In Episode 326, guest co-host Aram Piligian returns to join Andy for the second half of their conversation with Chris Lapp, developer of the new Open Fabric Studio AV network management software and senior specialist solutions engineer at Cisco and ask all about “anything and everything” AV networking. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

Chris Lapp leads the design and delivery of mission-critical media and data center infrastructure at the intersection of broadcast, IP networking, and AI. With a background that spans live production, large-scale data center architectures, and modern software-defined systems, he helps organizations build platforms that are performant, resilient, and ready for what’s next. Chris’s work focuses on translating complex technical requirements into practical, scalable solutions that support real-time media workflows and high-stakes operations.

In addition to his work with Cisco and developing Open Fabric Studio, Chris also serves as the vice president of Membership for the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE).

Episode Links:
STN Episode 325 (Chris Lapp Part 1)
Open Fabric Studio
jetfx (Personal Audio DSP + Guitar NAM)
More About Chris Lapp
Episode 326 Transcript

NOTE: Mike Green, the artist who performs “Break Free” that opens every episode, has released a new album — Hang The Moon: Part One — available on all streaming platforms as well as DSPs that support spatial audio. Mikegreenmusic.com will direct folks to the vinyl release or allow them to purchase digitally. And, Mike is hitting the road with Whitney Tai for “The Record Store Tour” starting May 23 in New Orleans. Find out more here.

Connect with the community on the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there.

In Episode 325, guest co-host Aram Piligian joins Andy to sit down with Chris Lapp, developer of the new Open Fabric Studio AV network management software and senior specialist solutions engineer at Cisco and ask all about anything and everything AV networking! This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

This is the first of a two-part conversation where everything from switch configurations, the differences between Dante, AES67, and AVB/Milan, managed versus unmanaged switches, whether or not to use DHCP, and more was on the table.

Chris Lapp leads the design and delivery of mission-critical media and data center infrastructure at the intersection of broadcast, IP networking, and AI. With a background that spans live production, large-scale data center architectures, and modern software-defined systems, he helps organizations build platforms that are performant, resilient, and ready for what’s next. Chris’s work focuses on translating complex technical requirements into practical, scalable approaches that support real-time media workflows and high-stakes operations. In addition to his work with Cisco and developing Open Fabric Studio, Chris also serves as the vice president of membership for the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE).

Episode Links:
About Chris Lapp
Open Fabric Studio
jetfx (Personal Audio DSP + Guitar NAM)
Episode 325 Transcript

NOTE: Mike Green, the artist who performs “Break Free” that opens every episode, has released a new album — Hang The Moon: Part One — available on all streaming platforms as well as DSPs that support spatial audio. Mikegreenmusic.com will direct folks to the vinyl release or allow them to purchase digitally. And, Mike is hitting the road with Whitney Tai for “The Record Store Tour” starting May 23 in New Orleans. Find out more here.

Connect with the community on the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there.

In Episode 324, the hosts talk with Matt Dale and Donny Kuser of SoundBase, a software platform that’s become a valuable asset in the world of wireless coordination over the past few years, to learn all about what it can do and where it’s going, including tools for intercom system design, stage plots and input lists, and much more. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

Donny and Matt share the history of where SoundBase started, how it differs from other tools commonly used for coordinating wireless systems, some new features the just released at the NAB conference, and the new SoundBase SE free version, which opens up to all users a number of the more advanced features that used to require an expensive paid license.

Episode Links:
SoundBase
Episode 324 Transcript

Connect with the community on the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there.

In Episode 323, Sean and Andy huddle up with Joe Allan Muharsky for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of AI in the audio field — where it is and where it’s going, what it’s good at and what it’s not. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

Joe is a software engineer, AI practitioner, and generalist with 30 years of technical experience spanning Microsoft, Google, and a suite of small-to-medium sized companies building line-of-business applications. He’s also the creator of the TODD Framework — a proprietary meta-framework for AI-assisted development built on the philosophy “agents in a system that they can evolve to accomplish their goals” — and has contributed to academic content for a textbook on AI adoption in the events industry.

Alongside his technical work, Joe serves on the board of directors of the Washington Festivals & Events Association (WFEA) and is a part owner and partner at Teamatorium, where he helped scale a six-person team to more than 20. Music runs through everything he does: from audio engineering at venues and festivals to producing Band Together, a site at bandtogether.com for hyper-inclusive collaborative music.

Episode Links:
Joe Allan Muharsky On LinkedIn
iCitadel
Band Together
Joe Allen Muharsky Website
Episode 323 Transcript

Connect with the community on the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there.

Episode 322 shares a look at the history and evolution of sound design for theatre, from Broadway to Cirque du Soleil, from the folks at the Twenty Thousand Hertz podcast. This early episode features two of the biggest names in Broadway sound, Abe “The Godfather of Sound Design” Jacobs, whose career ranged from mixing the Mamas and the Papas and Jimi Hendrix to designing such iconic Broadway shows as Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Evita, A Chorus Line, and so many more, joined by Jonathan Deans, designer of countless Cirque du Soleil Vegas spectaculars including Mystere, Love, Ka, and many others, as well as a long list of Broadway credits including last year’s Tony Award-winning sound design for Buena Vista Social Club, Waitress, and Pippin, to name just a few.

Episode Links:
Twenty Thousand Hertz
Inside Sound With Dallas Taylor
Jonathan Deans Online
Episode 322 Transcript

Connect with the community on the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there.

In Episode 321, Sean and Andy wrap up a last handful (for now!) of listener questions, touching on routines for decompressing after a show and re-entering “civilian” life, balancing long work days and/or travel with coming home, talk a little bit about day rates, and then dig into one of Sean’s long-standing business book recommendations, Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality, and how both business owners and freelancers can take the lessons from that book to heart in the live audio and event world to build better relationships with clients and customers!

Episode Links:
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, by Will Guidara
Episode 321 Transcript

Connect with the community on the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there.

In Episode 320, Sean and Andy talk with Sage Tichenor, best known as front of house engineer for violinist and songwriter Lindsey Stirling, for a wide-ranging chat about all things live audio. Sage talks about migrating and selecting a console platform for her shows, what it’s like mixing a NAMM showcase for a manufacturer, working with a wide range of artists from bluegrass to pop-classical/EDM crossover, and more. Plus plugins, snare sounds that don’t suck, and more…nothing’s off the table!

Sage is a freelance touring FOH engineer and classically trained flautist. In December 2018, she graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a B.M in Music Industry and a B.S. in Audio Production. While in school, she began working at a major local rehearsal studio, which she continued to pursue following graduation. She started touring as a FOH engineer in the fall of 2021 with country artist Riley Green.

Episode Links:
Lindsey Sterling On YouTube
“Cadillacin'” by The Cadillac Three
Profile: Sage Tichenor
Sage’s SoundGirls Blog
Episode 320 Transcript

Connect with the community on the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there.

The hosts sync up again with Tal Kocen and Dave Friesema of Dark Matter Audio Labs in Episode 319 to see what they’ve been up to as they start off their second year as Dark Matter with a bang — albeit a safe and quiet one, thanks to their new hearing protection offerings. Hearing protection and safety is a subject we come back to semi-regularly on Signal to Noise because it’s so important, so we’re excited to see another great option, and hear about what makes these different.

The gang didn’t stop at earplugs, though–they also learned all about the “hows and whys” of Dark Matter’s new ambient IEM offerings (and what they have in common with earplugs), as well as an overview of what their different models sound like and who each one is best suited to, why to choose custom models over universal-fit (or why not to), and more.

Dave and Tal also let us in on some late breaking news, that they’re starting to offer universal-fit versions of their custom products. Finally, they shared a special bonus offer for Signal to Noise listeners of 15 percent off any purchases from Dark Matter with discount code “S2N15”.

NOTE: If you’re in the NYC area this weekend — March 7-8 — Dark Matter and sibling company Dekoni Audio are sharing a space at the CanJam headphone show, where they’ll have demo models of all their IEMs, and be taking impressions for custom models right on site! You might even catch Andy stopping by to visit on Saturday…

Episode Links:
CanJam NYC 2026
STN Episode 297: Healthy Ears, Limited Annoyance
STN Episode 285: Dark Matter Audio Labs
STN Episode 177: Hearing Health Matters
STN Episode 152: Dr. Heather Malyuk, Soundcheck Audiology – “All Ears Are Famous”
Episode 319 Transcript

Connect with the community on the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast.

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there.