TEC Foundation News Archive

2013

PRESS RELEASE—December 23, 2013

TEC PREVIEW TO SHOWCASE NEW PRODUCTS IN NAMM H.O.T. ZONE

December 23, 2013, Carlsbad, CA–On Thursday, January 23, the first day of NAMM, the creators of 20 TEC Award nominated products will give presentations in the session. The event will be hosted by Eric Geer and will be held in the NAMM H.O.T Zone from 11:00 – 1:30 p.m. in Room 202 B on Level 2, Hall B of the Anaheim Convention Center. Put TEC Preview on your show agenda, and get the news on some of the 2014 NAMM Show’s top audio products.

About the NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry.

Media Contact: Colleen Gibbs – NAMM Public Relations | 760.438.8007 x110 | colleeng@namm.org

PRESS RELEASE—December 23, 2013

TEC AWARDS VOTING ENDS SUNDAY, JANUARY 5

December 23, 2013, Carlsbad, CA–Don’t miss your chance to vote for the past year’s highest achievements in professional audio. Voting invitations with unique voting registration links (one link per person) have been e-mailed to subscribers to the digital editions of Mix, Pro Audio Review and Pro Sounds News, as well as to select members of NAMM, the P&E Wing of the Recording Academy, G.A.N.G. (Game Audio Network Guild) and Broadjam.com.

About the NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry.

Media Contact: Colleen Gibbs – NAMM Public Relations | 760.438.8007 x110 | colleeng@namm.org

PRESS RELEASE—December 23, 2013

NAMM TEC AWARDS TICKETS SELLING FAST

December 23, 2013, Carlsbad, CA–TEC Awards seating is limited and both VIP and General Admission tickets are selling on a first-come, first-served basis.

The show will be held on Friday, January 24, with a VIP reception at 6 p.m. and the Awards Presentation at 7 p.m. and promises to be our most spectacular as 30 awards will be presented for the finest audio products and projects of 2013, innovative artist Todd Rundgren will receive the Les Paul Award, and legendary drummer Hal Blaine and technology pioneer John Meyer will be inducted to the TEC Awards Hall of Fame. Performers, presenters, and the evening’s host will be announced soon. Click here to purchase tickets.

About the NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry.

Media Contact: Colleen Gibbs – NAMM Public Relations | 760.438.8007 x110 | colleeng@namm.org

PRESS RELEASE—December 23, 2013

TEC PREVIEW TO SHOWCASE NEW PRODUCTS IN NAMM H.O.T. ZONE

December 23, 2013, Carlsbad, CA–On Thursday, January 23, the first day of NAMM, the creators of 20 TEC Award nominated products will give presentations in the session. The event will be hosted by Eric Geer and will be held in the NAMM H.O.T Zone from 11:00 – 1:30 p.m. in Room 202 B on Level 2, Hall B of the Anaheim Convention Center. Put TEC Preview on your show agenda, and get the news on some of the 2014 NAMM Show’s top audio products.

About the NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry.

Media Contact: Colleen Gibbs – NAMM Public Relations | 760.438.8007 x110 | colleeng@namm.org

PRESS RELEASE—November 14, 2013

TECnology HALL OF FAME HONORS A CENTURY OF HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Ten Innovations to be Inducted at 2014 NAMM Show Ceremonys

November 14 , 2013, Carlsbad, CA—The NAMM Foundation, presenters of the TEC Awards, has announced 10 inventions and products for induction to the 9th TECnology Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, January 25, at the 2014 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, and will be hosted by veteran pro audio journalist and audio historian George Petersen.

Established in 2004, the TECnology Hall of Fame recognizes the innovations and companies that have made significant contributions to the advancement of audio technology. Inductees are chosen by a panel of 50 recognized audio experts, including authors, educators, product designers, production pros and others. To be considered for induction, products or innovations must be at least 10 years old.

"The inductees for the 2014 TECnology Hall of Fame cover a wide range of breakthrough inventions that go back a century to the early days of audio reproduction," says TECnology Hall of Fame chairman George Petersen. "Unfortunately, names of innovators such as Harold Arnold — a Western Electric researcher whose significant improvements in tube technology led to developing the first practical audio amplifier in 1915 — are almost unknown to within the industry he helped create." Several of this year's inductees mark major milestones in 2014, including the 50-year anniversary of 1964's Studer J-37 4-track, which rose to fame for its role in recording The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and the Klark Teknik DN360 graphic equalizer — still in production and in use worldwide some 30 years after its introduction.

The 2014 TECnology Hall of Fame inductees include:

1915 First practical audio amplifier - Western Electric
1930 Bass-reflex loudspeaker patent - Bell Labs
1959 Echoplex tape delay effect
1963 Mellotron tape-loop keyboard instrument
1964 Studer J-37 4-track recorder
1984 Klark Teknik DN360 graphic equalizer
1986 Yamaha SPX90 reverb
1988 Akai MPC60 sequencer/drum machine
1991 Genelec 1031A powered studio monitor
1998 Royer Labs R-121 ribbon microphone

Jane Byer
29th Annual TEC Awards
jane@tecawards.org
510-528-2014
www.tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—October 9, 2013

29th ANNUAL TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE & CREATIVITY AWARDS NOMINEES DRAWN FROM AMONG SOUND AND PRODUCTION INDUSTRY'S FINEST

Ceremony honors top achievements in product innovation and sound production
Todd Rundgren to receive Les Paul Award, John Meyer and Hal Blaine to be inducted into Hall of Fame

October 9, 2013, Carlsbad, CA–The NAMM Foundation has finalized nominees for the 29th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards. Nominees across 30 technical and creative categories include production teams for artists such as Adele, Bruno Mars, and Daft Punk, as well as for television and film projects such as Game of Thrones and Argo, and for interactive games such as Assassin’s Creed. The awards ceremony is set for Friday, January 24, during the NAMM Show, one of the world’s largest global music industry trade shows, held annually in Anaheim, California.

As the longest-running awards show that specifically recognizes outstanding achievement in product innovation and sound production, the TEC Awards are the professional audio industry’s most prestigious show. Produced by the NAMM Foundation, the show recognizes Outstanding Technical Achievement in Product Design across 22 categories and Outstanding Creative Achievement in Sound Production in eight categories. Each technical category includes six nominees; each creative category recognizes five nominees.

The Outstanding Technical Achievement category encompasses everything from recording devices and headphones, to musical instrument technology and sound reinforcement loudspeaker technology. Nominees are listed here. The category for Outstanding Creative Achievement highlights producers and engineers who have played significant roles in the audio production of hit songs, concert tours, films, television, and interactive entertainment. Those nominees are listed here.

A carefully selected panel of sound and music industry professionals chose the nominees from hundreds of entries. Products and projects released and in commercial use during the period of September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013 were eligible for nomination. Online voting by members of professional audio industry organizations begins in December.

A precursor to the Grammy Awards®, which are held on the same weekend, the 29th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards ceremony takes place the second night of the world-famous NAMM Show. The TEC Awards ceremony will include a presentation of the Les Paul Award to recording artist Todd Rundgren. Legendary audio engineer John Meyer and renowned session drummer Hal Blaine will be inducted into the TEC Awards Hall of Fame. Tickets for this exciting event will be made available in November.

A complete list of all nominees can be found here.

About the TEC Awards
The TEC Awards were founded in 1985 and presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio. In 2013 the TEC Foundation was merged with the NAMM Foundation, the educational and charitable arm of NAMM, presenters of the largest trade show for the music products industry.

About the NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry.

Media Contact: Colleen Gibbs – NAMM Public Relations | 760.438.8007 x110 | colleeng@namm.org

PRESS RELEASE—September 23, 2013

TODD RUNDGREN TO RECEIVE THE LES PAUL AWARD; JOHN MEYER AND HAL BLAINE NAMED TO TEC HALL OF FAME

Ceremony to be held during the TEC Awards ceremony, January 24, 2014, at the NAMM Show in Anaheim

September 23, 2013, Carlsbad, CA—Legendary musician, groundbreaking record producer and electronic music revolutionary Todd Rundgren will be honored with the prestigious Les Paul Award at the 29th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards. The awards recognize outstanding achievement in professional audio technology and production and will be presented Friday, Jan. 24 at the Anaheim Hilton during the 2014 NAMM Show held in Anaheim, CA.

The Les Paul Award, named for the revolutionary inventor and esteemed musician, is presented annually to honor individuals or institutions that have set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application of audio and music technology. Russ Paul, son of Les Paul, will make the presentation on behalf of the Les Paul Foundation, sponsor of the award. Instituted in 1991, the honor has been granted to such luminaries as Pete Townshend, Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young and Peter Gabriel.

A personification of creative musical experimentation and mastery, Rundgren often performed multiple tasks on his solo albums - writing, playing, singing, engineering, producing and distributing - and has been a pioneer of interactive and online distribution. Between his solo work and his creative output with his progressive band, Utopia, Rundgren has released more than 25 critically acclaimed albums.

NAMM and The TEC Awards will also induct two new members to its Hall of Fame. Audio engineer and sound researcher John Meyer co-founded and is CEO of Berkeley’s Meyer Sound Laboratories, Inc., bringing groundbreaking developments to the design and manufacture of the loudspeaker. He will be recognized for his cutting-edge contributions to sound reinforcement in the performing arts. Legendary session musician Hal Blaine of the Wrecking Crew played drums on more than 5,000 records, TV jingles and film scores. Career highlights include hits for Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys and dozens more.

The TEC Awards ceremony is expected to attract more than 1,000 global manufacturers of audio equipment and software, as well as top music producers, engineers, sound mixers and musical artists. The awards ceremony is now produced as part of the NAMM Foundation. It will be held on the second night of The NAMM Show, one of the world’s largest global music industry trade shows. As it approaches its third decade, the TEC Awards under the auspices of NAMM continues to grow both technically and artistically and has become established as one of the entertainment industry's most important annual events.

About The TEC Foundation
The TEC Awards was founded in 1985, and subsequently presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, a 501(c)(3) charity devoted to recognizing and furthering excellence in audio, video, music and other communications media arts.

About the NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry. In 2013 the TEC Foundation was merged with the NAMM Foundation, the educational and charitable arm of NAMM, presenters of the largest trade show for the music products industry.

PRESS RELEASE—June 17 , 2013

NAMM FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES
FOR THE 29th ANNUAL TEC AWARDS

TEC Awards ceremony, held at the NAMM show in Anaheim, recognizes the year’s best audio products and projects, as voted upon by industry professionals

June 17, 2013, Carlsbad, CA—Entries are now being accepted for the 29th Annual TEC Awards, the music and sound industry’s most prestigious event celebrating excellence in technical and creative achievement. Products and projects to be considered for nomination may be submitted now through July 19, 2013. The TEC Awards ceremony will be held in January during the 2014 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA.

The TEC Awards is the professional music and sound production industry’s premier awards event, attended by manufacturers of audio equipment and software, and the world’s top music producers, engineers, sound mixers and musical artists.

The TEC Awards recognize myriad disciplines within the categories of Outstanding Technical Achievement and Outstanding Creative Achievement. Companies wishing to enter products or projects introduced during the eligibility year of September 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013, can find entry forms here. Entries will be accepted through July 19, 2013.

2014 marks the first year that the NAMM Foundation will present the annual awards. The TEC Awards were founded in 1985, and the ceremony has been held at the NAMM Show since 2011, with NAMM as the hosting sponsor.

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is now part of the NAMM Foundation, strengthening the important work of both non-profit organizations and the NAMM Show. The NAMM Foundation’s global efforts are supported through the industry’s participation in the NAMM Show and by NAMM Members around the world.

About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

PRESS RELEASE—April 29, 2013

TEC FOUNDATION JOINS NAMM

Move ensures TEC’s long-term growth and stability, while strengthening NAMM’s commitment to the pro audio, live sound and recording segments

April 29, 2013, Carlsbad, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has formally entered into an agreement to become part of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), strengthening the important work of both non-profits and the NAMM Show. All TEC activities, including the Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, will join other marquee activities, events and efforts within the NAMM Foundation portfolio including the Museum of Making Music, research projects, the SupportMusic Coalition and global public service campaigns.

The NAMM Foundation will present the annual TEC Awards event starting in 2014. The Awards, which honor outstanding achievement in audio technology and production, were founded in 1985 and have been held at the NAMM Show since 2011, with NAMM as the presenting sponsor. NAMM Show exhibitors will now find even more value in the show as this arrangement strengthens the pro audio, live sound and recording segments of the NAMM Show.

“The inclusion of TEC within the NAMM Foundation further unites the important technical and creative communities within the music industry in a way that authentically showcases both worlds,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “This relationship will strengthen the NAMM Show by bringing more of the key stakeholders from pro audio, live sound and recording together with other segments of the music industry every January.”

In addition to the TEC Awards, the NAMM Foundation will oversee TEC Foundation activities including the Les Paul Award and other philanthropic activities designed to support and grow the pro audio, live sound and recording world.

“TEC’s partnership with NAMM has not only raised the bar artistically for the TEC Awards, but also highlighted the importance of audio technology to music-making in the twenty-first century,” said TEC Foundation president, Hillel Resner. “TEC is committed to continuing to support the pro audio world and related constituencies as part of the dynamic NAMM environment throughout the years to come.”

Highlights of the TEC Awards include the TEC Awards Hall of Fame recognizing producers, engineers and other technical professionals; the Les Paul Award honoring famed musical artists, including past winners Pete Townshend, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen; and the TECnology Hall of Fame recognizing inventors, audio products and innovations that have made a significant contribution to the advancement of audio technology. NAMM Foundation The NAMM Foundation, a non-profit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and it's nearly 9000 members from the global music products industry, works to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

TEC Foundation
Founded in 1990, the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501c3 public benefit corporation, dedicated to recognizing and furthering excellence in audio, video, music and other communications media arts. The Foundation’s signature program is the Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards, honoring outstanding achievement in audio technology and production. The Foundation endows scholarship programs and TEC scholarships to deserving students and educates professionals and the public about the preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Please visit http://legacy.tecawards.org/.

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies located in more than 87 countries. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org, call 800.767.NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Media Contacts
Lora Bodmer - NAMM Director of Public Relations & Social Media | Phone: 760.438.8007 | lorab@namm.org

PRESS RELEASE—January 26, 2013

SOUND INDUSTRY CELEBRATES YEAR'S BEST PRODUCTS AND PROJECTS, 
AND HONORS RECORDING LEGENDS PETE TOWNSHEND
AND ROSE MANN-CHERNEY AT THE 28TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS

January 26, 2013—Anaheim, CA—AThe design teams responsible for the past year’s groundbreaking audio production tools, as well as the sound engineers, editors, producers and other audio professionals behind the recording, film and live sound mega hits of 2012 were among the big winners at the 28th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, Friday evening at 2013 NAMM.

Twenty awards were presented for Outstanding Technical Achievement and included double wins for Avid, Moog, Rupert Neve Designs and Universal Audio. Among the 8 projects awarded for Outstanding Creative Achievement were Foo Fighters’ Wasting Light album and tour, and Gotye’s hit single “Somebody That I Used To Know”.

Highlighting the evening were two lifetime achievement awards, beginning with the induction of Record Plant President Rose Mann-Cherney to the TEC Awards Hall of Fame by recording executive Ron Fair and Slash, followed by the Les Paul Award presentation to renowned recording artist and composer Pete Townshend. The Les Paul Award was presented by film producer and humorist Martin Lewis and Jeff Salmon, representing The Les Paul Foundation.

Upon receiving the award, Townshend described using his first tape recorders purchased as a teen to write music, and expressed his deep appreciation for the professional audio and music products community: “In every hope that I ever had for a device that would do something that I wanted to do, you fabulous people made it for me...I’m so hip to what you guys do, hip to the amount of time that you spend, and as a musician and as a composer, I sincerely want to thank you!”

The ceremony was hosted by singer/songwriter John Sebastian, who opened the show with "I'm Satisfied". Larry Batiste and the 2Cold ChiliBone TEC Band carried the night's music, which included a song dedicated to Mann-Cherney sung by the Rosettes, and climaxed with performances of Townshend hits featuring Eric Burdon, Tal Wilkenfeld, Narada Michael Walden, Julia Fordham, David Pack, Phil Chen, Laurence Juber and, lastly Pete Townshend. Celebrity presenters included Suzanne Ciani, Melora Hardin, Orianthi, and producers Niko Bolas and Csaba Petocz.

For the complete list of winners, click here.

About The TEC Foundation The TEC Foundation for Excllence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Proceeds of the TEC Awards have been donated over the years to organizations that educate both sound professionals and music listeners about hearing health. The Foundation has also funded scholarship endowments at a number colleges and universities for students of the audio arts and sciences. For more information about the TEC Foundation and the TEC Awards, visit www.tecawards.org.

Press Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

For photos  click here. Photo Credit:  ©Le Studio 

PRESS RELEASE—January 9, 2013

MUSIC AND SOUND LUMINARIES TO HONOR AUDIO’S FINEST
AT THE 28TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS

January 9, 2013—Walnut Creek, CA—An array of top audio producers, engineers and musical talent will take the stage to recognize the achievements of their peers at the 28th Annual Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) Awards. Presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, the audio industry’s most prestigious awards event will be held on Friday, January 25th at the Hilton Anaheim during the 2013 NAMM Show.

The celebration of the past year’s highest achievements in sound technology and music production will feature 28 awards for audio products and projects, and will be co-produced with the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). “We are honored to partner with the great folks at the TEC Foundation to produce the TEC Awards at NAMM”, said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “Since the early days of NAMM and exhibitors like the Edison Company, technology and creativity have been at the heart of the advancement of the music industry.”

Singer/songwriter John Sebastian, founder of The Lovin’ Spoonful and Rock N’ Roll Hall of Famer will host the evening’s honors that will include the presentation of the Les Paul Award, sponsored by the Les Paul Foundation, to Pete Townshend, composer, guitarist and co-founder of The Who. Another highlight will be the induction of Record Plant President Rose Mann-Cherney to the TEC Awards Hall of Fame.

Martin Lewis, longtime friend of Pete Townshend and co-creator/producer of Amnesty International’s Secret Policemen’s Ball series will present the Les Paul Award together with Les’ son, Russ Paul. Rose Mann-Cherney will receive her award from producer, arranger and A&R executive Ron Fair (Christina Aguilera, Vanessa Carlton, The Black Eyed Peas) and guitarist Slash (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver).

Presenting the awards for Outstanding Technical and Creative Achievement will be an all-star lineup of renowned artists, arrangers, producer and engineers, including: electronic music diva Suzanne Ciani, platinum producer Phil Ramone and his sons, producer Csaba Petocz (Steve Nicks, Metallica, Alanis Morissette), producer/engineer Ryan Hewitt (Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and drum software guru Steven Slate.

To date, guest artists scheduled to perform include John Sebastian, David Pack (Ambrosia) and bassists Phil Chen (Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Ray Manzarek) and Tal Wilkenfeld (Allman Brothers Band, Mick Jagger, Chick Corea). Carrying the evening will be the 2Cold ChiliBone TEC Band led by musical director Larry Batiste (GRAMMY Awards, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder), and will feature Will Kennedy (Yellowjackets, Lee Ritenour) on drums; Melvin Lee Davis (Chaka Khan, Gerald Albright) on bass; keyboardist Randy Emata (Grammy Awards Pre-Tel Band); guitarist Ross Bolton (Al Jarreau, David Benoit, Warren Hill); percussionist Luis Conte (over 1,000 recordings); Ron King (Jeff Lorber, Michael Bolton) on trumpet; Jacques Voyemant (Chris Walden Big Band) on trombone; Charles McNeal (Boz Scaggs, Wynton Marsalis) on sax; and vocalist Claytoven Richardson (Aretha Franklin, Elton John).

For Tickets, visit: http://28thannualtecawards.eventbrite.com

For Event Details, visit: http://www.tecawards.org/tec/13eventinfo.html

About The TEC Foundation
The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Proceeds of the TEC Awards have been donated over the years to organizations that educate both sound professionals and music listeners about hearing health. The Foundation has also funded scholarship endowments at a number colleges and universities for students of the audio arts and sciences. For more information about the TEC Foundation and the TEC Awards, visit www.tecawards.org.

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies located in more than 87 countries. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org, call 800-767-NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  

Media Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

2012

PRESS RELEASE—November 13, 2012

TECnology HALL OF FAME TO HONOR OVER A CENTURY OF HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Ten Innovations to be Inducted at 2013 NAMM Show Ceremony

November 26, 2012—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, presenters of the TEC Awards, has announced 10 inventions and products it will induct to its 8th TECnology Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, January 26, at the 2013 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, and will be hosted by veteran pro audio journalist George Petersen.

Established in 2004, the TECnology Hall of Fame recognizes the innovations and companies that have made significant contributions to the advancement of audio technology. Inductees are chosen by a panel of more than 50 recognized audio experts, including authors, educators, product designers, production professionals and others. To be considered for induction, products or innovations must be at least 10 years old.

"The inductees for the 2012 TECnology Hall of Fame cover an exceedingly wide range of breakthrough inventions that go back some 135 years to the very roots of audio reproduction," says TECnology Hall of Fame chairman, George Petersen. "In fact, all of the products selected for this year are still in active use, whether as carbon microphone elements used in telecommunications transducers, or the VU meter or RCA's BA-6A compressor, which—more than 60 years after its debut—remains a studio classic even today."

The 2012 TECnology Hall of Fame inductees include:

1878 Carbon Microphone
1940 VU Meter – Bell Labs
1951 RCA BA-6A Variable-Mu Compressor
1974 Yamaha PM1000 Live Console
1975 Aphex Aural Exciter
1979 PZM Microphone (Long/Wickersham)
1983 RPG Diffusor
1985 MOTU Performer MIDI Sequencer
1989 Meyer HD-1 Powered Studio Monitor
1995 JBL EON Loudspeakers

The 2012 TECnology Hall of Fame ceremony will be presented on Saturday, the day after the 28th Annual TEC Awards, from 11-1pm. As part of NAMM’s H.O.T. (Hands-On Training) Zone, it will be held in Room 203/A&B on Level 2 of the Anaheim Convention Center. Seating will be available for 300 and is offered to NAMM attendees, with priority given to inductees and their guests.

For full descriptions of the 2012 Inductees, and past TECnology Hall of Fame Inductee profiles, visit www.tecawards.org/hof/12techof.html.

About The TEC Foundation
The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. In addition to the TECnology Hall of Fame, the Foundation annually presents the TEC (Technical Excellence & Creativity) Awards, also held at The NAMM Show, and the TEC L.A. Open golf tournament in Malibu, CA. Funds derived from the TEC Awards have been donated to organizations that educate both sound professionals and music listeners about hearing health, and contributed to scholarship endowments at a number colleges and universities for students of the audio arts and sciences. For more information about the TEC Foundation and the TEC Awards, visit www.tecawards.org.

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies located in more than 87 countries. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org, call 800-767-NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Press Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—November 13, 2012

28TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT SOUND PRODUCTION

November 13, 2012—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced the 2012 TEC Awards Nominees for Interactive Entertainment Sound Production, completing nominations for 28 categories of Outstanding Technical and Creative Achievement. Presented annually by the TEC Foundation, the TEC Awards is the professional audio industry’s most prestigious recognition of outstanding achievement in product innovation and sound production. The 28th Annual TEC Awards will be held iin Anaheim, CA, on Friday, January 25, 2013.

The TEC Award for Interactive Entertainment Sound Production recognizes the audio directors, sound designers, re-recording mixers, audio programmers, sound and music integrators and audio post-production facilities behind the year’s most outstanding interactive game releases. Nominations were made by a select panel of game audio professionals who chose among a variety of interactive game projects introduced during the eligibility year of September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012.

Online voting will begin on December 3rd among members of industry organizations including the Producers & Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy, NAMM, G.A.N.G. (Game Audio Network Guild) and qualified professionals subscribing to audio and music trade publications including Mix, Pro Sound News and Pro Audio Review.

Awards will be presented at the 2013 NAMM Show, along with the presentation of the Les Paul Award to renowned recording artist and composer Pete Townshend and the induction of Record Plant President Rose Mann Cherney to the TEC Awards Hall of Fame. For more information about the 28th Annual TEC Awards, visit www.tecawards.org.

The 28th Annual TEC Awards Creative Achievement in Interactive Entertainment Sound Production Nominees:
Forza Motorsport 4, Microsoft Studios
Journey, Sony Computer Entertainment
Mass Effect 3, Electronic Arts
Max Payne 3, Rockstar Games
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, Sony Computer Entertainment

All of the 28th Annual TEC Awards Creative Achievement Nominees can be found at www.tecawards.org/tec/12nomineescreat.html

About the TEC Foundation:
The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. Sponsors of the 28th Annual TEC Awards include Harman Professional, NAMM, The Les Paul Foundation, Sennheiser | Neumann, Shure, Behringer | Midas and other leading companies in the professional sound and music industries. For information visit www.tecawards.org.

Press Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—October 17, 2012

28TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR OUTSTANDING CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

October 17, 2012—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced the nominees in seven categories of Outstanding Creative Achievement in sound production for the 28th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, to be held at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, January 25, 2013. The TEC Awards is presented annually by the TEC Foundation, and is the professional audio industry’s most prestigious recognition of outstanding achievement, product innovation and sound production.

The Creative Achievement Nominees join the nominees in 20 categories of Technical Achievement announced last month, and comprise the producers, engineers, sound designers and editors, studios, tour companies and others behind the sound of diverse entertainment media. The nominees for Interactive Sound Production will be announced at a later date, and will complete the 28 categories of 2012 TEC Awards Nominees.

Nominations were made by a select panel of 130 professionals in numerous audio specialties, who chose among a wide variety of projects released during the eligibility year of September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012. Online voting will begin in November among members of indsutry organizations and qualified professionals subscribing to audio and music products trade publications including Mix, Pro Sound News and Pro Audio Review.

Awards for both Outstanding Technical and Creative Achievement will be presented at the 2013 NAMM Show, along with the presentation of the Les Paul Award to renowned musician Pete Townshend and the induction of Record Plant President Rose Mann Cherney to the TEC Awards Hall of Fame. For more information about the 28th Annual TEC Awards, visit www.tecawards.org.

The 28th Annual TEC Awards Creative Achievement Nominees can be found at www.tecawards.org/tec/12nomineescreat.html

About the TEC Foundation:
The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. Sponsors of the 28th Annual TEC Awards include Harman Professional, NAMM, The Les Paul Foundation, Sennheiser | Neumann, Shure and other leading companies in the professional sound and music industries. For information visit www.tecawards.org.

Press Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—September 19, 2012

28TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

Nominees announced in 20 categories of hardware and software for sound production

September 19, 2012—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio today announced the Technical Achievement nominees for the 28th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, to be held Friday, January 25, 2013, in Anaheim, California. Presented by the TEC Foundation, the TEC Awards is the pro audio industry's most prestigious awards show honoring outstanding achievement in product innovation and sound production.

The nominations announced today, comprising 20 categories of Technical Achievement in product design, will be followed by an announcement of nominees in eight categories of Creative Achievement in sound production. The nominations, based on product entries by audio manufacturers, were made by a select panel of 130 professionals in numerous audio specialties. Products and projects released and in commercial use during the period of September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012, were eligible for nomination.

Changes in the nomination categories this year include the addition of Headphone/Earpiece Technology and Audio Apps for Smartphones & Tablets. Due to an insufficient number of entries, an award for Large Format Console Technology will not be presented this year. Online voting will begin in November among members of various professional audio organizations, and qualified professionals subscribing to audio and music products trade publications.

Awards for both Outstanding Technical and Creative Achievement will be presented at the 2013 NAMM Show, along with the presentation of the Les Paul Award to renowned musician Pete Townshend and the induction of Record Plant President Rose Mann Cherney to the TEC Awards Hall of Fame. For more information about the 28th Annual TEC Awards, visit www.tecawards.org.

28th Annual TEC Awards Technical Achievement Nominees can be found here: http://www.tecawards.org/tec/12nomineestech.html

Press Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—September 5 , 2012

THE WHO’S PETE TOWNSHEND TO RECEIVE
LES PAUL AWARD AT 28TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS

September 5, 2012—Walnut Creek, CA—Legendary lead guitarist and principal songwriter for The Who, Pete Townshend, will be presented with the prestigious Les Paul Award at the 28th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, to be held Friday, January 25, at the Anaheim Hilton during the 2013 NAMM Show. Presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, the TEC Awards recognizes outstanding achievement in professional audio technology and production.

The Les Paul Award, named in honor of the legendary musician and inventor who passed away in 2009, is presented annually to honor individuals or institutions that have set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application of audio and music technology. Russ Paul, son of Les Paul, will make the presentation to Pete Townshend on behalf of the Les Paul Foundation, sponsor of the award. Past recipients include Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Al Kooper, and other musical giants since the award was instituted in 1991.

According to Michael Braunstein, Executive Director of the Les Paul Foundation, “Following in Les’ footsteps, Pete Townshend personifies both guitar wizardry and technical prowess in both studio and live music performance. He is a true original and a natural choice for the Les Paul Award honor.”

One of the most influential rock bands of all time, The Who set the gold standard for rock and roll. Starting in the mid-1960s, Pete Townshend was at the helm, larger than life on stage and living out the angst of a generation in his music. Classics like My Generation, The Kids Are Alright, I Can See for Miles, Pinball Wizard, and Won’t Get Fooled Again spoke from the heart for a youthful audience trying to make sense of the world. Townshend wrapped these powerful songs with incendiary guitar technique and band arrangements that spanned from elegant to bombastic, usually both simultaneously.

Townshend is responsible for having written over 100 songs and rock operas in the band’s important catalog. He is one of Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. He resides in West London, where he was raised, and is currently on a world tour with The Who performing their groundbreaking rock opera, Quadrophenia, for its 40th Anniversary.

The TEC Awards will be held on the second night of the NAMM Show and is expected to attract more than 1,000 audio and music professionals from around the world. Proceeds of the ceremony provide scholarships for students of the audio arts and sciences, and support programs promoting safe hearing in the music environment, an issue of special importance to Townshend.

About the TEC Foundation
The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to presenting the TEC Awards, the Foundation has helped fund programs, including those of H.E.A.R. and the House Research Institute, that educate audio professionals and music listeners about safe hearing in the music environment. The Foundation has also endowed scholarships for students of the audio arts and sciences at leading colleges and universities. For more information about the TEC Foundation and the TEC Awards, visit www.tecawards.org.

About the Les Paul Foundation
The mission of the Les Paul Foundation is to honor and share the life, spirit, and legacy of Les Paul by supporting music education, engineering and innovation as well as medical research. The Les Paul Foundation establishes scholarships in music education, provides grants for medical research related to hearing impairment and creates exhibits displaying achievements in the advancement of sound and the accomplishments of Les Paul.

Les was encouraged at a young age by his mother to follow his instincts regardless of how unusual, or how differently he would approach challenges. Coming to the conclusion that the best way to perpetuate the areas most important to him and to which he devoted his life’s focus was to start an organization that would provide encouragement to many others. With that in mind, Les created the Les Paul Foundation. Today the foundation is dedicated to Les' vision. The Les Paul Foundation is an approved IRC 501(c)3 organization. For more information, visit www.lespaulfoundation.org.

Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hcjmkn0pd3ce1i5/9d4ox72MFq

(Photo Credits: Photos 1-7, Credit Ross Halfin; Photo 8, Credit Matt Kent)

Press Contact: Jane Byer / 510.528.2014 / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—August 27, 2012

RECORD PLANT PRESIDENT ROSE MANN CHERNEY TO BE INDUCTED
TO THE TEC AWARDS HALL OF FAME

August 27, 2012—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced that it will induct Rose Mann-Cherney to the TEC Awards Hall of Fame at the 28th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards® on Friday, January 25, 2013 at the NAMM Show® in Anaheim, California. The TEC Awards® is the professional audio industry's most prestigious recognition of outstanding achievement in audio technology and sound production.

Rose Mann Cherney didn't set out to be in the studio business, but, more than 30 years after she began, is still at it as a principal with the world-renowned Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles. It was a chance meeting with her friend—famed musician, composer and producer Al Kooper—that led to a job interview with Record Plant owners Chris Stone and Gary Kellgren, who needed someone to run the studio's front desk and book sessions. Intending to stay for a short time, it wasn't long before she found herself hooked, becoming first studio manager, and ultimately company president and partner. Throughout, she has been responsible for Record Plant's overall operation as well as maintaining its stellar reputation as one of the world's top recording studios.  

“Her focus has always been all about technical excellence combined with the service level of a 5-star hotel, a formula that has kept Record Plant on top for many years,” says Record Plant CEO and owner Rick Stevens. "Rose has had a profound influence as a studio executive and has literally changed the way modern recording studios operate. She’s broken ground as the first female president of a major recording studio, but it’s always been about the way she treats each client and her uncanny ability to build the team to serve them. Many major figures of the music industry got their start as a Record Plant runner or junior engineer, and Rose showed them the way.”

Rose Mann Cherney is the first woman to be inducted into the TEC Awards Hall of Fame and joins an illustrious list of inductees including George Martin, Quincy Jones, George Lucas, Phil Ramone, Al Schmitt, Elliot Scheiner, George Massenburg, Rupert Neve and David Hewitt, and a number of other icons of sound and music production. The TEC Awards Hall of Fame was created in 1988 to recognize individuals whose careers have best exemplified the spirit of creative and technical excellence in professional recording and sound.

The TEC Awards is attended by manufacturers of audio equipment and software, and the world’s top music producers, engineers, sound mixers and musical artists. To request news updates on the 28th Annual TEC Awards and for information about the other activities and beneficiaries of the TEC Foundation, visit: www.tecawards.org.

About The TEC Foundation
The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Funds derived from the TEC Awards have been donated over the years to organizations that educate both sound professionals and music listeners about hearing health. The Foundation has also funded scholarship endowments at a number colleges and universities for students of the audio arts and sciences. For more information about the TEC Foundation and the TEC Awards, visit www.tecawards.org.

Media Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org
Photo can be downloaded from https://TECawards.sharefile.com
Username: press@tec.com, Password: GetPhotos

PRESS RELEASE—June 13, 2012

TEC AWARDS ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES,
ADDS HEADPHONE AND AUDIO APPS CATEGORIES

June 13, 2012—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced its Call For Entries for the 28th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards®, to be held January 25, 2013, at the NAMM Show in Anaheim. The TEC Awards is the professional audio and sound production industry’s premier awards event and is attended by manufacturers of audio equipment and software, and the world’s top music producers, engineers, sound mixers and musical artists.

The TEC Awards also announced it will inaugurate 2 new awards in the Outstanding Technical Achievement categories, bringing to 21 the number of awards for audio product design. Headphone / Earpiece Technology will include headphones and in-ear transducers for professional studios, live sound and broadcast. Audio Apps for Smartphones & Tablets will include software for recording and music production, audio measurement, audio/music utilities, controllers, signal processing and musical instruments. Eight awards for Outstanding Creative Achievement will also be presented for sound production of recordings, concert tours, films, television, interactive entertainment and other projects.

Companies wishing to enter their products or projects introduced during the eligibility year of September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2012, should visit http://tecawards.org/CFE2012. Entries will be accepted through July 20, 2012.

About The TEC Foundation

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to its own educational programs, funds derived from the TEC Awards have been donated over the years to organizations that educate both sound professionals and music listeners about hearing health. The Foundation has also funded scholarship endowments at numerous colleges and universities for students of the audio arts and sciences. For more information about the TEC Foundation and the TEC Awards, visit www.tecawards.org.

Media Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—May 16, 2012

28th ANNUAL TEC AWARDS TO BE HELD AT THE 2013 NAMM SHOW

May 16, 2012—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced that the 28th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards®, will be presented on Friday, January 25, 2013 at the NAMM Show® in Anaheim, California. The TEC Awards is the professional audio and sound production industry's most prestigious recognition of outstanding technical and creative achievement. The NAMM Show is the largest trade show for the international music products industry, with more than 90,000 attendees.

For the third consecutive year, NAMM will provide production and event management assets for the TEC Awards, with the TEC Foundation conducting the nominations and voting process, and continuing as executive producer of the event. In addition to NAMM, TEC AwardTs sponsors to date include Sustaining Sponsor Harman and longtime sponsors Shure and Avid.

“The TEC Awards has found the perfect home at NAMM,” says Hillel Resner, president of the TEC Foundation and co-executive producer of the awards. “We not only have the industry’s biggest trade show as a platform, but NAMM’s resources and expertise have helped take the production to a whole new level.”

The TEC Awards is attended by manufacturers of audio equipment and software, and the world’s top music producers, engineers, sound mixers and musical artists. To request news updates on the 28th Annual TEC Awards and for information about other TEC Foundation activities and the charitable organizations it supports, visit: www.tecawards.org.

Media Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—April 17, 2012

17th ANNUAL TEC L.A. OPEN SET FOR JUNE 25 IN MALIBU

Walnut Creek, CA—April 17, 2012—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced that the 17th Annual TEC L.A. Open charity golf tournament will be held Monday, June 25, 2012, at the Malibu Country Club in Malibu, California. The tournament annually draws many of the recording and sound industry’s top engineers, producers, studio personnel, musicians and other audio professionals. Returning as Honorary Chairman will be multiple Grammy-winning recording engineer Al Schmitt.

Harman and GC Pro | Sterling are lead sponsors of this year’s “best ball” tournament, which features a variety of golf contests and prize giveaways. There will also be a silent auction of audio equipment, software and other donated items. The event will wrap up with an awards dinner hosted by veteran engineer/producer Ed Cherney.

For more information about registration, contest prizes and first-come, first-served sponsorship opportunities, click here or contact Karen Dunn at (925) 708-0307 / Karen@kmdpro.com.

Proceeds of the tournament will go to Los Angeles’ Sound Art, a music education organization that teams professional musicians with children from inner-city neighborhoods. For more information about Sound Art click here.

About The TEC Foundation

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Foundation has endowed scholarship programs at numerous colleges and universities for students of the audio arts and sciences, and also offers its own TEC Awards Scholarship. Funds derived from the TEC Awards and TEC L.A. Open have also been donated over the years to organizations that educate both sound professionals and music listeners about hearing health. For more information about the TEC Foundation visit www.tecawards.org.

Media Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—January 20, 2012

PRODUCTION TEAMS FOR ROBERT PLANT, ADELE, ROGER WATERS RECEIVE HIGHEST ACCOLADES AT 27TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS

Steve Vai Honored at 2012 NAMM Show; Avid, Shure and Solid State Logic Garner Multiple Awards for Technical Achievement

January 20, 2012—Anaheim, CA—The sound engineers, editors, producers and other audio professionals behind Robert Plant’s Band of Joy, Adele’s 21, Roger Water’s “The Wall Live” Tour, Inception and NBC’s Saturday Night Live were among the many winners at the 27th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards. The gala co-presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio and NAMM, was held Friday evening at the Hilton Anaheim as a special event of the 2012 NAMM Show.

In addition to 27 awards for Technical and Creative Achievement, an enthusiastic crowd of sound and music products industry professionals witnessed the presentation of the prestigious Les Paul Award to guitarist, composer and producer Steve Vai. Sponsored by the Les Paul Foundation, the award is given annually to a musician or recording professional whose work has epitomized the marriage of music and technology. The award was co-presented by Russ Paul and celebrated rock bassist Billy Sheehan.

The show was hosted by Late Show veteran Will Lee, and featured musical performances by Lee, the 2 Cold ChiliBone TEC Band, Steve Vai, Billy Sheehan, Orianthi, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, CJ Vanston, scratcher DJ HAPA and other veteran vocalists and session musicians.

In the category of Technical Achievement, winners included Avid’s Pro Tools 9 (Workstation Technology), VENUE 2.9 (Sound Reinforcement Console) and Pro Tools | HD Native (Computer Audio Hardware); Solid State Logic’s AWS 948 (Large Format Console) and Nucleus (Small Format Console); Shure’s Beta 181 (Microphone /Sound Reinforcement) and PGX Digital Wireless (Wireless Technology); Genelec’s 1238CF (Studio Monitor); Meyer Sound Lab’s MINA (Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker); Radial Engineering’s WR8 Workhorse (Signal Processing/Software); Moog’s Slim Phatty Synthesizer (Musical Instrument/Hardware) and Spectrasonics’ Ommnisphere v1.5 (Musical Instrument/Software). Winners in this year’s new categories were Eventide’s Space (Musical Instrument Amplification & Effects Technology) and Lab Gruppen’s PLM 20000Q (Amplification Hardware/Studio & Sound Reinforcement).

Robert Plant’s production crews won awards for both Record Production/Single with “Angel Dance” and Remote Production with NPR Music’s Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Live in Concert radio broadcast. The award for Record Production/Album went to Adele’s 21. The Film Sound Production award went to the sound designers and editors behind Inception and the Interactive Entertainment Sound Production award went to the audio team of Treyarch/Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops. Other winners for Creative Achievement were Roger Waters’ “The Wall Live” Tour’s sound company Clair (Tour Sound Production); Saturday Night Live (Television Sound Production); and the design team of New York’s Jungle City Studios, the Walters-Storyk Design Group.

The complete list of the 27th annual TEC awards winners is at http://tecawards.org/27thwinners

About the TEC Awards

The TEC Awards is presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to promoting and recognizing excellence in the audio and music arts and sciences. In pursuing this mission, the Foundation has endowed scholarships at leading colleges and universities around the United States. For more information visit www.tecawards.org.

Media Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—January 2, 2012

AUDIO AND TECHNOLOGY LEADERS TO SPONSOR 27th ANNUAL TEC AWARDS
 
Les Paul Foundation Joins Harman Pro, NAMM, Sennheiser/Neumann and Others to Support Event Honoring Steve Vai and Top Audio Professionals

January 2, 2012—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced that 34 companies in the professional audio and technology industries are lending their support as sponsors of the 27th Annual TEC Awards. The awards honor outstanding achievement in professional audio production and product innovation and are co-presented by the TEC Foundation and NAMM, the largest trade association of the international music products industry.

The TEC Awards will be held at the 2012 NAMM Show on Friday, January 20, in the Pacific Ballroom of the Hilton Anaheim. A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Les Paul Award to famed musician, composer and producer Steve Vai.

FOH and Platinum Sponsors include Sustaining Sponsor Harman Professional, encompassing many of the professional audio industry’s most respected brands; The Les Paul Foundation (LPF), created by Les Paul to foster artistic excellence and innovation through the funding of music programs and scholarships; and Sennheiser/Neumann, leading manufacturers of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems.

Gold Sponsors include Avid, producer of award-winning digital audio and video solutions; Broadjam, the social media website focused on indie music and musicians; Hal Leonard Corporation, the world’s largest print music publisher, and leading software and music technology products distributor; and Shure Incorporated, one of the world's largest manufacturers of microphones and audio electronics.

Completing this year's lineup are Silver Sponsors Meyer Sound, Solid State Logic, Sony and Yamaha; and Bronze Sponsors DPA Microphones, Eventide, Focusrite | Novation, GANG, Genelec, House Research Institute, Intel, JoeCo, Line 6, Martin Audio, Producers and Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy, PreSonus, QSC Audio, Royer Labs, TASCAM, TC Electronic, Toft Audio Design | Tonelux, Universal Audio and Wave Distribution.

For more information on TEC Awards Sponsors, visit http://www.tecawards.org/tec/11sponsorresources.html

For Ticket and Event Information: http://27thannualtecawards.eventbrite.com

The TEC Awards is presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to promoting and recognizing excellence in the audio arts and sciences. In pursuing this mission, the Foundation has endowed scholarships at leading colleges and universities around the United States. For more information, visit www.tecawards.org.

Media Contact: Jane Byer / 510.528.2014 / jane@tecawards.org

2011

PRESS RELEASE—November 7, 2011

STEVE VAI TO RECEIVE LES PAUL AWARD AT 27th ANNUAL TEC AWARDS

November 7, 2011—Walnut Creek, CA—The Guitar virtuoso, composer and producer Steve Vai will be presented with the prestigious Les Paul Award at the 27th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, to be held Friday, January 20, in the Pacific Ballroom of the Hilton Anaheim during the 2012 NAMM Show. Co-presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio and NAMM, the TEC Awards recognizes outstanding achievement in professional audio production and product design. The Les Paul Award was established in 1991 to honor musical artists who have had distinguished careers as innovators in the creative application of audio technology. Past recipients include Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Brian Wilson, Peter Gabriel, Lindsey Buckingham, Herbie Hancock, Al Kooper, Steve Miller, Robbie Robertson and others.

A student of Joe Satriani at age twelve, Steve Vai began his professional music career working with Frank Zappa, with whom he toured and recorded before launching his solo career. Since his groundbreaking album Passion and Warfare, released in 1990, the brilliance of his musicianship has awed more than just rock fans and has stunned concertgoers worldwide, producing sales of over 15 million records and earning multiple Grammys.

Vai has recorded and toured with Public Image Ltd., Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth and Whitesnake, and has worked with a variety of musicians including Joe Satriani, Joe Jackson, Janice Ian, Steve Lukather, Alice Cooper, Gerry Rafferty, The Yardbirds and Mary J. Blige. He has composed for and/or performed on original soundtracks for films including Crossroads, Encino Man, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, PCU and Crazy, and video games including Halo 2 and Guitar Hero 3. His latest live album and DVD, Where the Wild Things Are is a major achievement from a musical alchemist of the highest order.

Steve Vai has received honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music and Musician's Institute, and is also involved with many worthwhile organizations. He founded the record label Favored Nations, for musicians, who in Vai’s words, “have attained the highest performance level on their chosen instruments.” He has also served as a Trustee for the Recording Academy, is on the board of Hollywood Arts, and works closely with his own Make a Noise Foundation, raising money for music education.

About the TEC Foundation

Established in 1985, The TEC Awards is the professional audio industry’s most prestigious recognition of achievement in technology innovation and sound production. It is presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, and NAMM, the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion international musical instruments and products industry. The ceremony is attended by music producers, engineers and recording artists, as well as manufacturers and retailers of audio and music products. For complete information about the TEC Awards and the TEC Foundation, go to www.tecawards.org.

Press photos (credits required) of Steve Vai can be downloaded at:
http://www.favorednations.com/wtwta-preview/vaiphotos/

Media Contact: Jane Byer / 510.528.2014 / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—October 18, 2011

27th ANNUAL TEC AWARDS ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR OUTSTANDING CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

October 18, 2011—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced the nominees in seven categories of Creative Achievement in sound production for the 27th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards. The awards ceremony will be held at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA on Friday, January 20, 2012. Co-presented by the TEC Foundation and NAMM, the TEC Awards is the professional audio industry’s most prestigious recognition of outstanding achievement in product innovation and sound production.

The Creative Achievement Nominees join the Nominees in 19 categories of Technical Achievement announced last month. Nominations for Interactive Sound Production will be announced in the coming weeks, and will complete the 27 categories of 2011 TEC Awards Nominees. The awards for Creative Achievement recognize the producers, engineers, sound designers and editors, studios, tour companies and others behind the sound of diverse entertainment media. Nominations were made by a panel of more than 160 audio professionals who voted among a wide variety of projects released during the eligibility period of July 1, 2010 to August 30, 2011.

Roots, blues, rock, pop, R&B, Country and hip-hop are all represented in this year’s Creative Achievement lineup, and reflect a genre-crossing appreciation of sound production quality and musical craftsmanship. Projects from Robert Plant’s Band of Joy garnered nominations in four categories, including Record Production for the eponymous album and single “Angel Dance”; Remote Production for an NPR radio broadcast; and a nomination in Tour Sound Production. Broadway got two nods of recognition with the nomination of Harry Connick Jr., In Concert on Broadway and a first nomination for the Tony Awards broadcast, both in Remote Production/Recording or Broadcast. Tie votes yielded six nominees for both Tour Sound Production and Studio Design Project. 

Online voting begins on November 1st among members of various professional organizations, including the Producers and Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy, Music Producers Guild (UK), Motion Picture Sound Editors, Cinema Audio Society, Game Audio Network Guild, Society of Professional Audio Recording Services, Association of Professional Recording Services (UK), NAMM and qualified professionals subscribing to various audio industry trade publications.
 
2011 TEC Awards Creative Achievement Nominees can also be found here: http://www.tecawards.org/tec/11nomineescreat.html

About the TEC Foundation

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. Sponsors of the 27th Annual TEC Awards include Sustaining Sponsor Harman, Sennheiser/Neumann, Avid, Broadjam.com, Hal Leonard Corp., Shure, Inc. and other leading companies in the professional sound and music industries. For information visit www.tecawards.org.
 
Media Contact: Jane Byer / 510.528.2014 / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—September 22 , 2011

27th ANNUAL TEC AWARDS ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

Nominees announced in 19 categories of hardware and software for sound production

September 22, 2011—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio today announced the nominees for the 27th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, to be held Friday, January 20, 2012, at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. Co-presented by the TEC Foundation and NAMM, the TEC Awards is the pro audio industry's most prestigious awards show honoring outstanding achievement in product innovation and sound production.
 
The nominations announced today, comprising 19 categories of Technical Achievement in product design, will be followed by an announcement of nominees in eight categories of Creative Achievement in sound production. The nominations, based on product entries by audio manufacturers, were made by a select panel of over 160 professionals in numerous audio specialties. Nominated products and projects must have been introduced during the eligibility period of July 1, 2010 to August 30, 2011.
 
With the introduction of 2 new awards categories—Musical Instrument Amplification & Effects Technology and Amplification Hardware/Studio & Sound Reinforcement—the Technical Achievement categories have been expanded from 17 to 19, and include a wide variety of amplification products in use by performers and audio professionals for both stage and studio applications.
 
Online voting begins on November 1st among members of various professional organizations, including the Producers and Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy, Society of Professional Audio Recording Services, Motion Picture Sound Editors, Music Producers Guild, NAMM, Game Audio Network Guild and qualified professionals subscribing to various audio industry trade publications.

The full list of nominees can be found at http://www.tecawards.org/tec/11nomineestech.html

About the TEC Foundation

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. Sponsors of the 27th Annual TEC Awards include Sustaining Sponsor Harman, Sennheiser/Neumann and Shure, Inc. and other leading companies in the professional sound and music industries. For information visit www.tecawards.org.

Media Contact: Jane Byer / 510.528.2014 / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—June 1, 2011

TEC AWARDS ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES, ADDS 2 NEW CATEGORIES

Musical Instrument Amplification & Effects Technology; Amplification Hardware/Studio & Sound Reinforcement
join contenders for Technical Achievement

June 1, 2011—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced its Call For Entries for the 27th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards®, to be held January 20, 2012, at the NAMM Show in Anaheim. The TEC Awards, the professional audio and sound production industry’s premier awards event, also announced it will inaugurate 2 new awards in the Outstanding Technical Achievement categories: Musical Instrument Amplification & Effects Technology and Amplification Hardware/Studio & Sound Reinforcement. In addition, the category of Digital Converter Technology is being renamed Computer Audio Hardware. The new categories will bring to 19 the number of awards for audio product design.

Musical Instrument Amplification & Effects Technology will include instrument amplifiers, preamp/processing/effects rack units and pedal boards, software amp and effects emulators, pedals, stomp boxes and other related equipment. Amplification Hardware/Studio & Sound Reinforcement will include amplifiers, speaker/monitor management, system controllers, signal distribution, snakes, feedback eliminators, crossovers and other related equipment. Digital Converter Technology will be replaced with Computer Audio Hardware and will include converters, interfaces, master clocks, data storage, peripherals, iPhone/iPad/tablet-type add-ons, made-for-audio computers and other similar computing equipment.

Eight awards for Outstanding Creative Achievement will also be presented for sound production of recordings, concert tours, films, television, interactive entertainment and other projects. The TEC Awards is attended by manufacturers of audio equipment and software, and the world’s top music producers, engineers, sound mixers and musical artists.

Companies wishing to enter their products or projects should visit http://tecawards.org/CFE2011/. Entries will be accepted through July 15.

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to its own educational programs, funds derived from the TEC Awards have been donated over the years to organizations that educate both sound professionals and music listeners about hearing health. The Foundation has also funded scholarship endowments at numerous colleges and universities for students of the audio arts and sciences. For more information about the TEC Foundation and the TEC Awards, visit www.tecawards.org.

Media Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—May 18, 2011

TOP PRO AUDIO COMPANIES SPONSOR 16th ANNUAL TEC L.A. OPEN

“Million Dollar Shootout” Added to Tournament Contests

May 18, 2011—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio announced today that 15 audio and recording industry companies and organizations are lending their support as sponsors of the 16th Annual TEC L.A. Open. The charity golf tournament is scheduled for June 27, 2011, at the Malibu Country Club.

Presenting the event are GC Pro, the Guitar Center division that focuses on the needs of professional users; Sustaining Sponsor Harman International, encompassing many of the professional audio industry’s most respected brands; and Sterling Audio, makers of studio quality condenser microphones. Other top supporters include Shure, Design FX Audio, Iron Mountain Film and Sound, Neumann, Ocean Way Recording, PMI Audio Group, Record Plant, Sennheiser Electronic Corporation and Studioexpresso. First-time sponsors include The Grammy Museum at L.A. LIVE, The Mastering Palace and NewBay Media publications Mix, Pro Audio Review and Pro Sound News.

This year’s players will have the opportunity to participate in a $1,000,000 shootout, as well as compete for some exciting hole-in-one prizes, including $10,000 cash, airline tickets for two, a premium electronics package, and top-of-the-line golf equipment. Members of the first-place team will be awarded with Sterling ST55 Class-A FET Condenser Microphones, generously donated by Sterling Audio.

“We’re excited to announce this year's TEC L.A. Open sponsors,” says tournament director Karen Dunn of KMD Productions. “Sponsoring this tournament builds good will in the recording and production community. It's a great hang and we always have fun while raising funds for a worthy cause.”

Proceeds of the TEC L.A. Open support programs of the TEC Foundation that recognize and promote excellence in the audio arts and sciences.

Sponsorships are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to reserve a sponsorship, call Karen Dunn at (925) 708-0307 or email Karen@kmdpro.com.

About The TEC Foundation

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to its own educational programs, funds derived from the TEC Awards and TEC LA Open have been donated over the years to organizations that educate both sound professionals and music listeners about hearing health. The Foundation has also funded scholarship endowments at numerous colleges and universities for students of the audio arts and sciences. For more information about the TEC Foundation visit www.tecawards.org.

Media Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—March 28, 2011

16th ANNUAL TEC L.A. OPEN SET FOR JUNE 27 IN MALIBU

March 28, 2011—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced that the 16th Annual TEC L.A. Open charity golf tournament will be held Monday, June 27, 2011, at the Malibu Country Club in Malibu, California. The tournament annually draws many of the recording and sound industry's top engineers, producers, studio personnel, musicians and other audio professionals. Returning as Honorary Chairman will be multiple Grammy-winning recording engineer Al Schmitt.

GC Pro, Harman and Sterling Audio are presenting sponsors of the "best ball" tournament, which features a variety of golf contests and prize giveaways. There will also be a silent auction of audio equipment, software and other donated items. The event will wrap up with an awards dinner hosted by veteran engineer/producer Ed Cherney.

"The TEC L.A. Open has long been one of the professional audio community's favorite gatherings," says tournament director Karen Dunn of KMD Productions. "We anticipate that the recent partnership between the TEC Awards and NAMM will bring even more golfers and supporters from the music industry."

TEC Foundation events support programs that recognize and promote excellence in the audio and music arts and sciences, including hearing health and audio education initiatives.

For more information about registration, contest prizes and the first-come, first-served sponsorship opportunities, click here or contact Karen Dunn at (925) 708-0307 / Karen@kmdpro.com.

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to its own educational programs, funds derived from the TEC Awards and TEC LA Open have been donated over the years to organizations that educate both sound professionals and music listeners about hearing health. The Foundation has also funded scholarship endowments at numerous colleges and universities for students of the audio arts and sciences. For more information about the TEC Foundation visit www.tecawards.org.

Media Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—March 9, 2011

27th ANNUAL TEC AWARDS TO BE HELD AT THE 2012 NAMM SHOW

March 9, 2011—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio and NAMM announced today that the 27th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards®, the professional audio and sound production industry's most prestigious awards event, will once again be held at the NAMM Show, the largest trade show for the international music products industry, on Friday January 20, 2012, in Anaheim, California. 

Negotiations have been ongoing since January following a successful 26th Annual TEC Awards, which was hosted for the first time at the NAMM Show. Under the new agreement, the organizations will remain autonomous with the TEC Foundation continuing to conduct the nominations and voting process as well as pursuing its charitable interests. For its part, NAMM will provide production and event management services for the TEC Awards. The TEC Awards is attended by manufacturers of audio equipment and software, and the world’s top music producers, engineers, sound mixers and musical artists. A highpoint of the show is the Les Paul Award, presented to musical artists and others whose careers have exemplified the creative application of audio technology.

“Presenting the TEC Awards at the NAMM Show this past January was a major step toward our goal of broadening the constituency of the awards," said Hillel Resner, president of the TEC Foundation. "NAMM is where music makers and the technology innovators come together and we hope to be a key part of this exciting environment for a long time to come."

"The pro audio and recording community really enjoyed having the TEC Awards at the NAMM Show this year," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM.  "And we look forward to a bright future of serving this important segment of the NAMM Membership alongside the TEC Foundation."

About The TEC Foundation

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to its own educational programs, funds derived from the TEC Awards have been donated over the years to organizations that educate both sound professionals and music listeners about hearing health. The Foundation has also funded scholarship endowments at numerous colleges and universities for students of the audio arts and sciences. For more information about the TEC Foundation and the TEC Awards, visit www.tecawards.org.

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

Media Contact: Jane Byer / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—January 15, 2011

PRODUCTION TEAMS FOR GREEN DAY, U2, AVATAR, SNL RECEIVE HIGHEST ACCOLADES AT 26TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS

Lindsey Buckingham Honored at 2011 NAMM Show; Harman Group, Neumann, SSL, TC Electronic Garner Multiple Awards for Technical Achievement

January 15, 2011—Anaheim, CA—The sound engineers, editors, producers and other audio professionals behind Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown, U2’s 360° Tour, Twentieth Century Fox’s Avatar and NBC’s Saturday Night Live were among the many winners at the 26th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards. The gala was held Friday evening at the Hilton Anaheim as a special event of the 2011 NAMM Show.

In addition to 25 awards for Technical and Creative Achievement, an enthusiastic crowd of sound and music products industry professionals witnessed the presentation of the prestigious Les Paul Award to famed guitarist, composer and producer Lindsey Buckingham. The award is given annually to a musician or recording professional whose work has epitomized the marriage of music and technology. Renowned producer Ken Caillat and engineer Elliot Scheiner presented the award, which was introduced by TEC Hall of Fame engineer Al Schmitt. Also highlighting the evening were musical performances featuring Ambrosia’s David Pack, guitar legend Larry Carlton, Dixie Dregs’ Steve Morse, Night Ranger’s Jeff Watson, Pablo Cruise’s David Jenkins, keyboardist Jimmy Nichols, Public Enemy bandleader Brian Hardgroove, and other veteran vocalists and session musicians.

In the category of Technical Achievement, winners included the Solid State Logic Duality SE (Large Format Console) and Logic X-Desk (Small Format Console); TC Electronic’s System 6000 Mk II (Signal Processing Technology /Hardware) and PolyTune tuner (Ancillary Equipment); The Harman Group’s JBL VERTEC VT4886/VT4883 Subcompact Line Array (Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker Technology) and Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Bundle (Signal Processing Technology/Software); Neumann’s TLM 102 (Microphone Technology/Studio) and KMS 104 Plus (Microphone Technology/Sound Reinforcement).The Musical Instrument Technology award, divided this year into separate categories, went to first-time winners Nord for its Electro 3 (Musical Instrument/Hardware) and Celemony for its Melodyne Editor (Musical Instrument/Software).

Green Day’s production crew won awards for both Record Production/Album with 21st Century Breakdown and Record Production/Single with “21 Guns.” The Film Sound award went to the sound designers and editors behind the blockbuster Avatar and the Interactive Entertainment Sound Production award went to the audio team for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Other winners for Creative Achievement were U2’s 360° Tour sound company Clair Showco (Tour Sound Production); Saturday Night Live (Television Sound Production); The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards (Remote Production); as well as the design team behind SCEA’’s Naughty Dog (Studio Design Project).

For a complete list of the 26th Annual TEC Awards winners go to http://tecawards.org/26thwinners.

The TEC Awards are presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio. Proceeds of the ceremony go to hearing conservation programs and scholarships for students of the audio arts and sciences. For more information, visit www.tecawards.org

Media Contact: Jane Byer jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—January 3, 2011

MUSIC AND SOUND LUMINARIES GATHER TO HONOR AUDIO’S BEST AT THE 26TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS

Musicians Alan Parsons, David Pack, Chad Smith; Producer/Engineers Ken Caillat, Ed Cherney, Ken Scott, Al Schmitt, Elliot Scheiner Head All-Star Lineup at NAMM Show Gala

January 3, 2011—Walnut Creek, CA—An array of top audio producer/engineers and musicians will assemble to recognize innovations in product design and the creative achievements of their peers at the 26th Annual Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) Awards. The audio industry’s most prestigious awards will be hosted by the 2011 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, January 14.

The night’s top honor, the Les Paul Award, will go to multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Lindsey Buckingham, and will be presented by producer/engineers Al Schmitt (Ray Charles, Steely Dan, Diana Krall) and Elliot Scheiner (Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Toto) along with producer Ken Caillat (Fleetwood Mac, The Beach Boys, Herbie Hancock). The Les Paul Award is presented annually to artists and others whose body of work exemplifies the creative application of audio technology.

Presenting awards in 25 categories of technical and creative achievement will be an all-star lineup of renowned artists, arrangers, producers and engineers, including: Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chickenfoot), Alan Parsons (Alan Parsons Project, Pink Floyd, Al Stewart), Ken Scott (The Beatles, David Bowie, Kansas), Ed Cherney (Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion), Dylan Dresdow (Black Eyed Peas, TLC, Anita Baker), Jeff Kollman (Cosmosquad, Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats), Paul Lipson (Hybrid, Halo Waypoint: The Return, Bioshock 2) and Frank Serafine (TRON, The Hunt for Red October, Field of Dreams).

To date, guest artists scheduled to perform include David Pack (Ambrosia), David Jenkins (Pablo Cruise) and Brian Hardgroove (Public Enemy). Carrying the evening will be the 2Cold ChiliBone TEC Band led by musical director Larry Batiste (GRAMMY Awards, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder), and will feature Will Kennedy (Yellowjackets, Lee Ritenour) on drums; Melvin Davis (Chaka Khan, Gerald Albright) on bass; keyboardist Jeff Babko and guitarist Toshi Yanagi, from the Jimmy Kimmel Live Band; percussionist Luis Conte (over 1,000 recordings); Ron King (Jeff Lorber, Michael Bolton) on trumpet; Jacques Voyemant (Chris Walden Big Band) and Michael Paulo (Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock). Background vocalists will include Andrea President, Hero’s Last Mission and Claytoven Richardson.

For tickets, visit http://26thannualtecawards.eventbrite.com/

For Additional Details, visit http://www.tecawards.org/tec/tecawards.html

Proceeds from the awards ceremony support hearing health awareness programs of the House Research Institute of Los Angeles and Hearing Education Awareness for Rockers (H.E.A.R.) of San Francisco, as well as numerous audio scholarship programs.

The TEC Awards is presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, a 501(c)(3) non-profit headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. For more information about The TEC Foundation, visit www.tecawards.org.

Media Contact: Jane Byer jane@tecawards.org

2010

PRESS RELEASE—December 17, 2010

MEYER SOUND, AVID, SENNHEISER HEAD UP AUDIO FOR 26TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS

December 17, 2010 —Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced that Meyer Sound, Avid and Sennheiser will be playing major roles in the 26th Annual TEC Awards, to be held Friday, January 14, at the Anaheim Hilton at the 2011 NAMM Show. The producers of the audio industry gala are expecting a capacity crowd and have partnered with some of the most highly respected audio and video companies for its production.

“The TEC Awards is the sound industry’s most prestigious awards event” says co-executive producer Hillel Resner, “and we’re being hosted for the first time by the largest music products trade show, so it’s critical that audio and video production is of the highest quality possible.”

Sound for the 2000-seat Pacific Ballroom will come from Meyer Sound MINA line array loudspeakers, JM-1P arrayable loudspeakers, MJF-212A stage monitors and 700-HP subwoofers supplied by Santa Barbara-based Luners Pro Sound and will be managed by Meyer Sound’s Galileo loudspeaker management system. Audio will be designed and mixed by veteran engineer Hal Soojian who will use Avid’s VENUE SC48 consoles. Wired and wireless microphone systems will be supplied by Sennheiser.

The show’s high-definition video presentation, directed by Steve Barger of San Francisco’s Dub Express, will be projected onto five large screens installed by Freeman for NAMM Show events throughout the week. The awards ceremony will feature a 3-camera live shoot and video clips of the nominees in 25 categories of audio products and projects. The videos are produced by Kevin Monahan and Denise Gallant of Video4, who are also editing a video tribute to Les Paul Award recipient Lindsey Buckingham, produced by award-winning documentary producer Jeff Scheftel.

Doing the musical honors will be the 2Cold ChiliBone TEC Band, directed by vocalist and keyboardist Larry Batiste featuring some of the industry’s top session musicians. Producing the TEC Awards for the 17th consecutive year is Rick Miller, whose career has encompassed extensive touring with artists such as Bernadette Peters, Boz Scaggs, Santana, and projects like Pope Benedict XVI’s Youth Rally in New York.

The TEC Awards is presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. Funds derived from the TEC Awards are donated to organizations that work to advance the cause of hearing health in the music environment, and to scholarships for students of audio and other media communications arts. For more information, visit www.tecawards.org.

For tickets, visit http://26thannualtecawards.eventbrite.com/

Media Contact: Jane Byer / 510.528.2014 / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—December 9, 2010

AUDIO AND TECHNOLOGY LEADERS TO SPONSOR 26TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS

Harman International, NAMM, GC Pro, Meyer Sound, Sennheiser/Neumann, Sterling Sound, Avid, Broadjam, Hal Leonard Corporation and Shure Head Sponsor Lineup

December 9, 2010 —Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced that 29 companies in the professional audio and technology industries are lending their support as sponsors of the 26th Annual TEC Awards. The awards, honoring outstanding achievement in professional audio production and product innovation, will be presented at the 2011 NAMM Show on Friday, January 14, in the Pacific Ballroom of the Anaheim Hilton. Besides the presentation of awards in 25 categories of technical and creative achievement, legendary musician and producer Lindsey Buckingham will be honored with the Les Paul Award, given annually for the creative application of music and recording technology.

Front of House sponsors include Sustaining Sponsor Harman International, encompassing many of the professional audio industry’s most respected brands; and NAMM, the largest trade association of the international music products industry. Platinum sponsors include GC Pro (Guitar Center Professional), the Guitar Center division that focuses on the needs of professional users; Meyer Sound, manufacturers of premium professional loudspeaker systems and other hardware and software for sound reinforcement, and recording applications; Sennheiser/Neumann, leading manufacturers of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems; and Sterling Audio, makers of studio-quality condenser microphones featuring tube and FET.

Gold sponsors include Avid, producer of award-winning digital audio and video solutions; Broadjam, the social media website focused on indie music and musicians; Hal Leonard Corporation, the world’s largest print music publisher, and leading software and music technology products distributor; and Shure Incorporated, one of the world's largest manufacturers of microphones and audio electronics.

Completing this year's lineup are Silver sponsors Focusrite/Novation and Sony and Bronze sponsors, DPA Microphones, Focal Professional, G.A.N.G., Genelec, PreSonus, TASCAM, TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik and Universal Audio. Nine Friends of TEC Sponsors are also supporting this year’s TEC Awards.

The TEC Awards is presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. Funds derived from the TEC Awards are donated to organizations that work to advance the cause of hearing health in the music environment, and to scholarships for students of audio and other media communications arts. For more information, visit www.tecawards.org.

For more information on TEC Awards sponsors, visit http://www.tecawards.org/tec/10sponsorresources.html

For Ticket and Event Information: http://26thannualtecawards.eventbrite.com

Media Contact: Jane Byer / 510.528.2014 / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—November 30, 2010

TECnology HALL OF FAME TO HONOR 80 YEARS OF HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Ten Innovations to be Inducted at 2011 NAMM Show Ceremony

November 30, 2010 —Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, presenters of the TEC Awards, has announced 10 inventions and products it will induct to its 6th Annual TECnology Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, January 15, at the 2011 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, and will be hosted by veteran pro audio journalist George Petersen.

Established in 2004, the TECnology Hall of Fame recognizes the innovations and companies that have made significant contributions to the advancement of audio technology. Inductees are chosen by a panel of more than 50 recognized audio experts, including authors, educators, product designers, production professionals and others. To be considered for induction, products or innovations must be at least 10 years old.

“This year’s inductees not only represent a number of ‘firsts’—including the first audio equalizer, compression driver, studio monitors, videotape recorder, programmable polyphonic synthesizer and in-ear monitoring system,” says George Petersen, “but also key technologies and classic products that continue to shape the present and future of professional audio.” The 2010 TECnology Hall of Fame inductees include:

1915 – Electric Wave-Filter (Audio Equalizer)
1926 – Western Electric 555-w Compression Driver
1937 – Lansing Iconic Studio Monitor
1939 – PCM Patent
1956 – Ampex Model VRX-1000 Video Recorder
1960 – Sennheiser MD-421 Microphone
1978 – Dave Smith Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
1985 – Future Sonics Ear Monitors
1992 – Waves Q10 Paragraphic Equalizer Plug-in
1997 – Antares Auto-Tune

The 6th Annual TECnology Hall of Fame ceremony will be presented on Saturday, the day after the 26th Annual TEC Awards, and will begin at 4 p.m. As part of NAMM’s H.O.T. (Hands-On Training) Zone, it will be held in Room 204B—the Stage Room—on Level 2 of the Anaheim Convention Center. Seating will be available for 300 and is offered to NAMM attendees, with priority given to inductees and their guests.

For full descriptions of the 2010 inductees, and past TECnology Hall of Fame inductee profiles, visit http://www.tecawards.org/hof/10techof.html

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. For complete information about the TEC Awards and the TEC Foundation, go to www.tecawards.org.

The 2011 NAMM Show is presented by NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants) and is the largest tradeshow for the international music products industry, drawing close to 88,000 attendees to its exhibits and educational programs annually. 

The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

Press Contact: Jane Byer / 510.528.2014 / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—October 28, 2010

LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM TO RECEIVE LES PAUL AWARD AT 26th ANNUAL TEC AWARDS 6TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS

Legendary Guitarist and Fleetwood Mac Mainstay Honored for Artistry, Technical Savvy

October 28, 2010—Walnut Creek, CA—Multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Lindsey Buckingham will be presented with the prestigious Les Paul Award at the 26th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, to be held Friday, January 14, in the Pacific Ballroom of the Anaheim Hilton during the 2011 NAMM Show. Presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, the TEC Awards recognizes outstanding achievement in professional audio production and product design. 

The Les Paul Award, named in honor of the renowned musician and inventor who passed away last year, is presented annually to an artist or studio professional whose passion, originality and skill in music and recording has made a lasting impact on the world. Past recipients include Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Al Kooper, Robbie Robertson and other musical giants since the award was instituted in 1991. According to TEC Foundation president Hillel Resner, “The prodigiously talented member of Fleetwood Mac and exceptional solo artist Lindsey Buckingham is a natural choice for the Les Paul Award honor.” 

Lindsey Buckingham's career began to take off when he and Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac’s core lineup of drummer Mick Fleetwood, bassist John McVie and keyboardist/singer Christine McVie in early 1974. The former blues band, with the addition of "Buckingham Nicks," immediately morphed into a pop hit-making wonder. The group’s eponymous album, produced by Keith Olsen, contained smash singles including Buckingham’s “Monday Morning,” “World Turning” and “I’m So Afraid.”  

However it would be their next album, 1977’s Rumours, that would launch the group into the pop stratosphere, propelled by Lindsey’s tunes, “Go Your Own Way” and “Second Hand News.” This time, the band produced—along with Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut—with Buckingham taking an increasingly active role in the studio, spending hundreds of hours crafting the songs and arrangements. Rumours remains one of the best selling discs of all time.  

Over the next several years, Buckingham was the principal producer on all of Fleetwood Mac’s projects, including the experimental double-album, Tusk, Mirage and Tango in the Night. In the early ’80s, Buckingham launched his solo career with Law and Order, which spawned the Top Ten hit “Trouble.” Other solo hits included “Go Insane” and “Holiday Road.”  

Buckingham’s career has continued to flourish—his critically acclaimed Under the Skin came out in 2006 and was followed by the exceptional DVD, Live at the Bass Performance Hall. His latest release, “Gift of Screws”, came out on September 16, 2008, which will be followed by his new solo project, scheduled for release in early 2011. 

The TEC Awards will be held on Friday night of the NAMM Show and is expected to attract more than 1,000 audio and music professionals from around the world. Proceeds of the ceremony provide scholarships for students of the audio arts and sciences, and support outreach programs promoting hearing health in the sound production industry.  

The TEC Awards is presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. For complete information about the TEC Awards and the TEC Foundation, go to www.tecawards.org.

Press Contact: Jane Byer / 510.528.2014 / jane@tecawards.org

PRESS RELEASE—September 28, 2010

26TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND PRODUCTION

Avett Brothers, Black Eyed Peas and Green Day lead Record Production nominees; Clair Brothers scores 4 nominations for Tour Sound; Production teams for 3 HBO series nominated for Television Sound

Winners to be announced at NAMM Show, January 14

September 28, 2010—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced the nominees in eight categories of Creative Achievement in sound production for the 26th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, to be presented at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA on Friday, January 14, 2011. The TEC Awards is the professional audio industry’s most prestigious recognition of outstanding achievement in sound production and product innovation. 

The Creative Achievement nominees join the nominees in 17 categories of Technical Achievement announced earlier this month. The awards for Creative Achievement recognize the producers, engineers, sound designers and editors, studios, tour companies and others behind the sound of diverse entertainment media.  

This year’s nominees garnering multiple nominations include tour sound company Clair Brothers of Lititz, PA (4), the producers and engineers for pop and experimental hip-hop stalwarts Black Eyed Peas (3), rootsy harmonizers the Avett Brothers (2) and alt-rock power house Green Day (2); and the production teams for 3 HBO television series (The Pacific, Treme and True Blood). 

Sound production for video games is also well represented by releases from leading companies such as Activision, DICE/EA, Eidos Interactive, Rockstar Games, SCEA and Warner Bros. Interactive. The Interactive Entertainment award is sponsored by the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.), the interactive audio industry’s leading nonprofit organization.

For the first time, the TEC Awards will be held at the NAMM show, the largest international music products trade show, held annually at the Anaheim Convention Center. The ceremony is expected to draw more than 1,000 top sound and music professionals, musical artists, NAMM members and exhibitors. The TEC Awards is sponsored by Harman, GCPro/Sterling Audio, NAMM, Shure, Broadjam.com and Hal Leonard Corp., among other leading companies in the sound and music industries.

For the complete list of 2010 Creative Achievement Nominees go to: www.tecawards.org/tec/10nomineescreat.html

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA. Besides presenting the TEC Awards, the Foundation provides scholarships for students of the audio arts and sciences and supports outreach programs promoting hearing health in the music environment.For tickets and other information, contact Karen Dunn at Karen@tecwards.org, or call (925) 708-0307 For complete information about the TEC Awards and the TEC Foundation, go to www.tecawards.org.

PRESS RELEASE—September 8, 2010

26TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

Sound Industry’s Most Prestigious Awards Show to be held January 14 at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA

Nominees announced in 17 categories of hardware and software for sound and music production

September 8, 2010—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio today announced the nominees for the 26th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, to be held Friday, January 14, 2011 at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. The TEC Awards is the world’s most prominent awards show honoring outstanding achievement in professional audio production and product innovation.

The nominees announced today, comprising 17 categories of Technical Achievement in product design, will be followed by announcement of nominees in nine categories of Creative Achievement in sound production. The nominations, made by a select panel of nearly 150 professionals in numerous audio specialties, are for products and projects released or completed during the eligibility period of April 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010. The eligibility year was increased by 3 months to compensate for the later date of the 26th Annual TEC Awards. Online voting begins on November 1 among members of various professional organizations, including the the Producer and Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy, the Society of Professional Audio Recording Services (SPARS) , NAMM, the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) and qualified professionals subscribing to various audio industry trade publications.

As is often the case, this year’s crop of nominees include a number with multiple nominations, including Audio-Technica, PreSonus and Shure, each with three nominations. Another 11 companies are double nominees.

At the same time, however, as TEC Foundation president, Hillel Resner, points out “there are more first-time nominees and ‘boutique’ companies with specialized and unique products than we have seen in a while. This is the sign of a changing industry serving a broader, more diverse universe of end users.”

The 26th Annual TEC Awards will be the first since the event’s inception to take place at the NAMM Show. The relocation of the TEC Awards follows the separation of the TEC Foundation from Mix magazine in 2009. Resner, former publisher and editor-in-chief of Mix, serves as co-executive producer of the awards with David Schwartz, co-founder and first edtor-in-chief of the magazine.

“We view the move of the TEC Awards to NAMM as an opportunity to take TEC to the next level,” Schwartz said. “The pro audio industry, including some of its most important and innovative companies, has a strong and growing presence at NAMM, and their customers attend the NAMM Show in large numbers. All of this means a bigger stage for the TEC Awards and greater visibility for audio professionals and technology.”

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. Sponsors of the 26th Annual TEC Awards include Sustaining Sponsor Harman, Guitar Center Professional, NAMM and Shure, Inc., Sterling Audio and other leading companies in the professional sound and music industries. For information visit www.tecawards.org, or call 925-284-7729.

For a complete list of the 26th AnnualTEC Awards nominees, please visit http://www.tecawards.org/tec/10nomineestech.html

PRESS RELEASE—April 27, 2010

26TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS TO BE HELD AT THE 2011 NAMM SHOW

Eligibility period for TEC nominations extended to June 30

TECnology Hall of Fame Awards to be presented at AES Convention in November, 2010

April 27, 2010—Walnut Creek, CA—The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced that 26th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards® will be held at the Winter NAMM Show on Friday January 14, 2011, in Anaheim, California. Presented annually by NAMM since 1902, the NAMM Show is the largest trade show for the international music products industry and draws close to 90,000 attendees to its exhibits and educational programs annually.

The TEC Awards®, founded in 1985, is the most prestigious awards event for the professional audio and sound production industry. Consisting of two dozen awards for achievement in audio products and projects, the TEC Awards is attended by manufacturers of audio equipment and software and the world’s top music producers, engineers, sound mixers and musical artists. A highpoint of the show is the Les Paul Award, sponsored by Gibson Guitar, presented to musical artists and others whose careers have exemplified the creative application of audio technology.

“The continuing advances in technology for all areas of sound and music production have vastly expanded the universe of both manufacturers and users,” said Hillel Resner, president of the TEC Foundation. “We are sure those attending NAMM will enjoy sharing in the recognition of technical and creative achievement that the TEC Awards bestow.”

“Since the days of NAMM Member Thomas Edison, virtually every major musical technology product that you can name was first shown at the NAMM Show,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “Our members are excited to welcome the TEC Awards to NAMM and celebrate the visionary people, companies and products that have filled the world with music.”

Because of the change in scheduling, the eligibility period for 26th Annual TEC Awards nominations will be extended to June 30, 2010 from its traditional March 31 date. Online voting by numerous professional organizations—including eligible NAMM members—will take place in November.

Resner made a point of assuring audio professionals that “the TEC Foundation looks forward to continuing its longtime relationship with the Audio Engineering Society, during whose convention the TEC Awards have been presented since their inception.” The Foundation’s 6th Annual TECnology Hall of Fame awards, honoring historical achievements in audio technology, will be presented at the 129th AES Convention, to be held this November in San Francisco.

About The TEC Foundation
The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to its own educational programs, funds derived from the TEC Awards have been donated over the years to organizations that educate both sound professionals and consumers about hearing health. The Foundation has also funded scholarship endowments at numerous colleges and universities for students of the audio arts and sciences. For more information about the TEC Foundation and the TEC Awards, visit www.tecawards.org.

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

For more information about the 26th Annual TEC Awards or the 6th Annual TECnology hall of Fame, please visit www.tecawards.org or call 925-284-7729.

PRESS RELEASE—March 12, 2010

15th ANNUAL TEC L.A. OPEN SLATED FOR MAY 17th

Platinum engineer Al Schmitt will chair sound industry charity tournament at Malibu C.C.

Proceeds to benefit House Ear Institute hearing health programs and TEC Awards’ TECnology Hall of Fame

March 12, 2010—Walnut Creek, CA—Some of the world’s most renowned music producers and engineers, along with professionals from the pro audio industry’s leading production facilities, manufacturers and distributors will converge for the 15th Annual TEC L.A. Open, to be held Monday, May 17, at the Malibu Country Club. Returning as Honorary Chairman is famed recording engineer Al Schmitt, a member of the TEC Awards© Hall of Fame and recipient of 21 Grammys ®, as well as the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Over the past fourteen years the TEC L.A. Open has established a tradition of friendly competition and generous support for the TEC Foundation’s programs,” says tournament director Karen Dunn. “We are excited to be celebrating our 15th anniversary and especially grateful to our many sponsors and loyal golfers.”

Presented by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, the popular charity event will be sponsored for the third consecutive year by Guitar Center Professional. Proceeds of the tournament support the House Ear Institute’s hearing health outreach services for audio professionals and the TEC Foundation’s TECnology Hall of Fame, recognizing the most historically significant audio innovations and inventors, held annually at the AES Convention.

"We have partnered with the TEC Foundation for many years to address the hearing health concerns of people working in the audio profession," said Marilee Potthoff, director of community education & outreach, House Ear Institute. "The Foundation's support this year will help us provide greater direct outreach to sound professionals in need of our hearing health expertise."

2009

PRESS RELEASE—December 14 , 2009

MIX FOUNDATION CHANGES NAME, SEEKS PARTNERS FOR TEC AWARDS

New Direction For Non-profit Charity After 19-year Mix Magazine Association

December 14, 2009—Walnut Creek, CA—The Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio, presenters of the Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, announced today that it has changed its name to the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio. The Foundation, a 501 ( c )( 3 ) public benefit corporation, was founded in 1990 by the publishers of Mix magazine, with the mission of furthering excellence in the audio arts and sciences.

“This move is a logical consequence of our separation from Mix in 2008,” said Hillel Resner, president of the Foundation since its beginning. “Even though, as a charity, the Foundation has always been a separate legal entity, retaining the Mix name has created confusion both inside and outside the industry we serve. Our board has decided that it’s time for us to move on and establish our own identity as the organization responsible for the TEC Awards, the Les Paul Award, the L.A. Open golf tournament and our other activities.”

Resner also announced that newly-renamed TEC Foundation is actively seeking partners to provide financial support for the TEC Awards and other programs, as well as the creation of new ones. The Foundation’s work is largely funded by sponsorships, which have suffered as a result of the current recession.

“Like all charitable organizations, the TEC Foundation has been impacted by the economic downturn,” Resner said. “In order to continue improving our programs and aiding the twin causes of audio education and hearing health, we feel the need to team up with two or three corporate partners from the pro audio and technology sectors that we can count on to provide a baseline of financial support. This represents a rare opportunity for companies who are committed to advancing excellence in audio technology, and we will be holding discussions with several potential partners in the very near future.”

The Foundation was established 5 years after the launch of the TEC Awards (1985), which has since become the foremost program honoring outstanding achievement in audio technology and production. The 25th Annual TEC Awards was held October 10 at the AES Convention in New York City. Though substantially scaled back from previous years, the ceremony at Javits Center attracted nearly 500 attendees. The awards were presented by such sound industry luminaries as Phil Ramone, George Massenburg, Eddie Kramer, Chris Stone and David Hewitt, among others.

For more informmation about the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audioand its programs, please visit www.tecawards.org or email info@tecawards.org. The 25th Annual TEC Awards can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/TECAwards.

PRESS RELEASE—October 12, 2009

25TH ANNUAL EXCELLENCE & CREATIVITY AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Production teams for Coldplay, Foo Fighters take top Creative Achievement honors;
Avid Digidesign, Solid State Logic, Universal Audio are double winners
for Technical Achievement

Special tribute celebrates life and contributions of Les Paul

October 12, 2009—New York, NY—Nearly 500 audio industry professionals turned out Saturday evening to recognize the achievements of their peers in sound production and product design. Held for the first time at the Audio Engineering Society Convention, the TEC Awards celebrated its 25th anniversary with a theater-style presentation featuring some of the most illustrious names in sound and music, highlighted by a sentimental tribute to the late music icon, Les Paul.

In the Technical Achievement categories, Avid Digidesign won awards for both the ProTools 8 (Workstation Technology) and VENUE Mix Rack System (Sound Reinforcement Console); Solid State Logic scooped up awards for both SSL Matrix (Small Format Console) and the AWS 900+ SE (Large Format Console); and Universal Audio won with both the 710 Twin-Finity (Microphone Preamplifier Technology) and UAD-2 Quad (Signal Processing/Hardware). First-time Technical Achievement winners included DPA Microphones with its Model 4099 (Microphones/Sound Reinforcement); iZotope for the Ozone 4 Mastering Suite (Signal Processing/Software) and Nagra for the Nagra VI (Recording Devices).

Among the night’s winners for Creative Achievement were the production teams behind Coldplay’s Viva La Vida (awarded for both Record Production/Single and Record Production/Album); Foo Fighters’ Live at Wembley Stadium (Surround Sound Production); JVC Newport Jazz Festival (Remote Production/Recording or Broadcast); the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Raising Sand tour (Tour Sound); James Taylor, One Man Band (Television Sound); The Dark Knight (Film Sound); as well as the designers of Santa Barbara’s Playback Recording Studio (Studio Design). The award for Interactive Entertainment Sound Production sponsored by the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.). went to Blizzard’s World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King.

This year’s TEC Awards “big birthday” was hosted by industry veteran Chris Stone, founder of Record Plant, World Studio Group, Penteo Surround and co-founder of S.P.A.R.S. The ceremony featured a stellar lineup of presenters including past Hall of Fame inductees: remote engineer David Hewitt; engineer/producer Eddie Kramer; engineer, producer and technologist George Massenburg; and the Pope of Pop, producer/engineer Phil Ramone. The presenter team also included six time TEC Award-winning architect /acoustician John Storyk of the Walters-Storyk Design Group.

The presentation was highlighted by a video tribute to the late Les Paul, pioneer of multi-track recording and the solid body electric guitar, followed by a speech delivered by George Petersen, respected audio history authority and executive editor of Mix magazine. Russ Paul, one of Les Paul’s sons also spoke.

For a complete list of the 2009 TEC Awards Winners, go to www.mixfoundation.org/tec/09winners.html

The TEC Awards is presented by The Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio and sponsored by 27 companies in the professional audio industry. Lead sponsors include Gibson Guitar and the nonprofit Gibson Foundation, Guitar Center Pro, Audio Engineering Society, Broadjam, Inc., RØDE Microphones, Shure and Sterling Audio. The Producers and Engineers wing of the Recording Academy contributed audio/video resources to the production. For a complete list of sponsors, visit www.mixfoundation.org/tec/09sponsors.html.

The Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501©(3) charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. The Foundation’s primary mission is the further understanding of and excellence in professional audio through educational programs, including the TEC Awards and the TECnology Hall of Fame, as well as scholarships for students of the audio arts and sciences. The Foundation has also been a leader in promoting hearing health in the music environment by supporting programs of the House Ear Institute and H.E.A.R.

PRESS RELEASE—September 22, 2009

25TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS ANNOUNCES PRESENTERS, SPONSORS FOR OCTOBER 10 GALA AT AES

Chris Stone to host awards and Tribute to Les Paul ; Hall-of-Famers Massenburg, Ramone, Kramer and Hewitt head all-star presenters roster

Gibson Guitar, Gibson Foundation, GC Pro and AES are presenting sponsors—27 companies support event’s Silver Anniversary

September 22, 2009—New York, NY— The 25th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards has announced the presenters, sponsors and schedule of the show, to be held on Saturday, October 10 at the Audio Engineering Society Convention in New York. The festivities will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception outside the South Concourse Special Events Room followed by the awards ceremony at 6:00. A limited number of tickets remain available and may be purchased at www.mixfoundation.org/tec/tecawards.html .

The ceremony will be hosted by industry veteran and Record Plant founder, Chris Stone, who will preside over the presentation of awards in 25 categories of achievement in audio technology and production. Confirmed presenters include four members of the TEC Awards Hall of Fame: platinum producers George Massenburg, Phil Ramone and Eddie Kramer, and remote recording engineer par excellence, David Hewitt. Joining them will be TEC Awards co-founder David Schwartz, world-class studio designer John Storyk, Mix magazine executive editor George Petersen, G.A.N.G. (Game Audio Network Guild) president Paul Lipson, SPARS executive director Paul Christensen and Guitar Center Professional’s Rick Plushner. GC Pro is Sponsor of the Technical Awards categories.

“We are grateful beyond words for the participation of so many key figures in our industry’s history,” said Hillel Resner, president of the Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio, presenter of the awards. “This year in particular, with the economic pressures everyone is facing, the value of the moral support of these old friends, as well as the material support of the AES in hosting the event, cannot be overstated.”

Resner also pointed to the generous support of the sponsors as indispensable. Besides presenting sponsors Gibson and the nonprofit Gibson Foundation, GG Pro and AES, other Front House Sponsors include Broadjam, Inc., which contributed IT assistance for the TEC Awards voting, RODE/Event, Shure, Inc. and Sterling Audio. Legacy Sponsors include G.A.N.G., Meyer Sound, the Producers/Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy and Universal Audio. Fifteen Supporting Sponsors complete the sponsorship lineup.

All sponsors and links to their websites, as well as TEC Awards ticket and event information, can be found at www.mixfoundation.org.

The Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. The Foundation’s primary mission is to further understanding of and excellence in professional audio through educational programs, including the TEC Awards and the TECnology Hall of Fame, as well as scholarships for students of the audio arts and sciences.The Foundation has also been a leader in promoting hearing health in the music environment by supporting programs of the House Ear Institute and H.E.A.R.

PRESS RELEASE—July 28, 2009

25TH ANNUAL TEC AWARDS ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

Sound Industry’s Most Prestigious Awards Show to be held October 10th at Audio Engineering Society Convention in New York City

SSL, TC Group garner four nominations each, AKG and Universal Audio have three apiece

July 28, 2009—Walnut Creek, CA—The Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced the nominees for the 25th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, to be held Saturday, October 10, 2009, at the 127th Audio Engineering Society Convention at the Javits Center in New York City. The TEC Awards is the world’s most prominent forum honoring outstanding achievement in professional audio production and product design.

The nominees announced today, comprising 16 categories of Technical Achievement in product design, will be followed by the announcement of nominees in nine categories of Creative Achievement in sound production. The nominations, made by a select panel of more than 100 professionals in all areas of audio, are for products and projects released or completed during the eligibility period of April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2009. Online voting begins on August 10 among members of various professional organizations, including the Audio Engineering Society (AES), The Producer and Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy, the Society of Professional Audio Recording Services (SPARS) and the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.).

It was a big year for Solid State Logic and TC Electronics, both of whom received four nominations, and AKG and Universal Audio, who received three each, while six other companies (Euphonix, Focusrite, JBL, Sennheiser, Telefunken and Yamaha) garnered two nominations apiece.

"We’re thrilled to be returning to New York for our 25th Anniversary," says Hillel Resner, president of the Mix Foundation. "This is where the TEC Awards were born back in 1985, at the Puck Building in SoHo. Even though the Foundation separated from Mix Magazine last year, our support within the professional audio community is stronger than ever.

The TEC Awards will be held on the second evening of the 127th AES convention and is expected to draw at least 500 top sound and music professionals from around the world. Funds derived from the ceremony support the Mix Foundation’s educational programs, including the TEC Awards®, the TECnology Hall of Fame and scholarship programs for students of the audio arts and sciences. For tickets and other information, visit www.mixfoundation.org, email vici@mixfoundation.org or call 925-284-7729.

For a complete list of the 2009 TEC Awards nominees, please visit www.mixfoundation.org/tec/09nomineestech.html

The Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, charitable organization headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. The TEC Awards are sponsored by the Gibson Guitar Corp., Gibson Foundation, Guitar Center Professional, Shure, Inc., Sterling Audio and other leading companies in the professional sound and music industries.

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