InfoComm 2018: Live Sound's New Status Is Underscored Show focuses on the use of A/V tech in creating experiences By Dan Daley, Audio Editor
Thursday, June 21, 2018 - 8:00 am
Print This Story
Story Highlights
InfoComm 2018, which concluded last week for the first time under the aegis of AVIXA, InterComm International's new name (derived from Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association ), demonstrated a shift in emphasis from A/V technology in and of itself to the use of that technology in the service of creating experiences.
Nearly 43,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors participated in InfoComm 2018.
By the end of the show, nearly 43,000 registered attendees - a 10% increase over the last time InfoComm was held in Las Vegas, in 2016 - and nearly 1,000 exhibitors had shown their interest in and their wares matching that new goal. Demonstrating the growing intersection of A/V and IT, exhibitors included tech giants Google, Microsoft, Dolby, Lenovo, Intel, and Dell, alongside A/V stalwarts Dolby Laboratories, Audio-Technica, Panasonic, Shure, and Sennheiser.
Audio in particular indicated the shift to immersive, more deeply engaging platforms. SVG sponsors A-T, Clear-Com, Professional Wireless Systems, Radio Active Designs, Sennheiser, Shure, Solid State Logic, the Telos Alliance TV Solutions Group, and Yamaha Corp. of America were among the 245 companies in the Audio Pavilion area in the venue's Central Hall and the 23 exhibitors in the nearby demo rooms, where global sound-reinforcement vendors including d&b audiotechnik, L-Acoustics, Renkus-Heinz, EAW, D.A.S. Audio, RCF Audio, and K-Array, underscored the growth of the U.S. live-sound market, of which sports venues are a major component.
Sounds Good
The live-sound demos drew one very consistent comment: PA systems as a category have attained a remarkably high level of sonic quality. That's making system differentiation based solely on sonic quality increasingly difficult, notes Guy Low, content and creative manager, Bosch subsidiary Electro-Voice: We've reached a point in pro audio where large-scale PA systems sound like hi-fi systems.
As a result, the show introduced technology, such as software-based system-management platforms, being developed by audio manufacturers to provide additional evaluation criteria that will influence purchasing decisions. For instance, L-Acoustics' Soundvision, a 3D, real-time acoustical-simulation program allows sound designers to define target SPL and will calculate the optimal speaker angles to achieve it, applying DSP settings for system optimization.
Collaboration Is a Theme
Besides plenty of M&A activity preceding and even during the expo - A/V integrator Diversified, which has put audio into such venues as the Miami Dolphins' Hard Rock Stadium, announced the acquisition of UK-based Digitavia - InfoComm 2018 saw several product alliances in search of synergies. For instance, Yamaha and Sennheiser announced that the Sennheiser Digital 6000 microphone systems can now be integrated into Yamaha CL and QL series consoles, via forthcoming Sennheiser and Yamaha firmware updates. These updates mean that Sennheiser's EM 6000 and EM 6000 Dante-compliant wireless receivers can be monitored directly from the consoles, allowing engineers to check such parameters as RF performance, link quality, audio level, and battery status directly from the console and also to adjust certain parameters without the need for additional software or screens. This integration is already available for Soundcraft Vi000 consoles.
The Audio Pavilion at InfoComm 2018 housed 245 exhibitors.
Sennheiser is always keen to collaborate with other manufacturers to allow our systems to interface with their products, making user workflows as smooth and easy as possible, says Tom Vollmers, senior product manager, professional audio, Sennheiser.
Another example of collaboration was found in Avid's announcement that development partners Flux::, d&b audiotechnik, and L-Acoustics have each integrated immersive-sound-processing solutions - respectively, SPAT Revolution, Soundscape, L-ISA - with the Avid VENUE | S6L live-sound system. Each company has developed an AAX DSP plug-in that runs natively on the Avid VENUE | S6L to provide tactile control and software integration of its respective system from the S6L surface and VENUE software, allowing engineers hands-on control over surround parameters from the console.
Underscoring the expo's enhanced status as a live-event-technology show, SSL launched its L100 compact live-sound console, which features a 12 2 fader-configuration frame while retaining the same fast-access layer/bank switching and Super-Q technology to keep all channel, group, aux, VCA, or master controls handy. According to Solid State Logic CEO/Group Commercial Director Piers Plaskitt, it can provide a major-league level of live-sound control to any size sports venue. SSL also announced the launch of new Remote Tile hardware and V4.7 software, which includes an upgrade to SSL's Super Query workflow, enhanced TaCo (remote tablet control) features, a new Transfer Function Analyzer Tool and Auto Pan effect, and support for external-touchscreen control.
Other manufacturers also had a busy show. Shure released the latest version of its Designer software application, providing improved workflow efficiency in configuring Shure products during design and build cycles. The company also announced that it will offer an Integrated Systems Certification Program through the Shure Audio Institute (SAI), featuring training courses on integrated systems for channel partners, A/V professionals, systems integrators, and audio engineers.
Pliant Technologies announced shipment of its new CrewCom wireless intercom system, which can be used simultaneously in both 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz frequenc
Most recent headlines
11/12/2025
Dalet, a leading provider of cloud-native, end-to-end media workflow solutions, ...
06/12/2025
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. A new survey from Pixitmedia by Datacore revealed a major shift in the Media & Entertainment industry in media archiving, with 85% of resp...
06/12/2025
HACKENSACK, N.J. LiveU has announced that the national public broadcaster Czech Television has completed one of the largest LiveU live production deployments fo...
06/12/2025
NEW YORK The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) presented the Excellence in Production Technology Emmy Award to NASA+ and Dr. Tom Leight...
05/12/2025
2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Curt Gowdy Jr. - Master Storyteller, Nati...
05/12/2025
SVG Sit-Down: Veritone's Sean King on the Power of Mining Video, Audio DataThe company's Data Refinery offers users total control and governance over da...
05/12/2025
Platinum White Paper: Inside the Nashville Predators' Unified, Flexible, Sca...
05/12/2025
Netflix Reaches Agreement To Acquire Warner Bros. Following Planned WBD SplitThe deal does not include WBDs sports assets like TNT Sports (US, UK, LatAm), Euros...
05/12/2025
FOX Sports Returns to Indianapolis for Primetime Broadcast of Big Ten Championsh...
05/12/2025
SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Digital Engagement & Monetization Workshop Tackles the ...
05/12/2025
Atlanta United Lights Up New Emory Healthcare Studio With First Live Broadcast f...
05/12/2025
As Messi Takes the Pitch, MLS, Apple, NEP Roll Out Largest MLS Cup Production Ev...
05/12/2025
ESPN Enters College Football's Most Intense Month With Elevated Workflows fo...
05/12/2025
It's about that time! Awards season is in full swing, and the Film Independe...
05/12/2025
Every year, Spotify Wrapped offers a personalized look back at the audio that defined your year. It's a snapshot of your listening habits, designed to tell ...
05/12/2025
In 2025, Spotify's EQUAL, GLOW, and RADAR programs celebrated women, LGBTQIA , and emerging artists who turned moments into milestones. From breaking record...
05/12/2025
In our latest blog, we explain how Wi-Fi 7 rollouts can drive consumer loyalty with value-add services such as consumer cybersecurity. We also explore how this ...
05/12/2025
LOS ANGELES Netflix announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion....
05/12/2025
NEW YORK Nielsens Gracenote has launched Gracenote Content Connect, a new ad platform that provides agencies, brands, supply-side platforms (SSPs) and demand-si...
05/12/2025
NEW YORK In an most important update to the workings of deal-based programmatic advertising, IAB Tech Lab has released version 1.0 of its Deals API for public c...
05/12/2025
NEW YORK Pass the turkey. Pass the stuffing. Pass the cranberry sauce. All are common requests of Americans celebrating Thanksgiving Day with family and f...
05/12/2025
NEW YORK Iris, the new cloud-connected camera control platform, has officially launched with features that turn virtually any PTZ camera into a software-connect...
05/12/2025
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. Netflix announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion....
05/12/2025
NEW YORK Iris, the new cloud-connected camera control platform, has officially launched with features that turn virtually any PTZ camera into a software-connect...
05/12/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission has approved AT&T's $1.02 billion acquisition of spectrum from UScellular in a decision that was issued sho...
05/12/2025
The Best Coldplay Songs: 21 Tracks That Shoot for the Stars From Yellow to Viva La Vida, Fix You to Paradise, this playlist goes back to the start.
December ...
05/12/2025
Zafris Lecture Series Brings Nabil Ayers to Berklee The 32nd annual James G. Zafris Distinguished Lecture series was held on Thursday, November 13, with guest...
05/12/2025
Friday 5 December 2025
A new Game of Thrones Tale: Official trailer for Sky Exc...
05/12/2025
Back to All News
Don Lee, Lee Jin-uk, and Lalisa Manobal to Star in Netflix Act...
05/12/2025
Tis the season of giving once again and this year we've taken our Give Back Fridays' concept and turned it on its head.
In the autumn we were approach...
05/12/2025
Brayden Gogis doesn't remember a time when he wasn't completely fixated on games in all forms. In preschool, when they asked us to dress up as what we ...
05/12/2025
The Grinch steals the spotlight as the theme for The Late Late Toy Show 2025
Tune in tonight at 9:35pm on RT One and worldwide on RT Player
#LateLateToyShow...
05/12/2025
RT Announces New Presenters of Flagship News Programmes
New RT Six One News co-presenter Tommy Meskill
Sarah McInerney & Justin McCarthy join Morning Ir...
04/12/2025
ToolsOnAir Blackmagic Design HyperDeck Event Presets for just:in mac pro 2025 & ...
04/12/2025
ToolsOnAir AJA Ki Pro Event Presets for just:in mac pro 2025 & just:in linux
More Details:Starting with version 5.5, both just:in mac pro and just:in linux sol...
04/12/2025
Wangu Kanuri from Kenya and Godwin Asediba from Ghana are two of this years finalists for Thomsons Young Journalist of the Year Award. The pair are runners-up i...
04/12/2025
SVG Sit-Down: ProximaVision's Claudio Lisman on Why Tethered Drones Could Be...
04/12/2025
SVG Campus Shot Callers: Imry Halevi, Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Co...
04/12/2025
Platinum White Paper: LiveU Lightweight Sports Production: A Step Change in Spor...
04/12/2025
London to Riyadh: DAZN brings the boxing glamour to new production levels for Be...
04/12/2025
Analysis: Paramount bets on the battering ram' with Champions League play By Callum McCarthy, Editor-at-Large
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - 10:12
Print ...
04/12/2025
Space City Home Network Launches SCHN DTC App for Astros and RocketsThe Rockets and Astros were previously the lone NBA and MLB teams without a DTC appBy Jason...
04/12/2025
SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Content Workflows Workshop Spotlights Evolution of Spor...
04/12/2025
New Sponsor Spotlight: Geotech's Patrick Wambold On the Unreal Engine Revolu...
04/12/2025
Curt Gowdy Jr. - Master Storyteller, Nationally and RegionallyBy Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S.
Thursday, December 4, 2025 - 1:52 pm
Print This Sto...
04/12/2025
(L-R) Rebecca Lichtenfeld, Mohammadreza Eyni, Sara Khaki, and Judith Helfand att...
04/12/2025
SBS launches Future Frames initiative to support emerging First Nations video ed...
04/12/2025
Coronal mass ejections caused by eruptions on the surface of the sun can have fa...
04/12/2025
Gracenote Content Connect enables media ecosystem to precisely align ad campaigns and programming based on rich content signals
NEW YORK - December 4, 2025 - N...
InfoComm 2018: Live Sound's New Status Is Underscored Show focuses on the use of A/V tech in creating experiences By Dan Daley, Audio Editor 
