IAR Dean Noel Smith was interviewed in the April 2007 Issue of Pro Sound News magazine, for the article entitled “SR Education: Analog Process in a Digital World.” The article focuses on how crucial it is for aspiring live sound engineers in today’s professional sound reinforcement industry to get a comprehensive education. The article also raises the point that even though the “digital realm holds sway over pro audio these days, most sound reinforcement educators remain adamant that their students be introduced to live sound using analog gear. As corners of the live sound pro audio sector get more niche-oriented, the impetus falls upon educators to provide students with as wide-based an education as possible.”

Noel is quoted as saying that “IAR’s approach is defined by its roots in studio recording as well as its surroundings: Our facility is located in the prime Manhattan real estate market, and we do not have the luxury of a large performance space in which to set up large rigs. We use small-venue setups and models as our training platforms. We focus on signal flow, setups, and the functioning of each of the systems that would typically be found in a club or arena. We use gear from many different manufacturers; a sampling would be: DBX (Zone Pro), Rane (crossovers), Hafler, Crown (power amps), Yamaha (mixers), Lectrosonics, HME, and Sony (wireless mics).”

“For all the focus that the working industry may place on equipment, it’s important that students gain an understanding of live audio that won’t go out of date with the next software upgrade from a given manufacturer.”