M.a.A.T.E! returns to SAE Melbourne with free demos, talks and a headline guest beaming in from Portland.
Calling every audio fan in Melbourne: M.a.A.T.E! lands at SAE University College Melbourne on 14 November, and it’s free.
The Music and Audio Technology Expo, known as M.a.A.T.E! for short, is a full day of product demos, talks and workshops. Producers, engineers, educators and students will be wandering the halls, and plenty of the gear on show is there to be touched.
M.a.A.T.E! has its roots in the Melbourne Audio Trade Show, which ran at SAE from 2016 to 2018.
Organiser and SAE lecturer Gareth Parton says the program is built around conversation rather than sales pitches.
“We’ve focused on opportunities for meaningful engagement rather than simply showcasing products,” he says.
M.a.A.T.E!
- Where: SAE University College Melbourne, 235 Normanby Road, South Melbourne
- When: 14 November
- Free – registration required, here
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Why the expo is back
The relaunch comes with a fresh name, and Parton admits he put some thought into it.
“This is the most Aussie acronym I could come up with!” he says.
The earlier trade shows left an impression on him. “What stood out most was the sense of community,” Parton says.
“People weren’t just coming to see new equipment; they were coming to talk shop, learn from each other and connect with others who shared the same passion for audio.”
The timing lines up with a big year for SAE, which is celebrating 50 years of creative and technology education. The South Melbourne campus has also had a glow-up, including a new Dolby Atmos theatre and an SSL Duality console.
What’s on at M.a.A.T.E!
The exhibitor list covers plenty of ground.
CMI Music & Audio will bring Korg, Arturia, Native Instruments and Universal Audio, while Amber Technology is repping Avid, Solid State Logic and JBL.
Link Audio will have PreSonus, Audix and Apogee, and Group Technologies is showing L-Acoustics, DiGiCo and RME. Roland, Factory Sound, Sky Music, Studio Connections and the Music Producers and Engineers Guild are also on the bill.
Avid will run through the latest Pro Tools updates and SAE’s brand new 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos system, and Ableton will walk visitors through new features in Ableton Live.
Pacific Ears will present on safe listening and hearing protection, and Panorama Audio Labs will show off a new plugin.
Parton reckons the exhibitor chats are very much worth the time.
“Some of the best insights often come from informal conversations and hands-on demonstrations with the people who design, distribute and support these technologies,” he says.
Larry Crane beams in from Portland
Keynote speaker Larry Crane is the founder of Tape Op magazine and runs Jackpot! recording studio in Portland.
He’s worked with Elliott Smith, Sleater Kinney, The Go Betweens and Stephen Malkmus, and he’ll join the day remotely to talk recording, creativity and where the industry is headed.
Parton says Larry’s background is what makes him such a drawcard. “Larry’s perspective is unique because he’s not only worked at a high level, but he’s also spent years helping others learn, develop and think critically about the creative process,” he says.
There’s also a mastering session, with Panorama Audio Labs founder Nick Di Lorenzo sitting down with mastering engineer Joe Carra. They’ll dig into critical listening, workflow and the future of the craft.
Parton is keen to see it; “Mastering is often one of the least understood stages of the production process,” he says.
Rounding out the program is a live synth jam, where punters can watch electronic music being created and performed in real time.
“It’s a chance to see synthesis and electronic music creation in a more creative and collaborative environment, showcasing both instruments and performance techniques,” Parton says.
Who M.a.A.T.E! is for
Whether you mix records for a living, are studying audio or are just curious about the tech, the day is open to you.
Asked who it’s aimed at, Parton keeps it short. “It’s genuinely for all of the above,” he says.
“The event is free because we want it to be as accessible as possible; the biggest recommendation is to come for the full day!” he says.
Check the program beforehand, bring questions and say hello to exhibitors. Exclusive deals and door prizes will also be up for grabs on the day.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with SAE University College.
