048 - USDJN Meetup at Blizzard Pro
Mani Outside Blizzard Pro (Waukesha, WI) For The USDJN Meetup
The Midwest DJ scene showed up strong at the USDJN Meetup this week, hosted at Blizzard Pro in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The night blended gear, community, and inspiration; a reminder that our region’s creative pulse is every bit as bright as the lights Blizzard builds.
KC, the USDJN squad, and the Blizzard team opened the doors wide for us, offering an inside look at what’s coming to this year’s LDI Show and beyond. Blizzard continues to evolve its ecosystem with smarter connectivity and design thinking. Their iconic HotBox wash lights, already known for being widely “truss-ted” fixtures across stages and touring rigs, are entering a new era with RDM (Remote Device Management) capabilities.
For those unfamiliar, RDM is like DMX’s more intelligent sibling: it enables two-way communication between lighting controllers and fixtures. Instead of just sending commands, techs can now receive feedback: fixture temperature, address updates, error status, and even remote configuration. In practice, it means less climbing ladders, fewer manual resets, and faster, more precise show setup.
Blizzard’s new lineup integrates RDM support seamlessly, showing how they’re not just refining fixtures but rethinking workflow. It’s about giving lighting designers awareness, a diagnostic view of their entire rig that cuts downtime and boosts reliability. Combine that with Blizzard’s updated remote protocols and networked control, and you start to see a platform, not just a product line. I did capture Joel Henry, National Sales Manager, explaining it a bit in this short.
If last year’s Farris Wheel installation was an artistic statement, this year’s corporate push into intelligent connectivity feels like a technological one; a leap toward lighting systems that think alongside their operators. We did get a little glimpse of the build-out for this year’s entry, but “mum’s the word!” To be fair, though, here is a video embedded below of Joel explaining that LDI marvel from 2024 I was speaking about, thanks to Full Compass on YouTube.
JBL followed with a deep dive into their EON, PRX, and Line Array systems; a perfect demonstration of sonic power meeting portability. The PRX line, in particular, continues to impress with its DSP control, built-in mixing options, and tour-ready durability, making it a favorite for DJs and live performers who demand reliability from club setups to outdoor stages. I’ve always loved the PRX line; however, hearing the Line Array systems roaring in sync with the powered subwoofer was something special; tight, punchy lows with that signature JBL clarity in the mids that cuts through a room without harshness.
What stood out most was JBL’s design philosophy: every component serves both performer and audience. The new iterations carry a smarter thermal design, Bluetooth control via JBL Pro Connect, and optimized SPL performance that scales effortlessly from rehearsal space to festival rig. They’ve refined their driver geometry and enclosure tuning in ways that make sound feel more dimensional; not just loud, but enveloping.
Hearing these systems in a controlled demo setting underscored why JBL remains a cornerstone in performance audio: their engineering translates emotion into sound pressure with remarkable fidelity. When you’re standing in front of a Line Array with a sub locked in and the mix breathing, it’s not just about power, it’s about presence. Lastly, a special thanks to Chris Flynn of Sound Marketing for sharing the demo and all the knowledge (Jim Bobel would be proud).
JBL Presentation Nestled Behind The Line Array System (Here Showing Eon One Compact)
What struck me, standing between Blizzard’s evolving light systems and JBL’s meticulously tuned arrays, was how the two worlds are beginning to converge. Lighting and sound have always shared the same mission: to translate emotion into atmosphere, but now both are entering an age of intelligent ecosystems. With Blizzard embracing RDM and advanced remote protocols, and JBL integrating app-based DSP management and networked audio control, the line between art and engineering feels thinner than ever. These aren’t just tools anymore; they’re responsive environments. The future of performance is about systems that listen as much as they project.
E.L. Customs Showing His Innovation
E.L. Customs drew plenty of attention, too, with their patent-pending light-up Serato Timecode vinyl: a sleek, glowing innovation that brings both visibility and flair to turntablism. It’s a detail that’s equal parts art and function, and a clever reminder that even classic tools can be reinvented.
And tucked away in one of the rooms sat the Blizzard Cue Slayer; Blizzard’s control surface that feels equal parts spaceship and studio console. Its tactile layout and vibrant LED feedback system embody the kind of craftsmanship that makes Blizzard gear more than functional; it’s inspirational.
The Blizzard: Cue Slayer
Between the light walls, speaker arrays, and hallway conversations that drifted from sound theory to show tech, the night reaffirmed that innovation thrives where community gathers.
Performance technology is evolving, and Blizzard and JBL are right there at the center, building tools that not only illuminate stages but also enhance the way we connect to sound and space. A special thanks to the DJ who provided sounds for the night (apologies, as I did not catch his moniker or social handles). I did capture some video, so hopefully, this makes up for it. It was cool to see the Line Arrays stacked on the Sub and also on a pole elevated.
The evening wrapped with a presentation from Midwest DJs Live, who previewed their Spring 2026 event in Milwaukee (April 12-14, 2026), a gathering built on education, collaboration, and performance culture. Their mission to unite DJs, engineers, and creators through workshops and showcases reflects the same spirit that powered the night: community over competition, growth through shared knowledge. Their event falls on my birthday, so who knows, God willing, we might be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to celebrate it this year.
KC Addressing A Small Portion Of The Room (Joel Henry Ready For Giving Away Raffle Items)
Does ya boy take enough pictures for ya? Alright, kidding, and back to the music journalism flair these posts have morphed into. Between the light walls, speaker arrays, and hallway conversations that drifted from sound theory to show tech, the night reaffirmed that innovation thrives where community gathers.
Performance technology is evolving, and Blizzard and JBL are right there, building tools that not only illuminate and sonically electrify stages but also enhance the way we connect to sound and space. Big ups to the USDJN, as always!
Some Links Mentioned Herein:
Blizzard Pro: http://www.blizzardpro.com (From Waukesha, WI)
Midwest DJs Live: http://midwest26.com (April 12-14, 2026, in Milwaukee, WI)
USDJN: http://usdjn.com (United States Disc Jockey Network)
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Manish Miglani | Mani
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Techno Artist. AI Innovator. Building Sustainable Futures in Music, Space, Health, and Technology.
CEO & Co-Founder: MaNiverse Inc. & Nirmal Usha Foundation
Website: http://www.manimidi.com
My YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/@djmanimidi
Book an Appointment: https://calendly.com/manish-miglani/30min
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QoTD: “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." - Thomas Jefferson
