Meyer Sound News : From Humble Beginnings, Thunder Audio Roars as Major Sound Provider

From Humble Beginnings, Thunder Audio Roars as Major Sound Provider

"There's a vast difference in how your investment gets paid back. Meyer Sound systems give you shorter prep and de-prep time, and less maintenance. It's a combination of good design and reliability. It really adds up."

- Paul Owen
Vice President, Thunder Audio

Tony Villarreal, founder and president of Taylor, Mich.-based Thunder Audio, started the company in the late 1970s. "With an income tax check of $1,500 from driving a semi, I got enough equipment to fill a van," Villarreal recalls. From these humble beginnings, Thunder Audio became a major force in the professional audio market, boasting international tours including Metallica, White Stripes, John Legend, and Marilyn Manson, as well as large-scale music festivals, corporate events and substantial integration business.

Thunder Audio made a commitment to Meyer Sound's MILO high-power curvilinear array in 2004, when longtime Metallica crew chief and monitor engineer, and vice president Paul Owen encouraged Villarreal to upgrade the company's equipment to compete for bigger tours. After testing virtually every line array product on the market, Owen found MILO to be the perfect box for touring.

"MILO has everything," says Owen. "It's got all the fidelity, plus they're quick to hang. You just plug 'em in and go. They also stay as rugged as they come. Together with the company's tools for comprehensive system control and speaker management, along with MAPP Online Pro, you get an all-rounded touring package."

Owen is convinced that Meyer Sound products are a worthwhile investment. "After working with the company for the past three years, I really know," he notes. "There's a vast difference in how your investment gets paid back. Meyer Sound systems give you shorter prep and de-prep time, and less maintenance. It's a combination of good design and reliability. It really adds up."

These same economies have helped Thunder Audio expand its presence in the installation market. Villarreal says customers often find his bids with Meyer Sound equipment much more attractive. "It's really obvious with bigger systems," he notes. "Once you eliminate a pallet full of amplifiers and the solder party to wire it all together, plus all the testing and phase checking, the overall costs for building them do not even come close."

Thunder's success is recognized by the industry with the Parnelli nominations for "Sound Company of the Year." As the company grows, so has its commitment to Meyer Sound. Thunder has added MICA compact and M'elodie ultracompact high-power curvilinear array loudspeakers, along with MJF-212A high-power stage monitors that have been used by Metallica, Steely Dan and many others.

"Working with Meyer Sound has helped us get some major tours," notes Villarreal. "And I like to think that Thunder Audio has done the same for Meyer Sound. It's a great relationship."

January, 2008