Independent AV consulting,
grounded in built work.
Sound Power offers AV systems design and advisory services to performing-arts organizations, colleges and universities, civic and cultural facilities, and the design teams that serve them. New engagements are accepted now — at any phase from feasibility through commissioning.
What I offer
Engagements range from a single advisory conversation to full-scope design responsibility across multi-year capital projects.
AV Systems Design
Concept-through-construction design of reinforcement, presentation, and production audio-video systems for performing arts, higher education, and civic facilities.
- Programming, schematic design, and construction documentation
- Coordination with architects, acousticians, and theatre planners
- Bid review, submittal review, and construction administration
Immersive Audio
Spatial-audio systems for theatre, music, and themed experience — built around the platform that best fits the room, the production calendar, and the operating team.
- L-Acoustics L-ISA, Meyer Spacemap Go, d&b Soundscape
- Workflow design and operator training
- Room and rig modeling, content planning
Network & Infrastructure
Audio-over-IP and AV-over-IP design tuned to facility realities — interoperability, redundancy, and a system someone can still maintain a decade from now.
- Dante / AES67, AVB / Milan, Q-LAN
- Extron NAV, Crestron NVX, NDI, SDVoE
- VLAN strategy, switch selection, redundancy posture
Commissioning & Optimization
On-site tuning, alignment, and acceptance testing — turning a documented system into a room that performs the way the design promised.
- Smaart-based system optimization
- Subwoofer alignment and array deployment
- Operator training and documentation handoff
Pre-Design & Owner Advocacy
Feasibility studies, technology master planning, and owner-side advocacy — helping institutions ask better questions before the design phase begins.
- Existing-conditions assessment
- Budget and life-cycle planning
- RFQ / RFP support for designer selection
Education & Speaking
Guest lectures, mentorship of student and early-career designers, and professional-development sessions for venues, design teams, and manufacturers.
- University guest critic / visiting designer
- USITT and industry-conference presentations
- On-site training for owner-operator teams
How we work
- 01Conversation
A no-cost introductory call to understand the project, the institution, the timeline, and the team already at the table.
- 02Scope & proposal
A written scope of services and fee proposal tailored to the project phase, whether that is feasibility, schematic design, or commissioning support.
- 03Design
Documentation, coordination with architects and acousticians, manufacturer coordination, and regular review with the owner and project team.
- 04Construction & commissioning
Submittal review, RFI responses, site visits, acceptance testing, system tuning, and operator training at handoff.
A decade of built work, at Threshold Acoustics.
The projects below were completed during Mercer’s tenure as consultant and senior consultant at Threshold Acoustics in Chicago (2015 – 2024). They are offered here as evidence of the design experience and institutional collaboration that new Sound Power clients inherit. A complete project list is available on request.
Performing Arts
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
Anchorage, AKMulti-venue performance complex AV systems modernization.
Eton College — School Hall
Windsor, United KingdomHeritage hall reinforcement and presentation systems serving lectures, concerts, and ceremony.
Studebaker Theater
Chicago, ILRestoration of a 1898 Fine Arts Building theater — modern reinforcement systems within a historic envelope.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Milwaukee, WIReinforcement, communications, and production audio systems for the Rep’s renovated facility.
Fredericton Performing Arts Centre
Fredericton, CanadaNew-build performing arts venue AV design.
Chicago Children’s Theater
Chicago, ILTheatrical reinforcement and immersive playback for young audiences.
Starlight Theater
Kansas City, MOOutdoor amphitheater serving Broadway tours and concerts.
Higher Education
MIT — Metropolitan Warehouse Renovation
Cambridge, MAAV systems for MIT’s consolidated home for the arts, architecture, and design.
Brown University — Granoff Center
Providence, RIProduction and presentation AV in Brown’s creative-arts incubator.
Haverford College — VCAM
Haverford, PAVisual Culture, Arts, and Media Center — flexible black-box and screening systems.
Wheaton College — Conservatory of Music
Wheaton, ILRecital, recording, and instructional audio systems for a working conservatory.
Missouri State — John Goodman Amphitheater
Springfield, MOOutdoor amphitheater AV design.
Connecticut College — Palmer Auditorium
New London, CTAuditorium renovation reinforcement systems.
UIC — ACC Academic Building
Chicago, ILClassroom and event AV across a new academic building.
University of Tennessee — Carousel Theater
Knoxville, TNTheater-in-the-round AV systems modernization.
Civic & Cultural
John F. Kennedy Center — Arts and Ideals
Washington, DCExhibit AV systems supporting the Kennedy Center’s permanent installation honoring JFK’s vision for the arts.
Crested Butte Center for the Arts
Crested Butte, COMountain-town performing arts hub — full AV scope for theater and event venues.
Crown Event Center
Fayetteville, NCCivic events facility — reinforcement, broadcast, and presentation systems.
Austin Asian American Resource Center
Austin, TXCommunity cultural center performance and gathering spaces.
Themed Experience
Expo 2020 — Al Wasl Plaza
Dubai, UAEAV design support for the dome at the heart of Expo 2020 — a 360° immersive projection and audio environment seen by millions.
Bring this experience to your next room.
Complete project list available on request — aplin.mercer@gmail.com