At 45 years old and with a career spanning more than three decades, Fernando Nanao, born in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, has become a key player for DAS Audio, one of the leading companies in professional sound solutions. His experience as a sound engineer, musician and educator has not only redefined his career, but has also raised the standards of the audio industry throughout the region. “My focus has always been to generate emotions through audio and music,” he says, a principle that has guided his success and that of the DAS Audio LATAM division.
From music to professional audio
Fernando’s journey began at age 13, when he discovered the world of audio in recording studios while playing bass and piano. “Watching engineers work with tape recorders and analogue equipment fascinated me. I watched how they worked until I finally started handling them as if I had always used them. I worked as a recording engineer for a few years and was soon invited to teach audio classes at a school and from then on I fell in love with live audio working on some shows and never strayed from the studio and live gigs.” That passion led him to become a recording engineer and subsequently to teach what audio is.
However, his curiosity was not limited to the technical part. Nano also explored how the human brain processes sound and music, delving into topics such as neuroscience and the anatomy of the ear. “My interest has always been how to use equipment techniques to generate emotions in people through audio and music and this was certainly a turning point in my career as an application engineer and mixer,” he explains.
The jump to DAS Audio
After an international career working with artists such as Guns N’ Roses, Black Eyed Peas and Akon, Fernando joined DAS Audio 24 years ago, motivated by the possibility of being closer to his family and contributing to the growth of the audio industry. “I had already used DAS Audio on tour and I met the distributor in Brazil at the time through a friend. And at the time they needed a consultant for the brand, as it was new in the country and almost no one knew about it. The challenge seemed interesting to me, after all I had never had a direct relationship with a brand and it would be an excellent opportunity to learn more. This year I completed 24 years at DAS Audio and I am very proud of it.”
Since then, Fernando has played a crucial role in the evolution of the brand, helping it stand out in a competitive market thanks to a focus on education and technical support. “In our industry, especially in Latin America, general technical knowledge is low. That’s why we have worked tirelessly to train our users and customers,” he says.
Support that transcends sales
Today, Fernando Nano is an application engineer for Latin America. Together with Leandro Arguello, commercial director for the region, he leads initiatives to educate the market in the use of DAS Audio technologies. This approach includes workshops, training, webinars and custom system designs. “It’s not just about selling products; it’s crucial to ensure that our customers get the most technical and practical benefit from our systems.”
For 6 years, both Arguello and Nanao have worked together to elevate the soul of DAS sound in the region by teaching how the systems are used and the scope of the Spanish brand’s technological advances.
Experience as a musician has also been decisive. “Knowing music allows me to optimize systems in a more musical way, adjusting them according to the genre or texture of the instruments. This makes a big difference in the final result.”
Education as a tool for transformation
Fernando and his team have faced a common challenge: the lack of in-depth training in the industry. “Nowadays, many prefer to look for quick solutions on the Internet rather than study in depth. Without a solid foundation, it is impossible to move forward,” he says, emphasizing the need for constant learning.
Through workshops and re-education projects, they have sought to transform the industry in Latin America, showing the importance of solid designs and impeccable executions. “This goes beyond our role as a company; it is a passion to raise the level of the audio industry.”
Looking to the future
Nanao also stays at the forefront of technology, exploring applications of artificial intelligence in audio and optimization for digital platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. “The integration of AI will revolutionize the management and configuration of audio systems. We are in an exciting era of innovation.”
From his perspective, Nanao tells how he sees the evolution of the professional audio industry today. “In terms of technology, our team is focused on the development of the industry and the way we work.”
“RCA has come a long way, especially in the last 10 years. New types of super-powerful digital processing, smaller and more powerful amplifiers, audio over IP, etc. and I think that AI resources will innovate even more in terms of processing, optimization, etc. Today we are experiencing things that 15 years ago we would never have imagined would exist.”
These last few years have shown technological advances that have surprised him and that, according to him, set a standard in the industry. “For me, the most interesting advances are related to digital processing, mainly digital filters and audio over IP (FIR, HOS, DANTE, etc.). Many of them have been revolutionizing the market for years and they are increasingly bringing more and more new features that facilitate the realization of large, more complex projects.”
When asked for his advice to the younger generations, his answer is blunt: “Study slowly, but steadily. Become an expert in one area before you take on everything. And above all, remember that music and audio have the power to generate emotions; that should always be the goal.”
He immediately expands on his concept: “I think the most important thing is not to be in a hurry to learn everything at once. Or to want to do everything related to the area (being a technical manager, RF manager, system designer, etc.). It is impossible to be good at everything. Choose a path and follow it. Focus on it, be the best at it. Everything in audio involves physics, mathematics, calculations, etc. Study slowly. When I say slowly, I mean studying compression, only compression for at least 1 year to understand not only the tools but the thousands of types of applications. If you think a compressor is only used for compression, then you need to study much, much more to understand that it can be a transient shaper, a timbre builder, automated voice and music automation, parallel compression, etc. Getting good at something takes time, a lot of time. The big question is, do you want to join to be one more or to be the best?
With an approach that unites technique, creativity and education, Fernando Nanao is taking the experience of DAS Audio users to a higher level, marking new paths of excellence in the world of professional audio.
