AES Carolinas PEAK Summit - July 23-26, 2026
Professionals & Educators Audio Konference
Audio Engineering Society (AES) Carolinas Chapter is hosting their first PEAK Summit, where audio professionals, industry educators, and manufacturers come together for extensive hands-on equipment and software training, studio sessions and shoot-outs, build-your-own workshops, vendor networking, and educator talks.
This unique event brings the manufacturers to the Carolinas for an intimate setting, providing ample time for one-on-one conversations in the Vendor Lounge, small group training sessions, and opportunities to power up your vertical learning on specific gear. In the evenings, AES Night Club will be where members burn the midnight oil in the studios participating in private sessions with musicians, engineers, producers, and recently released products.
Robert F. Gilley Studio, Broyhill Music Center, Appalachian State University
813 Rivers St, Boone, NC 28608.
Rates
Full Conference ALL EVENT Pass (July 23rd-26th, 2026)**
- AES Members $75
- Non Members $125
Single Day Pass (July 24th ONLY)*
- AES Members $40
- Non Members $70
Single Day Pass (July 25th ONLY)*
- AES Members $40
- Non Members $70
Spark Sessions Add-ons (details below)
- Port City Amplifiers - Build your own: 5F1 Tweed Champ-Style Tube Amp - $1750
- Rick Earl - Build your own: DIY Recording Mic Booster - $85
**Breakfast, Lunch, and Kick-Off Party included
*Breakfast and Lunch included
Zeffy Registration Link
Call for Presenters
Want to provide a demonstration in one of the studios? Interested in doing a presentation for our AES Ed Talks? Do you have the desire to implement audio skill building with participants? You can sign up here for a chance to be selected as a presenter.*
Eligibility: The primary presenter must be a current member of the Audio Engineering Society. AES Memberships can be acquired here.
*Presenters can earn a discount toward the conference weekend if selected. The deadline to submit is June 19th, 2026. Presenters announced July 1, 2026.
Call for Performers
Are you a musician who would like to participate in one of the studio sessions or live sound presentations? Or are you in a performance group that would like to play at our opening PEAK Summit Kick-Off Party, presented by API, at South End Brewing? Sign up here for a chance to be selected as a performer for the weekend.*
*Performers can earn a discount toward the conference weekend if selected. The deadline to submit is June 19th, 2026. Performers announced July 1, 2026.
Spark Sessions Add-ons
Port City Amplifiers - Build your own: 5F1 Tweed Champ-Style Tube Amp - $1750
- Reservation must be made by July 8th 11:59PM and seats are extremely limited!
- Port City Amps - Overview on Amp Building Classes Video
- Soldering stations will be provided along with all materials needed for the build. You can also bring your own.
- You take it home when you are done! And you will learn how your amp works, how to repair it, learn schematics and wiring diagrams. Open to anyone at any level!
- Can’t pay the whole amount today? Reach out to us at aescarolinas@gmail.com to discuss a deposit to hold your place.
- https://portcityamps.com/
- Level: Beginner to Advanced
Rick Earl - Build your own: DIY Recording Mic Booster - $85
- Reservation must be made by July 8th, 11:59PM and seats are limited!
- DIY Recording Equipment Stereo Mic Booster Kit MB 2
- The MB2’s high input impedance is optimized to capture the full audio spectrum of ribbon mics without damping the ribbon. And MB2’s buffered, low-impedance outputs are great for driving long cable runs without noise or gain loss. The MB2 provides 26dB of extra gain with ultra-low noise and distortion.
- Level: Beginner
Confirmed Vendors and Presenters
API, SSL, Port City Amps, DPA Microphones, Q-SYS (QSC), Shure, Genelec, AEA Microphones, and more to be posted soon! A detailed workshop, session, and presentation schedule will be available July 1.
Sponsorships
Interested in being a partner, vendor, or sponsor at the AES PEAK Summit? See our sponsorship options here (PDF link).
Schedule Overview
Thursday, July 23
- 4pm-5pm Registration
- 5pm Welcome & Tours
- 8pm PEAK Summit Kick-Off Party
Friday, July 24
- 9am-10am Rise & Network Brunch
- 10am-12pm Session I
- 12pm-2pm Lunch in the Vendor Lounge
- 2pm-4pm Session II
- 4pm-4:30pm Break
- 4:30-6:30pm Session III
- 6:30pm-8pm Dinner Break (on your own)
- 8pm-10pm AES Night Club Sessions (Members only)
Saturday, July 25
- 9am-10am Rise & Network Brunch
- 10am-12pm Session I
- 12pm-2pm Lunch in the Vendor Lounge
- 2pm-4pm Session II
- 4pm-4:30pm Break
- 4:30-6:30pm Session III
- 6:30pm-8pm Dinner Break (on your own)
- 8pm-10pm AES Night Club Sessions (Members only)
Sunday, July 26
- 9am-10am Rise & Network Brunch
- 10am-12pm Session I
Sessions
Spark Sessions Add-ons - Build your own gear in a hands-on workshop where you learn about the equipment, build it, and then take it home! (These are add-on costs to the base ticket price to cover materials and gear you take home.)
Ed Talks - Presentations, panels, and discussions geared towards educators teaching in the music industry, sound, and recording fields.
Vendor Lounge - All breakfasts, lunches, and breaks will be held in our vendor lounge where you can connect with manufacturers, retailers, and other professionals outside of the workshop sessions.
AES Night Club - Members-only evening studio sessions featuring musicians, engineers, and manufacturers!
Zenith - In-depth training and hands-on workshops with manufacturers and audio professionals utilizing specific hardware, software, and processes.
Apex - Sessions that cover demonstrations, presentations, workshops, and other learning opportunities for the music and audio industries.
Lodging Options
Visit these booking links for discounts at our hotel partners!
If you are tax-exempt, please bring your tax exemption forms and contact the hotel for their tax exemption process.