Dolby Laboratories’ senior vice-president, Ioan Allen (pictured), will address the 76-year-story of feature film stereo optical soundtracks on November 4 in San Francisco.

The 3-5pm session at the Dolby Theatre – a short ride from AES 129 host venue the Moscone Center – will provide a comprehensive overview of stereo motion picture soundtrack development.  Beginning with experimental recordings made in 1934,and moving through various stereo optical techniques including Perspecta Sound and Disney’s Fantasound, the Academy Award-winning Allen will guide participants through the stereo optical film soundtrack evolution to today’s digital technology. Landmark format advances will be demonstrated by classic film clips.

Valerie Tyler, AES 129 co-chair, commented: “Historical Committee co-chairs Bill Wray and Gene Radzik have developed a unique event. A quintessential SF-based audio pioneer, Dolby has earned a worldwide reputation for pioneering theatrical sound presentation. We are fortunate to be able to offer this event to our attendees.”

A limited number of $10 tickets for the ‘Stereo Optical Film Soundtracks – 76 Years’ historical event will be available exclusively to registered AES 129 Convention attendees at the Registration Desk in the Moscone Center lobby on Thursday November 4. A 20-minute shuttle bus ride will take participants to and from the site.

A Preliminary Calendar of AES 129 Convention Events will be posted soon at www.aes.org/events/129.