Digital Signal Processors – a Beginner’s Guide

I was recently asked to advise on a project where the customer was installing new AV equipment in a public meeting space. The audio system was to include ceiling array microphones, gooseneck podium microphones, as well as a number of wireless lavalier and handheld microphones. The question I was being asked was “can you recommend an appropriate mixer for this application?”.

At first glance, an audio mixer seems to be the appropriate tool for the job – after all, a mixer takes a number of audio input sources, allows you to control the volume and equalization of each source, and mixes them into a combined output signal to be sent to an amplifier and eventually loudspeakers.

But what if you need to send multiple output signals to multiple destinations? What if some signals need to be sent to some outputs but not others? What if you need to instantly change the signal routing based on the room configuration? What if you need to apply auto echo cancellation (AEC) to any of the signals to prevent echo and feedback? And most importantly – what if you do not have a dedicated technician willing and able to sit behind the mixer to configure it and make adjustments?

For all of these reasons (and plenty more), the appropriate tool for this application is a digital signal processor (DSP), not a mixer. So, let us take a look at DSPs, their features and benefits, and where they are appropriate (and not) to use!

Anatomy of a DSP

One way of looking at a DSP is as a “mixer in a box” which can be remotely controlled. Similar to a mixer, a DSP will have a number of input channels and output channels – typically 12 (in) x 8 (out) – but many other configurations exist. Unlike a mixer, which is made to lay on a table or desk and features lots of volume sliders and knobs, a DSP is a small box which is made to be installed in an equipment rack and typically features no knobs or obvious controls.

blu101Below is the front and rear of a BSS BLU-101, one of the most popular and powerful DSPs that we sell:

As you can see, it does not look much like a mixer at all, but the functionality is similar. It has twelve inputs (the green ports on the right side), eight outputs (the orange ports in the middle), an ethernet port for connecting it to a network, an RS232 port for allowing the unit to be controlled remotely, BluLink for connecting to other Harman devices, and a set of GPIO control ports which can be used for monitoring other devices or accepting signals from external devices.

ac5swhtusAs mentioned above, there are not any controls or buttons on the front panel. Instead, DSPs are generally controlled by external control systems, such as AMX, Kramer, or Atlona. Users interact with a custom touch panel to send control signals such as channel mute, volume control, input/output routing and mixing, gating, and more! In simpler systems, BSS DSPs can also be controlled by a simple button/volume knob control panel, such as the BSS Contrio series.

Due to the versatility and abilities of DSPs, they do require configuration and setup before being deployed. When selling a DSP, always check to make sure that your customer has someone on their team who is familiar with configuring and setting up DSPs. In most cases, the manufacturer will have online training programs which can help them get up to speed. For example, Harman’s Professional Training Portal offers full courses on BSS programming for free! If the customer needs additional help or is simply pressed for time, Almo’s own LinkLab Professional Services team has certified DSP programmers ready to help!

When to Recommend a DSP

Now that you know a bit about what makes a DSP tick, when should you be recommending a DSP solution over a regular mixer?

  • Medium to Large Conference Rooms: any time a customer mentions conferencing, particularly for larger rooms with multiple microphones, a DSP should be recommended. DSPs have the flexibility and power to manage the complex routing needed to interface with conferencing devices. Make sure that your DSP has a USB port for conferencing, as well as auto echo cancellation (AEC)!
  • Training Rooms/Lecture Halls: for applications where there will not be a dedicated AV Tech available to manage the system, a DSP with preset scene recall and automatic level control is essential.
  • Building-wide Systems: any complex system where multiple rooms are being controlled from a central head-end system requires a DSP (and usually a large one) to manage the routing of audio from room to room.

cms14Of course, a DSP is not a fit for every situation. For example, most live performances (musical or otherwise) are better suited to being controlled by a real live person in front of a mixer who can respond in real time to the action on stage. Additionally, smaller, less complex systems (such as in a bar, restaurant, or retail store) which do not require advanced routing or signal control might be better suited to use a rack-mounted mixer (such as the JBL CSM series) or a zone controller (such as the dbx ZonePro).

Conclusion

Hopefully, this serves as a good introduction into the capabilities and use cases for audio digital signal processors. Do not be intimidated by the complexities of DSPs – at their heart they are simply tools for making audio sound great and getting it where it needs to go.

The good news is that you do not have to be an expert to sell DSPs. The audio team at Almo is here to help you navigate the details. Simply be on the lookout for the opportunity, ask some questions, and email [email protected] to help figure out the details. We are here to help!

Audio enthusiast? Check out “Visiting the JBL Experience Center“.
John Rossman - headshot-frame

About the Author

John Rossman | CTS

BDM II – Technical Specialist

Supported Manufacturers: Harman ProfessionalAKG, AMX, BSS, Crown, DBX, JBL, Lexicon, Martin, & Soundcraft

Empower Your Corporate Clients with Smart Huddle Spaces: Essential AV Products for Seamless Collaboration

If you’re looking to design and install top-notch huddle spaces, we have everything you need to create the perfect solution for any space and budget, ensuring your corporate clients stay satisfied and return for more. In this blog, we’ll cover the basic principles to foster effective communication and recommend essential AV products for seamless collaboration.

Creating the Perfect Huddle Spaceperfect huddle space elevation

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, having a dedicated spot for quick meetings and brainstorming sessions is essential. But to make these spaces truly effective, they need the right tech solutions to enhance user productivity.

Building the perfect huddle space involves more than just selecting the right products. It’s about creating an environment that fosters collaboration and inclusion for a hybrid workforce.

Here are some tips to help you design an effective huddle space for your clients:

  1. Strategic Placement: Position your display and video conferencing equipment to ensure that everyone in the room has a clear view and can participate fully.
  2. Comfortable Seating: Provide comfortable seating arrangements that encourage engagement and interaction.
  3. Adequate Lighting: Ensure that the space is well-lit to reduce eye strain and create a welcoming atmosphere.
  4. Good Accoustics: Consider soundproofing or use sound-absorbing materials to enhance audio quality and reduce distractions during meetings.
  5. User-Friendly Technology: Choose AV solutions that are easy to use and integrate seamlessly with existing systems.

Essential AV Tech for Collaboration

Huddle spaces come in various configurations and sizes. For an example, check out this flyer featuring a signal flow diagram and elevation drawings prepared by the LinkLab services team for a recent E4 Experience event, where we set up a demo huddle space for attendees to experience firsthand. Now, let’s dive into some of the AV products we offer to elevate any corporate huddle space.

Philips displaysDisplay Solutions

A high-resolution display is the centerpiece of any huddle space. The Philips 55″ Q-Line 4K Ultra HD Display offers stunning visuals and vibrant colors, making it ideal for presentations, video calls, and collaborative work. With its sleek design and advanced features, this display enhances the overall experience and ensures that every detail is visible to all participants. As integrators, you’ll appreciate the ease of installation and the impressive performance this display offers.

Middle Atlantic free standing display mountFree-Standing Mounts

A sturdy and versatile stand or mount is essential for any huddle space setup. The Middle Atlantic Forum Free-Standing Display Stands are designed to support displays ranging from 42″ to 55″. These mounts provide a secure and adjustable platform for your screens, ensuring optimal viewing angles for all participants. Whether you need a floor-to-wall mount or a freestanding option, these products offer flexibility and reliability, making installation a breeze for integrators.

Video Conferencing Solutions

Barco ClickShare Bar ProEffective video conferencing is essential for remote collaboration. The Barco ClickShare Bar Pro is a powerful tool that combines a camera, microphone, and speaker into one compact device. This all-in-one solution simplifies the setup process and delivers high-quality audio and video for clear communication. With features like AI-powered noise cancellation and automatic framing, the ClickShare Video Bar Pro ensures that every meeting runs smoothly, making it a valuable addition to any huddle space.

Power Management

power distribution - rack mountedReliable power management is critical to maintaining uninterrupted operations in your huddle space. The NEXSYS Rackmount PDU from Legrand AV is a horizontal rackmount power solution that offers multi-stage surge protection. This ensures that all your AV equipment is safeguarded against power surges, providing peace of mind and consistent performance. With easy installation and robust protection, it’s a must-have for any huddle space setup.

High-Quality Cables

high speed hdmi cablesQuality cables are the backbone of any AV setup, ensuring clear and stable signal transmission. The CG41364 HDMI cable from Legrand AV’s C2G Plus Series is designed to deliver high-definition video and audio with minimal interference. This cable supports 4K resolution, making it perfect for presentations and video conferencing. Its durable construction and reliable performance make it an excellent choice for connecting your devices, ensuring your clients get the best possible experience.

Conclusion

By following these guidelines, you’ll create huddle spaces that not only meet your clients’ needs but also foster effective collaboration and productivity. A well-equipped huddle space can significantly enhance your corporate clients’ experience, transforming any corner into a hub of innovation and success that meets the demands of modern corporate environments. Satisfied clients lead to a thriving business for you!

Have more questions or want to consult with us about a specific use case? Connect with Exertis Almo’s Collaboration Solutions Category Manager or contact your Sales Representative, and we’ll help you find the perfect solution for your clients’ needs.

Want to know more? Check out one of our other collaboration solution blogs.

Top Outdoor AV Solutions for 2025: A Resellers Guide

As the demand for outdoor audiovisual (AV) solutions continues to grow, resellers and systems integrators need to stay ahead of the curve by offering the latest and most reliable products. Whether it’s for outdoor entertainment, advertising, or public announcements, having the right AV equipment is crucial. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top outdoor AV solutions for 2025, focusing on displays, audio systems, DVLEDs, kiosks, and mounts.

Outdoor Displays

Peerless-AV 55″ Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Display, Gen 4.1

Peerless-AV’s 55″ Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Display is designed to withstand the harshest outdoor conditions while delivering stunning visuals. With a brightness level of 2500 nits, this display ensures clear visibility even in direct sunlight. Its weatherproof design protects against rain, snow, and dust, making it ideal for outdoor advertising, digital signage, and entertainment.

Key Features:

  • 2500 nits brightness
  • Weatherproof design (IP68 rated)
  • Anti-reflective and impact-resistant cover glass
  • Operating temperature range: -31°F to 140°F

Peerless-AV Xtreme High Bright outdoor displays

More outdoor displays ⟫Bose Professional S1 Pro+ Wireless PA System

Outdoor Audio

Bose Pro S1 Pro+ Wireless PA System

The Bose Pro S1 Pro+ Wireless PA System is a versatile and portable audio solution perfect for outdoor events. With Bluetooth connectivity, built-in sensors for optimal sound, and a rechargeable battery, this system offers high-quality audio performance in any outdoor setting.

Key Features:

  • Bluetooth streamingElectro-Voice Evolve 50M
  • Rechargeable battery with up to 11 hours of playtime
  • Auto EQ adjusts sound based on placement
  • Lightweight and portable design

JBL Control 85mJBL Control 85M Landscape Speaker: Ideal for blending into outdoor environments while providing excellent sound coverage.

Electro-Voice Evolve 50M Portable Powered Column System: Offers superior sound quality and portability for outdoor events.

Yamaha VS6 Surface Mount Speaker: Durable and weather-resistant, perfect for outdoor installations.Yamaha speakers

Leyard MGS seriesOutdoor DVLED

Planar MGS Series Outdoor LED

Planar’s MGS Series Outdoor LED displays are designed for high-impact outdoor installations. With their robust construction and high brightness levels, these displays are perfect for large-scale outdoor advertising and digital signage.

Key Features:

  • Leyard MGS service and installHigh brightness for visibility in daylight
  • Weather-resistant design
  • Flexible installation options
  • Long lifespan and low maintenance

Outdoor Kiosks and Mounts

Chief Impact Outdoor Kiosk

Legrand kioskThe Chief Impact Outdoor Kiosk by Legrand is a durable and versatile solution for outdoor digital signage and interactive displays. Its sleek design and robust construction make it suitable for various outdoor environments, from parks to shopping centers.

Key Features:

  • Weather-resistant enclosure
  • Easy installation and maintenance
  • Compatible with various display sizes
  • Secure and tamper-proof design

Chief outdoor ceiling mountChief OLC Mounting Kit: Ideal for ceiling and pedestal mounted displays in outdoor settings with varying installation requirements.

Conclusion

As outdoor AV solutions continue to evolve, resellers and integrators must stay informed about the latest products to meet their customers’ needs. The products highlighted in this guide offer reliable performance, durability, and versatility for various outdoor applications. By incorporating these top outdoor AV solutions into your offerings, you can ensure your customers have access to the best technology available in 2025.

Feel free to reach out to your sales representative or an Exertis Almo BDM for more information, or to discuss how these products can enhance your outdoor AV projects.

Visiting the JBL Experience Center

During the last week of January 2025, I had the amazing opportunity to visit the JBL Experience Center in Los Angeles, California. Our fantastic NBT team was invited to host their Lead Summit there and I was lucky enough to get to tag along!

The Experience Center is located in a lovely area of LA – Northridge, CA – and was lucky enough to have escaped the recent wildfire incidents. A sprawling complex, the building is home to both the Experience Center and offices for JBL and Harman engineers, sales and marketing teams, and executives.

We arrived early in the morning and were greeted by JBL wizard David “Tewks” Tewksbury, who served as our tour guide and host for the day. After dropping our bags off in the conference room, we were escorted to the entryway of the Experience Center, which was a feast for the eyes and ears. JBL’s three Grammy awards were showcased in a long hallway which featured JBL Control 126 in-wall speakers playing some light background music. Martin LED lighting strips were programmed to dance to the music, and an AMX Varia touch panel allowed quick control of a number of preset scenes to set the mood.

welcome Exertis Almo From there we were greeted with a personalized surprise – the huge Samsung video wall in the lobby had been customized to welcome the Exertis Almo team to the Experience Center!

One of the best parts of the Experience Center…experience…is that nearly all of the Harman products on display are powered on and ready to be demonstrated. Getting the chance to play with touch panels, hear headphones, test microphones, and hear loudspeakers is not only a fantastic learning experience, but a lot of fun as well!

For example, AKG had two fantastic setups in the main lobby which were a hit with our group – a headphone demo wall and a vocal isolation booth for testing AKG microphones! The headphone demo wall had all of AKG’s studio headphones ready to demo – after donning the headphones of your choice you could select from any of eight music tracks and control volume directly from an AMX touch panel. The vocal demo booth featured AKG’s famous studio microphones – the C214, C314, and the venerable C414 XLii, and a small JBL audio on displaySoundcraft mixer so that you could easily switch between the different models – a very enlightening experience for a mic nerd like myself!

Near the mic and headphone demo areas were rooms highlighting JBL’s consumer and pro-sumer home, Bluetooth, and studio products. JBL’s attractive home audio products like bookshelf speakers, turntables, headphones, PartyBoxes, and other Bluetooth speakers were set up to demo and interact with. Getting to hear the JBL 104-BT desktop monitor speakers in person was the nudge I needed to finally get a set for my work desk at home.

jbl loudspeakers trainingBut all of this was just an introduction to the main hall, where JBL loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers, BSS and dbx signal processors, AMX control and video products, and Martin lighting were on full display. Harman has put a lot of effort into this room, and they make it easy to demo, see, and A/B their installed product lineups. Tewks led us though the experience, explaining the differences between the various Crown amplifier series, discussing and demoing the multitude of JBL ceiling and wall-mounted loudspeakers and explaining fun stuff like speaker waveguides.

All of this was powered by one of the prettiest AV equipment rack lineups I’ve ever seen, behind glass and beautifully lit by adjustable RGB lighting. I’ve never considered aesthetically lighting an equipment rack before, but my mind has been changed!jbl equipment racks

If all of this wasn’t enough, the highlight – by far – of our tour was getting to see and hear the brand-new audio demo room. The demo room was recently renovated and professionally acoustically treated, which was amazing to see and hear in person. The large room featured most of JBL’s compact line arrays (such as the CBT 70J-1 and CBT 1000) and outdoor all-weather speakers on one wall. We were able to hear all of these in-situ and compare their advantages and strengths. The outstanding even horizontal coverage and throw distance of these speakers has to be heard to be believed.

jbl line array speakersOn the other wall, at a relatively safe distance, were JBL’s line array speakers flown from the ceiling. The SRX, VRX, and VTX-series line array speakers are JBL’s flagship offerings for large venues, and its not everyday you get to hear this level of performance in a private setting. The folks at Harman very cleverly configured the line array demo to start at the push of a big red button – our own Brent Dowler got to do the honors. After the button was pushed, the lights went down and the show started.

Massive walls of sound – loud, but accurate, crisp, and clear – roared through the room, accompanied by a concert-level Martin lighting show, choreographed to match the music. Everything from hard rock to EDM sounded incredible. The performance literally made the hair stand up on the back of my neck!

After that experience we needed to wind down a little, so we got a chance to relax in JBL’s new Cinema Experience Room, where we got to hear JBL’s excellent range of cinema speakers in a theater-like setting. This room also housed a demo of JBL’s new Control 400 series ceiling speakers, where they could be compared to competitors’ ceiling speaker offerings.

This write-up only scratches the surface of what we got to see and hear at the JBL Experience Center; I’m running out of room and I didn’t even mention the classic JBL speaker displays, the speaker torture test rooms, and the fantastic AMX and Samsung video wall displays. My thanks to our NBT team for inviting me and to Tewks and the rest of the Harman staff for welcoming us!

If you are interested in experiencing the JBL Experience Center for yourself, reach out to me! I’d love an excuse to go back myself.

Want more audio tips? Check out “JBL Ceiling Speakers Demystified“.
John Rossman - headshot-frame

About the Author

John Rossman | CTS

BDM II – Technical Specialist

Supported Manufacturers: Harman ProfessionalAKG, AMX, BSS, Crown, DBX, JBL, Lexicon, Martin, & Soundcraft

TAA-Compliant Products Available from Exertis Almo

If you work with customers in the Federal Government space, you’re probably familiar with the term “TAA-Compliant”. For those curious, “TAA” refers to the Trade Agreements Act, and its statute requires that products purchased through government contracts are:

  • Articles [products] that are wholly the growth, product, or manufacture of the U.S. or a designated country, or
  • Articles [products] that are “substantially transformed” in the U.S. or a designated country into a new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was transformed.

TAA Compliant logoThe Trade Agreements Act (TAA) was enacted to encourage fair and open international trade, but in practice it has implemented the requirement that the US government may only acquire US- or “designated end country”-made end products.

While this statute can seem quite limiting on first glance, in practice there are plenty of products available to meet your customers’ needs while remaining TAA-compliant. The list of “designated countries” outside of the US is substantial, and includes countries you may not have considered compliant, including Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, and Singapore.

To assist with identifying TAA-compliant products, Exertis Almo has recently added a new field to Almo Access which readily shows whether a product is compliant:

TAA products specifications

So what are some examples of TAA-compliant products available through Exertis Almo? The list might surprise you, and give you ideas of opportunities you may not have considered before: CSA series

AMPLIFIERS

Lumens OIP-N seriesAV OVER IP ENCODERS/DECODERS

C2G 501 seriesCABLES

Sony CAMERAS

Nureva huddlecamCONFERENCING

AMX VariaCONTROL

DISPLAYS

LOUDSPEAKERS

MICROPHONES

Chief display mountsMOUNTS

NETWORK SWITCHES

PROJECTORS

BrightSign TAA media player for digital signageDIGITAL SIGNAGE

VIDEO EXTENSION AND PROCESSING

This is just a sampling of the many products Exertis Almo has available for your projects which require TAA compliance. If you have questions regarding whether or not a certain product is TAA-compliant or have any technical questions, reach out to your Business Development Manager or to any of our Account Managers for assistance!

Want more audio tips? Check out “Enhance Your AV Projects with Pro Audio Solutions“.
John Rossman - headshot-frame

About the Author

John Rossman | CTS

BDM II – Technical Specialist

Supported Manufacturers: Harman ProfessionalAKG, AMX, BSS, Crown, DBX, JBL, Lexicon, Martin, & Soundcraft

Want a New Year’s Resolution? Put the “Professional” in Pro AV

Are you eating healthy, exercising and doing all that you can to take care of yourself and your family? Are you doing all you can to further your advancement and make yourself more valuable to the company that you work for? Did you get a professional headshot for your web page and LinkedIn profile?

You do all these things because you’re supposed to be a responsible adult but so many of you still look and sound terrible in every video call. I can’t tell how many times I’ve witnessed an executive level person of an AV related company or organization sound and look terrible during an industry interview or podcast. It’s so bad that it’s unusual when they do it well.

I would argue that you are tarnishing your value as a supplier, client and coworker if you don’t get the basics of sound and video correct on a personal level.

unprofessional audiovisual presentationHere is a list of things that I don’t want to see or hear including my nicknames for each:

  • Only one half of your face because the rest is out of frame. (Abstract Art)
  • Only one side of your face because you’re not looking at the camera. (The Profile)
  • A dark face because you’re poorly lit. (Witness Protection Mode)
  • Way too much space above the top of your head. (Kilroy Was Here)
  • Your chin. (The Uppercut)
  • An empty conference table with you at the far end. (The Bowling Alley)
  • Your laptop microphone. (Speakerphone Mode)
  • Your videobar 25 feet away from you. (1/24 Scale)

Face it. Literally. Your laptop camera and microphone look and sound terrible. Your lighting is non-existent. Why are you using the built-in $2.00 microphone and $10.00 webcam to try and sell someone on the need to invest $100K in their conference room?

Promote the value in a quality audiovisual investment starting at your desk – convey your professionalism one-on-one.

I know this can be a vanity issue for some of us. We don’t think we look good on camera, so we turn the camera on only because it’s expected. Speaking as a lifetime member of the Introvert Club, I get it. But as a fellow coworker and introvert said to me, “Preparedness is the best medicine for nerves, so it all began with a simple thought, ‘If I upgrade my webcam, maybe I’ll feel more confident on camera.’” For him it started with a camera that’s popular with content creators. That lead to research on lighting and then what elements were in view of the camera frame. After that came the audio. He now has the best looking and sounding rig in the entire company. Plus, he and his wife started doing podcasts! He’s not even in the Pro AV division, he’s in IT. I might have the edge on him on the audio side, but he absolutely smokes me on the video side.

Lesson: If your IT person looks and sounds better than you, you seriously need to up your game.

Remind yourself that we are in Professional AV and more importantly, that we are in a relationship business. You wouldn’t visit your client in person knowing that you had bad breath so why are you practicing virtual bad breath with every video call?

Camera, lights, microphone and look up the “Rule of Thirds” for subject framing. It’s a “system” not unlike all the various components we put together for a client’s “system”. While it may be on a smaller scale it should be no less professional than the experience we’re promoting.

While we would love to work with you on your next $100K project, we’re no less interested in helping you look more professional on a personal level. This is the AV industry – we’re all in this together.

If you enjoyed this blog, check out Tom’s “Choose Quality AV” blog for more insights.

Tom Kehr
About the Author

Tom Kehr

CTS-D, CTS-I, Network+, LEED Green Associate, ISF-C, ATD Master Trainer

In-House System Designer and Trainer

Supported Applications: System Design

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