Japan – TONER, a distinctive café-bar and collective space located along the Meguro River in Nishi Gotanda/Fudomae, Shinagawa-ku (Tokyo), has upgraded its audio infrastructure with a suite of Powersoft amplifiers and control solutions, creating a sound environment that evolves seamlessly from its relaxed daytime ambience to high-energy evenings with DJ performances. The installation, delivered by integrator Audio Brains, includes Powersoft’s Quattrocanali 1204 DSP+D, Mezzo 604 AD, Mezzo 322 AD and a WM Touch wall-mounted control panel.
Named after the ink cartridges used in professional printers, TONER reflects the idea that each visitor brings their own unique colour to the venue. Built around the concept of “weave and bond”, the venue hosts a wide range of activities, from casual daytime coffee service to private events, pop-up shops and DJ-led nightlife. With such diversity in how the space is used, achieving clarity, flexibility and ease of use across all music listening levels was essential.
To design a system capable of meeting these varied demands, TONER partnered with integrator Audio Brains. Working alongside respected Osaka electronic musician and producer Aoki Takamasa, the team developed an audio solution tailored specifically to the venue’s needs.
“The end client wanted an audio system that could provide total tonal balance,” says Audio Brains president Junta Yamazaki. “It needed to be ready for low-volume ambient background music during the day, but it also had to be capable of driving high-energy DJ sets, so Powersoft amplifiers quickly appeared to be the best choice for this project. Plus, they complement any speaker we pair them with.”
At the core of the installation is the Powersoft Quattrocanali 1204 DSP+D, a four-channel Class-D amplifier. Featuring Powersoft’s patented Smart Rails Management (SRM) technology, the amplifier maximises efficiency by dynamically optimising power usage, while simultaneously reducing thermal dissipation. That kind of efficiency proves valuable in hospitality environments, where space constraints and thermal management can present challenges.
Complementing the Quattrocanali are the Mezzo 604 AD and Mezzo 322 AD amplifiers, which provide additional flexibility in their compact form factors. The Mezzo 604 AD delivers four channels of amplification at 600 W total output, while the Mezzo 322 AD offers two channels of 160 W output, along with additional line-level outputs for expanded routing options. Additionally, their half-rack size design also simplifies installation, enabling Audio Brains to integrate powerful amplification within a tiny space.
The Powersoft WM Touch proved equally important to the installation’s success. The wall-mounted 4.3” touchscreen controller is powered entirely through a single Ethernet connection, which keeps installation simple. The WM Touch provides an intuitive interface for staff to manage volume levels and system behaviour throughout the day.
“TONER doesn’t host DJs every day, nor do they have a full-time sound engineer,” says Yamazaki. “So having the WM Touch is a great tool for the venue. Staff can quickly and easily adjust volume levels and zoning to match the vibe of the moment. And that makes day-to-day operation of the system much easier.”
Before final handover, the team conducted a full-day, 13-hour test session to ensure the setup worked as planned. “We adjusted mapping and tuning across musical styles,” says Yamazaki. “And the Powersoft amplifiers performed as expected. They made the system shine.”
The careful tuning process ensured that TONER’s audio system delivers a consistent and balanced listening experience, regardless of programme material or listening level.
Since the upgrade, the impact of the new system has been immediately apparent to both staff and visitors. Whether providing subtle background music or pumping, energetic DJ sets, the Powersoft-driven system maintains clarity, precision and control throughout the venue.
“Even customers who know nothing about sound equipment say that the sound has a new clarity to it,” says Yamazaki. “They’re surprised that even when it’s quite loud, they can still talk to one another without having to raise their voices.”
For TONER, the installation represents more than a technical upgrade. It reinforces the venue’s identity as a carefully curated social and creative environment. “When we set out on this project, we wanted to create a space that was comfortable for every patron throughout the day and into the night,” concludes Yamazaki. “And that’s what we’ve achieved. We’re very proud of the final result.”
Photo @ Audio Brains.
