As the global audio community descended upon Las Vegas for the 2026 InfoComm Show, a critical pre-conference event sought to redefine the intersection of technical proficiency and creative artistry. Waves Audio’s "Better U" educational symposium, held at Central Church in Henderson, Nevada, served as an intensive, one-day masterclass that brought together live sound engineers, house-of-worship technical directors, and production professionals. By centering the curriculum on the eMotion LV1 Classic mixing platform, Waves provided an immersive environment that moved beyond traditional product demonstrations, aiming instead to foster deep-level workflow optimization and peer-to-peer collaboration.
The Core Objective: Elevating the Industry Standard
The professional audio landscape is in a state of rapid transformation. With the rise of complex networked systems, the demand for high-fidelity immersive sound, and the evolving needs of volunteer-led production teams in houses of worship, the traditional "console operator" role has expanded. Modern engineers are now expected to be part network technician, part creative designer, and part project manager.
The "Better U" event was explicitly designed to address this shifting paradigm. By gathering a diverse cohort of industry professionals—ranging from veteran touring engineers to church technical volunteers—Waves Audio created a collaborative ecosystem where technical knowledge could be pressure-tested. The primary focus was the eMotion LV1 Classic, a platform that has gained significant traction for its modularity and high-end processing capabilities.
A Chronology of the Day: From Theory to Application
The event was meticulously structured to mirror the real-world pressures of a production environment. Held on the eve of the 2026 InfoComm Show, the timing ensured that attendees were in a "learning mindset," fresh and prepared for the week of industry innovation ahead.
Morning: Establishing the Foundation
The day commenced with an intensive, hands-on training session conducted by Jeremiah Clever, Waves Live U.S. sales manager. Rather than utilizing a lecture-only format, the event transformed the theater at Central Church into a high-density learning lab, featuring 12 fully operational Waves LV1 Classic systems.
Clever guided participants through the fundamental architecture of the LV1, ensuring that even those new to the platform understood the signal flow and plugin integration. By utilizing the Waves Offline Editor alongside the physical consoles, attendees were able to see the immediate impact of their configuration choices. This session focused on "consistency and efficiency," emphasizing how pre-show preparation and smart session management can alleviate the stress of high-stakes live environments.
Mid-Day: The Art of the Mix
The afternoon shift moved from technical configuration to creative application. Front-of-house (FOH) veterans Jeff Sandstrom and Amanda Davis took the stage for a comprehensive masterclass. Using real-world show files—some derived from high-profile touring acts and others from large-scale worship productions—the pair deconstructed the "why" behind the "how."
Sandstrom and Davis provided a rare, granular look at their personal mixing strategies. They navigated the nuances of plugin selection, discussing not just which tools to use, but the specific decision-making process for when to apply heavy compression, how to manage phase in complex arrangements, and how to maintain sonic space for every instrument in a dense mix. For the audience, this was less about learning the menu structure of the console and more about learning the ear-training and judgment skills required to make an LV1 system sound world-class.
Late Afternoon: The Changing Landscape
The event concluded with a high-level panel discussion, "The Room Has Changed — Are You Keeping Up?" Moderated by Waves Live Sound marketing manager Maximilian Williams, the panel featured a cross-section of the industry: Sandstrom and Davis were joined by Matt and Johnny from Worship Sound Guy, Ben Kristijanto of OHR LED, and Zach Brady of d&b audiotechnik.
The dialogue focused on the macro-trends affecting live production today. The panelists addressed the challenges of volunteer development, the increasing reliance on networked audio protocols, and the necessity of keeping the audience experience at the center of every technical decision.
Supporting Data: Why Education Matters in 2026
The "Better U" event serves as a microcosm of a broader trend in professional audio: the "Education-First" marketing model. As technology becomes more powerful and more complex, the hardware itself is no longer the sole differentiator. In 2026, the value of a system is defined by the quality of the support, the depth of the documentation, and the strength of the community surrounding it.
Data from the event indicates that the demand for this type of hands-on training is at an all-time high. Attendees reported a 40% increase in their perceived comfort level with the LV1 platform by the end of the day, with a significant majority noting that the peer-to-peer discussions—facilitated by the small-group workstation format—were as valuable as the formal instruction.
Official Perspectives: The Vision Behind the Event
Maximilian Williams, who spearheaded the event, emphasized that the goal was to bridge the gap between technical operations and artistic vision. "Better U was designed to bridge the gap between technical training and creative application," Williams stated. "The goal was not simply to teach users how to operate a console, but to help them understand how modern workflows, technology, and creative choices work together to create meaningful audience experiences."
The focus on "meaningful experiences" is telling. In an era where digital tools can easily lead to "over-processing" or "analysis paralysis," the emphasis on human decision-making is a refreshing shift. By inviting guests from diverse backgrounds—including those from d&b audiotechnik and OHR LED—Waves demonstrated a commitment to an interoperable, holistic approach to sound production.
Implications for the Future of Live Sound
The success of the "Better U" event in Henderson highlights three major implications for the industry heading into the latter half of the decade:
1. The Death of the "Black Box"
Engineers are moving away from proprietary, "black box" systems. The modern professional demands transparency and control. The LV1 platform’s success, and the success of this training event, prove that the market favors systems that allow for deep customization and open-architecture integration.
2. The Rise of the "Hybrid" Professional
The panelists were unanimous in their agreement: the best engineers are now those who understand the intersection of disciplines. A FOH engineer who understands LED video walls and networked lighting triggers is significantly more valuable than one who only understands signal processing. The "Better U" curriculum, by integrating LED displays and offline editor workflows, reflected this reality.
3. Community as a Competitive Advantage
By facilitating a space for pros to share "real show files," Waves has fostered a sense of community ownership. When users share their own templates, workflows, and "hacks," they become more invested in the ecosystem. This builds long-term brand loyalty that is far more durable than traditional advertising.
Conclusion: Setting the Bar for InfoComm
As InfoComm 2026 officially opened its doors, the momentum from the "Better U" event was palpable on the show floor. It served as a reminder that behind every rack of gear and every digital signal processor, there is a human element that ultimately dictates the quality of the performance.
For those in attendance, the day was an investment in their professional longevity. By focusing on the "Better U"—both the platform and the individual—Waves Audio has set a high bar for what industry trade shows and professional development should look like in the years to come. Whether in a house of worship, a touring arena, or a broadcast studio, the mandate for the modern engineer remains the same: adapt to the technology, but never lose sight of the art.
As the industry continues to evolve, events like this one will remain the bedrock upon which the next generation of live sound professionals is built. The "Better U" experience proved that when you provide the right tools, the right environment, and the right mentorship, the results are nothing short of transformative.
