Kimio Hamasaki: Surround Sound Recording - Some Practical Techniques and Considerations

Kimio Hamasaki is a researcher at the NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories, Japan.

ABSTRACT:
While 5.1 surround is quickly gaining popularity within the audio field, the public is yet to show the same response. This may be attributed to the small number of 5.1 surround SACD & DVD titles available on the market, as well as the listener's lack of exposure to 5.1 surround sound. Because of this, it is necessary for us, as engineers, to produce high-quality surround sound music to push the market in this direction.
In this lecture, some practical techniques and considerations to improve 5.1 surround sound recording will be discussed. The principle issues will be microphone techniques, particularly in a concert hall setting, and how to collaborate with composers and musicians to get better results.

About Kimio Hamasaki:
Kimio Hamasaki received his M.S. in Audio & Visual Communication Design from Kyushu Institute of Design in 1982, and in the same year joined NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). Since then, he has worked in classical music as a balance engineer, as well as in sound production for HDTV and R&D digital sound facilities. Hamasaki has received many awards for his recordings including the Prixitalia "Perugia" Award, Finalist for International EMMY Awards, and the Creativity and Technology (CAT) Audio Award.
CIRMMT/AES Lecture Series