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A Selection of Pro Audio Manufacturers

Live Audio Manufacturers

Associations, Organizations, Trade Shows, and Conferences

Live Audio – Professional Organizations

  • Audio Engineering Society (AES) is the professional society for audio engineers, providing educational resources, leadership in the development of new standards and technologies, and forums for the exchange of creative and scientific information. http://www.aes.org/
  • InfoComm is made up of more than 5,000 members, including manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, independent consultants, programmers, rental and staging companies, end-users, and multimedia professionals from more than 80 countries. InfoComm offers ESPA certified training in A/V installation.http://www.infocomm.org/cps/rde/xchg/infocomm/hs.xsl/22067.htm
  • Pro Light and Sound Association (PLASA) is the lead international organization for those who supply technologies and services to events. https://www.plasa.org/
  • The Electronic Systems Professional Alliance (ESPA) is a professional-based organization, for workers who install, maintain, and upgrade A/V and safety systems. The ESPA Certified-Electronic systems technicians (ESTs) and the accompanying curricula set the standard for entry-level ESTs. http://www.espa.org/
  • National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA) is the leading not-for-profit association representing the commercial electronic systems industry. http://www.nsca.org/
  • National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is a not-for-profit association that promotes the benefits of making music and throws trade shows that serve as hubs for audio professionals. http://www.namm.org/about
  • The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) serves professionals and pre-professionals in design, production, and technology for the performing arts, and provides benefits, learning, and networking opportunities for over 3,700 members worldwide. http://www.usitt.org/
  • The Association of Sound Designers (ASD) is a professional association representing the interests of sound designers in the UK theatre industry. http://www.associationofsounddesigners.com/
  • American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA) is the only registered professional trade association for Mobile DJ’s, Club DJs, and Karaoke Hosts. http://adja.org
  • The Freelancers’ Union’s founder notes “Freelancers are 1 in every 3 workers. Together, we're the future of the economy.” FU advocates for issues of concern to all independent workers. http://www.freelancersunion.org/

Miscellaneous Cause-oriented or Charitable Organizations

  • Etsa Foundation advocates for safety and training programs, gives grants to students for training in the stage and entertainment industry and runs a charity called “Behind the scenes” that “provides financial support to entertainment technology industry professionals when they are ill or injured or to their surviving family members.” http://www.estafoundation.org/index.htm
  • The Black Rock Coalition (BRC) represents a united front of musically and politically progressive Black artists and supporters with the “purpose of creating an atmosphere conducive to the maximum development, exposure and acceptance of Black alternative music.” http://blackrockcoalition.org/
  • Women's Audio Mission (WAM) is a San Francisco based, non-profit organization “dedicated to the advancement of women in music production and the recording arts.” http://www.womensaudiomission.org/
  • Save Our Sound UK (SOSUK) advocates for adequate public radio bandwidth in the UK. http://www.saveoursounduk.com/p/save-our-sound.html
  • The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is an organization “dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace. http://www.esfi.org/
  • Just a Bunch of Roadies are roadies paying it forward to the needy. http://www.justabunchofroadies.org/
  • Future of Music Coalition advocates for “Education, Research and Advocacy for Musicians” and hosts the yearly Future of Music summit . http://futureofmusic.org/
  • Fender Music Foundation advocates for music education. http://www.fendermusicfoundation.org/
  • H.E.A.R. (Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to “raising awareness of the dangers of noise exposure that can lead to permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.” http://www.hearnet.com/

Related Audio Industries Professional Organizations

  • National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) http://www.grammy.com/
  • Society Professional Audio Recording Services (SPARS) is a collective network of professionals dedicated to improving the business environment for audio production services. http://spars.com
  • National Association of Record Industry Professionals (NARIP) brings together innovators in the global record and music industries. http://www.narip.com/
  • North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) is a non-profit association of broadcasting organizations in the United States, Mexico, and Canada committed to advancing the interests of broadcasters at home and internationally. http://www.nabanet.com/nabaweb/
  • The Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) is the only organization devoted to the advancement of all levels and types of broadcast engineering. It also offers option to work toward a number of certifications, including Certified Audio Engineer® (CEA®). http://www.sbe.org/
  • The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is the voice for the nation's radio and television broadcasters. As the premier trade association for broadcasters, NAB advances the interests of its members in federal government, industry, and public affairs. http://www.nab.org/
  • The Association of Independents in Radio http://www.airmedia.org/
  • International Radio and Television Society (IRTS). This group was founded as a common forum for workers handling all aspects of electronic media. http://irtsfoundation.org/
  • Acoustical Society of America (ASA) http://acousticalsociety.org/
  • National Council of Acoustical Consultants (NCAC) accepts professional firms that specialize in acoustical consulting based upon education, references, and most importantly – the proven experience of the principals of the firm. http://www.ncac.com/
  • Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) unites 2,000 companies within the consumer technology industry and recognizes ESPA certification. http://www.ce.org/About-CEA.aspx
  • The Association for Loudspeaker Manufacturing & Acoustics International (ALMA) is a not-for-profit trade association, dedicated to improving the design and manufacture of loudspeakers. Membership is made up of loudspeaker manufacturers, suppliers of components, consultants, and other service providers to the industry. http://www.almainternational.org/
  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is a professional association for 150,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. http://www.asha.org/
  • The Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and study of sound recordings in all genres of music and speech, in all formats, and from all periods. http://www.arsc-audio.org/index.php
  • MITA International – A World Wide Association of Professional Service/Repair Technicians. http://mitatechs.org/public_splash2
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is an engineering society that creates an environment where members collaborate on world-changing technologies. http://www.ieee.org/index.html
  • Independent Music Conference (IMC) http://www.indiemusicon.com/imc2013/pages/overview.html
  • The International Live Music Conference (ILMC) http://www.ilmc.com
  • The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) – Representing public assembly venues from around the globe. http://www.iavm.org/
  • SESAC is one of three U.S. performing rights organizations that represents songwriters and publishers and their right to be compensated for having their music performed in public. http://www.sesac.com/
  • The Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS) is a non-profit national organization of composers, performers, and teachers of electro-acoustic music. http://www.seamusonline.org/
  • Pyrotechnics Guild International (PGI) http://www.pgi.org/

Audio Labor Unions

  • National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-Communications Workers of America (NABET-CWA) is a Union devoted to aiding workers employed in the broadcasting, recording, cable, video, sound recording, and related industries in North America. http://www.nabetcwa.org/
  • International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) LOCAL 695 http://www.695.com/
  • The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents approximately 750,000 active members and retirees who work in a wide variety of fields, including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads, and government. http://www.ibew.com/index.asp

Standards Organizations

  • The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has served as administrator and coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization system for more than 90 years. It is a private, nonprofit membership organization. http://www.ansi.org/
  • International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops and publishes International Standards. http://www.iso.org/iso/home
  • International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standards and Conformity Assessment http://www.iec.ch/index.htm
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) assures safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards. http://www.osha.gov

Sample Audio Industry Trade Shows

 

Audio Equipment Retailers

Audio Retailers – U.S.

Audio Retailers – U.K.

Used Audio—Retailer Refurbished/Certified

Used Audio – By Owner /Classifieds 

Used Gear by Sound Company

 

Live Audio and Related Magazines

Live Sound Digital Editions – Audio Engineer

Live Sound Digital Editions – Church Sound

Live Sound Digital Editions – DJ/Karaoke

Live Sound Digital Editions – Theatre Sound

Live Sound Digital Editions – Music/Musicians

Live Sound Digital Editions – Event Production

Live Sound Digital Editions – Retail & Installation

Live Sound Digital Editions – Broadcast Audio

Live Audio Boards & Forums

Manufacturer Forums

Retailer Forums

Publisher Forums

Gear Forums 

DJ/Electronic Music Forums

Theater & Event Production Forums

Pro Audio Recording Forums

Audiophile Forums

Misc. Audio Forums

Live Sound Article Repositories

Audio Articles – Manufacturer-hosted Repositories

Audio Articles – Retailer-hosted Repositories

Audio Articles – Educators/School-hosted Repositories

Audio Articles – Content Provider (Publisher)-hosted Repositories

Audio Articles – Studio/Live Sound co-hosted Repositories

Online Calculators

Standardized Measurement Tools

Scientific Calculators

Wavelength Calculators

Velocity Calculators

Frequency Charts & Calculators

Calculate SPL

Acoustic Measurements

Converting Between Units of Power/Pressure

Measuring Power in the P.A.

Measuring Interference

Measuring Power in the Pipes

RF Tools for Wireless P.A. Equipment

Multipurpose Measurements

P.A. Audio Testing

Test Tool Tutorials

Audio Testing Topic Articles

Miscellaneous Online Audio Test Resources

Free Audio Test Tools – Software Downloads

P.A. Care & Maintenance

P.A. Documentation

Manufacturer Directories

Manufacturer Product Documentation

Manuals & Product Documentation – Other

Understanding Specifications — Articles & Guides

P.A. Troubleshooting

General Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting P.A. Equipment

Troubleshooting Tools