New York - Jul 23, 2008 - The Audio Engineering Society has completed the first phase of the AES Oral History Project. Initiated in 1997 by AES member Irv Joel, the project was envisioned as an opportunity to provide insights into the creative and technical mindsets of the founding fathers of professional audio for future generations. Early in 2007, Joel enlisted Harry Hirsch to edit the material into a series of DVDs.

Premiered at the AES 60th Anniversary Celebration sponsored by the New York Section on March 11, excerpts from the AES Oral History Project provided anecdotes from Columbia Records engineer Frank Laico (Dylan, Miles Davis, Streisand, Sinatra); Louis Goodfriend, first editor of the AES Journal; Norman Pickering, pioneer in phonograph cartridge design; and Les Paul, the godfather of multi-track recording.

The initial group of DVDs also include interviews with Michael Dorrough, Academy Award-winning audio innovator and broadcast industry pioneer; John M. Eargle, educator, mentor, and JBL Professional executive; Robin C. Caine, Pro-Bel executive, writer and innovator in broadcast facility digital, signal distribution and control systems; Kees A.S. Immink, scientist, inventor, and father of the CD; Alex Balster, former Polygram CD technology developer and acoustical consultant; Stanley P. Lipshitz, researcher, collaborator on techniques for digital audio mastering and signal processing which are now standard practice, and past-president of the AES; Richard Small, scientist, educator and leader in electroacoustic applications for loudspeaker analysis and measurement; Henk De Wit, recording and broadcast engineer and independent consumer electronics consultant; Cor L. Doesburg, inventor, author, and Dutch Broadcasting executive; Tom Magchielse, audio expert for Dutch Broadcasting Laboratories, innovator in microphone design and construction to room acoustics; Subir K. Pramanik, instrumental in the introduction of aesthetics to Bang & Olufsen products, AES Int'l president 1993-1995, president 1997-1998, board of governors 1999-2001; Neville Thiele, Australian Broadcasting Commission member, collaborated with Richard H. Small on the Thiele/Small Parameter; Han Tendeloo, AES secretary, design engineer at Philips, instrumental in the development of the CD and the construction of the facilities needed to produce them; Hermann A.O. Wilms, researcher in room acoustics, professor at National Institute of Radio and Cinematography in Brussels and recipient of the AES Distinguished Service Medal Award; Cornelis H. van de Gragt, producer and recording engineer for Dutch Broadcasting and distinguished educator at Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague; Titia Bakker, Philips Phonographic Industries executive, instrumental in the development of the European regions for the AES.

The AES plans to release the complete set of DVD interviews over the next 12 months as they become available. The AES plans to conduct further interviews as well.

The initial 20 AES Oral History Project DVDs are available at www.aes.org. The cost is $15 for AES members, $20 for non-members.