00:00:00: Hi there, my name is Usheen Lonnie and welcome to Audio Talks presented you by Harman.

00:00:05: This the podcast where we are still celebrating the JBL eightieth anniversary.

00:00:10: Oh yes!

00:00:10: Now technology has obviously changed a lot since James B Lansing set a series of events in progress eighty years ago that would transform how entire world experiences high quality sound.

00:00:24: And indeed today's dazzling technology Would have been mind blowing for audio engineers from eight years ago.

00:00:30: Now, since then the world has of course moved on from analog to digital and too immersive but some things never change And at the end of day it really is The unique people and their unique experiences that still makes JBL what It Is today!

00:00:46: Today On the Harmon Audio Talks podcast I'm delighted To be joined by two of the exceptional People working with Some Of the most exciting live stages on the planet.

00:00:55: Welcome to the Podcast Lisa Brock Affenzeller Business Development Manager for Touring Pro Audio, Duck and Benelux at Harman International.

00:01:03: How are you doing Lisa?

00:01:04: Great!

00:01:05: Thank You.

00:01:05: thanks by having me on the podcast.

00:01:07: Great to have you here And joining us.

00:01:09: also on the Podcast is Daniela Peters The Global Director of Tour & Rental Sales For JBL At Harman international.

00:01:18: Welcome To The Podcast Daniela.

00:01:20: Thanks By Having Me Too Great To Be Here.

00:01:22: Okay So Listen Let's cast the clock backwards, we're kind of taking a bit of trip down rock and roll memory lane.

00:01:28: And I wonder if both you would just like to have think about what's your moment when first really fell in love with sound?

00:01:37: What was it that captured your imagination?

00:01:40: We'll start yourself Lisa.

00:01:43: Yes there were definitely many moments in my life That made me fall in love With music and sounds In general.

00:01:50: i told this story couple times.

00:01:53: very young, I really wanted to be a conductor.

00:01:56: I was raised in the classical household.

00:01:58: my parents were classic enthusiasts so for me it's something that i want to go after and i thought this is best thing to do.

00:02:08: as i got older role came into life when guitars and heavy drums come obsessed with raw music and with large rock shows.

00:02:19: And I've watched all of the live shows, i had live DVDs from my favorite band but would watch them endlessly!

00:02:25: I also very early knew that a career on stage was definitely not for me because I didn't want to be a performer... ...and I-I was always very musical..but I was never an instrumentalist.... ..I got very bored with instruments very quickly in my life so I pursued trying to be a sound engineer.

00:02:45: And twenty years later, here I am!

00:02:47: That's absolutely brilliant.

00:02:48: thank you Lisa and Daniela.

00:02:50: how about your good self?

00:02:51: Was there a moment that you fell in love with Sound back

00:02:57: in the day?

00:03:06: by trade growing up, and now she works for the Royal Academy.

00:03:09: And she took us to musicals all the time.

00:03:11: I remember that just being a highlight... ...and then when i moved to the United States for a job and by fluke became friends with All The Team at Rat Sound and going to that first Gig.

00:03:24: They hired me as a production assistant for that first, one of the very first Coachellas and I was like wow you can do this for job?

00:03:33: And get paid!

00:03:35: Be around all these music and creative people... That's what sold to me.

00:03:40: That sounds like fun Coachella indeed but we will hear more about it later i'm sure.

00:03:45: But coming back to yourself Lisa Was there any particular show or console recording session or a mentor that really helps to shape your understanding of what great sound should be.

00:03:58: Yeah, I think it was very lucky in my life that i had a few mentors That helped me on my way and if you're particular people who always held A door open for me.

00:04:08: So I think that's really important when you want to be a sound engineer.

00:04:13: come into this business like Daniela just that you stand there and I, You think Like This is cool.

00:04:17: And can pay my rent with this?

00:04:19: That's amazing but do really need people to hold those doors open for us so we can write through it?

00:04:28: back in the analogue days when i started was absolutely impressed by very large channel consoles vaults of outward gear and I always thought it would be really cool just to know how to dance with this thing.

00:04:47: Do you really know what that does?

00:04:48: So, do you really now all these buttons doing like yeah!

00:04:52: i totally know one of the buttons too...I though is was a very cool things handle on those very large piece of equipment in any Lifestyle system.

00:05:04: totally, it's like you know don't mind me.

00:05:06: I'm just driving the spaceship over here.

00:05:08: I mean to somebody who doesn't know how one of those boards works.

00:05:11: they are utterly magical and mystifying.

00:05:14: so i love that image.

00:05:17: Yeah, you're in the zone and you totally know how to drive those things.

00:05:20: That's brilliant!

00:05:21: And Daniela...you mentioned that there was a bit of serendipity about your early days in business?

00:05:26: You kind came across Coachella and it just incredibly impactful and changed your life.

00:05:31: really I think that your career probably has quite a few unexpected moments twists chance encounters.

00:05:39: looking back today Are there any lessons from those early experiences that still influence your work today?

00:05:46: I

00:05:46: think the most impactful thing that i've realized over time is, The relationships of people you meet.

00:06:10: And over the years, we must have hired maybe eighty engineers each year to man all the stages.

00:06:17: So I grew up with a lot of people that now today are still in my world and come across even though Those same people are around.

00:06:29: We've grown up together and had shared experiences in business relationships, And I remember when i started at JBL there was some heavy hitters In the industry Dave Chardon Michael McDonald who is president of JBL At one point time.

00:06:44: Then he became President of ATK.

00:06:46: That Became One Of My Clients.

00:06:48: those were two names just out of a handful that I was so intimidated by it at first because i grew up with them.

00:06:56: I used to spend hours on the phone with Dave Choudon and he'd teach me things, talk about his experiences... And then they became my clients!

00:07:05: It's like..I grew up as a little girl when I started and now all these people are still meeting but in completely different facets.

00:07:17: You never know what you're starting out your early days those relationships that you will build in this industry, we'll come around time and time again.

00:07:28: So be careful who you meet.

00:07:30: always be nice!

00:07:32: Always Be Nice is a fantastic motto for life.

00:07:35: it's like... You can't really go wrong I think with that.

00:07:38: but particularly music.

00:07:39: It kind of rock'n roll family thing or live music family And yeah..you meet the same people over many years.

00:07:46: so Yeah ..be nicely

00:07:50: high stress environments, sometimes a concert because you've got especially in the live arena right?

00:07:56: You've got one shot to make that show good.

00:07:58: So there's a lot of pressure on people and this is passionate people In our industry And it's about constantly okay all right Get centered be cool Because its very high-pressure environment.

00:08:13: Right Lisa

00:08:16: Yeah, that's also maybe one of the reasons.

00:08:19: I'm glad you mentioned it while i came to life because... ...I could never be a studio rat!

00:08:24: I've tried during the pandemic.. ..I tryed to be a mixer in the studio or just working at the studio and needed this one shot live feeling.

00:08:35: yeah, I need- I needed this feeling if you have this one chance.

00:08:39: And then next day is another day and on the show, possibly a different show.

00:08:44: It's that one-shot moment.

00:08:45: it kind of all or nothing has to be perfect.

00:08:48: for some people That would be The last thing they ever want to do but For People like your good selves its like the adrenaline stress.

00:08:56: You can extract exquisite performances And perform at you very best.

00:09:01: Make sure these moments are just flawless.

00:09:04: But Its not everyone.

00:09:05: I know exactly what you're saying Wondering if could have think where you are now and the technology, networks experiences that have no.

00:09:15: And then think about that side of the industry when you started.

00:09:20: what do you think somebody new coming into the industry in twenty-twenty six would think things as they were When You Started?

00:09:29: I Think this speed at which technology has developed is mind boggling.

00:09:36: it just continues to orbit and go on a whole different trajectory.

00:09:41: When I started, we were using Dave's home-built garage built rat traps for one of the stages at Coachella right?

00:09:51: And now you've got these uber sophisticated line arrays... The software, the technology.

00:09:58: We have our own venue synthesis For example where you can predict and get sound To every seat in the arena.

00:10:05: It's a whole other world and I don't think anybody today would quite comprehend how it was when i started.

00:10:13: Quite a long time ago,

00:10:14: its all relative.

00:10:15: as they say these gray hairs dont come for free but thank you.

00:10:18: that is really good point Daniella!

00:10:19: And what about yourself Lisa?

00:10:21: What would be kind of shocking to somebody coming in today how you came into the business and what you had to work with?

00:10:27: Well, like Daniela said I think that the ability of sound prediction is a huge achievement in the digital world.

00:10:34: And i think it's still striking the most as multi-course.

00:10:39: we don't work very large multi-courses anymore between the front of house at this stage over a muddy field or hundreds of meters from each other.

00:10:51: It sometimes hard to believe its just one very thin strands that carry digital protocols and the scalability of things as well, not just the analog multicores but also.

00:11:04: The same deaths that perform main stage on a large festival will perform in a tiny club for next day.

00:11:12: And I think the biggest achievement is memory function like the ability to actually be able To store A show.

00:11:20: Like you hit a button then You say oh this show was great save And then you give it a name of the city that you've been in, and then you can recall to show them next day.

00:11:29: I do remember back in the analogue days when we needed to share our big analogue desk between multiple bands or more than one band... You sometimes come into the desk with your headliner which is taped off at first twenty-four channels Or the first thirty six channels but weren't allowed touch them.

00:11:49: So only use twelve channels left over and probably not even be able to use any of the outboards, so you weren't able to us compressors or gates.

00:11:58: So whatever they left you with... And now we all have this in a tiny computer ...with a couple faders....and many layers!

00:12:06: You've

00:12:06: really bought home my memory.

00:12:08: there too I was in a band back in the day as i say Back In The Nineties We were doing this gig at Italy.

00:12:13: Now remember having the settings for each channel written down on this kind of photocopied paper.

00:12:19: You know, we'd have to kind of set the desk up every night and all this stuff.

00:12:22: Now you can do that with a touch-of button.

00:12:24: And for any listeners who are interested in those multi core looms We did have the inventor Bill Hanley from Hanley Sound, who did the sound at Woodstocks.

00:12:36: He invented all kinds of stuff and he's on a previous episode of The Podcast.

00:12:39: so do dive into the show notes And we will point you directly to that chat because it is super interesting.

00:12:44: So listen Lisa.

00:12:45: I'd like to stay with yourself Because you've kind of described this incredible journey From the headliners taping up the desk Because there was such pain To re-root everything and reset everything.

00:12:55: All these things Analog, and now it's hybrid.

00:12:58: And how is fully digital in terms of your day-to-day engineering practice?

00:13:04: What something that has changed for you directly by all this technology.

00:13:08: I think what's changed?

00:13:10: in a touring environment the most Is more bands have the ability to actually bring their own audio production is one thing.

00:13:26: If you're big enough to be a band, to tour your own PA?

00:13:30: You'll obviously always need that certain truck space but... ...you probably don't need this large truck-space anymore for anything happening in front of the PA because everything we said was smaller footprints and less cables everything that comes along with that.

00:13:54: So on the logistics side of things, that's changed drastically I believe.

00:13:58: That had never crossed my mind but it makes total sense.

00:14:01: do you think we'd lost anything through digital workflows?

00:14:04: I don't think we've lost anything.

00:14:06: when we started in digital i remember a couple of the elder people in the industry who said oh you can tell you've never worked an analog desk before or somebody doesn't know much about signal flow because they haven't touched pullout were involved.

00:14:23: But I think engineers that come in the industry now, they grow up with a total different kind of skill set what is desperately needed In any find off large scale show environment That some of the other engineers who have been there for a long time don't have anymore.

00:14:42: but thats just inherently because They haven't grown up in A way that people in their early twenties Just starting out into this business That skillset that they bring to the table with this.

00:14:52: Obviously some of the old school, there'll be no question to them if analog sounded better or whatever.

00:14:58: but now technology has become so sophisticated it's faster.

00:15:03: you can set up powerful systems really quickly and then processing in a digital world It is like whole new world And the system engineers The gap between The ones who have that mind, it's beyond physics you know to create sound and systems are the places we couldn't go before.

00:15:24: phenomenal.

00:15:25: I really like these observations, you know?

00:15:27: Like...I don't think anyone's going to be throwing shade at ya because he can use a soldering iron in twenty-twenty six.

00:15:31: we kind of do live in different world but some that old school expertise is really part the mix.

00:15:36: excused upon there But isn't Daniela?

00:15:38: You have such an amazing hands on experience In terms of customers and business side.

00:15:44: How did u see technological shifts change?

00:15:48: what clients?

00:15:49: What do you actually expect from these wonderful audio systems and the production teams who make them sing?

00:15:55: So, there are expectations of the client.

00:15:59: And that even comes just for simple things like social media.

00:16:02: when I started out Facebook was kind-of beginning getting...I remember being in The Production Office with Dave Wright.

00:16:10: It's really want to start a facebook page.

00:16:14: Facebook is where it's going be!

00:16:20: Placing some photos and then build a community.

00:16:23: that really took off.

00:16:25: And nowadays everybody, quote unquote is an expert.

00:16:29: you've got everybody from massive productions to A church service on Sunday That has an expectation of new technologies immersive for example.

00:16:41: so In the install world, we get asked about immersive all the time.

00:16:44: And recently purchased an immersive company Flux and I can't say a lot but were coming out with some really exciting things.

00:16:52: But that is just one example of what is Immersive in anything from a church environment to something so sophisticated as The Spear right?

00:17:03: So thats kind of Just One Example Of Technology Which Is Gaining More and more and more traction.

00:17:10: And I

00:17:10: remember when we came out, just even with our SRX line.

00:17:14: It's feature heavy great price point.

00:17:18: We thought it was going to purely be for schools churches that kind of market and really took off in its been perfect kind of a major production company that needs smaller powered rig to just zoom around for corporate shows or whatever.

00:17:36: And then the same with a church, small school you can plug in and go!

00:17:43: When we came out with it... We thought this is where technology piece right?

00:17:49: Social media and sophistication of user.

00:17:54: We could put up some videos.

00:17:56: people would be able watch those but we still need to train our clients.

00:18:01: It's not just so easy as watching a few videos and that is where the teaching piece comes into play

00:18:08: Speaking of which, thats really interesting.

00:18:10: Do you find yourself getting asked different questions by your customers now because they can see this stuff on social media?

00:18:17: And there are all these exciting new gear.

00:18:19: You hinted about something cool coming from Flux or I cannot wait for that reveal.

00:18:23: But how do getting that feedback from the folks who are actually using your equipment.

00:18:27: So

00:18:28: I think there's two directions, That question can go.

00:18:31: some of my clients big production companies like Firehouse on The East Coast Some Of These Companies Their level of sophistication and knowledge of technology, their systems engineers... It's on a whole other level.

00:18:45: Way above me!

00:18:46: And they teach me things.

00:18:47: They know what they want and need from the product because we're in trenches using that day-in-day out what is needed, and then other people see the technology in what they want.

00:19:00: The cost prohibitation is sometimes a little more difficult right?

00:19:04: So it's finding that balance.

00:19:06: but the consumer...the client..is very sophisticated nowadays at least coming into a conversation of what they think they need.

00:19:16: And

00:19:16: you're kind of giving us look under-the hood for these very sophisticated, informed, literate Customers of yours are doing, you know across the board on all these different scales.

00:19:27: But I'd love to kind of go back in time now.

00:19:30: You've worked for twenty one years and counting.

00:19:32: I believe at Coachella And you've done all these really cool gigs like assisting their production To working on the main stage.

00:19:40: Now you've taken all this experience into your role at Harmon and JBL professional talked us a bit about how this journey informs What you do today?

00:19:50: And it's actually longer.

00:19:52: I think the first Coachella was in two thousand and no, It was nineteen ninety nine a night.

00:19:58: and then they skipped to year because i think he lost money.

00:20:00: Think i read that somewhere In an article and Then two thousand one Was my First Coachella.

00:20:06: so its been twenty five years if we minus Covid.

00:20:09: So being on The client side having worked for A production company Seeing those challenges that a company faces has been instrumental in my role here at Harman because I have an awareness from being in the situation where something gets held up and shipping, Something was meant to be overnighted.

00:20:31: And then it's still in a depot somewhere at UPS or whatever.

00:20:36: so...I Have a sensitivity That i think is been instrumental too Being able To do this well because how can you have the empathy for the client?

00:20:47: I was talking to Mark Dittmar from Firehouse The Other Day and he was sharing that's exactly right, back-to-that relationship piece.

00:20:55: You need to know a manufacturer has your back no matter what because there is not plan B That show will go on Friday night whether it arrives or doesn't.

00:21:09: so having one-on-one relationships to know all my clients personally and know that they can call me.

00:21:18: And I have a whole team, whereas i might not have certain skills in certain areas... My colleague Raul Gonzalez.

00:21:24: yeah we love Raul!

00:21:25: He's been with Harman tens of years.

00:21:30: He knows every product that a client might own or have, or use.

00:21:35: Every nut!

00:21:36: Every bolt... No matter how hard I try and learn all of it his brain is like nothing else.

00:21:41: And thats the same for my technical team Dale West Antony McKee and now we just hired Matt Lawrence and who just joined us on the Tuasau team, but anyway I'm digressing.

00:21:55: Everybody has their skills so if i can't help we have a whole team right?

00:22:00: I don't claim to be an expert in this area And they don't claimed to be experts in flux.

00:22:05: We divert to the flux team If there's an immersive questions.

00:22:08: That's the beauty of harm.

00:22:10: There is somebody Who Is An Expert In Whatever Peace Is Needed.

00:22:17: just the conduit.

00:22:18: My role is a conduit between The product, the manufacturer and the client in helping their show go on as it

00:22:26: should.".

00:22:27: The show must go on absolutely now.

00:22:29: when you were talking about again those high pressure moments.

00:22:32: I think some of our listeners are probably breathing into large paper bag and hyperventilating.

00:22:36: other listeners like oh my goodness how can i get a job working?

00:22:39: this sounds perfect for me.

00:22:41: How exciting!

00:22:44: A conduit, but it's a big just.

00:22:46: I think the conduit is one of the most important roles because you can kind of join the dots in a way that's very unique.

00:22:51: Have you ever found yourself In a position where The proverbial has hit the fan and You've had to roll your sleeves up And Pull something out of the bag.

00:23:02: Very

00:23:02: much so, do you remember when there was all-the air traffic control going on and then flights were getting cancelled?

00:23:08: There was a period in the US where... A lot of flights would get canceled because if.. ...there's lack of air cut or government strike.

00:23:15: And I remember one client.

00:23:17: he needed something overnighted to show up.

00:23:20: It was critical piece for Ray Frames to hang speakers at the festival.

00:23:26: it needed to be over night.

00:23:29: We did everything right, got it to the airport with the shipping company.

00:23:36: And then the next day all the flights to this tiny regional airport somewhere in Texas had gotten canceled and he was panicked.

00:23:44: I was panic just reading the email from him but that's how knowing your client comes into play.

00:23:50: i knew somebody... It Was Seven Hours Drive But we Had This Other Client Drive seven hours to drop off his array frames that he owned so, He could use them for His show.

00:24:04: and That's probably one of the best examples I can think Of Off The Cuff on how this piece is so vital.

00:24:11: My goodness!

00:24:12: So...I would like To just say..That's insanely brilliant.

00:24:17: i love How you did that And thats your unique knowledge of the entire ecosystem But it kinda reminds me of a chat we previously had On audio talks with the great Raul Gonzalez brilliant GoAT and another GoAT of LiveGigs, MegaRiggs.

00:24:31: A gentleman called Mark Gander who's kind legendary in JBL circles And they mentioned that there is a saying within JBL you bleed orange.

00:24:42: So listen... JBL is so deep in your psyche.

00:24:46: Your blood has the same colour as the JBL logo.

00:24:49: People mean it.

00:24:50: They will really go their extra mile for JBL quality.

00:24:54: they believe in what it does, and the world.

00:24:56: And I think you've just shared an amazing example of that.

00:25:00: so thank-you so much!

00:25:01: So listen...I would like to invite both have a thing about.

00:25:05: maybe a piece of production folklore or conventional wisdom from back when everything was analogue.

00:25:14: That may be still holds water today.

00:25:17: Something timeless.

00:25:20: we'll start with you Lisa

00:25:23: definitely timeless and Daniela touched us very early in our conversation is be kind.

00:25:29: The people you meet on your way up are the same People that you will meet again, On your way back down.

00:25:35: so something That still holds true no matter the size of the stage at No matter the side Of the band You always give Your a game?

00:25:44: You'll Always do the Same job And Be Kind and Bring the best production The best possible sound and the best possible mix to everybody on the stage, And To Everybody in the Crowd.

00:25:59: I love that!

00:26:00: That's kind of JBL live-sound mission right there... ...and Daniela how about yourself?

00:26:04: You mentioned the importance of people earlier.

00:26:06: you know what would you say is something sort of timeless words to live by for folks In your field?

00:26:12: i think

00:26:12: thats..the importance of People which Lisa just covered i think Is critical.

00:26:20: I don't know where i heard this, but like... Don't blame others when something goes wrong because mistakes happen.

00:26:29: It's gonna happen in life.

00:26:31: There is just no way around it right?

00:26:33: Its just a matter of when Somethings going to shut down or whatever that is.

00:26:39: own it.

00:26:40: How do you fix it?

00:26:41: how do make it right and how Do You Make It Not Happen Again without being like oh they did That well you Know.

00:26:48: Just Own It.

00:26:49: Yeah Be trustworthy so that people can rely on you

00:26:54: and help each other out because sometimes we are all pulling through the same show.

00:27:00: be nice to whoever you meet On stage or in front of the stage, or behind this page.

00:27:06: And there's just a quote of Competti.

00:27:10: That you probably know where he said bless the roadies Because I just played a song and they make the show.

00:27:18: So it is very important to keep that vibe wherever you go and whatever stage that you're working at.

00:27:25: Yeah,

00:27:26: sage advice right there!

00:27:28: Thank you Lisa and thank you Tom Petty for everything that's absolutely spot on.

00:27:32: but Lisa I'm wondering just looking at the engineering principles that you've used and learned throughout your career are there any kind of timeless bits of advice?

00:27:42: There or one piece Absolutely constant and it doesn't really matter if using analog, digital immersive etc.

00:27:50: What would that be?

00:27:51: One piece

00:27:52: of engineering advice.

00:27:54: you say

00:27:55: hmm

00:27:57: I have to be careful with language now but i think one piece of advice That is timeless is to test shit in out what I don't want to see there.

00:28:08: How do I rephrase

00:28:09: the poop in poop or something?

00:28:13: Don't be afraid to ask questions.

00:28:15: You know, how can you know anything?

00:28:19: And it goes back to that teamwork piece we touched on earlier.

00:28:22: We have a team for a reason and don't need to know everything.

00:28:27: There's no shame in not knowing.

00:28:29: Ask questions!

00:28:31: Be always learning

00:28:32: Ask questions...and don't overthink the whole thing.

00:28:36: I think if you get something out of PA If make everybody heard Then that's a really, really good step in the right direction to build everything else on top of it.

00:28:49: And there will always be people around you who have answers to your questions.

00:28:53: one hundred percent?

00:28:54: That is such great advice!

00:28:56: I love it here and i love the fact that we are both kind sharing two sides with same coin if u like... A strong agree is what would say.

00:29:05: but Daniela Let's come back to yourself.

00:29:08: Now, when you talk to folks like venue operators... ...to production companies and touring professionals what would you say consistently separates an amazing memorable live experience from an average one?

00:29:24: Is there anything that you see time-and-time again?

00:29:27: You

00:29:27: know Music is so important in people's lives.

00:29:31: A lot of memorable experiences are where we were, a song that was playing is just so important and somebody said the other day Warren he's an owner of a big sound company in India Sound.com And It's so important.

00:29:51: Everybody has got a phone nowadays, right?

00:29:53: So the next day that show is on Instagram and people are critiquing sound even from an Instagram video!

00:30:09: Whoever that audience is.

00:30:10: That's

00:30:11: really a great answer.

00:30:13: and we had Stu Hume from TPI Magazine on the podcast, A few weeks ago actually again with our dear friend Raoul Gonzalez And he was talking about exactly those challenges because you're not just mixing for The event You are mixing all of these folks tuning in at the live stream or on tiktok Or Instagram.

00:30:28: It's much more complicated world.

00:30:30: but Daniela you kind of spoke About change In technology.

00:30:34: Everything has been shared on social media.

00:30:38: Do you think the audiences have fundamentally changed or had their expectations changed?

00:30:43: Or maybe it's a bit of both.

00:30:44: A bit of everything, technologies change both.

00:30:47: the technology... The audience is using.

00:30:49: they're filming everything but that way ties into the development of products like JBL venue synthesis.

00:30:57: now You can predict if you go in to a venue.

00:31:00: the systems engineer tonight before will made sure that deployment.

00:31:06: when he goes into the venue next day, every seat in house will be able to hear sound systems.

00:31:13: So whether Facebook Instagram user is posting his video from high up on the balcony section or right at front it sounds good.

00:31:26: so its like a double whammy.

00:31:28: everybody's critic and everyone Everybody's commenting on the performance, whether you're at home watching it from somebody else's experience and... It all ties in.

00:31:40: We

00:31:40: are all singing from the same hymn sheet here but I'd like to come back yourself Lisa And let us talk about that kind of experience From an engineering perspective.

00:31:48: If an engineer walks into a venue What kinda things would tell that engineer That this system has been thoughtfully designed?

00:32:00: question.

00:32:01: And that probably is more true for multi mid-sized clubs and theatres, I think when you come in and you meet a system engineer who is absolutely proud of their PA and they can tell you everything about their PA into deployment?

00:32:21: If you see it's well maintained the way he or she might just talk their baby in a way, and is really excited to hand you over the drive lines.

00:32:34: To finally use it and bring it to life with the band your touring with I want to say that's safe bet off having your thoughts on me deployed for

00:32:42: you.

00:32:43: I love that, thank you.

00:32:44: and coming back to yourself Daniella now i did a little bit of homework before the podcast believe it or not?

00:32:49: And i know that you have kind of spoken in media outlets about like a whole range of venues.

00:32:55: so... You mentioned The SoFi Stadium ,The Grand Ole Opry, The Roxy.

00:33:00: Now..you're working with these venues but i'm curious to know is there specific team that looks after all of this massively diverse projects and venues, how do you kind of overlap with the venue?

00:33:15: And also with a team that might be putting this all together making magic happen.

00:33:20: So yes we have a venue team even that is narrowed down again to somebody who takes care of say sporting venues and installs in general.

00:33:33: there's whole applications teams under them doing designs for these venues.

00:33:40: Each person within Harman is not a jack-of-all-trades.

00:33:44: We have experts for each kind of area, we have a whole range different layers depending on the need even tuning.

00:33:52: once their systems installed nine times out to ten savvy and sophisticated enough, on top of their game to do all the tunings themselves or they request our help.

00:34:04: And then we'll send somebody to do the actual finishing touches.

00:34:07: so that system sounds

00:34:08: great.".

00:34:09: I like the idea that it's.

00:34:10: you know... The phone is picked up when you hear the phrase get me the tuner!

00:34:14: Suddenly this mysterious person comes in just makes everything sing a little bit more.

00:34:18: but sticking with yourself Daniella.

00:34:20: now obviously JBL Professional has huge range different solutions portable stuff, you've got touring like massive line arrays and all that kind of stuff.

00:34:31: And you've also got installations.

00:34:33: so someone at the Kennedy Center for example which is you know utterly beautiful.

00:34:37: how do you work with customers to help them identify Which are these range of solutions?

00:34:46: Is the right one for them?

00:34:49: So some of the identification is just easy because if it's like The Virgin Hotel That's almost a full JBL Harman install, The Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas.

00:35:00: And you go and I think somebody was telling me the other day that there's even a JBL suite but even the alarm clocks are JBL!

00:35:07: But...I digress.

00:35:08: So..you look up on the ceiling speakers at JBL but yet by the pool You've got performance speakers which is kind of the range I manage.

00:35:16: Just same with Kennedy Center where they just managed everything from the symphony hall.

00:35:20: That would be a performance line array and then different areas whether it's the stadium the locker rooms will have a different type of speaker again.

00:35:29: So, the beauty of JBL is we have that large portfolio.

00:35:33: so whether were doing something for A Symphony Hall or The Bowl ceiling speakers, we have a team that will help specify what goes in that venue.

00:35:44: Amazing!

00:35:45: I love.

00:35:45: you mentioned the Virgin Hotel Las Vegas.

00:35:47: so actually had great privilege of going there few times with my dear friends from JBL and Carol Campbell on the team And i saw some bands like Green Day and Deaf Leopard Play There.

00:35:57: Of course The sound was jaw dropping.

00:36:01: It's just immaculate.

00:36:02: it is cool.

00:36:03: They played the JBL Party, huh?

00:36:07: It's.

00:36:08: it was funny.

00:36:09: I didn't...I was new to JBL when i first stayed at the Virgin Hotel just by fluke!

00:36:14: I-I Was actually going there Just for fun and I looked up And then like wow Like damn..i worked For this company.

00:36:21: its that cool

00:36:24: I love it.

00:36:25: Again, you know that sense of JBL pride is real and as one of the things that really struck me when i started working with Harman many many moons ago was a great sense of Pride And The fact That Many Of The People From The Historic World Of JBL & Harman They Had Ten Years Like Ten, Twenty, Thirty Years rare that people left the company.

00:36:42: to be honest, because people genuinely love it.

00:36:44: And there's generally part of this whole kind of eight year odyssey of making the world sound better basically and I always loved to see it.

00:36:51: so yeah whenever i see some JBL out-and about in The Line Arrays at some big gigs sort of go too or you know in a hotel or whatever...I always feel a lot of pride as well!

00:37:01: So I can imagine you actually set this stuff up..so that's great.

00:37:04: but Daniela?

00:37:04: I'd love to just touch on something.

00:37:09: I believe you went to an event and there was some kind of implementation of flux that you mentioned in terms of a more immersive listening experience than we're used.

00:37:20: What do you think the flux, this immersive technology is doing differently from what we've had in the past when understood as immersive technology?

00:37:36: We had a full flux immersive experience, we had three days of bands.

00:37:42: It was very cool because they had DJs and bands all throughout the three-days And then it was an immersive setup with our different solutions... ...and then the DJ…it was fascinating!

00:37:57: We gave in to software beforehand so that all the engineers could play with it.

00:38:03: The DJ, he kind of used a room by the end of day three.

00:38:06: He was using the room as an instrument.

00:38:08: It was phenomenal.

00:38:10: and then the engineers this is new to them mixing in immersive.

00:38:14: but we'd have a flux engineer on side who would be like hey make go there!

00:38:20: Make it go there And its great see their confidence in mixing grow over the three days.

00:38:27: It was a very cool experience and so that's just the beginning of what is to come, we talked about it earlier on the install realm.

00:38:34: there are some magnificent installations already were not reinventing wheel-on-the-install kind environment but I think will see more production side coming this next year or two.

00:38:46: That is so interesting.

00:38:47: I mean, it's a big change from you know what we might have thought of back in the day as immersive like the big well-known theme park In The US for example may have some directional speakers around place But this is a completely new ballgame.

00:38:59: So Lisa would love to come over yourself.

00:39:01: and From an engineering perspective?

00:39:04: i wonder What excites You the most about immersive audio ?

00:39:08: What excite me amost About Immersive Audio Is Of course the technology behind It an absolutely new tool and well a case full of tools for engineers to be able to mix their shows.

00:39:26: And the spatialization, as the ability to make single sounds in single instruments really stand out rather than just funneling everything through a stereo bus is definitely next step towards how we listen to music, I will listen to live music.

00:39:47: How do you experience life?

00:39:49: Music.

00:39:49: and they're making amazing progress here in Europe in theaters and operas where we already have very impressive flux installs happening.

00:40:00: I haven't been to many opera shows of my life but i can only imagine what it's like to have that separation between all the voices actually kind of placed around you.

00:40:10: And your experiencing that beautiful separation and that spaciousness about a mix, That is just amazing!

00:40:17: I can't wait to hear it... To be honest, Lisa staying with yourself do you think this opens up a lot creative possibilities for artists?

00:40:26: For engineers or any other different perspectives in the whole live music ecosystem.

00:40:31: Like i said before In The Theatre World It is already being implemented a lot because in theater you work with spoken word, sometimes classical music.

00:40:43: You worked on a lot of sparing.

00:40:44: sounds like... ...you can have a plane flying through the theatre or you could have birds flying over their heads which was very cool thing.

00:40:53: and in rock-and-pop music few artists are bringing out immersive shows to the road.

00:41:00: some of it is silly In their beginnings, but we are in very large steps towards the revolution of not just mixing and stereo.

00:41:08: But actually mixing in immersive.

00:41:11: Viva la Revolution my friends.

00:41:12: And to add to what Lisa says it's The beauty of our software.

00:41:16: It's Not Just Specific For One Set Of Speakers.

00:41:19: So I Know That Bjorn And The Flux Team Have Been Putting Packages Together.

00:41:24: You Can Use Them Even on a very small scale with our PRXs all the way through to the top tier line arrays.

00:41:31: And so that's the beauty, you can now... The entry level.

00:41:36: whereas before it was quite expensive?

00:41:38: The entry-level I think is something we're doing really well.

00:41:42: So the immersive experience like Daniela said It definitely Very scalable from Small installations to museums Could be hotel lobby to a theater, to a large orchestra or big rock show.

00:41:58: So you can start very early in your first steps of trying out what immersive audio is and then bring it all the way to the top and learn away how to deal with new tools while you go?

00:42:10: That's phenomenally interesting!

00:42:12: I'm getting a clearer picture on what Flux does because i've read about being installed in art spaces and permanent installations where people need that directional immersive sound, but you've just blown it right open.

00:42:27: And everything from the PRX is all the way up to the line arrays and people can get involved now who are listening.

00:42:32: so that's really phenomenal news as an invitation to be part of this great revolution!

00:42:37: But I want to stay with yourself Lisa because i'm wondering... Are there any skills that you would recommend for the next generation of engineers?

00:42:45: To focus on in terms?

00:42:51: Isn't replacing or isn't making redundant?

00:42:53: for that again are some of those timeless skills.

00:42:56: The

00:42:57: musical is definitely a timeless skill and be open to every genre out there.

00:43:03: everybody has a favorite, an everybody it as a comfort zone when I think they can bring the best game.

00:43:09: but we opened two all kinds of music in all kinds off instrumental and advanced setups.

00:43:16: end never stop learning especially in sound and specially an audio.

00:43:23: You would never come across to the point where you've figured it all out, were youth learned at all?

00:43:29: And will you know it all?

00:43:31: so its always progress while we go hand-in-hand with their progress of technology.

00:43:36: So your mixing game or also evolve without.

00:43:41: so never stop learning Never stop asking questions and never be not curious about what else is out there.

00:43:47: I love it, absolutely sage words there... It kind of needs to be a bit onto.

00:43:52: my next question actually which is What would your sixteen year old self think about?

00:43:58: What you do today And what bit of advice Would ya have for them?

00:44:01: Well same advice Just keep going!

00:44:03: When i was so young when started out Then always wanted to tour with bands Always want see the world Always wanna mix big rock shows and I've done it.

00:44:15: So, my sixteen year old self would think i'm a badass.

00:44:20: so... My advice is just don't stop walking!

00:44:25: Just keep going.

00:44:27: That's phenomenal advice.

00:44:29: And Daniela similar question to yourself Is there something that you picked up throughout your journey?

00:44:38: I

00:44:39: think there were a lot of days growing up that it felt like just... There was a monotony.

00:44:48: I never thought in my wildest dreams, that i'd be here living an America working for great company worked for some great companies.

00:44:58: plural.

00:44:58: and You know, those days when you're just slugging away and can't afford your rent.

00:45:04: And it seems like things are never gonna happen!

00:45:07: Just keep working hard saying yes to new experiences because YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE LIFE IS GONNA TAKE YOU.

00:45:15: All the dark day's bad experiences all made me who I am today... ...and i don't regret any of this or anything.

00:45:26: a life beyond my wildest dreams.

00:45:28: I'm really

00:45:28: grateful.".

00:45:29: That's beautiful, that was music to my ears right there...I am so happy to hear from both of you.

00:45:34: and yeah keep going forward perseverance further as they say absolutely enjoy the ride!

00:45:40: It is just phenomenal advice.

00:45:42: So listen.

00:45:42: i've got one more question for your both.

00:45:44: we're reflecting here on eighty magnificent years Of The Company James B Lansing started many moons ago.

00:45:51: And with this in mind what today gives you optimism?

00:45:55: about the future of sound.

00:45:58: I think i can say that personally, the

00:46:26: experiences, I went to The Sphere just as an example and i was very kind of like whatever going in.

00:46:34: And a friend.

00:46:35: actually we went see you too!

00:46:38: We queued up like punters...I think I was on queue for three hours To get it Just so that we could be right at front by the barricades.

00:46:47: It's one of my best experience with life.

00:46:49: So..i think the role is immersive.

00:46:55: Harman, JBL, Flux have coming up in.

00:46:59: the next year is going to be a game changer.

00:47:03: And nothing can take away live music and nothing could take away life experience?

00:47:08: It's good to be working in live production right now.

00:47:12: I think future sound or music just... The power that music and sound has to bring people together Is like nothing on this earth.

00:47:22: it creates memorable experiences And so that's the most exciting thing for me.

00:47:29: The people, the experiences...

00:47:31: That's why we're all here.

00:47:32: I love it!

00:47:33: So listen.

00:47:33: i have one more final question for you both.

00:47:37: And that's a really important question, obviously it is one we asked all of our VIP guests from Raoul Gonzales to Stu Hume and Mark Gander to A.R.

00:47:47: Raman...and that is to choose a track for the title playlist!

00:47:53: If you have an anecdote around or just think it rocks then its all good.

00:47:58: I'm going come yourself first Daniela.

00:48:01: Okay my choice song…I ran this by my partner before I came on the podcast because i knew this question was going to come up and I was going To choose a Dr.

00:48:13: Dre song, Because that experience at Coachella where The Hologram and he was like Dr.Dre He's Like.

00:48:20: what about when we met?

00:48:22: And so

00:48:23: now

00:48:24: I have to use That.

00:48:26: So it is November Rain by Guns N' Roses current partner in Starbucks, and it was just the internet went out at the house.

00:48:37: I wasn't there to get Wi-Fi or whatever turns out.

00:48:42: he is a drummer And He Was In The Band Guns N' Roses For Twenty Years and i had seen them play in two thousand and sixteen and Axel...I think Had broken his foot.

00:48:55: so we were in that big chair you know?

00:48:57: The one That Dave Groll Canneborrowed When He'd broken his foot, so you can even see the drummer.

00:49:04: And we went back on our videos and there was this little head kind of playing drums just behind this chair.

00:49:10: You could kinda see the top of his head here and there because he was hitting The chair right in front of drum kick.

00:49:17: So that's us all That is so romantic on the videos, I can just see him.

00:49:25: So we must have not met in two thousand and sixteen but our paths were starting to orbit And We Were Men and Me.

00:49:32: The

00:49:32: stars were aligning and they aligned that day In Starbucks.

00:49:36: That's Just Beautiful.

00:49:37: Thank You so much and congratulations To you both.

00:49:40: Lisa coming over to yourself Do you Have A Wonderful Song?

00:49:44: To Rock Our Playlist.

00:49:45: Yes i've chosen a song Bloodline by the band Nseeker and everyone who knows me, knows that I have started the main chunk of my career in heavy metal music or the heavy music genre.

00:50:00: And i've worked with a heavy-music genre really from all sides of it... From one end to another.

00:50:09: And Antikya is one of those bands that got to know about Hamburg's music scene which started at all!

00:50:17: with my career and since we are going to play our very last show in a couple of months from now, this is the song that I'm choosing.

00:50:26: It's a death metal song.

00:50:27: it's gonna be brutal.

00:50:28: its gonna rock your ears.

00:50:29: you're ears might bleed.

00:50:30: but i have some really fond memories and fun touring memories And fun musical memories off-the-stand.

00:50:37: so thats why I chose the song

00:50:39: Amazing!

00:50:39: So theyre gunna do their last ever show in few months?

00:50:42: You re gona be working at it Is dat right?

00:50:44: Yes in a small club, in Hamburg where it all started.

00:50:48: Phenomenal!

00:50:48: Okay well I hope a few audio talks.

00:50:50: listeners are going to be down the front-in The Mosh pit and giving it loads at the final gig.

00:50:55: that's amazing.

00:50:56: thank you both so much.

00:50:57: So i'm gonna be super kind of literal about my choice of song for the playlist And i're gonna choose a song from nineteen eighty eight by the She Rockers called On Stage.

00:51:07: So listen.

00:51:07: Thank You Both so Much For Joining Us on the Audio Talks Podcast.

00:51:11: Thank you.

00:51:14: And thank you so much Daniela Peters.

00:51:16: Thank you for having me!

00:51:17: That was just fantastic, so dear friends I hope you really enjoyed that journey through not just eighty years of JBL but through two exceptional careers and the exceptional people who are making The Magic happen when we go to see a live gig and rock out to Guns N' Roses or whoever it may be.

00:51:35: So for more exclusive content some behind-the scenes goodies And maybe even some competitions feel free to find us over on the Instagram where DeadEasy is found.

00:51:42: We're at Audio Talk's podcast.

00:51:45: My name's Oshin Lonnie, I'll be back soon for some more Access All Area VIP Audio Talks and i hope to see you next time.