Voltage Connect Conference 2017

Pioneers, Players, Thinkers, Purveyors

March 10–11, 2017

The Electronic Production and Design Department at Berklee presented the Voltage Connect Conference on March 10 and 11, 2017. The conference was themed "Pioneers, Players, Thinkers, Purveyors" and examined the development and direction of electronic instruments, from early commercial synthesizers in the 1970s to the present and beyond. The conference connected researchers, established and emerging companies, and performers who are committed to the development and use of electronic instruments.

Since the first commercial release of synthesizers, we’ve seen an enormous change in what an electronic instrument is and does, from analog to digital, hardware to software, and back again, all driven by technological innovation and imagination. This two-day conference included panel discussions, presentations, technology demos, and performances that explored how electronic instruments have been developed and used, and also featured a product expo.

The conference's keynote performers were Jordan Rudess, keyboardist of prog rock band Dream Theater, and electronic music pioneer Suzanne Ciani. 

Keynote speakers for the conference were David Friend, cofounder of the ARP Instruments company; Marcus Ryle, president of Line 6; and Daniel Haver, CEO of Native Instruments.

Watch Jordan Rudess perform "Roli Bash" live at the Berklee Performance Center as part of the Voltage Connect Conference: