies. The Atomos system uses object based audio. Ambisonics uses an array of microphones that can be combined and adjusted to produce compelling soundfields.

      Reply
  • Just fine for theater sound I guess, but why is there always a bunch of competing formats whenever something new comes out?
    As for home systems, forgetaboutit. When are they going to learn that the average home theater buyer has neither the room, $, desire, wife acceptance, etc,,etc, for any of these systems beyond the 5.1s they struggled to get up and running for all the reasons listed earlier.
    Is it all about the money or are the designers and manufacturers honest in their belief that the market really needs and wants this huge expansion of their home technology.
    I guess I’m just mentally blocked that their is enough people with the desire and means to support 9.2 channels in Lord knows how many different formats for a SOTA Home Theater.
    I apologize, guess its just me, I can’t understand how today’s High End Audio stereo market is able to keep itself afloat when I look at the cost of a complete Stereophile Class A system? It could easily swallow up half a million and that’s just for 2 channel stereo. My head spins.
    God Bless Everyone and enjoy your prosperity.
    Sal

    Reply
  • Kevon Manuel

    Hi Mark.. I know this is way off topic but I wanted to hear your opinion on HDCD, XRCD vs SACD, DVD-A

    Reply
  • Joe Whip

    I have yet to year Atmos at a commercial theater as there are no commercial theaters in the Philly market. I have attended a private demo given by Dolby in NYC and have heard a couple Atmos discs at a friend’s home who is a reviewer. It is definitely a worthwhile upgrade. However, it seems to me that it is best suited to action movies although it can work wonders with music recorded in a large space. The real key to immersive sound and Atmos in particular is the upmixer for use with non encoded Atmos mixes. I have heard it take a 2 channel recording with a ton of the room audible and totally surround you with the room, giving the illusion of being in a room with a 20 foot ceiling. However, you will need a new AVR or pre/pro, maybe another amp, possibly in ceiling speakers, etc. While I am interested, I am waiting for the 4K standards to be set and implemented in both the hardware and software before spedning money on immersive audio. I do look forward to it though. Maybe by the end of 2016.

    Reply

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