Boston AES | "Best Resistors for Audio" | Brewster LaMacchia

Northeastern University
Robert J. Shillman Hall
Tuesday, February 27, 2018

At the 143rd AES a resistor manufacturer's booth sign about the "best resistors for audio" led to an in-depth look at what characteristics resistors actually have that would affect an audio system and how those could be measured. Sounded simple enough but dozens of measurements later there are more questions than answers. We'll review noise and distortion in electronics, the test fixture design, the measurement tool, and some initial results. The presentation will close with a list of potential side projects that may be of interest to AES student members looking for topics for papers or poster sessions.

Brewster LaMacchia has been involved with DSP and audio through a succession of companies. Previously with Momentum Data Systems he worked on playback systems for consumer 3D audio (ATMOS & DTS:X). MDS hardware & software system products are found in many high-end home theater pre-processors; MDS software is found in mass market multi-channel consumer audio products. Currently, with a new company, Clockworks Signal Processing LLC, he's focused on open source modular hardware for audio signal processing. Outside of work he's active in area astronomy clubs and regularly organizes star parties for the public to observe through volunteer's telescopes.