Behind the Rack

Vincent

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.

Episodes

  1. JAN 28

    Ep.6 - Inside Experiential Audio: How the Shure DCA901 Is Changing Broadcast & Live Sound

    Send us a text Audio has always been the unsung hero of immersive storytelling — until now. In Episode 6 of Behind the Rack, we go deep into experiential audio capture with industry veterans Everett Saylier and Bill Oakley, exploring how modern broadcast workflows are evolving — and why audio is finally catching up to video. We break down Shure’s DCA 901 planar array microphone, how it differs from traditional shotguns and parabolic mics, and why broadcasters, leagues, and live productions are rethinking how sound is captured in high-pressure environments. From live sports and poker tournaments to armored MMA and major broadcast events, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to make immersive audio work — especially when everything goes off the rails behind the scenes. 🔊 In this episode, we cover: What experiential capture really means — and why it matters more than everHow planar array microphones work (without the marketing fluff)Why audio is still the most critical element of storytellingReal-world broadcast use cases: NBA, NHL, MLB, MMA, poker & moreHow AI DSP and tracking systems elevate subtle, game-critical soundsThe reality of live production when things break — and how pros recoverWhy modern workflows demand networked audio, flexibility, and fewer handsWhether you’re in broadcast, Pro AV, live sound, or systems integration, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how next-generation audio tools are redefining what audiences hear — and feel. 🎧 Listen now and discover why the least interesting thing about this mic… might be how good it sounds.

    1h 11m

  2. JAN 14

    Ep.5 - The AV Industry Outlook for 2026: Key Trends in Pro AV, Integration, and Broadcast

    Send us a text AV Industry Outlook 2026: Pro AV, Systems Integration & Broadcast Trends In this episode, we look ahead to 2026 and the future of the AV industry, breaking down the biggest Pro AV, systems integration, and broadcast trends shaping what comes next. From AI-driven orchestration and self-healing AV systems to AV over IP standards, immersive LED design, and next-generation collaboration spaces, we explore how integrators and end users can deliver bigger experiences with fewer headaches. We discuss practical strategies for staying flexible, scalable, and resilient as pricing volatility, supply chain challenges, and multi-vendor environments continue to reshape Pro AV and broadcast workflows. Topics covered include: • Wireless audio, lighting, and emerging wireless power trends • NFC and e-ink tools for faster AV setup and troubleshooting • Lower-cost LED walls, transparent and curved panels, and projection mapping • Object-based audio, beamforming, and presenter tracking • Pricing instability, tariffs, and short-quote strategies • Multi-vendor Plan A/B/C design and diversified sourcing • Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms bundles, including 21:9 collaboration displays • AV over IP standards and choices: ST 2110, IPMX, and NDI • Broadcast orchestration with MXL and cloud-based workflows • Agentic AI for pre-production, auto-switching, translation, and system repair • Reliability, service models, and the push toward self-healing AV systems Whether you’re an AV integrator, consultant, IT leader, or broadcast professional, this episode offers a clear outlook on what’s coming in Pro AV in 2026 and how to prepare for it. Leave a comment and let us know which AV trends you think will have the biggest impact next.

    1h 7m

  3. 12/10/2025

    Ep.4 - Clean Power: The AV Upgrade Nobody Talks About

    Send us a text What if one of the biggest upgrades to your system wasn’t a new amp, speaker, or camera… but the power feeding it? Yep — in this episode, we sit down with Wade Bussey from Furman and Panamax to talk about the part of AV everyone forgets until something goes wrong. Wade walks us through why clean power can make your audio feel more open, your video look sharper, and your network way less moody. We get into noise floor (the silent troublemaker), why quick burst current actually matters for music, and how wideband filtration keeps today’s digital gear from freaking out. We also dig into BlueBOLT, which basically lets your rack fix itself when things go sideways. No more weekend “my system died” calls. Plus, we hit on the “circle of protection” — AC, coax, and telco — and why it matters more than ever in real homes and real installs. If you’ve ever heard a system suddenly “breathe” after adding a conditioner, this episode is going to click instantly.  Grab a coffee, plug in, and enjoy the chat.

    51 min

  4. 11/26/2025

    Ep.3 - The Evolving Role of the AV Distributor

    Send us a text In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the AV supply chain and explore how a modern distributor creates real value—service, strategy, support, and technical depth—not just logistics. We walk through the roles of manufacturers, distributors, integrators, and end users, then dig into what separates simple “box moving” from true master distribution: repairs and fast turnaround, market compliance, bilingual marketing, brand management, and the ability to support dealers with real technical expertise. We also break down the Canadian AV landscape, the impact of the Amazon effect on speed and stock visibility, and why training, networking skills, and Plus services help resellers scale into AV over IP, Dante, and modern installs with confidence. We wrap with a great reminder that watts don’t tell the whole story—and why the right distributor helps guide customers to the right solution, not just the biggest spec. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone in the AV world.

    45 min

  5. 11/05/2025

    Ep.2 - Pioneer DJ & AlphaTheta: The Story and the Future of DJing

    Send us a text We celebrate the evolution of Pioneer DJ and AlphaTheta and explore how the CDJ-3000X is redefining the booth with streaming, caching, and seamless login features. Same trusted design — now smarter, faster, and built for the future of performance.

    37 min

  6. 10/08/2025

    Ep.1 - Different Paths, Same Rack: Our First Steps into AV | Behind the Rack Podcast

    Send us a text Curiosity built our careers long before we had the job titles to match. We trace three winding routes into pro audio, video, and system integration—through tape machines and DAWs, car audio and DJ gigs, retail aisles and distribution counters—and unpack how those hands‑on reps turned into real judgment. No straight lines here; just a lot of doing, failing, and learning until the signal path made sense and the room sounded right. We compare the power of analog habits in a digital world, why Pro Tools HD once cost as much as a car, and how native processing and Intel Macs reshaped post‑production workflows. We break down what a distributor actually does in the AV supply chain, the leap from sales to system design, and the everyday math of impedance, gain staging, codecs, frame rates, and sync. Along the way, we talk brand management, entrepreneurship, and the reality of building a career that mixes weekday corporate work with weekend shows—plus the mentors and 4 a.m. cable calls that quietly change everything. The heart of it is skill stacking and translation. Audio literacy elevates camera and streaming results. Video fluency prevents downstream headaches. Networking basics—DHCP, VLANs, and sensible IoT isolation—turn DIY rigs into stable systems. System design rarely has one “right” answer; it’s about trading constraints with clients in clear language and hitting the brief without overcomplicating the rack. The spark for this show came from a lunch that spiraled into CCTV and routers, and we realized our best conversations happen where specialties overlap and it’s safe to ask “obvious” questions. If you’re AV‑curious or already knee‑deep in cables, this origin story sets the tone: honest, practical, and focused on the work. Hit follow, share with a teammate who loves good signal flow, and drop your biggest early lesson—we’ll feature listener questions in future episodes.

    54 min

  7. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Trailer - Behind the Rack Podcast Premiere

    Send us a text

    1 min

Trailer

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
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Behind the Rack
  • Show Website
    Behind the Rack