DirectOut

Creative Technology relies on PRODIGY.MP for G42 Supercharged 2025

Lorenzo Sassi — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:54:33 +0000

Creative Technology Middle East (CTME) was the sole technical supplier for G42 Supercharged, G42’s flagship event, held in the ADNEC ICC Halls in Abu Dhabi. The event brought together the very latest in technology from across the entire brand and delivered an inspiring a day of debate on an AI enabled future. With such pioneering technology being discussed and displayed, nothing less than the PRODIGY.MP could offer CTME the stability and reliability required to keep the event on track.

G42 SuperCharged hosted over 2,400 guests and benefitted from over 150 meters of LED screens, plus the largest d&b Soundscape system ever deployed in the region. G42 is an artificial intelligence cloud computing company, committed to investing in ways to harness the power of AI across many difference areas of human life.

In preparation, CTME built a scale version of the installation and ran four days of rehearsals in their warehouse for all stakeholders. The setup had a huge channel count with audio and visuals synchronized with smooth audio transitions that enveloped the audience.

The audio network was powered by PRODIGY.MP and this rehearsal not only proved the viability of the system, it also reduced the entire installation time to just 48 hours on site.

Tim Cook was system engineer for the event, working alongside spatial and playback engineer George Abi Aad. The pair were responsible for the programming and management of the two PRODIGY.MPs and, given the profile of the summit, they opted for three layers of redundancy, with one PRODIGY.MP handling full redundancy of playback utilizing EARS and console feeds through Input Manager, while the second managed complete redundancy for d&b’s DS100 amplifier feeds. As Cook explains, this option delivered fail-safe security and the all-important confidence required to deliver cutting edge shows to a hall full of discerning technology experts.

“Input Managers handled both DS100 processor feeds, so that if one channel dropped, it would automatically and seamlessly fail-over to the backup,” he says. “To go one step further, we implemented another fail-over layer, using the Summing Busses within the PRODIGY.MP to feed a standard stereo system as a final backup. That gave us total peace of mind and a solid safety net. The PRODIGY.MP tied everything together beautifully and made the entire workflow smoother and more efficient.”

CTME purchased its first PRODIGY.MP in 2022, alongside a range of cards to complement the existing inventory, including Dante, Ravenna, MILAN, and MADI. As Cook continues, the modular design allows the company to adapt the same unit for different systems and applications with ease, ensuring that their choice to invest in DirectOut is fully justified by the constant use the PRODIGY.MPs enjoy.

“The flexibility is on another level,” Cook expands. “No other device gives us this kind of adaptability. The interchangeable I/O cards let us build for any workflow, while the routing matrix and onboard DSP cut down on the need for multiple outboard units. It’s quickly become the backbone of our shows and, if I had one tip, it would be to stop thinking of PRODIGY as just a processor. Think of it as a flexible audio hub that can sit at the heart of any system design.”

For CT Middle East, Dante is their network protocol of choice, so the Dante SRC card is in constant demand. As with any supplier, MILAN is also being used more, especially for the new connected amplifiers that many loudspeaker manufactures are developing.

“The Dante SRC card gets a lot of use,” he continues. “The MADI cards are also essential, integrating seamlessly with our DiGiCo consoles and legacy systems. We’re also embracing MILAN, so the MILAN SRC card is being used more and more, especially with our new d&b amplifiers and DiGiCo MILAN DMI cards now in play. It’s great to see everything tying together across protocols.”

For quick and easy control, the team at CT utilize the globcon software. The third-party connectivity and reliability that DirectOut products offer is another key factor in the choice to continue investing in the audio solutions.

“We use globcon for remote management and control. It’s intuitive, responsive, and makes setup and monitoring quick and painless. We also integrate the PRODIGY with third-party controllers and consoles for more streamlined workflows. Everything fits neatly within our ecosystem, the compatibility is excellent.”

The PRODIGY.MP has become an essential part of the toolkit at CT. Its flexibility, reliability and expansive feature-set allows the team to tackle complex audio scenarios with confidence. As Cook concludes, it is not just the hardware, the relationship with DirectOut and 7Hertz is valued, too, as both companies are quick to offer support and expertise when needed.

“7Hertz have supported us in integrating our DirectOut solutions into our workflow and ensuring that we maximize the capabilities of the PRODIGY.MP,” he finishes. “Because it’s such a powerful and versatile unit, we tend to use the PRODIGY.MP in almost every situation, from system tuning and playback redundancy to matrix routing,” he says. “As a rental company, we work across a huge variety of productions with different requirements and the PRODIGY.MP provides a consistent, reliable backbone our engineers can confidently depend on for every show.”

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Nerdmatics chooses DirectOut for complex playback rigs for high-end touring

Sarah Kondycki — Mon, 25 May 2026 09:55:33 +0000

Fred Carlton is the owner and operator of Nerdmatics, a Los Angeles–based design team specializing in advanced music performance systems, as well as audio and MIDI software development. He is also a partner at ASAP Sound, a collective providing turnkey solutions for entertainment applications worldwide.
In the past, designing playback systems often required Carlton to integrate multiple devices from different manufacturers, resulting in complex and fragmented workflows. With DirectOut Smart Audio Platforms, he found a solution capable of addressing even the most demanding system designs. His use of the PRODIGY Series is replacing this multi-vendor approach with a unified, integrated platform that consolidates multiple mission-critical functionalities within a single, failsafe device.

Starting out as a musician, Carlton’s career evolved into the technical side of music production. After building guitars for Fender, a chance encounter led him on tour as a guitar technician with 30 Seconds to Mars, an experience that would shape his entire professional path.

“For 30 Seconds to Mars, the demand on their technology was huge, it pushed me to become better quickly,” he recalls. “Their playback system had to be completely adaptable, it wasn’t just hit play on a click track and forget, we were jumping and looping, so I became proficient very quickly.”

When the tour came to an end, Carlton founded Nerdmatics, officially launching the company that would later support artists across a wide range of genres.

By 2014, he was working with Linkin Park, and soon his client list expanded to include Maluma, Becky G, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, among many others. Despite the diversity of artists and productions, one element has remained constant across his systems: DirectOut.

The platform provides the stability and flexibility required to build playback rigs that can respond dynamically to live performance, rather than locking artists into rigid, predetermined structures.

“Most big pop shows now are completely locked in; every show is exactly the same, even the interaction with the audience. When you’re dealing with automation for moving stages, or pyrotechnics, it’s dangerous to have the artist in control, but for music and lighting, it doesn’t have to be that way,” he continues. “The desire for spontaneous live music, a shared singular experience that can’t be anticipated, is really exciting and it’s entirely possible to combine that with playback if you have the right set up.”

Finding the right setup has been an ongoing process of refinement. A major turning point came in 2018, when Carlton was tasked with designing a system for a stadium show for Riot Games. Searching for a solution that could meet the scale and reliability demands of the project, he discovered DirectOut’s PRODIGY.MC.

“When I built these systems in the past, I would probably be combining six or seven companies, I was basically a system integrator,” he continues. “It wasn’t easy because if there was an issue and I had to call support, and each brand would blame the next. Then DirectOut arrived and it was the first all in one system. I now have a built-in switcher, multiple styles of format and network protocol - Dante, MADI, Ravenna, Soundgrid - and they’re all compatible.”

A key advantage for Carlton is the modular architecture of the PRODIGY Series: what began with a single PRODIGY.MC configured with a Dante card and analog backup quickly grew into a long-term collaboration. Today, DirectOut forms the backbone of many Nerdmatics systems, including a recent installation for ILLENIUM at the Sphere: a 128 channel redundant audio system built around two Dual Network Dante.Dante SRC.IO cards.

Thanks to the dedicated globcon user interface, global system control can be managed by a single operator and even accessed remotely when needed, enabling ongoing support regardless of physical location.

By keeping audio routing and channel management within DirectOut devices, while handling musical elements through a flexible MIDI based workflow, Carlton maintains a system that feels musical rather than mechanical. This approach preserves spontaneity for the artist, while still providing the reliability and structure required by the wider production team.

"I like to use Ableton in rehearsals, we use MIDI locators to keep things fluid,” he continues. “I can hit play and everyone’s machines will follow, but if something changes, I can just send new locator files to everyone. It’s much more efficient than bouncing files after a long day, it's not just audio tracks and waveforms. DirectOut delivers sample rate conversion and fail over redundancy, while MIDI control allows artists to move freely through their set, enabling them to react to the live audience and cater their set to their wants and needs.”

Through platforms like Patreon, Carlton actively shares his system designs, helping others understand how a DirectOut powered approach can support creativity rather than constrain it.

For him, a robust playback system does not need to be rigid or overly technical; it can be expressive, adaptive and responsive. “The modular part of my DirectOut systems is super important because people change their minds last minute. By using PRODIGY Series solutions, I can build a system that is maxed out, so I can be asked for anything and it’s not a problem,” he finishes. “PRODIGY has done the hard work with its DSP so you can run with every single slot filled and everything happening at once, or you can run a simplified version and it’s happy. That is flexibility on another level, and it makes a world of difference.”

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DirectOut Introduces ACE — A Portable Smart Audio Platform That Fits in Your Backpack

Sarah Kondycki — Tue, 12 May 2026 16:03:05 +0000

Mittweida, Germany — May 12th, 2026

DirectOut announces ACE, a compact smart audio platform designed to adapt seamlessly to a wide range of professional workflows — from playback and drive rack applications to fully custom processing rigs —
combining high‑end performance, intelligent redundancy, and comprehensive connectivity in a portable,
travel‑ready format.

"ACE brings the power and reliability of our flagship PRODIGY Series into a device small enough to fit in
your backpack," says Luca Giaroli, CEO of DirectOut. "It's designed to adapt instantly to different workflows
while delivering the performance professionals expect from DirectOut."

At the heart of ACE are dedicated ACE Modes: globcon interfaces purpose‑built for professional audio
workflows, spanning from vertically optimized configurations for common applications to a fully open
environment for custom signal path design. Three modes are available:

Playback Mode — Quick configuration of primary and backup computers, vocal processing inserts, and streamlined output routing, with built‑in support for EARS (Enhanced Automatic Redundancy
Switching).
PA Mode — A complete drive rack solution providing immediate access to EQ, dynamics, delays, and native Smaart® integration, with pre‑configured signal flows and redundant input management for live sound and system tuning scenarios.
PRODIGY Mode — Full access to the same globcon interface as the PRODIGY and MAVEN Series,
offering complete freedom to design bespoke signal paths using advanced routing, mixing, summing, snapshot, and redundancy features.

Users select their preferred ACE Mode at activation and can freely switch between modes as requirements evolve, extending functionality through additional perpetual licenses.

"By combining the same FPGA core as our PRODIGY Series with purpose‑built ACE Modes, we give
engineers instant access to optimized workflows for their specific application — while preserving the option to build fully custom signal paths when required," adds Claudio Becker Foss, CTO of DirectOut. "ACE is compact by design, but uncompromising in capability."

ACE supports MADI, Audio over IP (Dante® or Milan native versions), AES3, and high‑quality analog I/O. To simplify configuration and system design, ACE users have access to Ask.DirectOut, the AI‑based DirectOut proprietary assistance service available 24/7.

ACE adapts to your workflow — and grows with your ambitions!
For more information, visit www.directout.eu.

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DirectOut Appoints Synthax Audio UK as New UK and Ireland Distributor

Sarah Kondycki — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:26:52 +0000

Mittweida, Germany — 11 May 2026

DirectOut, the German specialist in high-end audio solutions, is pleased to announce that as of June 1st 2026, Synthax Audio UK will be its new distribution partner for the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Synthax takes over the distribution from Aspen Media, which has represented DirectOut with outstanding professionalism and dedication for many years. This transition concludes a highly successful partnership, as Chris Collings, owner of Aspen Media, steps back to enjoy a well-deserved retirement after a long and accomplished career in the professional audio industry.

Synthax Audio UK will look to leverage its extensive relationships within the studio, live sound and broadcast audio markets, sectors it has been serving for more than 15 years. "The addition of DirectOut represents a natural and strategic fit alongside the company’s existing portfolio."

“We are delighted to welcome DirectOut to the Synthax family in the UK and Ireland,” says Martin Warr, Managing Director of Synthax Audio UK. “Having worked closely with the brand for many years, we already have considerable experience in providing sales, support and application expertise for DirectOut products."

“I also personally have a longstanding relationship with Stefan Flock, Director and Founder of DirectOut, and have always admired his vision and technical innovations. DirectOut’s reputation for engineering excellence and reliability makes the brand a perfect complement to the other pro audio manufacturers we represent, and we see tremendous opportunities for growth across the touring, live production, broadcast and systems integration markets.”

“We’re happy to welcome Synthax Audio UK as our new distributor for UK and Ireland,” says Lorenzo Sassi, Director of Sales at DirectOut. “As a long-time DirectOut reseller, they already know our audio solutions and customers very well, ensuring smooth continuity of what Aspen Media has built over the years. We look forward to taking the next step together.”

The appointment of Synthax guarantees continuity and stability for DirectOut customers in the UK. The relationship between Martin Warr and Chris Collings goes back many years, with Synthax and Aspen Media having already shared successful commercial collaborations in the past.

Reflecting on the partnership, Chris Collings comments: “The success of our DirectOut distributorship is no mystery; it’s simply the product of a shared understanding of the importance of making customers smile with great products and exemplary service. For this, I must give significant credit to the contribution made over the years by long‑standing colleagues Melanie Stephen, Louise Sammon and Sue Hurd."

“It is important to note that Synthax has been part of that journey, working with us as a DirectOut reseller; which makes its appointment as the new distributor the natural next step.”

“We warmly welcome Synthax and look forward to a successful future together in the UK market,” says Jan Ehrlich, COO of DirectOut. “At the same time, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Chris Collings for his outstanding work and dedication over many years. His expertise and commitment have been instrumental in building a strong presence for our brand.”

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DirectOut Achieves Official Milan Certification for Full Range of Network Interface cards

Sarah Kondycki — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:17:24 +0000

Mittweida, Germany — 31 March 2026

DirectOut, a global leader in audio connectivity and networked audio solutions, is proud to announce that its Milan enabled interface cards have now received officially certification from the Avnu Alliance. This guarantees seamless interoperability with all other Milan certified systems in the market and marks a pivotal milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to open standards, and reliability within the realm of professional audio networking.

The official certification confirms the technical robustness of DirectOut’s Milan product family and aligns with the Company’s longstanding philosophy of “building bridges” between audio formats, demonstrated by its existing support for Dante, RAVENNA/AES67, and SoundGrid.

The newly Milan certified modules, which represent a key component of the company's flexible ecosystem for the PRODIGY Series and MAVEN.A, include:

-DANTE.MILAN.SRC.IO

-RAV.MILAN.SRC.IO

-MILAN.SG.SRC.IO

-MILAN.MILAN.SRC.IO

-MILAN.SRC.IO

-MILAN.IO

With Milan now widely embraced as the deterministic networking standard for missioncritical audio applications, DirectOut’s newly certified modules offer integrators and engineers a reliable, futureproof solution founded on guaranteed interoperability.

Claudio Becker-Foss, CTO of DirectOut, commented: “From the beginning, DirectOut has focused on connecting formats rather than creating islands. Now that our Milan implementation is officially certified, we’re thrilled to offer our customers another fully verified, standard based solution that complements our existing network formats. This certification is a major step in ensuring streamlined workflows, resilient system design, and futureproof audio networking for the entire pro audio industry.”

All Milan certified interface cards are available and fully compatible with the PRODIGY.MP, PRODIGY.MC, PRODIGY.MX and the MAVEN.A, offering engineers maximum flexibility across DirectOut’s flagship platforms. Further details can be found in the Avnu Certified Product Registry and on the DirectOut website.

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Giacomo Previ joins DirectOut as Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships

Sarah Kondycki — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:10:09 +0000

MITTWEIDA, GERMANY

DirectOut, the benchmark for professional audio system connectivity, is proud to announce the appointment of Giacomo Previ as Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships. A highly accomplished strategist with over 30 years of excellence in the pro-audio sector, Previ will lead the company’s global marketing strategy and drive high-level industry alliances.

Previ brings a formidable track record to DirectOut. His career includes 8 years managing OEM Sales at Powersoft and a 14-year tenure as Director of Sales and Marketing at 18 Sound, where he was instrumental in scaling global partnerships. His background is further strengthened by key roles in product management and marketing communications at Mackie Designs and RCF, which have given him in-depth, comprehensive knowledge of the international audio market.

"I am personally and professionally excited to welcome Giacomo Previ to our team," says Luca Giaroli, CEO of DirectOut. "Having known him for many years, I have always admired his deep market insight and his unique ability to connect technology with business opportunities. His arrival is a game-changer for DirectOut, ensuring that our innovative spirit is matched by a world-class strategic vision as we expand our global footprint."

In his new role, Previ will focus on driving strategic global growth by enhancing brand equity and market penetration for DirectOut’s advanced Audio Solution Model. Additionally, he will cultivate high-level partnerships by leveraging his extensive network to build strategic synergies with world-class manufacturers, while also fostering product marketing innovation to effectively bridge the gap between engineering excellence and market-driven needs.

"DirectOut is renowned for its uncompromising quality and engineering innovation." says Previ. "I am thrilled to join the team at a time when the company is leading the way with AI-enhanced technological innovations. My goal is to help DirectOut reach its full potential as the ultimate solution for managing complex audio systems, ensuring that our audio solutions remain at the heart of the world's most demanding professional networks.”

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DirectOut Announces Leadership Reorganization to Drive Global Growth and Innovation

Lorenzo Sassi — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:11:00 +0000

DirectOut, a premier provider of professional audio networking and connectivity solutions, announces the appointment of a new three-member Management Board. This strategic evolution prepares the company to navigate its extraordinary global growth and the increasing complexity of the professional audio market.

The new Board of Directors consists of Luca Giaroli as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), René In Der Stroth as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Jan Ehrlich, transitioning from his previous role as CEO to Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Giaroli, who previously held the pivotal roles of Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Solutions Officer at DirectOut, has been instrumental in transforming the company from a hardware-centric manufacturer into a global leader in integrated audio solutions. He is the visionary behind the PRODIGY.MP and the Audio Solution Model (ASM™), a revolutionary concept that has redefined the approach in the digital audio system design and implementation.

“DirectOut has experienced remarkable growth over the past years in people, partners, technologies, and revenue,” explains Giaroli. “This evolution brings complexity that requires a broader and more specialized leadership team. We are building something bigger together, not just a company, but a place where innovation meets purpose, and where every team member plays a vital role in our success.”

The new board sees Giaroli spearheading strategy, marketing, and sales to fuel DirectOut’s expansion. Simultaneously, In Der Stroth will manage financial operations tailored to the company’s rapid growth, while Ehrlich ensures operational excellence and administrative efficiency from the Mittweida headquarters.

“Joining DirectOut is a unique opportunity to align financial excellence with cutting-edge technology. I am eager to collaborate with this world-class team to drive sustainable growth and maintain our competitive edge in an ever-evolving global market.” says In Der Stroth.

“This is a natural and necessary evolution as we continue to grow,” expands Ehrlich. “It's about preparing our company for the opportunities ahead, with better leadership and clearer roles, while giving our team the support they deserve to thrive in their work.”

To drive the company’s long-term strategic goals, Chief Technology Officer Claudio Becker-Foss will work in close synergy with CEO Luca Giaroli, ensuring that technological innovation remains deeply aligned with DirectOut’s overarching strategic direction. Becker-Foss's leadership in product development and system architecture remains a cornerstone of the company’s Audio Solutions, guaranteeing the highest standards of performance, flexibility, and reliability that the industry expects.

Together, the new Management Board will oversee DirectOut’s strategic initiatives, including its US expansion via DirectOut LLC and the strengthening of collaborative workflows through key industry integrations.

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DirectOut announces the USB.MADI, the world’s smallest multichannel soundcard powered by RME

Sarah Kondycki — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 11:49:43 +0000

PATENT PENDING

DirectOut is renowned for manufacturing highly effective audio devices for use across multiple applications. From broadcast studios to arenas, DirectOut solutions are the choice of high-end audio engineers across the globe.

The USB.MADI has been designed with RME, a German company that engineers reliable, and stable audio interfaces that are equally trusted by audio professionals, maintaining an unwavering focus on audio quality.

Effectively the USB.MADI is a fully-fledged computer interface shrunk into a SFP (Small Formfactor Pluggable) module which makes it the world’s smallest multichannel soundcard. It can be directly installed in any compatible DirectOut MADI SFP slot and connects via USB-C to Windows and Mac computers.

Based on the proven USB core by RME, the USB.MADI delivers 64 channels of I/O at standard sample rate. RME’s high performance drivers for macOS and Windows, ensure low-latency interfacing between DirectOut devices and your favorite DAW software.

Driverless operation is also possible thanks to the Class Compliant (CC) mode, making the interface instantly compatible with portable devices, such as the iPad, supporting seamless audio production, whether in a venue or on the road.

Using the USB.MADI unlocks features from both RME and DirectOut, such as EARS™ (Enhanced Automatic Redundancy Switching), DirectOut’s proprietary technology, ensuring continuous audio playback with automatic switching in the event of signal loss. A true life-saver in any mission critical show application be it on festivals or theatre productions. Also included is RME’s TotalMixFX, giving the user comprehensive control over all I/Os on the computer, including zero-latency sub-mixes.

The USB.MADI SFP module is another manifestation of the fruitful collaboration DirectOut started with RME a few years ago with their USB.IO module with both companies offering a wealth of expertise to make this an exciting addition to DirectOut’s existing solutions.

Luca Giaroli, Strategy Manager at DirectOut comments: “This new module is a testament of the mindset we have at DirectOut. Creating solutions that do not only enhance a particular product but improve workflows and interoperability throughout all our platforms making sure that all our customers can benefit. I´m looking forward to seeing what the USB.MADI will enable in all the vertical markets, and I am happy that we can again rely on the expertise of RME to provide high performance operation, resilience and undoubted audio quality.”

Matthias Carstens, Head of Development at RME, adds: “At RME we can look back at more than 30 years of experience in computer audio interfacing. Our passion is to provide reliable and unquestionable audio performance to our users. Combining our battle-tested USB stack with the modular platforms of DirectOut is a perfect match.”

For a full product overview and technical data, click here

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DirectOut Expands into the U.S. with New Subsidiary, Deepening North American Commitment

Sarah Kondycki — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:50:43 +0000

Fort Wayne, IN, USA / Mittweida, Germany
DirectOut launches DirectOut LLC, its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary following recent strong growth and after more than 15 years of presence in the United States through its distribution partners. The move reflects the company’s commitment to delivering faster, more localized support and service to North American customers.

DirectOut LLC operates as a fully owned subsidiary of DirectOut GmbH but with a high degree of autonomy, enabling the team to respond quickly to the specific needs of the U.S. professional audio market. The company’s new headquarters in Fort Wayne, Indiana also house its U.S. warehouse, streamlining logistics for customers across the region.

Vaino Gennaro has been appointed Managing Director of DirectOut LLC and will oversee all U.S. operations.

“The establishment of DirectOut LLC represents a natural, strategic next step for the company,” says Vaino Gennaro. “Our expanded U.S. presence enables closer customer engagement, reduced delivery times through local warehousing, and the continued expansion of service capabilities, including authorized repair centers nationwide. As part of our long-term growth strategy, additional warehouse locations are already under active evaluation.”

Gennaro continues, “The new subsidiary enables DirectOut to provide direct pre-sales, after-sales, and technical support across the Touring, Playback, Integration, and Broadcast markets. With a dedicated engineering team available 24/7, DirectOut LLC strengthens support accessibility and delivers faster, more responsive solutions for partners and customers throughout the United States.”

“The United States has long been one of DirectOut’s most important and loyal markets,” said Luca Giaroli, Strategy Manager at DirectOut. “With the establishment of DirectOut LLC, we are further strengthening our direct relationships with customers while closely aligning this initiative with our global growth strategy and upcoming expansions within the DirectOut Audio Solutions Ecosystem. This structure allows us to deliver a more tailored, customer-centric experience while remaining fully integrated with DirectOut’s global vision.”

DirectOut invites partners, customers, and industry professionals to meet the DirectOut LLC team at NAMM 2026 in Anaheim, CA (Booth #18306) and at AES Nashville, TN (February 24-25), providing an opportunity to connect directly with the U.S. organization and learn more about the company’s latest innovations.

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Kyle Gerhart chooses DirectOut for Creed and InPhase

Sarah Kondycki — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:26:50 +0000

DirectOut manufactures high-end audio solutions that are the product of choice for many live sound engineers. This includes Kyle Gerhart, front of house engineer for Creed and owner of InPhase Productions LLC. Gerhart made the change to DirectOut PRODIGY and MAVEN after technical difficulties in 2024. There was some initial skeptatsism from Creed’s system engineer, Andy Bongardt, but he soon realized the potential of the PRODIGY.MP and neither engineer has looked back. DirectOut Smart Platforms have provided the backbone to their audio systems ever since.

Creed have enjoyed huge success over their long career, selling over 53 million albums worldwide. After a ten-year hiatus, the band reformed in 2023, taking part in the

Summer of ’99 Cruise and announcing their 2024 tour of the same name. The band continued to tour prolifically in 2025 with Are you Ready? and have a quieter year planned for 2026. After their success, rumors of an even larger 2027 worldwide tour are already circulating. “I used a different system processor for many, many years, but about three years ago, I went to go visit my buddy Curtis, who mixes 3 Doors Down. Michael Mordente was the system engineer at the time and they were using PRODIGYs,” he recalls.

“They were the first people to introduce me to the benefits of DirectOut solutions. We’d been having issues, some of which were down to our devices, but it was also our configuration. So, for 2025 I let our supplier, Clair Global, know that I wanted to run our new amplifiers with a full Milan network and I wanted DirectOut as the core of my whole system.”
Gerhart was so impressed with DirectOut solutions that he also purchased a rig for his company, InPhase, which he uses at the front of house position for Creed.

“I bought a MAVEN.A, so I have my personal rig in addition to what I specify for the touring side of things,” he continues. “For me, me putting the MAVEN.A in my rack has allowed me to get rid of a Smaart interface, so it saved rack space. I was also able to incorporate a whole Dante network into my system and use it as my playback unit.
That amount of versatility in a single device was pretty powerful. Another big advantage was the filter set; having the all-pass filters, as well as the notch filters is great, the tilt filters are fantastic, too!”

System engineer, Bongardt, has been a Clair Global employee for 14 years. He started as an intern and has worked his way up, first as a PA tech, then monitor tech, monitor engineer and front of house engineer. During the pandemic, he made the switch to system engineering and has been with Creed for the last two years. To begin with, DirectOut solutions felt too unfamiliar and expansive, but once he had narrowed down exactly what the system needed, he realized it was a very manageable to work with.

“Historically, I'm more of an old school analog guy, so starting out it felt like a lot - so many possibilities! Once I did the first tour, I got accustomed to it and I've toured with PRODIGY about four times since then,” he explains. “The PRODIGYs have a lot of capability. Initially, I started looking through the possibilities and workflow; the FIR filters, the IIR filters, and all the different parameters were really useful.

We were mixing and matching PA hangs on tour, so we used the full toy box. Having the offline capability to program, then draw out the processing signal flow was great, I still don’t think I’ve managed to max one out.”
The Creed audio system is built around the PRODIGY.MP managing console matrixing and driving the PA. The filters are one part of the workflow, but it is also taking care of network conversions, switching between analog, AVB Milan and AES signals so that data can flow seamlessly between stage, tech and front of house systems.

The PRODIGY.MP is fully loaded with two analog input cards, two analog output cards, an AES card, AVB and Dante cards. This ensures that Bongardt can time and tune the entire loudspeaker system and can consolidate the separate matrix devices he was using previously.
As Bongardt and Gerhart conclude, the efficiency of this system, coupled with the versality, flexibility and reliability of the PRODIGY Smart Platform has ensured they have earnt their place in the Creed touring package.

“The PRODIGYs are great. Having everything within one box and figuring out ways to do really cool things with my Stream Decks was super,” Bongardt says. “I started out making OSC commands for it, just having fun. Now I’ve got the Companion Plugin, it is way easier. I’ve actually bought a bigger Stream Deck so I can have more buttons! The PRODIGY.MP is the centerpiece of the drive rack and does most of the processing. It won me over on that tour. I was not a fan initially, but now I want one on all the shows I do. For PRODIGY to change my mind like that is a very rare thing.”

Gerhart finishes, “I really like the gain and tone matching for analog to AES and the fact that I've been able to get creative with it. It takes the product to a higher level and makes it superior. There's reliability, big space savings and I am constantly finding new ways to use it. The value is definitely there.”

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