What does DSP stand for in commercial AV?

DSP stands for digital signal processing or digital signal processor. It refers to technology used to mix, clean, route, control and optimise audio signals.

Does every meeting room need a dedicated DSP?

No. Small rooms may use processing built into an approved video bar or microphone. Medium, large and acoustically complex rooms often benefit from a dedicated DSP.

What is acoustic echo cancellation?

Acoustic echo cancellation removes remote audio from local microphone signals before those signals return to the conference call.

Is Q-SYS only an audio DSP?

No. Q-SYS can combine audio processing with video, control, conferencing, cameras, paging and monitoring.

Can DSP audio travel over the network?

Yes. Compatible platforms transport digital audio using Dante, AES67, AVB, BLU link and other network protocols.

How do I select the right DSP?

Begin with the room workflow, microphone count, conferencing platform, acoustic echo cancellation, network audio, control, monitoring and future expansion requirements.

What Is a DSP? Commercial Audio Processing Guide

DSP explained

A DSP is the audio intelligence inside a commercial AV system.

A digital signal processor receives audio, improves it, routes it and delivers the correct signal to conferencing platforms, amplifiers, recording systems and loudspeakers.

Raw audio

Microphones capture more than speech.

They also capture room reflections, background noise, changes in talking distance, loudspeaker sound and competing voices.

Processed audio

DSP technology makes the signal useful.

Mixing, equalisation, echo cancellation, noise reduction, routing and gain management create clearer and more consistent audio.

A DSP can be a dedicated audio processor, part of a broader audio-video-control platform or software operating on an approved computing environment.

Masters Voice Technology integrates DSP platforms within complete commercial audio visual installations for corporate, education, government, venue and worship environments.

Core DSP functions

What does a commercial audio DSP actually do?

01 — Mix

Mix microphones and sources

Combines microphones, computers, media players, paging and conferencing audio into controlled signal paths.

02 — Clean

Improve speech clarity

Filtering, equalisation and gain management help speech remain intelligible across different room conditions.

03 — Cancel

Remove conferencing echo

Acoustic echo cancellation prevents remote participants from hearing their own voices return through the room.

04 — Route

Send audio to the right destination

Routes local and network audio to speakers, amplifiers, recording devices and conferencing systems.

05 — Automate

Automate room behaviour

Presets and control logic can combine rooms, mute unused microphones and change room modes automatically.

06 — Protect

Protect speakers and listeners

Limiters and crossover processing help reduce distortion and protect equipment from excessive levels.

07 — Network

Connect networked audio

Compatible platforms exchange audio using Dante, AES67, AVB, BLU link and manufacturer-specific protocols.

08 — Monitor

Support diagnostics

Monitoring can expose device health, audio levels, faults and configuration information to support teams.

Why DSP Matters

Good microphones cannot compensate for poor signal processing.

Microphones, loudspeakers, conferencing platforms and room acoustics operate as one connected system. DSP design determines how those components behave during real meetings, classes, hearings and events.

Without effective DSP design

The system may technically operate but remain difficult to use.

Remote participants hear echo or inconsistent microphone levels.
Quiet speakers disappear while nearby speakers sound too loud.
Air conditioning and background noise compete with speech.
Microphones feed back when local voice reinforcement is used.
Divisible rooms require manual reconfiguration.
Audio is sent to the wrong room, zone or conferencing path.
Support teams cannot easily identify the source of a fault.

With properly commissioned DSP

The AV system behaves consistently around the user.

Speech remains clear at both ends of a conference call.
Microphone levels are automatically and consistently managed.
Noise and unwanted frequencies are controlled.
Room modes and presets follow the operating workflow.
Audio is distributed correctly between rooms and zones.
Loudspeakers are protected from excessive levels.
Configuration files and monitoring support future maintenance.

The DSP model alone does not determine the result. Microphone placement, loudspeaker coverage, network design, gain structure, acoustic conditions and programming quality all influence the finished performance.

This is why professional DSP commissioning should include signal-path verification, acoustic echo cancellation testing, loudspeaker tuning, microphone optimisation, room-mode testing and documentation of the final configuration.

Commercial DSP Platforms

Leading DSP brands solve different commercial AV requirements.

The right digital signal processor should be selected around the room workflow, microphone and loudspeaker count, conferencing platform, network architecture, control strategy, monitoring requirements and future expansion—not simply the brand name.

Q-SYS

Integrated audio, video and control

Q-SYS Core Processors

Q-SYS combines digital signal processing, video, conferencing, room control, cameras, paging and monitoring within a unified software-based platform.

Core Nano, Core 8 Flex, Core 110f and larger processors support different combinations of network audio, analogue I/O, USB connectivity and system scale.

Strong fit for meeting rooms, education, government, paging, divisible spaces and remotely managed AV systems.

Masters Voice Q-SYS integration View Q-SYS Core Nano

Crestron

Enterprise control and network audio

Crestron Intelligent Audio

Crestron environments can combine room control, collaboration, AV distribution and network audio within a standardised enterprise technology platform.

DM NAX provides network-based audio distribution, processing, routing and zone management for compatible Crestron-controlled environments.

Strong fit for enterprise workplaces, multi-zone audio, Crestron-controlled rooms and standardised corporate AV.

View Crestron DM NAX

BSS

Open-architecture audio processing

BSS Soundweb London BLU-100

The BLU-100 provides 12 analogue inputs, eight analogue outputs, configurable signal processing and BLU link digital-audio connectivity.

Its open architecture supports custom routing, zoning, priorities, room presets and venue-specific commercial audio workflows.

Strong fit for pubs, clubs, hotels, function rooms, entertainment venues and established Harman systems.

View BSS BLU-100

Biamp

Conferencing and enterprise DSP

Biamp Tesira and TesiraFORTÉ

Tesira includes fixed and configurable processors for acoustic echo cancellation, conferencing, enterprise audio, USB, Dante and AVB system designs.

Different models support applications ranging from focused meeting rooms to larger connected audio environments.

Strong fit for boardrooms, higher education, courtrooms, conferencing suites and enterprise audio systems.

Explore Biamp Tesira

Xilica

Modular open architecture

Xilica Solaro Processors

Solaro processors provide configurable signal processing and modular I/O for analogue audio, USB, Dante, GPIO and commercial room-control integration.

Compact and rack-mounted models support room-based, centralised and higher-channel-count commercial AV applications.

Strong fit for classrooms, courtrooms, collaboration spaces and flexible commercial meeting environments.

Explore Xilica Solaro

Shure

Conferencing-focused DSP

Shure IntelliMix P300

The P300 provides acoustic echo cancellation, automixing, noise reduction, automatic gain control and conferencing processing for Dante microphone channels.

It integrates closely with Shure Microflex Advance and other compatible networked microphone systems.

Strong fit for boardrooms and meeting rooms using Shure ceiling, table or networked conferencing microphones.

View Shure P300

Design and commissioning

DSP performance depends on the design around it.

Buying a capable processor does not automatically create good audio. The signal flow must be documented and the completed system commissioned against real user workflows.

01 — Discover

Define the room workflow

Identify users, microphones, sources, room modes, conferencing, paging and recording requirements.

02 — Design

Build the signal architecture

Document every input, output, processing block, network stream and control interface.

03 — Program

Configure processing and logic

Create routing, AEC references, automixing, equalisation, dynamics, presets and room-combine logic.

04 — Commission

Test the complete experience

Tune the room, verify calls, test every microphone and output, document settings and train users.

Continue exploring

What Is an Audio DSP?

What Is a DSP? Digital Signal Processing in Commercial AV