Paul Ferguson
Associate Professor of audio Engineering
School of Arts and Creative Industries
Edinburgh Napier University
United Kingdom
Biography
Paul Ferguson was an undergraduate at Liverpool University where he studied physics and electronics as an early foray into to his lifelong fascination with sound. During the 1980’s he combined the two by doing electronic design work for a number of major companies alongside studio and live engineering work.

 In 1990 he joined TC Electronic (UK)/Systems Workshop founded by Phil Beaumont and Steve Rothery (Marillion) and became one of the first Pro Tools specialists in the UK. This technical specialist role led him to support studio and live projects by artists such as Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Bad Company and Robert Plant. In addition it led to strong relationships with audio companies such as Digidesign, Steinberg and Propellerhead. His move into education began in 1994 when he relocated to Edinburgh and established the sound engineering programmes at Jewel and Esk Valley College. Paul joined Edinburgh Napier University in 2001 at the start of the BA Popular Music programme. He is now Programme Leader for the MA Sound Production postgraduate degree and acts as technical director for the music subject group. Paul is an AVID Certified Instructor. In 2009 he and colleague Dave Hook established Edinburgh Napier University as the UK’s fourth Digidesign ‘Pro School’ where they deliver industry-certified Pro Tools training to students and provide CPD for industry professionals. Paul continues to maintain his music Industry profile, supporting projects and acting as consultant for clients including Castlesound Studios, Terminal Music, Gorbals Sound Studios, Linn Records and Calum Malcolm. In 2010 he gained his PhD developing techniques for live 3D surround sound manipulation. His current area of research was awarded an EU research grant in 2014 and focuses on low-latency audio and video remote collaboration for composition, rehearsal, and performance. Paul has presented in person, and virtually, at conferences in the UK, Rome, Maastricht, Chicago and Athens on this subject. Paul represents the university in a number of external technical forums and is External Examiner for the University of Central Lancashire/Futureworks.
Research Interest
Applied Music Research Centre
Publications
-
Ferguson, P. (2013). Using Low-Latency Net-Based Solutions to Extend the Audio and Video Capabilities of a Studio Complex
-
Ferguson, P. (2015). Real-time teaching of musicianship and audio engineering using LOLA – ‘LOw LAtency audio/ video streaming
-
Ferguson, P. (2015). Real-time long-distance music collaboration using the Internet. In Hepworth-Sawyer, R., Hodgson, J., Paterson, J. L. & Toulson, R. (Eds.). Innovation in Music II, 174-178. Future Technology Press. ISBN 978-1-911108-04-7
