Daktronics and San Diego Padres Team Up for Audio Control Improvements
New amplifiers, line switches, racks and user interfaces ensure crisp audio and venue flexibility
BROOKINGS, S.D. – June 18, 2026 – Daktronics (NASDAQ: DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota, recently completed an audio control system upgrade with the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in California. The overall project makes it possible to route 430+ audio channels to 200+ different destinations in the ballpark for the 2026 season.
Audio Upgrade Details
The project began with a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) upgrade with redundant Q-sys enterprise servers from QSC. This open architecture platform allows for multi-channel, multi-destination audio processing and distribution. This upgrade includes multiple pieces of audio equipment and software preparations, including the following:
80 in-bowl amplifiers
15 back-of-house amplifiers
26 Netgear AV line switches
Fully-isolated analog backup system for all in-bowl amplifiers
Yamaha DM7-EX mixing console
14 new control racks built on site, integrated with 12 existing racks
24 user interfaces
Installation of new Dynacord IPX and IX amplifiers included more than 350 amplifier-speaker terminations to ensure everything was operational and fully functional.
“This project was a large undertaking that our team was able to complete in nine weeks, all while making sure the existing system was operational up until three weeks before the start of the season,” noted Doug Dodge, Daktronics audio field engineer. “We were able to fully install and complete the programming of the system in this short window with the entire audio team executing multiple phases both on- and off-site leading up to a successful first event.”
“This upgrade represents a significant step forward in how we deliver the game experience at Petco Park, ensuring our fans can clearly hear and feel the energy from every seat,” said Erik Meyer, Padres Vice President of Broadcasting and Entertainment. “Through our partnership with Daktronics, we’ve implemented a best-in-class system that gives us precise directional and locational audio control so we can tailor sound throughout the ballpark. Our enhanced game presentation creates an engaging and memorable experience for everyone who walks through the gates.”
Daktronics in-house programming provided monitoring, control and alerts from all audio system components with custom plugins for interfacing with USP battery backups, amplifier room temp sensors, loudspeaker complex impedance and existing legacy audio hardware. The team also created 24 user interfaces to ensure control flexibility for the Padres and their team from touchscreen interfaces in clubs, restaurants and monitoring stations throughout the venue.
About Daktronics
Daktronics helps its customers to impact their audiences throughout the world with large-format LED video displays, message displays, scoreboards, digital billboards, audio systems and control systems in sport, business and transportation applications. Founded in 1968 as a USA-based manufacturing company, Daktronics has grown into the world leader in audiovisual systems and implementation with offices around the globe. Discover more at www.daktronics.com.
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Safe Harbor Statement
Cautionary Notice: In addition to statements of historical fact, this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are intended to enjoy the protection of that Act. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events. The Company cautions that these and similar statements involve risk and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectation, including, but not limited to, changes in economic and market conditions, management of growth, timing and magnitude of future contracts, and other risks noted in the company’s SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its 2018 fiscal year. Forward-looking statements are made in the context of information available as of the date stated. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.
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Media Relations
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