In this episode of Audio Talks, host Oisin Lunny is joined by Marcela Rada, an award-winning researcher, educator, and founder of the Immersive Lounge. From discovering a field recorder at age six to winning Best Student Paper at the AES Convention in Warsaw, Marcela’s journey is a powerful blend of curiosity, academic rigor, and a passion for making immersive audio more accessible and artist-driven.
Marcela discusses the audio industry’s ongoing transformation driven by the rise of spatial and immersive audio formats such as binaural and ambisonics, and shares her thoughts on how these technologies are reshaping how sound is produced, experienced, and distributed, particularly in music, VR, and AR. As streaming platforms adopt immersive formats and offer new incentives, there’s growing demand for high-quality, spatially-aware music production. Through initiatives like The Immersive Lounge, Marcela explores how research, education, and collaborative production can help shape immersive audio as both a technological innovation and a creative discipline.
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A Legacy of Sound
In this episode of Audio Talks, host OisÃn Lunny sits down with Sean Olive, former Senior Fellow at HARMAN and one of the most influential figures in modern audio research. Known for his groundbreaking work on the HARMAN Sound Curve, Sean has helped elevate the entire industry’s understanding of sound quality - bridging the gap between how we hear and how we measure sound. From struggling with poor recordings of his own piano recitals and jazz orchestrations to his mentorship under audio legend Dr. Floyd Toole and leadership as President of the Audio Engineering Society, Sean’s mission has always been to transform the way we experience sound. Here, he shares the personal and professional journey that led him to reshape how we think about listener preferences, headphone equalization, and predictive modeling of sound quality.
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From Boomboxes to Bluetooth
In this episode of Audio Talks, host Oisin Lunny explores the rich history and exciting future of portable audio with Carsten Olesen from Harman International and Guy Hammett from Futuresource Consulting. From the vinyl Dansettes of the 1950s to today’s AI-enhanced Bluetooth speakers, the conversation traces the cultural, emotional, and technological evolution of music on the move. The guests discuss pivotal innovations like the JBL Flip and JBL Charge series, the rise of rugged party speakers, and the transformative potential of Bluetooth LE and Auracast. With personal stories, industry insights, and a look at what’s next, this episode is a celebration of how portable audio continues to shape our lives.
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The Fragile Future of Audio Archives
In this episode of Audio Talks, host Oisin Lunny engages with audio preservation experts David Seubert and Gerald Seligman to discuss the critical importance of preserving master recordings and audio heritage. They explore the devastating impact of the 2008 Universal Fire at Universal Studios, which destroyed countless irreplaceable recordings, and the broader implications for music history and cultural memory. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by both public institutions and commercial record labels in preserving audio, the fragility of audio heritage, the role of technology in restoration efforts, and how listeners can contribute to preserving sound history.
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Greening the Live Events Industry
In this extended episode of Audio Talks, we explore how the live events industry is rising to the challenge of the climate crisis. Recorded on Earth Day, Oisin Lunny discusses what a greener live music industry could look like with Claire O’Neill - CEO and Co-Founder of A Greener Future and Katy Templeman-Holmes - Senior Director of Product Strategy & Sustainability at Harman Professional. From cultural shifts across the live music industry, innovative solutions like Act 1.5, and the impact of power consumption, hear how everything from powerful collective action, food choices, and innovations in manufacturing are helping the industry reduce its carbon footprint and accelerate towards a greener future.
Audio Talks. A podcast on all things audio presented to you by HARMAN and our family of audio brands including JBL, Harman Kardon and AKG. Host Oisin Lunny, music journalist and audio enthusiast, will interview expert guests, legends of the music industry and audio scientists to discuss the power of music and audio in all its facets. New episode bi-weekly every Thursday.
Ireland