My Take: Higher Education Summit 2026 Day 1

In this recap from Teddy Murphy, Day 1 of the HETMA Higher Ed Summit focused on what inclusive design actually looks like in practice. From keynote conversations about belonging and universal access to practical sessions on audio intelligibility, captioning, and real-world system design, the day balanced big-picture thinking with actionable takeaways. The strongest moments came from shared conversations, where higher ed AV professionals worked through real challenges together and reinforced a simple idea: inclusive technology is not a future goal, it is work we should already be doing. Read More

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#InfoComm26

June 15, 2026

Eleven Audio Lessons I Wish Someone Had Taught Me Earlier | Sound Perspective

In this Sound Perspective, Teddy Murphy shares eleven audio lessons he wishes he had learned earlier in his career. From microphone placement and gain structure to acoustics and troubleshooting philosophy, the focus stays on practical fundamentals that make systems easier to support and easier to use. Read More

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June 12, 2026

My Take: NW/MET 2026 – Learning, Community, and a Look at What’s Next

In this recap of NW/MET 2026, Teddy Murphy reflects on a conference that stood out for its strong sense of community, practical sessions, and opportunities to connect. From campus tours to conversations with peers, the experience reinforced the value of learning from one another in higher education technology. Read More

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May 18, 2026

Just Because the DSP Has It Does Not Mean You Need It! | Sound Perspective

Teddy Murphy takes a hard look at a common problem in higher ed AV: overprocessed audio. Just because modern DSP platforms offer powerful tools does not mean every feature needs to be enabled. This piece breaks down how overuse of AGC, feedback suppression, and stacked processing can create more problems than they solve, and why a simpler, more intentional approach to DSP design often leads to better results. Read More

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Frantic professor hitting a lot of buttons

April 20, 2026

Designing Audio Systems for People Who Won’t Use Them Correctly | Sound Perspective

If an audio system can be broken, eventually it will be. This article looks at why designing for ideal behavior fails in higher ed spaces and how smart audio and control decisions can prevent common problems. Good sound design is not about perfection, it is about resilience. Read More

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March 30, 2026

My Take: Why Professional Organizations Matter More for Small Higher Ed Institutions

Smaller colleges and universities make up the majority of higher education institutions in the United States, yet their voices are often underrepresented in technology decisions and industry conversations. This piece argues that professional organizations like HETMA help level the playing field by giving smaller institutions access to peer networks, advisory conversations, and trusted frameworks for evaluating solutions. It also makes the case that when smaller schools are included, the future of higher education technology becomes more practical, more representative, and more responsive to the realities of the institutions doing the most with the least. Read More

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