Music Expo San Francisco
November 9, 2024 | Music City SF
1
Day
500+
Attendees
30+
Sessions
25+
Companies
Shaping the future of music
Whether you’re an emerging music creator or a seasoned professional aiming to elevate your skills, Music Expo is the place to be. Dive into the latest in music technology, seize unique opportunities, and connect face-to-face with fellow artists and industry leaders. Don’t miss out on your chance to boost your career and ignite your creative spark.
Program
Program subject to chance. Check often to see updates.
November 8 - Hyde Street Studios
VIP SESSIONS
Exclusive event reserved to VIP Access Ticket Holders
Time | Title | Featurei |
---|---|---|
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Mix Q&A Session with Mark Needham and John Cuniberti We officially kickoff of Music Expo San Francisco 2024 in partnership with Hyde Street Studios! John and Mark will share insights into some of their most iconic recordings and mixes created at Hyde Street Studios. This is a unique opportunity to connect with fellow musicians and producers. Enjoy drinks and food while networking with other attendees. | Mark Needham and John Cuniberti |
November 9 - Music City San Francisco
Opening Sessions
Time | Title | Featuring |
---|---|---|
9:30AM | Conference Opens / Registration Alliance Française | |
9:30AM-10AM | Networking with Exhibitors | |
9:30AM-6:00PM | Exhibition Groundfloor & Mezzanine | |
9:30AM - 6:00PM | Experience Dolby Atmos music in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Sonos | |
10:00AM - 10:30AM | Music Partnership with Tech Companies How building a royalty-free library for Facebook and YouTube led to financial security and new opportunities. | Otis McDonald |
Immersive Audio Sessions presented by
Time | Title | Featuring | Room |
---|---|---|---|
10:35AM | GETTING STARTED WITH DOLBY ATMOS The Dolby Atmos Music Ecosystem; The difference between Multichannel Audio and Object-Based Audio; Essential Dolby Atmos Tools; Basic Renderer Functions; Content delivery | John Scanlon, Ben Givarz | Stage 3 |
11:30AM | DISCOVER THE ART OF IMMERSIVE MUSIC PRODUCTION The workshop covers both the technical and creative aspects of tridimensional music production for anyone curious about the impact of immersive audio on their work. | Nahuel Bronzini & Cigarbox Man | Stage 3 |
11:30AM | HANDS-ON LEARNING HOW TO GET STARTED ON PRO TOOLS WITH DOLBY INSTITUTE⬤ DAW Session setup; Signal routing and basic concepts; Working with Object based audio; Basic Renderer Functions; Utilizing the binaural Renderer for content creation; Intro to the Dolby Atmos Music Accelerator & Learning Management System | John Scanlon, Brandon Nales, Ben Givarz | 301 |
12:30PM | Networking Lunch | ||
1:30PM | DEEP DIVE INTO A DOLBY ATMOS MIX Matt Boudreau breakdowns his mix in Dolby Atmos of Aloe Blacc's version of Black Hole Sun produced y Otis McDonald. He will also explains how he mixes in Dolby Atmos and Stereo simultaneously on one of his other recent projects. | Matt Boudreau | Stage 3 |
1:30PM | HANDS-ON LEARNING HOW TO GET STARTED ON LOGIC PRO WITH DOLBY INSTITUTE DAW Session setup; Signal routing and basic concepts; Working with Object based audio; Basic Renderer Functions; Utilizing the binaural Renderer for content creation; Intro to the Dolby Atmos Music Accelerator & Learning Management System | John Scanlon, Brandon Nales, Ben Givarz | 301 |
2:30PM | FROM MIX TO MASTER TO DELIVERABLES From Mix to Master to Deliverables: Receiving Atmos mixes and dialog with the artist/producer/engineer to creating references and making the final deliverables for distribution. | Michael Romanowski | Stage 3 |
2:30PM | HANDS-ON LEARNING HOW TO GET STARTED ON PRO TOOLS WITH DOLBY INSTITUTE⬤ DAW Session setup; Signal routing and basic concepts; Working with Object based audio; Basic Renderer Functions; Utilizing the binaural Renderer for content creation; Intro to the Dolby Atmos Music Accelerator & Learning Management System | John Scanlon, Brandon Nales, Ben Givarz | 301 |
3:30PM | Networking Break | ||
4:00PM | IMMERSIVE LISTENING SESSION | Michael Romanowski, Leslie Ann Jones | Stage 3 |
4:00PM | HANDS-ON LEARNING HOW TO GET STARTED ON LOGIC PRO WITH DOLBY INSTITUTE DAW Session setup; Signal routing and basic concepts; Working with Object based audio; Basic Renderer Functions; Utilizing the binaural Renderer for content creation; Intro to the Dolby Atmos Music Accelerator & Learning Management System | John Scanlon, Brandon Nales, Ben Givarz | 301 |
Music Business Sessions
Time | Title | Featuring | Room |
---|---|---|---|
10:30AM | BEYOND STREAMING: ALTERNATIVE OUTLETS FOR YOUR MUSIC In this panel we will discuss how to get your music into visual media such as games, film, advertising and more. We will talk about how to break into the industry and where to go for more formal training. | Steve Horowitz, Sonia Mokhtari, Jerome Rossen, Sami Freeman | Main Stage |
11:30AM | HOW TO GET YOUR SONGS SIGNED FOR SYNC Calling all indie artists, songwriters and producers looking to license their music in ads, TV, film and other media. Learn how to pitch your music for professional sync representation in this interactive workshop. | Sonnet Simmons | Stage 2 |
11:30AM | DIVERSIFY AND THRIVE: INNOVATIVE REVENUE STREAMS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY Explore the dynamic landscape of revenue opportunities in the music industry with our expert panelists who have successfully diversified their revenue streams from podcasts and music agencies to vinyl manufacturing. | Warren Huart, Matt Boudreau, Piper Payne, Elaine Ryan, Elaine Huang | Main Stage |
12:30PM | Networking Break | ||
1:30PM | PRACTICAL AI IN MUSIC BUSINESS | Tommy Speer Jr., Saul Spady, Sonnet Simmons, Stefan Aronsen, Jen Knight | Main Stage |
2:30PM | PRACTICAL MARKETING FOR ARTISTS Marketing an artist or new music release in the digital age is both an art and a science — and at times, it might feel like the “science” part is increasingly stacked against the artist’s favor. New “hot” social channels continue to pop up forcing enterprising artists and their teams to continuously adapt their marketing strategies to keep up with culture. | Kenya Moses, Joi Rhone, Tiffany Wilson, Elaine Huang, Chris Ruff, Jeff Straw | Main Stage |
3:30PM | Networking with Exhibitors | ||
4:00PM | Speed up Music Creation and Production with AI | TBA | TBA |
5:00PM | RECOMMENDATION FOR DELIVERY OF RECORDED MUSIC PROJECTS | Maureen Droney | Main Stage |
Creative Sessions presented by
Time | Title | Featuring | Room |
---|---|---|---|
10:35AM | SETTING UP A ROOM FROM ZERO ‘How do I get MY room to sound good?’ Using commonly available materials, Nate demonstrates how a basic understanding of room acoustics can help achieve significantly better sound just by positioning some items thoughtfully. | Nate Baglyos | Stage 2 |
10:35AM | THE TEN BIGGEST MISTAKES SONGWRITERS MAKE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM How do professional writers consistently create songs that impact millions? In this information-packed workshop Jai will explain each of them in detail, illustrated with specific musical examples, so you can immediately begin applying these practices to your own writing. | Jai Josefs | Stage 6 |
11:30AM | VOCAL VISION A vocal recording can be a monumental experience for an artist and an opportunity to share their creation. In this presentation Blake will share some of the tools I have accumulated from working with many singers over the years to achieve their vocal vision! | Blake Cline | Stage 6 |
12:30PM | Networking Break | ||
1:30PM | THE ART OF SYNTHESIZERS: HISTORY, INNOVATION, AND MUSICAL EXPRESSION | Guido Salaya | Stage 2 |
1:30PM | PRODUCING ROCK SONGS - FROM PRE-PRODUCTION TO FINAL MIX Learn how to put together a killer rock track step by step. We'll start with the pre-production and songwriting process; Next, we'll dive into the production process, go through some multi-tracks, and outline ideas such as call and response between instruments; Lastly, we'll break down the mix and dive into techniques. | Jacob Light | Stage 6 |
2:30PM | Dawless workshop | Trovarsi | Stage 2 |
2:30PM | FAST AND FURIOUS WORKFLOW Otis McDonald to breakdown his super effective workflow. | Otis McDonald | Stage 6 |
3:30PM | Networking with Exhibitors | ||
4:00PM | BEHIND THE HARMONIES: TECHNIQUES TO BE THE SESSION SINGER THEY WILL HIRE AGAIN! This interactive workshop is designed for aspiring and professional singers seeking to enhance their studio performance: Vocal Versatility; Studio Etiquette; Microphone & Headphone Techniques;Quick Learning; Harmonizing and Blending; Performance Under Pressure. | Briget Boyle | Stage 6 |
4:00PM | PRO-TIPS: GAME MUSIC This presentation outlines the process of scoring a video game through the three main phases of development: composition, production, and implementation. | Matt Levine | Stage 2 |
Closing and Evening Sessions
Time | Title | Featuring | Room |
---|---|---|---|
6:00PM | Closing Keynote | TBA | Main Stage |
6:30PM | Happy Hour presented by The Recording Academy, SF Chapter | ||
7:30PM | Performance by Cigarbox Man to celebrate Music Expo's 10th anniversary | ||
10PM | The End |
Exhibitors
ADAM Audio is an established manufacturer of modern monitoring solutions. From its Berlin HQ, ADAM Audio offers cutting-edge studio monitors to passionate creators and professionals alike. With in-house production and development capabilities, ADAM Audio ensures meticulous attention to detail and uncompromising quality across the entire product range.
Room 303 & 304
ORIA, the world’s first audio interface and monitor controller designed specifically with immersive audio in mind. Built for creating immersive audio mixes for formats such as Dolby Atmos, ORIA lets you calibrate, control and monitor multi-channel speaker arrays from stereo up to 9.1.6 and everything in between. Perfect for music, film, TV, game and VR production.
Audeze is an award-winning premium headphone company engineering proprietary planar magnetic and electrostatic drivers for unparalleled realism and translation. Used by Grammy-winning recording artists worldwide, Audeze is one of the most respected audio companies in the world.
For over 25 years, ASG has provided strategic advisory, consulting, design, engineering, integration, commissioning, training, and support services to technology, corporate, sports, and media organizations across North America. Their managed services team supports major US and global companies.
Audigo simplifies high-quality audio recording for musicians. It offers a wireless microphone and an easy-to-use mobile app, compatible with smartphones, ideal for creating social media videos and multitrack demos. Suitable for beginners and seasoned musicians alike, Audigo allows recording anywhere, with features for exporting and remote collaboration. It removes the hassle of traditional recording gear, enabling musicians to focus on creativity.
Avid empowers media creators with innovative technology and collaborative tools to entertain, inform, educate and enlighten the world.
Room 205
The Focusrite brand offers audio interfaces and other solutions for recording musicians, producers, podcasters, and audio professionals alike. Today the company is famous for offering unprecedented sonic performance at every price point, notably the ubiquitous Scarlett range of USB interfaces. Focusrite relentlessly pursues opportunities to inspire creativity through technology, constantly seeking new ways to eliminate technological barriers, without compromising on sound quality.
Room 303 & 304
GS Music, founded by Guido Salaya in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is renowned for crafting high-quality analog polyphonic synthesizers. Their instruments blend classic analog warmth with modern innovations, empowering musicians with expressive sound and intuitive design.
Neumann, a leading manufacturer of studio-grade audio equipment, founded in 1928, is renowned for legendary microphones like the U 47 and U 87. Since 2010, Neumann has expanded to monitors, studio headphones, and live audio reference solutions. In 2022, they launched the MT 48 audio interface. Part of the Sennheiser Group since 1991, Neumann is globally represented by the Sennheiser network.
Novation is a British company designing innovative tools for electronic music-makers, specializing in synthesizers, grid-based and keyboard controllers and grooveboxes. Novation technology translates ideas into reality, channeling artistic energy to create new music. From the serious hardware-oriented music-maker looking for new inspiration, to electronic music fans looking to start a journey into making their own tunes, Novation seeks to inspire.
Room 303 & 304
Oberheim is a legendary American synthesizer company that has shaped the sound of electronic music since 1969. From the iconic SEM to the modern OB-X8, Oberheim synthesizers are known for their innovative features, unparalleled sonic richness, and master craftsmanship. Oberheim has created instant-classic instruments used by many of the biggest names in music, including Depeche Mode, Prince and Van Halen. Oberheim is proud to be a leader in forging the future of music with its powerful and stunning instruments.
Room 303 & 304
Sequential is a world-renowned synthesizer company that has been a driving force in the field of electronic music since the mid-1970s. Founded by Dave Smith, the co-inventor of MIDI, Sequential has introduced many groundbreaking features to the world of synthesis, such as full polyphonic programmability, vector synthesis, and hybrid analog/digital technology. Musicians around the globe trust Sequential’s quality, craftsmanship, and creativity to help realize their unique artistic visions.
Room 303 & 304
Warm Audio produces high-quality analog equipment that captures the warmth and character of vintage gear, remaining affordable for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Their commitment to all-analog signal paths and premium components ensures pristine sound quality. Warm Audio's gear adds unique texture and richness to recordings, with products like preamps, compressors, EQs, and microphones. All equipment is hand-tested by engineers and musicians in Austin, TX.
Sponsors
Thanks to our sponsors for their support
Location
Music Expo is taking over Music City SF, a new music hub in the center of San Francisco. It features multiple presentation venues, individual demo studios, and a bar & restaurant.
Music City San Francisco
1353 Bush St
San Francisco, CA 94109
How to get to the event
The venue is close to BART and Muni. There are also 2 parking structures on each side.
Register
November 9, 2024 | Music City San Francisco
$59 (25% OFF)
Early Bird
Available Until October 8!
Access all sessions and exhibitions at Music Expo San Francisco 2024 with a 25% discount on General Admission and 50% off At the Door pricing!
• Join the Happy Hour hosted by the Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter.
Enjoy free admission to the live performance by Cigarbox Man, celebrating Music Expo’s 10th anniversary.
• Enter for a chance to win music gear, plugins, and swag.
• Food and drinks available for purchase.
$149 (Almost Sold Out)
VIP Access
Why upgrade to VIP?
The VIP ticket includes all General Admission benefits, plus:
• Invitation to the exclusive Mix Q&A Session at Hyde Street Studios the night before (Nov 8)
• Access to VIP Lounge and network with speakers during Music Expo San Francisco
• Invitation to the Music Expo San Francisco After Party featuring a live performance (artist to be announced closer to the event)
• Limited to 30 tickets
Timeline
Super Early Bird Registration
Closed
$59 Early Bird Registration
Open
$67 Last Change Bird Registration
Begins October 9
$79 General Registration
Begins November 1
$99 Walk up Registration
Begins November 9
About Music Expo
Our purpose is to serve aspiring music creators
Since it started in 2014, Music Expo has consistently served as an essential gathering for both emerging and established artists and creative professionals.The conference is renowned for its unique friendliness and up-close proximity between attendees and presenters through inspirational keynotes, thought-provoking conversations, hands-on technology workshops, and career-defining networking opportunities. Our programming covers all aspects of creativity, new technologies, and music business. Our proudest accomplishment is to have significantly impacted attendees’ music careers with productive collaborations to help progress in their music journey, multiplication of revenue streams to to sustain their lifestyle, and for some even win Grammy awards.Because music is universal, we have been fostering diversity and inclusivity since our beginning. In 2017 we pledged to have a third of presenters be women, a first in the industry. Women represent 28% of our attendees, more than any music conferences. 66% of our attendees are under 34 years old.As we look ahead to 2024 and beyond, our aim is to continue to adapt and evolve alongside the ever-changing needs of the independent artists and creative professionals while capitalizing on over 20 conferences, 200+ presenters and 1000 hours of programming. Today, AI is transforming how we create, discover, and distribute music. Immersive audio and new live experiences like the Sphere are transforming the way we experience music. Web 3.0, Blockchain technologies are transforming the relationship between artists and their fans.
Meet the Team
Loïc Maestracci
Founder & Executive Producer
Noni Virani
Operations
Past Events
Over the years, Music Expo has welcomed more than 5,000 attendees, 250 presenters and provided more than 300 hours of education and networking.
Past Events
2021
Modern Latin Music Summit (virtual)2020
SUMMIT (virtual)
RELEASE (Virtual)
MIX & MASTER (virtual)
CREATE (virtual)
Music Expo desde casa (virtual)
Music Expo at Home (virtual)2019
Music Expo San Francisco 2019
Music Expo Nashville 2019
Music Expo Miami 2019
2018
Music Expo San Francisco 2018
Music Expo Nashville 2018
Music Expo Boston 2018
Music Expo Miami 20182017
Music Expo San Francisco 2017
Music Expo Boston 2017
Music Expo Miami 20172016
Music Expo San Francisco 20162015
Music Expo San Francisco 20152014
Music Expo San Francisco 2014
Sponsorship
Sponsorship at one of our events is about much more than product demonstrations and sales. It's about sharing advice, making a direct connection, and finding the right service or tool for every music maker in that local community.
Out team can work with you to create a custom package that serves your goals. to get started, feel free to fill the form below:
Speakers & Content Proposals
We welcome speaking and content proposals. Please include a short bio, suggested topics, and any relevant info and links to help us evaluate your submission. We encourage folks from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise to submit.We will not pay appearance or speaking fees. We may use the speaker's name, likeness, and/or image for marketing purposes. Thank you
Contact us
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Speaker Profiles
From the mind and ears of producer/multi-instrumentalist, Joe Bagale, comes a sound that is fresh but tangibly rooted in nostalgia. The name is Otis McDonald. The mission? Good Music. IN 2015, Bagale released 80 tracks for free, under the name Otis McDonald. Released as copyright free music, exclusively through the YouTube audio library, by 2016 these tracks had been downloaded over 3 million times, and appeared in over 3.5 million videos all around the world with an astonishing total of 7.6 billion views. in 2019 bagale released a full length album,
"People Music," in collaboration with his youtube subscribers, took over the lease for studio d at the historic hyde street studios, in san francisco and in 2020 he launched a weekly live stream where he creates a brand new track on the spot and releases every week on all streaming platforms.
Whether it's performing, writing, producing, or coming up with new ways to engage with his fans, otis mcdonald plans on giving the world a dose of the past while always looking to the future.
Otis McDonald
Recording Engineer, Producer; Director of Music Recording and Scoring Skywalker Sound
A recording and mixing engineer and record producer for over 40 years, Leslie has held staff positions at ABC Recording Studios in Los Angeles, the Automatt Recording Studios in San Francisco, Capitol Studios in Hollywood, and now Skywalker Sound where she continues her career recording and mixing music for records, films, video games, and television, and producing records primarily in the Classical genre.She is a past Chair of The Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees and is the recipient of 7 GRAMMY Awards, including 4 for Best Engineered Album-Classical and 1 for Best Immersive Audio Album. She serves on the Advisory Board of Institute for the Musical Arts, the Board of Directors of the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.), and she is an Artistic Advisor to the Technology and Applied Composition degree program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Leslie was also inducted into the NAMM TEC Hall of Fame in 2019 and is a Heyser lecturer. She was also the recipient of the 2022 G.A.N.G. Lifetime Achievement Award.Leslie chaired the committee that wrote “Recommendations for Hi-Resolution Music Production, published by the Producers and Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy, and is also a member of the Library of Congress’ National Recording Preservation Board.
Cigarbox Man is a songwriter/producer/Luthier/DJ. He calls his music “Sustainable Rock.” He is known for playing a slide guitar built with his own bare hands using recycled materials, and for fusing together rock, delta blues and psychedelia. His musical journey has taken him from the subways of Santiago, Chile to one of the main stages of Lollapalooza CL, and now to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he and his musical dream team released their first album together las year.
Trovarsi is an LA-based music composer/producer, live electronic artist, educator, and streaming YouTube host. Over the past decade, Trovarsi has released her music on a wide variety of notable electronic music labels. Her work transcends genres, cultures, and boundaries, yet also authentically and reverentially embraces many creative traditions. With a hybrid blend of modular and analog synthesizers, drum machines, and Ableton, Trovarsi embraces Afrofuturistic electronic expression while remaining firmly planted by her musical roots.
Trovarsi is the curator and host of Transduction Signal on DubLab Radio, a monthly interview/performance show highlighting unique live performance artists, composers, and producers in electronic music.
She is also co-founder of the Southern California Synth Society, whose purpose is to educate and facilitate interest in electronic music through synthesizers, modular DIY builds, and community events. She also founded the international streaming festival Frequency Shift, featuring female and gender-expansive electronic artists.
Whether performing in the LA underground or on global streaming platforms, Trovarsi continues to push the boundaries of electronic music.
Nahuel Bronzini is a two-time Grammy Award-winning music producer, arranger, and mixing engineer from Argentina, now thriving in the SF Bay Area. Known as a hidden gem, he collaborates with top regional talents, including Fantastic Negrito, whose Grammy-winning albums he meticulously engineered. Nahuel is the go-to for R&B legends Tony Toni Toné for string arrangements and studio work.A versatile artist, Nahuel excels in string arrangements, horns, pop, folk, and chamber ensembles, bringing multifaceted disciplines to elevate each song. He performs live both as a solo artist and with other acts, joining Cigarbox Man in 2022.Nahuel also collaborates with audio companies, contributing to innovative audio solutions. Currently, he is part of Google’s Pixel Audio team, pushing the boundaries of audio technology. He holds degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Escuela de Música Contemporánea, and studied audio and acoustics at Universidad de Tres de Febrero. He has served as Governor of the Recording Academy’s SF Chapter and is active in the Audio Engineering Society.
riget Boyle is a professional vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter based in Oakland, CA. She is the production manager and an educator at ModernTone Studios in Lafayette, CA, where she recorded her latest solo album, Heartbreak Residue. With over 25 commercial recording projects to her name, Briget’s career began in Los Angeles, CA, influenced by her parents’ music industry background and early experiences working with her father, Tim Boyle, in Hollywood’s film scoring studios.She started writing songs at 12 and studied Music Performance & Composition at the College of Santa Fe. There, she discovered Balkan folk music, leading to performances with Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble, Brass Menažeri Balkan Brass Band, and True Life Trio. Briget also founded an independent record label, a queer musician collective, and built a vocal coaching practice, contributing significantly to various Bay Area world music ensembles. Her unique musical perspective is reflected in her dynamic voice and songwriting.
Michael Romanowski is a highly acclaimed mastering engineer with five Grammy wins and nine nominations. Based in Berkeley, CA, he owns Coast Mastering and co-founded The Tape Project, an analog tape label. He is a Trustee of the Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter and serves on multiple national committees.Starting his career in Nashville, Michael moved to the Bay Area in 1994 to apprentice at Rocket Lab with Paul Stubblebine. He became chief mastering engineer for Sausalito’s Plant Mastering in 1999, and in 2001, reunited with Stubblebine to build new mastering rooms at Coast Records. In 2007, he acquired the business, expanding it to include Coast Recorders, which later became Coast Mastering in Berkeley.Michael’s expertise extends to immersive audio, having designed a 9.1.6 capable room, which received a TEC Nomination in 2020. He co-founded The Tape Project in 2006, producing high-quality analog tapes. Michael also teaches at San Francisco State University and SAE, and guest lectures internationally.His extensive credits include working with artists such as Alicia Keys, Al Green, Peter Frampton, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, Earth Wind & Fire, Kane Brown, and many others, as well as soundtracks for “Dune” and the Star Wars Trilogy.
Warren Huart is an English music producer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist basedin Los Angeles. He has played a fundamental part in the creation of many platinumselling and billboardsoaring albums, as well as the development of many of today’smost successful artists’ careers. He also has the Produce Like A Pro video series,which offers recording tutorials to beginners as well as Spitfire Music, a one-stop musichouse focusing on licensing music for film and tv.Warren is known for his hardwork ethic, positive attitude and respect for the artist’svision. Many of his long termrelationships have turned into close friendships. With over20 years of experience in the ever expanding music industry (record production,engineering, mixing and songwriting), as well his extensive knowledge of both modernand vintage musical equipment and instruments, Warren manages to create the mostdiverse sound around
Jacob Light is a record producer, audio engineer, session musician, and studio owner based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 25 years of experience, he has worked with bands and solo artists both on stage and in the studio, contributing to hundreds of commercial recordings and collaborating with top industry professionals.Jacob is known for his versatility, attention to detail, and substantive approach to music production. He collaborates with indie artists, bands, and record labels to create records that resonate with music fans, enhancing both the songs and the performers. His credits span various genres, including rock, punk, blues, country, folk, and pop, featuring artists like Tess & The Details, Briget Boyle, Michael Murphy, Tom Rican, Kat Van Morgan, Ava Toton, and Eudora Rose.Originally from Tel Aviv, Israel, Jacob began playing guitar at age 11 and trained under esteemed instructors from the Jerusalem Academy of Music, Berklee College of Music, and Rimon School of Music. By his early 30s, he had performed over 1,200 live shows and collaborated with producers such as John Naclerio and Yotam Ben Horin, recording with bands like Kill The Drive and Stanga.Jacob founded ModernTone Studios to help musicians achieve their goals, combining major label production quality with indie spirit to create high-quality recordings that capture unique sounds and styles. Whether working with solo artists or bands, Jacob is dedicated to bringing their music to life.
Piper Payne is a Mastering Engineer based out of Nashville, TN, where she works on albums for independent artists and major labels.Piper Payne lives for quality and equality in audio.Piper Payne, a Mastering Engineer based in Nashville, TN, is known for her dedication to audio quality and equality. After moving her mastering studio to Nashville, she ventured into vinyl manufacturing, opening Physical Music Products, which, through Piper's innovations, has set industry leading turn times and quality benchmarks. As a former National Trustee of the Recording Academy and Co-Chair of the P&E Wing Steering Committee, Piper actively promotes diversity and inclusion in the industry. With a background in music and a focus on technical excellence, she approaches mastering and manufacturing as a blend of feel and precision. Piper shares her expertise in mastering and recording as an esteemed audio professor and frequent guest lecturer. Her impressive discography includes notable artists like Janis Ian, Madame Gandhi, Dolly Parton, The Go-Go's, and more.
Matt Boudreau is a seasoned audio engineer with 30 years of
experience in the audio world. He has worked on projects for
Green Day, Alanis Morrisette, and Deafheaven and for the last two years has been mixing in Dolby ATMOS. Boudreau's passion for sound extends beyond the studio; he is also the host of the acclaimed Working Class Audio Podcast, where he interviews top professionals in the audio field, offering valuable insights and advice for aspiring engineers. Boudreau brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every project he undertakes.
Critically acclaimed as "One of the foremost figures in the field" Composer Steven Horowitz is the executive director of Technology and Applied Composition (TAC) program at SFCM, a position he took over in January, 2024. Horowitz comes to SFCM after 23 years as Audio Director at Nickelodeon/Paramount where he worked on scoring hundreds of beloved video games as well as garnering him Webby, Kid Screen and BDA awards. Horowitz is well known for his original score to the Academy Award nominated film Super Size Me, and his compositions have also appeared in television series like I Bet you Will and Casino Cinema for MTV Networks. Horowitz was honored with a GRAMMY award in 1996 for his engineering work on the album True Life Blues, the Songs of Bill Monroe. In addition to his work in visual media, Horowitz also has a robust catalog of original albums (35) and concert music. He is also the author of The Essential Guide to Game Audio: The Theory and Practice of Sound for Games on Focal press, and newest book The Theory And Practice Of Music For Games, published January 2024.
Sonia Mokhtari is a French-American Creative Audio Designer and Award-winning Composer known for enhancing user experiences in games, films, and social media through her signature sounds and music. She studied Jazz and Classical music at the Conservatories of Vienne and Lyon, and holds an M.F.A in Music & Sound for Visual Media, a B.A in Music Education, and a certificate from Berklee College of Music. Currently a Senior Audio Designer at Zynga, Sonia has also worked with EA (The Sims 4), META, and Calm, and has scored over 30 movie soundtracks. She teaches Music and Audio Technology at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her inspirations include Ravel, Debussy, Stravinsky, and film and game composers like John Williams and Nobuo Uematsu.
John Cuniberti’s musical journey began in the 70s as a rock drummer in Eddie Money’s band, The Rockets. After the band disbanded in 1973, he transitioned to live sound engineering, mixing for Stevie Wonder and designing a sound reinforcement company. In the early 80s, John became the chief engineer at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, working on albums for the Dead Kennedys and other punk, metal, and alternative bands.By the 1990s, John earned platinum and gold records for co-producing and engineering six Joe Satriani albums, including the groundbreaking 1988 “Surfing with the Alien.” He also developed the REAMP, the first commercially available reamping device. In 2000, John opened a CD mastering suite at The Plant Recording Studios in Sausalito, mastering over 1,000 CDs for artists like Tracy Chapman, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Thomas Dolby, and The Grateful Dead. In 2008, he won a Grammy for his mastering work on “Global Drum Project” by Mickey Hart and Zakir Hussain.After leaving The Plant, John built a home studio, working on projects for Joe Satriani, Sammy Hagar, PJ Harvey, and many others. In 2016, he launched his YouTube channel “OneMic, the minimalist recording series,” showcasing how to record an entire band with one stereo microphone, continuing these recordings in various studios and locations, including Sun Studio in Memphis.
Kenya Moses is a multifaceted professional with over 20 years of experience as a music educator, classical musician, Brazilian jazz vocalist, and former professional dancer. She is also a leadership coach and speaker, inspiring arts professionals to reach their highest potential. As a marketing strategist, she has made significant impacts in the music industry.Kenya serves on various professional boards, including the Recording Academy SF Chapter Board, Living Jazz Board of Trustees, and SFUSD Performing Arts Advisory Board. She has delivered over 100 talks and workshops at events like the NAMM Show and the California Jazz Conservatory, covering topics such as AI in music business, digital marketing for musicians, and visionary leadership. In 2024, she was named one of the 100 Women of Influence by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.Kenya is dedicated to inspiring and supporting music professionals through education and advocacy, helping them reach their full potential.
Mark Needham is a Los Angeles & Nashville based RIAA Diamond selling, Grammy nominated record producer and mixer, whose credits include a diverse array of internationally recognized superstar artists including The Killers, Fleetwood Mac, Imagine Dragons, Dolly Parton, Shakira, Pink, Moby, Chris Isaak and many more. For more information go to: markneedham.com
Joi Rhone is the CEO of Joi Rhone Presents, an innovative event and artist management company. Born in Berkeley and raised in Oakland, Joi’s passion for music led to the founding of Joi Rhone Presents in 2015. The company has since produced over 30 events, with a remarkable 90% sell-out rate. Joi Rhone Presents manages artists such as jazz trio Brown, Sturgis, and Brown, gospel artist Nona Brown, R&B sensation Nate’ the Soulsanger, and serves as Creative Agent for jazz artist Kayla Waters.Joi is deeply involved in her community, having served as Board President of AIDS Project of the East Bay, Treasurer and Board Member of City of Refuge United Church of Christ, and currently on the Board of Living Jazz. She joined the SF Chapter of the Recording Academy in 2017, contributing to the Education Committee and Advocacy Day, and was recently elected to the Board of Governors.Joi Rhone Presents recently secured a placement in the Lifetime movie “Seven Deadly Sins” for Brown, Sturgis, and Brown, and is set to launch the podcast “Joi In The Morning,” further expanding its artist management and event production services.
Jai Josefs is a world renowned songwriting coach. His students have gone on to successful careers in the industry and secured major label record deals, publishing deals, thousands of placements in film and television, and millions of views on youtube. He has taught songwriting at UCLA and at dozens of seminars and conferences throughout North America. His book “Writing Music For Hit Songs” has been endorsed by hit writers including Diane Warren and has been used as a text on contemporary music composition at colleges and universities worldwide.
Jai has also had a successful career in the music industry as a songwriter/producer doing projects for such companies as Universal, RCA, Motown, and Disney and working with such well-known artists as Jose Feliciano, Little Richard, Bonnie Bramlett, and Pam Tillis. In addition, his original songs have been featured in over 100 TV shows on every major network including CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and HBO, as well as in over 20 major motion pictures with such stars as Harrison Ford, Billy Bob Thornton, Jessica Lange, Mark Wahlberg, and Denzel Washington.
With vast experience in audio education and system integration, John develops learning resources at Dolby to empower institutions, artists, and creators using Dolby technologies. He also manages technical aspects of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision installations worldwide.
With vast experience in audio education and system integration, John develops learning resources at Dolby to empower institutions, artists, and creators using Dolby technologies. He also manages technical aspects of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision installations worldwide.
Elaine Ryan
Elaine Ryan is the founder of Unicorn Sync, a San Mateo-based sync licensing agency representing independent artists globally. In three years, Unicorn Sync has secured placements in TV shows, digital ads, promotions, and films, including two songs in a film premiered at Tribeca. Elaine travels to LA quarterly for networking and conferences.In 2021, Elaine founded Sync Music for a Change, a non-profit initiative supporting independent musicians and raising funds for charity. She has hosted over 30 online listening sessions with music supervisors, raising awareness and helping indie musicians gain feedback and connections.As a singer-songwriter, Elaine has toured Canada and the US, released two albums, two EPs, and over a dozen singles. Her music has been featured in ads for Amazon Fashion and Yogurette, and in TV shows on NBC and Amazon Prime.Elaine recently completed her self-help/business book, “Living a Music-Centered Life: A Musician’s Guide to Balance, Fulfillment, and Paying the Bills,” and is exploring publishing options.
Matt Levine is a renowned composer and producer for games, film, TV, and other media, known for his memorable themes, technical prowess, and collaborative approach. Starting his career in 1995 in San Francisco, he founded Uncle Vector’s Audio Lab LLC in 1998, producing music for diverse clients.In 2000, Matt became Director of Audio Production at Beatnik Inc., working with top artists. He joined Sony Computer Entertainment America in 2005, contributing to 37 titles including The Last of Us, Uncharted 3, and Infamous: First Light.Since 2015, Matt has taught composition and production for video games at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He earned a certificate in Sound, Voice, and Music in the Healing Arts in 2017 and released the sound immersion app Tone Pool® in 2019.Matt is a frequent speaker at events like the Game Developers Conference, SF MusicTech Summit, and institutions including the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Academy of Art University.
Blake is a vocal coach, tenor and actor who has spent most of his life on stage, in the vocal studio, or behind the scenes assisting singers to experience performing. He got his start as a stage actor and then worked his way to musical theater and performing in original bands. At 17 years old, Blake found his first singing teacher, and began training in art songs, arias, and legit music theater. His fascination for singing in different languages led him to travel to the north and south of Germany where he worked in cabaret theaters performing singspiel, and operetta. Blake started an original country western band in Seattle, Washington between performances. In Brazil, he appeared regularly with the Symphonic Orchestra of Belo Horizonte and the Orchestra of UFMG in Ouro Preto as a soloist in operas, symphonies, and recordings of sacred music. It was in Brazil where Blake first started teaching contemporary singing at the suggestion of a close friend and colleague. Blake has been in San Francisco, California since 2008 and has been active as a vocal coach, songwriter, student, and singer. He has coached many singers in the styles of rock, pop, southern soul, country music, and musical theater. It is Blake’s passion to assist singers in gaining their full expression through the art of music.
As the Associate Music Program Manager at the Dolby Institute, Brandon Nales leads initiatives to engage the emerging music creative community and provide them with resources to create and share their music in Dolby Atmos.
Sami Freeman, a San Francisco-based artist, explores emotive soundscapes as a singer, pianist, and composer. Her music blends strings, synths, and keys, reflecting her passion for creating evocative atmospheres. Sami has scored documentaries and films, and recently released 'Space Bath', a 22-minute auditory journey contemplating dreams and mortality.She co-founded Gooroo Music, a Bay Area business specializing in custom music and licensing for brands like Adobe, Netflix, and IHOP x Disney. Outside of music, Sami enjoys surfing in San Francisco's Sunset district and cooking with her husband.
Sonnet Simmons’ original music has landed placements with major brands like Coca Cola, GoDaddy, Nivia, T-Mobile, and Microsoft, and TV shows like Younger, Riverdale, Katy Keene and many more. Former VP of music licensing company Catch The Moon and co-founder of 2Indie Music, Sonnet has been helping thousands of indie artists, singers, songwriters and producers around the world find success in sync. Sonnet is a mom of two toddlers and a Los Angeles native.
As Sr. Creative Relations Mgr. on Dolby’s Music Partnerships team, Ben leads amplifying the stories of the creative community and music industry using Dolby’s music technologies.
As Sr. Creative Relations Mgr. on Dolby’s Music Partnerships team, Ben leads amplifying the stories of the creative community and music industry using Dolby’s music technologies.
Guido Salaya is the founder of GS Music, known for crafting high-quality analog synthesizers. An electronic engineer from the University of Buenos Aires, Guido combines technical expertise with a passion for music technology.As a designer of analog synthesizers and integrated circuits, Guido has led innovations in the field. His creations, such as the 7-voice polyphonic e7 synthesizer, feature cutting-edge tuning stabilization technology.Guido is also an assistant professor at the University of Buenos Aires, sharing his knowledge with future engineers. He actively participates in international music expos and collaborates with industry legends.Respected in the synthesizer community, Guido blends analog warmth with modern features, including support for MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), advancing the expressive potential of electronic music.
Jen Knight wears a lot of hats. She's made a living with her voice since 2009. As a voice actor she has voiced thousands of projects including national commercials, video games, and singing toys. She walked the red carpet in Beverly Hills with a nomination for best VO in a radio commercial at the Voice Arts Awards and she was the live announcer for President Biden’s APEC gala where she announced London Breed, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, and best of all, Gwen Stefani. As a vocalist she has sung in bands for over 3 decades and is a founding member of the rock band Mama Said, whose debut album was produced in LA by Jim McGorman of the Goo Goo Dolls in 2021. Mama Said plays shows around the SF Bay Area and has performed at Bottlerock Music Festival three times. In 2023 AI portraits and photoshoots caught her interest. She is a member of the Secret AI Society where she has trained under Jenna Soard, and now offers AI photoshoots to small business owners, entrepreneurs and artists. She is also a certified Life Coach and co-owns musician founded Ohm Coffee Roasters with her guitar player husband.
Stefan Aronsen has the skills of a Marketing Director and the portfolio of an Art Director. In addition to Balanced Breakfast he has managed multiple tech teams and launched three hotel brands. His specialty is marketing budgets, social media calendars, optimizing websites, running advertising, and creating video and photography assets. He enjoys public speaking, business travel, live music, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Elaine Huang founded Neon Owl, a music community and artist collective focused on philanthropy, in March 2015. Neon Owl connects artists, shares stories, and supports global charities. In 2017, Elaine launched Open Door Sessions, events that help artists get discovered and signed. These sessions have expanded to major cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, and are accessible online, benefiting creatives worldwide. Neon Owl has partnered with festivals like Groove Cruise and featured artists like Habstrakt, BIJOU, and Blanke. As it approaches its 10th year in 2025, Neon Owl remains committed to building an inclusive music community and inspiring positive change.
Stefan Aronsen has the skills of a Marketing Director and the portfolio of an Art Director. In addition to Balanced Breakfast he has managed multiple tech teams and launched three hotel brands. His specialty is marketing budgets, social media calendars, optimizing websites, running advertising, and creating video and photography assets. He enjoys public speaking, business travel, live music, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Oakland native Tommy Speer Jr. has leveraged his deep connections with the inception of electronic dance music in the United States to create a series of thriving businesses that support the culture. As the owner and founder of Vate Creative, an advertising agency and event production company, Tommy oversees the production and management of large scale festivals, block parties, branded stages, and invite only award show events. From personal DJ sets at industry parties to the creation of the Heineken Dome at Coachella, Tommy has been instrumental in merging sponsorship dollars with the beat of the streets for the past 20+ years.
Tiffany Wilson is a Bay Area native with over five years of experience in launching and growing Text Me Records, an indie record label and publishing company in San Francisco. She is recognized as a community leader, driving collaboration through live shows, songwriting camps, and initiatives that prioritize artists and songwriters. Tiffany is passionate about supporting talented artists, especially those who feel isolated, and has been a speaker at The Recording Academy’s Music Publishing Summit and a mentor for womxn in the industry. At Text Me Records, she has played a key role in music education, career development, campaign strategy, securing press coverage, and facilitating over 50 sync licenses with partners like Twitch, YouTube, and Tracklib.
It was in recognizing how often talented artists feel alone and struggle to find resources and guidance that Tiffany became passionate about dedicating herself as a support system. In 2019 she was one of two speakers at The Recording Academy’s Music Publishing Summit in San Francisco, as well as a mentor to a fellow womxn in the industry through their mentorship program in 2022. She’s also gone on to provide contract work in music publishing education to the artists of the LA-based HiFi Labs. At Text Me Records, she’s been a key person in the music education of artists as well as the advancement of their careers. She’s been instrumental in developing campaign strategy, securing press coverage, confirming over 50 sync licenses, and fostering relationships with partners like Twitch, Youtube, Tracklib and more.
"In 2024 Jeff already has 3 originals,16 bootlegs, and 60 live DJ/Sax mixes released, with three more confirmed releases before the end of 2024. He’s racked up a total of 100K streams across YouTube, SoundCloud, Spotify and Instagram and 250K minutes watched on YouTube alone. Jeff has played well over 100 gigs already this year, notably upcoming Back to Mine showcase in Paris, France, headlining in Denver at the Beacon, his weekly Sindustry Sundays party in SF, headlining Paradisco Afterhours (Denver), and a monthly Saturday event in San Jose at the Continental.He's also a photographer and video creator dedicated to building brands.Jeff offers a range of brand consulting services for music artists and small businesses, leveraging his 25+ year career in the music industry. Jeff has had the pleasure of working with killer brands and artists like DMC World DJ Championships, Canva, and Opel/Opulent Temple, John Summit, Mau P, Thievery Corporation, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Carl Cox, Claptone, The Crystal Method and many more.Jeff has also worked professionally in the business in licensing, publishing, marketing, music business education, distribution, and retail buying for international brands such as INgrooves, Virgin MegaStore, focus@will, Pyramind, and Icon Collective. He generated millions of dollars for Indie artists and labels through sync licensing and content monetization on YouTube.As an educator, he has taught music business for Icon Collective, Pyramind, and Berklee College of Music Online, as well as lectured and spoken on panels at Music Expo, Balanced Breakfast, SXSW, WMC, Music Business Night School for NARAS (the Grammys), and NARIP events.I absolutely love connecting and providing opportunities for everyone."
Music Expo San Francisco
November 9, 2024 | Music City SF
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Get Your Early Bird Tickets
Available until October 8
Join hundreds of artists, producers, engineers, and industry music professionals for a full day of masterclasses, panels, technology demo, and networking.
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- Access to all sessions and exhibitions
- Food & drinks available for purchase