Devon Nutty - Alumni Spotlight

If you've been out to a concert in the past eight years, you may have heard a PA system tuned by OIART's 2014 Graduate, Devon Nutty. What does PA tuning mean, you might be thinking?

As a system tech for PRG (Production Resource Group), Devon is one of the crew members who will go on tour with the equipment and ensure the show goes on for every act on stage. If you've been to the Boots and Hearts Festival, Wayhome Festival, Digital Dreams, or the MMVAS, you would have experienced Devon's work.

Audio System Technicians play an essential role in the audio team at major concerts and events to ensure the show runs smoothly for the PA system. We're not talking about a few speakers with a small amplifier. These PA systems will shake a stadium or arena show and need experts in Live Sound Production like Devon. PRG supplied the audio equipment with Devon's latest Pantera 2023 tour, and it's a perfect example of technology and audio expertise coming together to recreate an iconic musical sound for legendary musical acts to tens of thousands of music fans night after night.

On a recent tour with Daniel Ceasar, we caught up with Devon in London, ON where he trained for the role at OIART. He explained that as a system tech, he's responsible for flying the PA system with his teammates and then analyzing the acoustics of the arena or venue with advanced technology (SMAART). He'll then make the needed adjustments to the equalization and overall levels, ensuring the sound quality meets loudness standards and a balanced sound for all attendees in the arena. Devon is responsible for setting up and running all of the equipment for the concert, then working with the Front of House Mixer to make sure their mix comes out of the PA as anticipated.

After training at OIART in 2014, Devon started his journey as an intern with the world-famous Noble Street Studio in Toronto, ON. He went on to work in Toronto's Casa Loma, working his way up to Technical Director. Devon says: "That’s right around when I started getting more PA tech roles, and tours started to roll in." Gaining more and more experience in the live world, Devon took roles with PRG as PA tech, travelling with the tours they supported.

He's also worked on significant tours as a guitar tech and backline with artists Alessia Cara and Nelly Furtado to name a few. When he's not on tour, he can be found at major venues like History in Toronto, mixing monitors and front of house for significant acts. He moved into the System Tech world five years ago with PRG.

Devon says: "OIART prepared me for the industry at large. It not only gave me the resources I needed to pursue a career in Live Audio, but also, in any field of audio. OIART is a great kickstart for your career in sound, wish I could go back!”

Education at OIART:

Devon Nutty's journey began at OIART, where he gained a major interest in the Live Sound and Event Production component of OIART’s 11-month Audio Recording Technology course. With a strong foundation in audio engineering, he was well-prepared to dive into the fast-paced world of live events.

Devon has quickly built a remarkable track record of work in the live sound industry and has continued working with PRG to configure PA systems in venues as iconic as Maddison Square Gardens. As a Freelance Live Sound Engineer, Devon had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of events, from music concerts to the latest Formula 1 races in Las Vegas (2023).

OIART Alumni Impact:

Devon's journey is a prime example of how OIART's education and networking opportunities can propel graduates to success in the live sound and event production field. His story demonstrates the real-world application of the skills and knowledge acquired during his time at OIART. We're incredibly proud of Devon's achievements and look forward to seeing more OIART graduates follow in his footsteps, making their mark in the world of audio and production.

Keep your eye on the big desk by the front of house next show, and you might see him there!

If you'd like to learn more about Devon Nutty and his work, visit his LinkedIn profile here.