In the heart of San José de Mayo, a city of 45,000 inhabitants located just 90 km from Montevideo, a project was born in 1993 that would shape the history of professional audio in Uruguay: La Tuba. Founded by Juan Silvera Pérez, current director of the company, and Roberto Peña Arias, founding partner and responsible for Sales and Logistics, the company started with a handful of equipment acquired through a family loan and other gear rented on an occasional basis.
The two partners knew each other from high school and ended up working together at the only local company that offered advertising and sound amplification services. It was there that they identified the need to create their own venture. Since then, La Tuba has established itself as a benchmark in audio services throughout Uruguay, driven by the growth of the music industry, the increase in national and international shows, and the professionalization of technicians.
The Encounter with NEXO: A Turning Point
The relationship with NEXO began almost by chance. Roberto Peña recalls: “The first time we heard about the brand was from an Argentine technician, at a festival in our city. On a trip to Buenos Aires, we visited audio stores and saw a NEXO GS8 system. Later, thanks to a friend, we went to listen to a system installed in a venue in Buenos Aires. That’s where we met Miguel Ángel Onorato, the brand’s representative.”
The real turning point came after the pandemic. With the return of live shows, La Tuba decided to take a qualitative leap toward a system with greater acceptance on international riders. “We got in touch with Miguel, traveled to Buenos Aires, and started the project,” Peña says.
The reasons were clear: quality, reliability, acceptance by top-tier technicians and artists, and the flexibility to combine components for different services.
Currently, La Tuba has an impressive inventory of NEXO equipment. Among the amplifiers, standouts include the NXAMP4X4, NXAMP4X4 MKII, NXAMP4X2 MKII. The NEXO cabinets in La Tuba’s portfolio include the PS10R2, PS15R2, P12, 45N12, GEO M12, STM28, STM B112, MSUB18, and STM118.
In total, there are 110 cabinets across all models, recently expanded with the addition of STM28, STM B112, STM118, and NXAMP4X4 MKII amplifiers. “We needed to expand our STM system for larger challenges and give it more weight and presence,” Peña explains.
The experience has been highly positive: “Its performance satisfies artists, technicians, and producers. Setup is fast and user-friendly, and its aesthetics are also a plus.”
Landmark Cases and Sound Excellence
Among the most notable applications of NEXO, La Tuba recalls The Pretenders’ show at Antel Arena, where they deployed a main system with 24 STM28 cabinets, 12 STM118 on the floor, 12 flown MSUB18s, and 12 GEO M12s for fills, all powered by NXAMP amplifiers.
They also provided monitors and side fills for Cosquín Rock Uruguay, the Montevideo Philharmonic, and the Patria Gaucha Festival. A memorable moment was the joint performance by the Montevideo Philharmonic and the Montevideo Symphonic Band, with over 200 musicians on stage, during the celebrations of the Uruguayan capital’s 300th anniversary.
Post-show opinions are emphatic: both international operators and audiences highlight the quality and warmth of the NEXO sound. “Those who don’t know the brand are surprised,” Peña affirms.
Backed by NEXO and its Community
One of the aspects most valued by La Tuba is the technical and human support. The assistance is continuous and close, thanks to Hely Chirinos, Sales Manager for NEXO Latin America; Roberto T-Shopp, Technical Support Lead; and Miguel Ángel Onorato, the French brand’s distributor for Argentina and Uruguay. “From the very first delivery of equipment, we received training, field work, and all our questions were answered. Today the contact with Hely and Miguel is very fluid, which gives us peace of mind,” says Peña.
Hely’s support has been particularly meaningful: “He is an important pillar, always clear in his concepts and very generous in sharing his experience.”
The relationship with the importer has also been key. With Miguel Onorato, they maintain constant and cordial communication, with frequent visits to Uruguay and personalized attention: “His closeness, support, and ability to listen give us reassurance. We feel like part of the NEXO community and family, and we hope this relationship continues for many years.”
A Clear Vision for the Future
From the beginning, La Tuba prioritized service over the tools at hand. With the arrival of NEXO, that philosophy remained intact but with far greater potential. “Undoubtedly, NEXO’s unquestionable quality has opened new work opportunities for us,” Peña emphasizes.
Their expectation for the brand is clear: that it maintains the sound quality, construction excellence, and versatility that characterize it. Three words define the value that NEXO represents for La Tuba: excellence, prestige, and support.
“We are very satisfied to be part of the NEXO community. Our wish is to continue moving forward with this project, growing and strengthening professional audio in Uruguay with the best technology available,” concludes Roberto Peña Arias.
Investing in NEXO is not just about adding cabinets to an inventory: it is about acquiring international credibility, immediate acceptance on global artists’ riders, and the trust of top-level technicians and producers. For a rental company, it means going from being just another provider to becoming a strategic partner of the industry, capable of meeting the challenges of any stage, no matter the scale. That qualitative leap is where the real difference lies: NEXO opens doors, multiplies opportunities, and elevates the prestige of those who adopt it as their sonic signature.
