Audio Engineering & Network Infrastructure

Specialist in professional audio-over-IP systems and network architecture

Audio over networks was always an itch I had to scratch. From disastrous experiments in 1997 with 10Base-T on coax, through CobraNet, EtherSound, Hypermac, and a brief dalliance with AVB - I've lived through every generation of audio networking. Led Dante's live debut at City Salute (2008), the world's first deployment watched by over 2 million BBC2 viewers, then founded Audinate's European operations to establish Dante as the industry standard, advising over 100 manufacturers. Now a strong advocate for IPv6, MQTT spine-leaf architectures with underlay and overlay networks - vendor-neutral, secure, and scalable approaches that work not just for audio, but for modern data networks everywhere.

Specialties

Audio-over-IP Systems
Network Architecture
SNMP & RADIUS
IPv6 Implementation
Dante Technology
RF Systems
Training & Certification

Languages

English (Native)
French
Deutsch (nur Kinder!)

Notable Achievements

• Industry-Standard Guides
• 100+ Manufacturer Advising
• Global Dante Training
• Grammy-Winning Projects

Current Focus

• IPv6-Native Equipment
• MQTT Control Systems
• Spine/Leaf Networks
• Vendor-Neutral Design
• Underlay/Overlay Networks

The Network Evolution

Audio over networks was always an itch I had to scratch. It started with disastrous experiments in 1997 using 10BASE-T on coax - a learning experience that taught me what not to do. From there, I explored every generation of audio networking as it emerged: CobraNet's early promise, EtherSound's deterministic approach, HyperMAC's innovations, and a brief dalliance with AVB's standards-based vision.

This journey culminated in 2008 when I led Dante's live debut at City Salute - the world's first deployment, broadcast to over 2 million BBC2 viewers. What followed was a decade of establishing Dante as the industry standard, founding Audinate's European operations, and advising over 100 manufacturers on implementations ranging from intimate venues to massive stadium tours.

Today, I'm a strong advocate for the next evolution: IPv6, MQTT, spine/leaf architectures with underlay and overlay networks. These approaches move beyond proprietary protocols toward vendor-neutral, secure, and scalable techniques - not just for audio, but for general data networks. The lessons learned from two decades of audio networking inform modern infrastructure design across all industries.

Professional Journey

2010 – 2021

Director of Application Engineering (EMEA)

Audinate

Founded and led Audinate's European operations, establishing the company as the de facto standard in professional audio networking. Advised design teams at over 100 manufacturers including leading names in professional AV equipment manufacturing. Provided technical leadership for some of the world's largest and most complex audio-visual systems.

Key Contributions: Co-authored industry-standard network switch configuration guides with Yamaha (SG300, 2013) that became essential reference materials for the professional audio community. Led China's first Dante Certification Level 3 training in Guangzhou (2018). Recognized for exceptional technical knowledge and ability to communicate complex concepts in English, French, and German.
2006 – 2010

Head of Digital and RF

Britannia Row Productions

Led digital mixing, control, and signal distribution systems for one of Europe's largest live sound production companies. Integrated cutting-edge audio technologies into high-pressure, failure-intolerant environments for major international events. Pioneered the use of Dante networking technology in live sound production.

Historic First - Dante's Live Debut: City Salute Led the world's first live deployment of Dante networking technology for the City Salute at St. Paul's Cathedral and Paternoster Square. Over 2 million viewers watched the live BBC2 broadcast as Britannia Row supplied seven separate PA points around the cathedral, all fed from Dolby Lake Processors using Dante over Cat-6 ethernet and fiber optic. This groundbreaking deployment proved Dante's viability for mission-critical live broadcasts, demonstrating that "Dante's sample-accurate playback synchronisation produced a noticeable improvement on the high end of the loudspeaker arrays and eliminated the noise typically heard as a result of long analogue cable runs."
Dante Live Debut & Major Deployments (2008-2009): Led the world's first live Dante deployment at City Salute (2008) at St. Paul's Cathedral, watched by over 2 million BBC2 viewers. Following this successful debut, deployed Dante extensively throughout 2009 on the Beijing-London Olympic handover ceremony (August 24, 2008), The Police concert in Hyde Park, and the Oasis stadium tour. For the Oasis tour, field-tested XTA's prototype NXBoB8 and NXBoB16 Dante breakout boxes before their commercial launch - Richard Fleming from XTA specifically developed these units after early-year consultation. All Outline Butterfly delay towers were driven using XTA breakout boxes, with fiber optic connections between network switches and delay towers. Each delay tower amp rack had an XTA box converting Dante digital to analog. The deployments covered major Hyde Park festivals including Hard Rock Calling, Blur at O2 Wireless, and Sonisphere at Knebworth with artists including Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond, The Killers, and Dave Matthews Band. Worked with diverse equipment: DiGiCo, Yamaha, Digidesign, Midas consoles paired with L-Acoustics K1, Kudo, V-Dosc, and dV-Dosc PA systems. Proved that "using Dante sounded significantly better than other formats and definitely sounded better than long runs of analogue cable" while achieving "the holy grail of fully integrated networks, rather than separate wires to do things."
Major Events & Technical Achievements: Led Zeppelin reunion concert at the O2 Arena (December 10, 2007) - "the greatest live spectacle in 35 years" per Total Production International magazine. Coordinated Britannia Row's technical package: Midas XL8 digital console (with new 1.06 firmware and Klark Teknik DN9696 multitrack recorder), Midas Heritage 3000 48-channel monitor desk, comprehensive control gear, and Turbosound monitoring systems. Six months preparation from June 2007 rehearsals delivering audio that peaked at 117dB© and achieved "possibly the best drum sound ever heard in an arena." One million ticket applications from 20 million website hits proved the show's historic significance. Also: Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday concert in Hyde Park, Beijing-London Olympic handover ceremony (August 24, 2008) with Jimmy Page and Leona Lewis, NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium.
CURRENT FOCUS

Network Architecture Evolution

IPv6, MQTT & Modern Infrastructure

Strong advocate for the next generation of network architecture: IPv6-native deployments, MQTT for efficient device communication, and spine-leaf topologies with underlay and overlay networks. These approaches move beyond proprietary audio networking toward vendor-neutral, secure, and infinitely scalable techniques that work not just for audio, but for general data networks.

The Journey: From disastrous experiments in 1997 with 10Base-T on coax, through CobraNet, EtherSound, Hypermac, and a brief dalliance with AVB - each generation taught valuable lessons. Now developing training materials and advocacy for modern network approaches that solve the fundamental problems of scale, security, and vendor lock-in that have plagued audio networking for decades.
2003 – 2006

Freelance Recording & Live Sound Engineer

Various Clients

Worked as sound engineer and producer for recording projects with major clients including BBC, EBU, Sony BMG, and EMI. Specialized in classical and jazz recordings, producing content for radio broadcasts and feature film incidental music.

1997 – 1998

Early Audio Networking Experiments

Self-Directed Research

The beginning of a lifelong pursuit: first experiments with audio over networks using 10BASE-T on coax. While these early attempts were admittedly disastrous, they sparked an enduring fascination with networked audio that would shape a career. Learned invaluable lessons about what doesn't work - the foundation for later successes with CobraNet, EtherSound, HyperMAC, and eventually Dante.

The Itch to Scratch: These experiments, however unsuccessful at the time, represented the first steps in a journey that would eventually help transform professional audio from analogue copper to modern IP networks. Sometimes the most important lessons come from failures.
1998 – 2002

BMus (Hons) - Horn & Conducting

Royal College of Music

Studied horn performance and conducting at one of the world's leading music conservatoires. Performed on numerous world premieres as an orchestral player and appeared as soloist with various orchestras. This foundational training in music and acoustics provided a deep understanding of audio systems from both artistic and technical perspectives.

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