“I feel valued as a customer because everyone at Dale knows me, it’s not just one person—it’s company-wide. They understand what we’re trying to achieve and support us every step of the way.” Rick Earl, Production Manager for Cultural & Special Programs, Elon University
Dale Pro Audio’s Director of Marketing, Eric Eldredge, recently sat down with Rick Earl, Production Manager for Cultural & Special Programs at Elon University, to talk about how Rick manages audio throughout the campus, addresses the unique challenges of coordinating complex productions, what he prioritizes in preparing students for real-world success, and why his partnership with Dale has become so valuable.
The Evolution of Rick’s Multi-Hat Role
Rick Earl brings an extensive background as a touring musician and live-event audio engineer to his role at Elon University, where he manages a wide range of production responsibilities. He oversees the music production and recording arts program, supports theater and large-scale campus events such as convocation and graduation, manages sports broadcasting, and leads event tech for board meetings and special programs.
Early on, after inheriting an unreliable analog console, Rick continued to take ownership of the gear specifications—a move that improved production quality, built institutional trust, and positioned him as a go-to advisor for departments across campus. With so many moving parts, he’s constantly planning ahead to configure performance spaces, coordinate wireless systems, and integrate broadcast-grade workflows that keep Elon’s productions running smoothly.
How Does He Do It? - Thinking Outside the Box Helps
Often, tackling new challenges means not sticking to standard paths. Rick worked with Elon’s IT team and leaned heavily into Dante and networked audio to deliver flexible and efficient workflows around the campus. Rick also points to manufacturers like Yamaha (with built-in Dante), Glensound (intercom solutions, such as the Beatrice call-light system), Studio Technologies, and Clear-Com, which design for real-world workflows to help make it all possible.
Some examples:
- Routing the main campus pipe organ audio across campus venue via Dante – overcoming a multi-venue challenge using one networked signal path
- Coordinating up to 60 wireless channels for commencement, musicals, and athletic events with careful RF zoning
- Integrating theater intercom and broadcast gear across departments, avoiding silos, and enabling shared resources
Managing Resources and Preparing Students for the Real World
Rick sees value in collaborating with other departments and borrows gear when needed. This helps ensure compatibility across systems. His philosophy: build with ecosystem compatibility and smart gear, so when production shifts happen, the system flexes. And when it comes to teaching, Rick instills real-world discipline. Student workers handle input lists, map wireless zones, repair cables, and simulate production workflows. His goal: when those students graduate, they’ll walk into industry roles and know how to hit the ground running. “I want them to do exactly the same things they’ll face in the field,” he says.
Why Rick Values His Partnership with Dale
From the outset, the Dale team helped align network, audio, and production needs—not just sell equipment. Rick says the value is in the support, period. When a spec was wrong or a piece of hardware failed, Dale was quick to help get Rick back on course. “I feel like I’m getting real support … it’s not just one person, it’s company-wide.”
Rick emphasizes that when you’re “under pressure to get it right,” the support you receive becomes far more important than any other factor. With tight budgets and competing priorities across departments, he picks partners who will stand behind solutions—not just sell gear. Rick recalled, “When I stopped by Dale’s AES booth, everyone knew who I was and what I cared about. I’m not just a check mark in their profit column—I’m a customer who matters. That sense of being valued builds trust and drives the relationship forward.”
What’s on the Horizon at Elon
Looking ahead, Elon is building a scalable immersive-audio system in a converted gym space and developing an immersive audio curriculum for students. Stay tuned!
