Behind the Rack

Vincent
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Behind the Rack is the AV industry podcast where Pro AV, broadcast, and live production come to life. Hosted by Hugo Chevrette, Franco Caruso, and Vincent Simoneau, each episode dives into the latest audio, video, and broadcast technology trends, while sharing real-world experiences from integrators, tech specialists, and industry leaders. From new product launches and system integration tips to AV industry trends, audio solutions, and video workflows, the hosts keep the conversations casual, practical, and easy to follow. Expect honest insights, a few rants, and plenty of useful takeaways that go beyond what you’ll find in spec sheets or trade show booths. Whether you’re an AV integrator, dealer, broadcast engineer, or just passionate about pro audio and video technology, Behind the Rack helps you stay connected, learn something new, and see what’s really happening behind the rack.

  1. Sep 16

    Ep.20 - This PA Can Change Coverage Without Moving a Speaker | EAW AC6

    Send us Fan Mail What if you could change a PA system's coverage after it was already installed — without physically moving the loudspeakers? And what if the system could compensate for a failed component while the event was still happening? In Episode 20 of Behind the Rack, we sit down with EAW to explore the technology behind the AC6 Adaptive Column Loudspeaker and the larger philosophy behind EAW ADAPTive sound reinforcement. The discussion goes well beyond the AC6 itself. We look at the challenges AV integrators, consultants and live-production professionals face when trying to deliver consistent, intelligible and musical sound in acoustically difficult spaces while also satisfying architectural demands for less visible technology. EAW's Jonas and Chris explain how Adaptive differs from conventional beam steering, how individually amplified and processed loudspeaker elements allow coverage to be shaped electronically, and how Resolution software lets system designers define the desired audience coverage rather than relying solely on physical loudspeaker positioning. We also explore Adaptive Healing: the system's ability to recalculate around a failed component and maintain coverage until the problem can be serviced. The conversation covers changing seating configurations, theatres and multipurpose venues, divisible ballrooms, remote diagnostics, presets, commissioning workflows, spectral tilt, serviceability, system redundancy and why the AC6 behaves very differently from what its column-loudspeaker form factor might suggest. If you're an AV integrator, consultant, system designer, live-sound engineer, production professional or anyone interested in the future of digitally controlled sound reinforcement, this episode offers a deeper look at what "adaptive" can actually mean in a professional PA system.

  2. Sep 3

    Ep.19 - How Battery-Powered Speakers Are Changing Weddings, DJing, and Live Events

    Send us Fan Mail Battery-powered speakers now handle wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, DJ monitoring, and PA fills — all without amps, cables, or dedicated power. The short version: Vince, Hugo, and Franco spend this episode unpacking how far battery-powered speakers have come — from a shower-speaker punchline to standard gear for mobile DJs and AV pros. Franco explains how one speaker now covers an entire wedding timeline, Hugo shares his own wedding experience with one, and they dig into charging myths, swappable batteries, weatherproofing, wireless control vs. wireless audio, and the models SFM carries: Electro-Voice Everse, QSC CB10, Avante Audio AS8, and Alpha Theta Wave 8. No power amp. No snake cable. No tripping hazard. Just a speaker you charge, carry, and place — with app-based control for volume and EQ from across the room. The conversation covers real deployment scenarios: isolated ceremony locations with no power, moving a single speaker from ceremony to cocktail hour in minutes, using belt packs instead of Bluetooth for more reliable transmission across long halls, and why IP-rated covers make these viable for outdoor and remote venues. Who this episode is for: mobile DJs, event producers, AV integrators, and anyone curious how pro audio gear has gone cordless. FAQ: Are battery-powered speakers loud enough for a wedding or corporate event? An 8" speaker covers roughly 50–80 people; pairing two 12" models comfortably handles 100–150. How long does the battery last? Rated 6–12 hours depending on model and volume — most events only use a fraction of that per charge. Can the battery be swapped out mid-event? Yes, models like the EV Everse have a removable battery pack secured by thumbscrews. What's the real difference between wireless audio and wireless control? Wireless audio (Bluetooth) transmits the sound itself; wireless control (via app) adjusts volume/EQ remotely — they can operate independently on separate devices. Are they safe to use outdoors? Most include an IP-rated rear cover (commonly IP54/IP55) to protect electronics from rain when not wired in. Key takeaway: Battery-powered speakers have gone from a novelty to core pro-AV kit — saving labor, setup time, and eliminating cable risk across nearly any event type. Tags: battery-powered speakers, Electro-Voice Everse, QSC CB10, Avante Audio, Alpha Theta Wave 8, mobile DJ gear, wedding audio, pro audio, Behind the Rack

  3. Aug 19

    Ep.18 - Should DJs Take Requests? | CDJ-1500X Explained

    Send us Fan Mail Every DJ has an opinion on requests — and Alpha Theta's new CoBeat feature is forcing the industry to rethink how they're handled. Franco, Hugo, and Vince use the CDJ-1500X's new CoBeat feature as the jumping-off point for a much bigger conversation: should DJs take requests at all? They set the record straight on what CoBeat does (spoiler: it can be fully enabled or disabled, and audiences never get unrestricted access to a library), then get into their own request stories — from wedding "do-not-play lists" to the club DJs who won't touch a request with a ten-foot pole. Along the way: why a QR code beats a paper request binder, how a club DJ could use CoBeat as a private testing ground for new tracks, why the CDJ-1500X's redesigned front-loading USB port is also cutting down liquid-damage repairs, and a few monetization ideas — tip jars, paid shout-outs, membership-gated requests — that nobody in the industry is talking about yet. In this episode: Mobile DJ vs. restaurant DJ vs. club DJ: three very different takes on requestsHandling pushy requests and "do-not-play" listsWhat CoBeat really lets audiences (and DJs) doCDJ-1500X vs. CDJ-3000X, feature by featureMonetizing requests, tips, and shout-outsWhether CoBeat is coming to other Alpha Theta units

  4. Jul 29

    Ep.17 — Genelec on Truthful Sound: Coaxial Drivers, Calibration & Aural ID Explainedenelec

    Send us Fan Mail Eric Horstmann from Genelec joins Behind the Rack in Montreal — recorded during Genelec's Immersive Audio World Tour — for a deep dive into what makes a speaker "truthful." We cover coaxial driver design, why Genelec calibrates every unit in an anechoic chamber, how the GLM software and autocal process work, and Genelec's new Aural ID binaural/HRTF technology for personalized headphone monitoring. Topics include: what "neutral" sound really means, coaxial vs. traditional driver design, room calibration with GLM, calibration presets for different listening positions, the 9320 monitor controller, Aural ID pricing and how it compares to Sony's 360 Reality Audio VME, Genelec's sustainability practices (recycled aluminum, geothermal-powered manufacturing in Finland, decades-long repairability), and where immersive audio is realistically headed for everyday listeners. Hosted by Vince, Hugo, and Franco from SFM (a Midwich Group company). #Genelec #ImmersiveAudio #StudioMonitors #ProAudio

  5. Jul 15

    Ep.16 - Premium Simplicity: Inside EAW's Newport Series with Jonas Domkus & Chris Wilson

    Send us Fan Mail The pro audio production world has a labor problem: crews are smaller, load-ins are shorter, and the person deploying a system isn't always the person who designed it. EAW's answer is "premium simplicity" — and on this episode, Chris and Jonas from Eastern Acoustic Works join Vince and Hugo to explain what that actually means. They dig into the new Newport Series, starting with the NT206L — a compact line array with onboard FIR processing and simple analog controls, built so a crew can deploy a tuned array without cracking open a laptop. From there, the conversation covers the Online Array Assistant versus EAW's full Resolution prediction software, a walkthrough of the full Newport family (NT206L, NTX210, NT208L, and the NT116S/NT219S subs), and a deep dive into the isophasic waveguide — the unassuming spec sheet detail that keeps a whole line array phase-aligned. Chris and Jonas also talk through how EAW torture-tests these boxes for weather durability, including a four-month saltwater bath test, and share where 47 years of EAW engineering history is taking the Newport line next. Whether you're a system tech, an A1, or just curious how "good enough" stopped being good enough in pro audio, this is a look behind the rack at how EAW is rethinking line array deployment. Guests: Chris & Jonas, Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) Hosts: Vince Simoneau & Hugo Chevrette

  6. Jun 11

    Ep.15 - NDI, SRT & IP Video Workflows with BirdDog's Monte Bennett & Christian Frink

    Send us Fan Mail BirdDog VP of Sales Monte Bennett and Product Manager Christian Frink join us in-studio to break down the state of IP video in professional AV — covering every format integrators and production professionals encounter today. We go deep on NDI High Bandwidth, HX2, and HX3 — what the differences actually mean in practice, why HX3 changed the game, and how network infrastructure choices either unlock or sabotage NDI deployments. We also get into SRT's rising adoption, the role of SDI in a world moving to IP, BirdDog's new X-series cameras, NDIKVM via Play Pro, Dante AVH integration, and the honest truth about Wi-Fi for production workflows. Montr and Christian also answer rapid-fire questions: SDI or NDI, the most overrated AV buzzword, the one BirdDog project every integrator should try, and their prediction for what disappears from production workflows first. Whether you're a systems integrator, broadcast engineer, or AV dealer — this is the IP video primer you didn't know you needed.

  7. May 28

    Ep.14 - The Death of the AV Rack? Randy Blanchard on 33 Years in Pro AV

    Send us Fan Mail From projection TVs that weighed 260 lbs to AI-generated install guides — Randy Blanchard has seen every chapter of pro AV. In Episode 14 of Behind the Rack, the industry veteran joins host Vince Lavigne to unpack why the AV rack is disappearing, why networking skills are now non-negotiable for integrators, and where AI, video walls on substrate, and decentralized AV are taking the industry next. Recorded in Dorval, Quebec at SFM | Midwich, this conversation spans three decades of AV evolution: from analog distributed antenna systems and Crestron-stuffed racks to Dante audio networks, PoE everything, and conference rooms with nothing but a Luxul switch and a few PoE injectors behind the wall.  🎙️ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN  - Why the traditional AV rack is being replaced by network closets and cloud control - How Randy redesigned a 60-seat boardroom from 60 push-to-talk mics to 2 Shure MXA ceiling arrays - The shift from analog distributed antenna to Dante, AVB, and IP-based AV - Why AV integrators who aren't networking-fluent will be "100% left behind" - How AI tools like Gemini are already generating install guides, wiring diagrams, and BOMs - The future of video walls: from LED cabinets to printable substrate displays - Why integrators must stop selling parts lists and start selling themselves as the brand - The "suspension of disbelief" — AV's true endgame across audio, video, and XR  🔑 KEY TAKEAWAY  The rack isn't dying — it's migrating. AV is becoming a networking discipline, and the integrators who win the next decade will be the ones who sell themselves as the solution, not a bill of materials tied together with Cat6.  🏢 ABOUT BEHIND THE RACK  Behind the Rack is SFM's podcast for AV integrators, dealers, broadcast engineers, and pro-audio professionals across Canada and beyond. Hosted by Vince Lavigne, the show goes behind the gear to explore the people, decisions, and shifts shaping commercial AV, broadcast, pro/live sound, and systems integration. SFM is a Midwich Group company headquartered in Dorval, Quebec, distributing brands including Shure, Genelec, Electro-Voice, Dynacord, QSC, Avid, BirdDog, Blustream, Netgear, Visionary Solutions, Christie, Bosch, Pioneer DJ, and LEA.  🎧 LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PLATFORM  Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Buzzsprout • YouTube Music 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for new episodes every month featuring AV industry leaders, brand experts, and integrator deep-dives.  ❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED  Q: Are AV racks really disappearing? A: In fixed installations, yes — most AV functions are migrating to network switches, PoE, and cloud control. Racks remain essential in live venues, broadcast, and data centers.  Q: What skills do AV integrators need most in 2026? A: Networking fluency (VLANs, QoS, multicast for Dante/AVB), system design thinking, and the ability to sell solutions rather than equipment lists.  Q: Who is Randy Blanchard? A: A 33-year pro AV veteran with experience spanning high-end residential integration, AV distribution, video wall manufacturing, and consulting — based in the Detroit metro area.  Q: What is "Behind the Rack"? A: A monthly podcast by SFM (a Midwich company) exploring the people and technology shaping professional AV across Canada.  #BehindTheRack #ProAV #AVIntegration #AVoverIP #Dante #SystemsIntegration #AVtweeps #InfoComm #SFM #Midwich #AVindustry #CommercialAV #VideoWalls #NetworkedAudio #AVnetworking #AVpodcast

  8. May 14

    Ep.13 - The DJ Booth Has Changed Forever — 5 Shifts Reshaping Live Events in 2026

    Send us Fan Mail The DJ booth has quietly become one of the most technically complex positions in live event production — and most people haven't noticed.    In Episode 13 of Behind the Rack, hosts Franco and James join us for a candid roundtable on the 5 biggest shifts transforming the modern DJ booth: the evolution from stand-alone performer to full production hub, the rise of monitor stacks and line arrays behind festival booths, how mobile DJs are now controlling lighting and video from a single controller, the slow death of the MC skill, and what AI might realistically bring to the DJ world in the next 18–24 months.    We also get into the real talk on sound quality vs. aesthetics at weddings, the democratization of DJing (and whether it's raised or lowered the bar), vinyl's surprising comeback, and how music curation — not just playback — is what separates great DJs from average ones.    If you're a DJ, a live event production pro, an AV integrator, or just someone who's ever been to a wedding and noticed something felt off with the sound — this one is for you.    Topics covered:  • The 5 shifts reshaping the modern DJ booth  • Festival booth logistics: rolling setups and pre-production meetings  • Why mobile DJs now need to know lighting, video AND sound  • The MCing skill gap and why it matters  • Column speakers and aesthetics: when looks beat SPL  • Audio fatigue, speech intelligibility, and the father-of-the-bride problem  • Shure SLXD wireless scanning — done right  • DJ software reliability: the case for whatever doesn't crash  • Networking cables in the DJ booth (yes, really in 2025)  • Barrier to entry: $200 controllers and the democratization debate  • AI in DJing: BPM matching, stem isolation, facial recognition — what's coming?    🎙️ Behind the Rack is produced by SFM, a Midwich company — Canada's trusted AV distribution partner for Broadcast, Pro/Live, and Systems Integration.  📍 New episodes every two weeks.  🌐 sfm.ca

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About

Behind the Rack is the AV industry podcast where Pro AV, broadcast, and live production come to life. Hosted by Hugo Chevrette, Franco Caruso, and Vincent Simoneau, each episode dives into the latest audio, video, and broadcast technology trends, while sharing real-world experiences from integrators, tech specialists, and industry leaders. From new product launches and system integration tips to AV industry trends, audio solutions, and video workflows, the hosts keep the conversations casual, practical, and easy to follow. Expect honest insights, a few rants, and plenty of useful takeaways that go beyond what you’ll find in spec sheets or trade show booths. Whether you’re an AV integrator, dealer, broadcast engineer, or just passionate about pro audio and video technology, Behind the Rack helps you stay connected, learn something new, and see what’s really happening behind the rack.

Information

  • Creator
    Vincent
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Behind the Rack
  • Show Website
    Behind the Rack