June 1996: Volume 4, Number 10
IMAX Sound: Past, Present, and Future!
Presented by Tim Archer, Chief Engineer at Master's Workshop
- Date: Tuesday 25 June 1996
- Time: 7:30 pm
- Place: Master's Workshop
- Address: 306 Rexdale Boulevard, Suite 7
- Rexdale, ON
- North-west corner Martin Grove and Rexdale
- TTC: Kipling Subway Station, then Northbound Martin Grove Bus
What's Inside
The Meeting
At the June meeting we'll get a look behind the scenes at Master's
Workshop. Tim Archer, Chief Engineer at Master's Workshop will share with
us some of his substantial experience with mixing sound for IMAX® films.
Following Tim's talk (IMAX Sound: Past, Present, and Future) we'll get to
hear some of his work. Tim has prepared a demonstration of some of the more
spectacular clips from IMAX films he has mixed.
What's Inside
IMAX Sound
IMAX. You hear the word and you picture incredible images projected on a
huge screen. With an image ten times the size of a conventional 35mm frame
and a screen eight stories high, it certainly makes a lasting visual
impression.
But as with all good motion picture systems, sound plays a huge role in the
impact of the film experience. IMAX takes it's sound very seriously.
"Sound is critical to the IMAX experience. The IMAX six-channel,
high-fidelity motion picture sound system, with sub-bass, is manufactured
by Sonics Associates Inc., a world leader in sound system design. The
Sonics Proportional Point Source (TM) Loudspeaker system specifically
designed for IMAX theatres, eliminates variations in volume and sound
quality over the theatre seating area. This allows all members of the
audience to experience superb sound quality regardless of where they may be
seated. The IMAX Personal Sound Environment System (IMAX PSE) provides the
audio complement for the strong visual effects of IMAX® 3D and IMAX Solido®
films."
IMAX is a Canadian success story. The system has its roots in EXPO '67 in
Montreal where multi-screen films were the hit of the fair. A small group
of Canadian filmmakers/entrepreneurs (Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor and
Robert Kerr), who had made some of those popular films, decided to design a
new system using a single, powerful projector, rather than the cumbersome
multiple projectors used at that time. The result was the IMAX motion
picture projection system which would revolutionize giant-screen cinema.
Follow these links to other sites for more info on IMAX.
What's Inside
Master's Workshop
Master's Workshop is the undisputed leader in the production of complete
soundtracks for large screen formats such as IMAX. They handle audio
production from sound design, editorial, and Foley to the final digital six
channel mix and distribution masters.
Among the "firsts" for Master's Workshop:
- First computerized IMAX mix in an actual IMAX theatre (1984)
- First digital IMAX soundtrack (1988)
- First digital IMAX Solido soundtrack (1990)
- First digital edit and mix in IMAX HD for a simulator attraction (1994)
Recent credits from Master's Workshop include Dallas Signature Film (1996),
Africa: The Serengeti (1994), Asteroid Adventure (1994), Fires of Kuwait
(1992), and Mountain Gorilla (1991).
The facility features two main mixing theatres. T1 is the IMAX mix room, T2
is a 1500 sq ft multipurpose stage room , T3 is a television mix room.
There are 6 edit suties, a foley stage/recording studio, and an ADR
studio. Equipment includes 64 and 56 input Neoteks, and 3 Sony 3324's (24
track digital).
What's Inside
It's that time again. Anyone interested in serving with the AES Toronto
Executive for the 1996-97 year should contact Earl McCLuskie at (519)
888-7111 ext 330, or
earlm@opentext.com. It's your opportunity to have some
input on organizing section meetings and spending the section's money. We
would be pleased to have you on board.
Elections will be held at the meeting (if necessary) and next year's exec
will be announced.
What's Inside
More than the usual donuts and coffee! Bring your family and friends. We'll
be celebrating another successful year. It's a great chance to socialize
with members of the Toronto area audio community.
What's Inside
Copyright 1996
Audio Engineering Society
Toronto Section
Articles may be used with the Author's Permission.
Contact the Bulletin Editor:earlm@opentext.com
Editor: Earl McCluskie
Print Layout Editor: Lee White
Markup by Peter Cook
This page was created Tuesday, May 28, 1996 at 1:31 AM.
It was last updated Sun, Jun 16, 1996 at 12:38 PM.
Please contact TorontoAES@vex.net to report any problems.