dBTechnologies marked a major milestone in professional audio education with the U.S. debut of its dBTechnologies Academy, delivering the first-ever stateside VIO Operator Level 1 and Level 2 certifications.

Hosted by The Rave, an iconic multi-room Milwaukee venue and recent adopter of multiple dBTechnologies VIO systems across its performance spaces, the two-day event welcomed audio professionals from across the Midwest for immersive training with dBTechnologies’ innovative, road-ready VIO series — a modular system designed for both complex installations and demanding live environments.

Attendees included technical teams and leadership from The Rave, AudioBiz—the dBTechnologies USA reps for the region—and sound companies, with participants ranging from system techs and engineers to sales and support staff, all eager to deepen their knowledge of system design, deployment, and performance using dBTechnologies’ premium reinforcement tools.

Led by Marco Cantalú, Global Education Manager at dBTechnologies, and Andy Tindall, Senior Applications Engineer for dBTech USA, the event delivered a curriculum that balanced core audio concepts with practical deployment. This was hands-on training, grounded in real-world audio, designed to empower attendees with both theoretical understanding and immediate, applicable skills.

Day 1 – VIO Operator Level 1 focused on fundamental sound reinforcement principles — including frequency, time, phase, and system behavior — while offering a deep dive into Aurora Net, dBTechnologies Composer, and safe rigging techniques. Participants engaged in tangible experiments, live demonstrations, and active classroom discussions that helped connect theory to real-world applications.

“Level 1 was all about fundamentals — not just physics and product use, but understanding why systems behave the way they do,” said Andy Tindall. “Marco (Cantalú) brought it to life with vivid demonstrations and practical insight. I left the room energized, having seen familiar material taught in such an engaging, grounded way.”

Day 2 – VIO Operator Level 2 took things further, targeting working professionals looking to master complex system deployment. Topics included AFMG EASE Focus for system modeling, A2Net™, RDNet, and Dante™ networking, subwoofer array configuration, and detailed tuning workflows. Participants flew arrays, ran cable, aligned systems, and experimented with multiple rigging and optimization approaches.

“Level 2 felt like an operator’s masterclass,” said Tindall. “We tackled prediction workflows, rigging strategy, cabling logistics, and how to adapt a system to real acoustic environments. It was a very hands-on day — lots of movement, experimentation, and applied audio problem-solving.”

The event also fostered community and deeper professional connection. Following the final training session, attendees gathered for a post-training social hour — a chance to make new connections, reconnect with longtime colleagues, and share ideas over food and drinks.

“The Academy is a big move for us and our partner network,” said Matthew Whitman, U.S. National Sales Manager at dBTechnologies. “VIO systems are already turning heads, so giving our VIO partners the tools to push performance even further? That’s a no-brainer. And yeah — we have a blast doing it.”

“The human experience with music and audio can move people in profound ways,” added Tindall. “With dBTechnologies Academy, we’re equipping professionals with the tools and understanding to deliver that experience with impact and clarity.”

“I’m lucky to work for a company that values this deeply,” he continues. “Through the Academy, we train users and integrators in the art of sound—providing the knowledge and workflows necessary to bring performers and audiences close, making that vital exchange of feeling truly possible.”

Looking ahead, the inaugural U.S. Academy marks the beginning of a broader initiative to support dBTechnologies users throughout North America. The next U.S.-based VIO Operator training will be held in September 2025, with additional dates to follow.

Interested audio professionals, integrators, and production companies are encouraged to contact Andy Tindall directly at a.tindall@dbtechusa.com to reserve a seat or request future training in their region.