United States. dBTechnologies marked a major milestone in professional audio training with the U.S. debut of its dBTechnologies Academy, which delivered the first VIO Level 1 and Level 2 Operator certifications in the United States.
Hosted by The Rave, a flagship Milwaukee multi-venue venue that has recently adopted multiple dBTechnologies VIO systems in its concert halls, the two-day event welcomed audio professionals from across the Midwest for immersive training with dBTechnologies' innovative VIO series, ready for touring use, A modular system designed for both complex installations and demanding live environments.
Among the attendees were technical and management teams from The Rave, AudioBiz (representatives of dBTechnologies USA for the region) and sound companies. Participants ranged from technicians and systems engineers to sales and technical support personnel, all eager to deepen their knowledge of system design, implementation, and performance using dBTechnologies' premium hardening tools.
Led by Marco Cantalú, Global Education Manager at dBTechnologies, and Andy Tindall, Senior Application Engineer at dBTech USA, the event offered a program that balanced audio basics with hands-on implementation. This hands-on, real audio-based training was designed to empower attendees with theoretical understanding and immediate practical skills.
Day 1: VIO Operator Level 1 focused on the fundamental principles of sound reinforcement, including frequency, timing, phase and system behavior, while also offering an in-depth look at Aurora Net, dBTechnologies Composer and safe rigging techniques. Participants participated in tangible experiments, live demonstrations, and active classroom discussions that helped connect theory with practical applications.
"Level 1 focused on the fundamentals: not just the physics and the use of the product, but understanding why systems behave the way they do," said Andy Tindall. "Marco (Cantalú) explained it with vivid demonstrations and practical perspectives. I left the room energized, having seen familiar material taught in such an engaging and practical way."
Day 2 – VIO Operator Level 2 went a step further, aimed at professionals looking to master the implementation of complex systems. Topics included AFMG EASE Focus for system modeling, A2Net™, RDNet, and Dante™ networking, subwoofer array configuration, and detailed tuning workflows. Participants flew arrays, installed cables, aligned systems, and experimented with multiple rigging and optimization approaches.
"Level 2 was like a master class for operators," Tindall said. "We address prediction workflows, rigging strategies, cabling logistics, and how to adapt a system to real acoustic environments. It was a very practical day: a lot of movement, experimentation and resolution of applied audio problems".
The event also fostered community and greater professional connection. Following the final training session, attendees gathered for a post-training social hour, an opportunity to make new contacts, reconnect with longtime colleagues, and exchange ideas over a meal and drink.
"The Academy is a big step for us and our partner network," said Matthew Whitman, dBTechnologies U.S. National Sales Manager. "VIO systems are already turning heads, so give our VIO partners the tools to take performance even further? It's a no-brainer. And yes, we had a great time doing it."
Looking ahead, the first Academy in the U.S. marks the start of a broader initiative to support dBTechnologies users across North America. The next U.S. VIO operator training will be held in September 2025; new dates will be announced soon.
