A visit with Alan Howarth, notable film composer & technologist

I had a fascinating meeting recently with a relatively new colleague (to me) -- though apparently many in my circle have known him for years. Alan Howarth is a notable film composer, sound designer, and technologist. Perhaps best known for scoring all of the "Halloween" films, the original Star Trek film, "Hunt for Red October", and many others -- he's also a brilliant sound designer. Check out his site if you want to learn more. In addition to all of these accomplishments (of which there's much to write; I reserve the right to come back to them later), I wanted to share some highlights of our visit, which was Alan as technologist.

Alan has just finished building a state-of-the-art music and sound design studio at his LA home. He has included the latest technology in computers, sound elements and software. This studio is more like a finished working 'lab' prototype to showcase Alan's commercial endeavors. A veritable Disneyland for audiophiles and technophiles alike. There are two discrete sound systems in the main studio, a state of the art 5.1 surround mixing environment and a totally immersive sound system he's created that would be considered a 48.6 system (with no "sweet spot") -- way beyond a 3D surround sound effect. It's truly mindblowing.

He has also developed custom software and patented concepts that spread the sound to all the extra speakers as audio pixels, much like all the pixels of light in a computer monitor, only with sound. Sound comes from all directions, the same as you hear in real life. Imagine the possibilities for artists when mixing their CDs or re-recording original masters (the way they truly intended audiences to hear the music; it's addictive once you've experienced it, believe me!).

Alan seeks to pioneer the audio array technology as an art form as well as a super surround system for theaters and theme parks. All of these technologies have vast commercial potential; it looks like I will be collaborating with Alan to pursue some of these opportunities, so expect to hear more as things unfold.