Scott Buwalda’s “Sound Quality Summit” Technical Seminar a Massive Success in Australia

Hybrid Audio Technologies founder and CEO Scott Buwalda traveled to “the land down under” Victoria Australia to host the first-ever advanced car audio and acoustics training seminar, with a focus on in-car sound quality, tips, and techniques.

On Tuesday, January 3, 2012, in concert with Mobile Electronics Australia, Scott Buwalda started the New Year off “down under” hosting Australia’s first car audio technical seminar that focused specifically on in-car sound quality, acoustics fundamentals, and installation application. The Sound Quality Summit (or “SQS” as it’s been come to be known since its inception in 2005) is proctored by Scott Buwalda, six-time IASCA Expert Division North American Champion. This is the first time Buwalda has offered a seminar in the Southern Hemisphere, having focused previous efforts in the USA, England and Europe, SE Asia, and Trinidad.

The Melbourne SQS was organized by Marc Rushton, owner of Mobile Electronics Australia and Mobile Electronics Australia Sound Quality (MEASQ - the branch of Rushton’s company that offers organized sound quality competitions and events under the MEASQ banner), and was hosted at the Olive Tree Function Room in Sunbury, Victoria. Thirty five (35) sound quality competitors, enthusiasts, and industry members attended to learn more about in-car sound quality and timeless acoustical principle application. Rushton went on to explain “as the temperatures rose above 40°C outside, the air conditioning wasn't coping all that well inside. However what Scott had to say was keeping the punters interested and somehow made it easier to overlook the hot and humid conditions.” Rushton continued “during the breaks it was great to overhear some stating ‘I didn't know that’, or ‘now that makes sense’, when it comes to techniques we apply to vehicles as enthusiasts and competitors regularly.”

Buwalda's workshop is normally conducted over two days, covering a range topics from the fundamentals of human hearing, perception of sound, to more car audio specific topics including time correction, installation tips, acoustics and much more. Due to time and logistical constraints, the Melbourne SQS was tailored from two days to one “on the fly” based on the attendee’s knowledge and understanding as the day progressed. Rushton indicated that there will be future SQS’s offered, stating “I am pleased to say that due to the success of this workshop, in the near future we will be working with Scott to offer Part 1 again for those unable to make it this time around, and additionally a further day (Part 2) for those having already attended. Scott's Sound Quality workshop ties in with MEA's commitment in 2012 to a series of seminars, conferences and training days that will take place across different states of the country.”

Buwalda reinforced Rushton’s comments, adding “naturally, I am elated to have been given this opportunity to host the SQS in Australia with MEA, and in the process making many, many new friends in Australia. The Summit was well-attended, and the interaction was excellent, making for a great day for all involved. I look forward with eager anticipation to do it again, and perhaps expand the training into two or three days and at multiple cities in Australia.” The next Australian SQS will likely include a day of hands-on application. Buwalda is also slated to give an SQS sometime this year in Sao Paulo Brazil.