Behind the Rack

Send us Fan MailBirdDog 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.

Send us Fan MailFrom 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

Send us Fan MailThe 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 

Send us Fan MailUnified Communications didn’t suddenly appear during the pandemic—it was already in motion. What changed was the pace, and more importantly, the expectations.In this episode of Behind the Rack, we sit down with David from DTEN to explore how the UC space has evolved from hardware-based systems and dedicated codecs to the software-driven, cloud-connected platforms we rely on today. The conversation traces that journey—from early interoperability challenges to the rise of Zoom and Microsoft Teams, and the shift toward simpler, more accessible meeting room experiences.DTEN’s story fits directly into that evolution. Starting with interactive whiteboards, the company moved early into all-in-one collaboration systems, helping redefine what a meeting room can look like when everything—from camera to compute—is built into a single platform.But this discussion goes beyond product design. It looks at how user behavior has changed, why hybrid work exposed gaps in traditional AV deployments, and how expectations around simplicity and reliability are now driving decision-making.We also explore what’s coming next. From digital whiteboarding and persistent collaboration to the growing role of AI—both in the cloud and at the edge—the future of meeting spaces is becoming more intelligent, more responsive, and more aligned with how people actually work.For integrators, consultants, and anyone involved in designing collaboration environments, this episode offers a grounded look at where Unified Communications stands today—and where it’s heading next.

Send us Fan MailImmersive audio isn’t just another format—it may be the most significant shift in music production since the move from mono to stereo.In this episode, George from Apogee Electronics joins us to explore how immersive audio is reshaping the way music is created, mixed, and experienced. From the early days of digital recording to today’s rapid adoption of Dolby Atmos, we unpack the technical, creative, and commercial forces driving this evolution.The conversation dives into the realities behind immersive workflows, the role of major platforms like Apple in accelerating adoption, and why this format is finally succeeding where surround sound struggled.For integrators, engineers, and anyone working in pro AV, this episode offers a grounded look at what immersive audio actually means—and where it’s going next.

Send us Fan MailWhat is Unified Communications — and why is it now critical to how we work?In this episode of Behind the Rack, we’re joined by Josh Blalock (Shure, Microsoft MVP) to break down the evolution of UC and collaboration technology — from the pandemic-driven boom to today’s shift toward AI-powered meeting experiences.We explore how platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom are shaping the modern workplace, why meeting rooms are being redesigned, and how audio and video quality now directly impact AI-driven workflows.This episode is a must-listen for anyone in AV, IT, or business leadership looking to understand where collaboration technology is heading next.In this episode: What Unified Communications (UC) means  Microsoft Teams vs Zoom trends  How AI is transforming meetings  Why meeting room design matters more than ever  The shift toward simple, scalable AV solutions  The importance of audio quality in AI workflows  What organizations are getting wrong about collaboration About the guest:Josh Blalock is Director of Collaboration Ecosystem & Engagement at Shure and a Microsoft MVP with over 20 years of experience in enterprise communications, Microsoft Teams, and collaboration technologies.

Send us Fan MailImmersive technology is rapidly evolving — and it’s starting to intersect with the world of professional AV in new and interesting ways.In this episode of Behind the Rack, we’re joined by Daniel Grozdavov from Imagine360 to explore the world of Extended Reality (XR) and how technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are reshaping how organizations communicate, train, and create experiences.Together, we discuss what immersive technology really means beyond the buzzwords, how these environments are built, and where XR may intersect with the ProAV ecosystem.Topics include: • Understanding XR, VR, and AR • How immersive experiences are designed • Applications in storytelling, education, and experiential environments • The role AV infrastructure plays in immersive deployments • The future of immersive technologyWhether you work in ProAV, broadcast, content creation, or experiential design, this episode explores how immersive technology is beginning to influence the next generation of AV experiences.

Send us Fan MailInfrastructure isn’t the flashy part of an AV system — but it’s the part that determines whether everything works… or fails when it matters most.In this episode of Behind the Rack, we break down the most common infrastructure mistakes we see across Commercial AV, Pro Live, Broadcast, and Enterprise deployments.From poor bandwidth planning and VLAN misconfiguration to IT & AV misalignment, lack of redundancy, and scalability blind spots — we’re talking about the real-world issues that cause instability, downtime, and expensive rework.If you’re deploying AV-over-IP, wireless microphone systems, IPTV, or live production environments, this episode will help you design smarter from day one.🎧 Topics include:Why infrastructure often gets overlookedNetwork & bandwidth planning pitfallsIT and AV alignment challengesSegmentation and VLAN mistakesRedundancy and single points of failureFuture-proofing for scalabilityDocumentation & commissioning gapsStrong infrastructure isn’t optional — it’s foundational.

Send us Fan MailDesigning Pro AV audio systems wasn’t always straightforward — especially when it came to pairing loudspeakers and amplifiers. In this episode of Behind the Rack, Antony Chliaropoulos joins the conversation to explain how matched audio systems have changed that.We discuss how system design has evolved, why manufacturer-tested pairings reduce guesswork, and how modern tools help integrators deliver more consistent results. Drawing on years of experience across professional audio brands, Antony shares perspective on what this shift means for dealers, integrators, and end users alike.This episode covers: • Loudspeaker and amplifier pairing fundamentals • Why matched systems reduce risk and complexity • System consistency, performance, and support • Lessons from real-world Pro AV deploymentsA practical, experience-driven conversation about simplifying audio system design in today’s Pro AV landscape.

Send us Fan MailAudio 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.

Send us Fan MailAV Industry Outlook 2026: Pro AV, Systems Integration & Broadcast TrendsIn 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 systemsWhether 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.

Send us Fan MailWhat 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.

Send us Fan MailIn 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.

Send us Fan MailWe 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.

Send us Fan MailCuriosity 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.

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