TZ AUDIO moving to the middle of southwestern Norway, to a beautiful village called Lesjaskog.
Lesjaskog lies in the stunning Lesja municipality, surrounded by majestic mountains, deep forests, and crystal-clear rivers. It is a region known for its peaceful atmosphere, clean air, and unspoiled nature — the kind of place that inspires creativity and focus. The famous Lesjaskogsvatnet lake, the only lake in Norway with two outlets flowing in opposite directions, is just a short walk away.
From a practical point of view, Lesjaskog is perfectly situated — easily accessible by train and road, with good connections to both Oslo and Åndalsnes. Despite its rural tranquility, it’s well connected for business and travel.
This move marks a new and inspiring chapter for TZ Audio. I look forward to developing projects in this fresh environment and continuing to collaborate with you from this unique location — a place where nature and technology meet in perfect balance.
You are very welcome to visit. Whether for a project meeting, a creative retreat, or simply a cup of coffee by the lake, I would be delighted to show you the area and share a bit of the magic that makes Norway so special.
House & Guesthouse at Rundhaugvegen 6, 2668 LESJASKOG, Norway
Did you know? As a certified Smaart operator, you enjoy an exclusive 10% discount on everything in the TZ Audio store! Yes, it is 10% now … With the new payment system, all you need to do is use your personal voucher code at checkout.… and here it is!
well – to see the code you need to be certified 😉
Thanks for listening 😉
Thomas Züllich
Smallprint: Make sure to log in with your registered email to claim your discount. The email address also needs to be in our newsletter database to make the voucher code work. Please note that it does not apply to items already on sale. Free shipping on MELLab microphones still applies though.
Innhold: Kurset dekker grunnleggende prinsipper for Smaart Operator samt praktiske øvelser. Les denne siden for detaljert informasjon.
Varighet: Kurset går over fire dager, med daglige økter fra kl. 09:00 til 16:00, inkludert én times lunsjpause. Timeplanen kan tilpasses dersom deltakerne ønsker senere oppstart eller avslutning.
Sted: Undervisningen foregår på hovedscenen i Riksteatret, Gullhaug Torg 2, 0484 Oslo.
Utstyrskrav: Deltakerne må ha med egen laptop med Smaart v9 ST (demo eller lisensiert) samt lydkort med minimum to kanaler.
Kursavgift: Avgiften dekker undervisning i fire dager. Overnatting er ikke inkludert. Enkle forfriskninger som kaffe og vann tilbys.
Fakturainformasjon
Faktura sendes via vårt regnskapssystem. Norske kunder faktureres i NOK (omregnet etter dagens kurs), internasjonale deltakere faktureres i EUR. Merk at påmeldingen kun er gyldig når hele kursavgiften er betalt.
Ved bestilling kan du velge om du ønsker å hente eventuelle tilleggsprodukter på kurset, eller få dem tilsendt. Vær oppmerksom på at ekstra avgifter og toll kan påløpe ved forsendelse. Programvareprodukter leveres elektronisk.
Påmelding
Kurset har et maks antall på 20 deltakere. For å sikre plass må du reservere ved å kjøpe en “billett” nedenfor. Påmeldingen bekreftes når betalingen er mottatt.
Programvaredrabatt
Deltakere får 30 % rabatt på alle SMAART-lisenser, både ved nye kjøp eller oppgraderinger. Rabatten gjelder kun perpetual lisenser bestilt via tz audio. Prisene oppdateres automatisk etter at billetten er lagt i handlekurven.
Rabatt for tidligere Smaart-Operatører
Smaart-Operatører som tidligere har deltatt på kurs får 50 % rabatt på kursavgiften. Denne rabatten aktiveres automatisk når du logger inn med din brukerkonto. Du finner profilen din i Smaart Operator Directory her: https://www.tzaudio.no/training-classes/smaart-operator-directory/
Tilleggsinformasjon
Smaart Operator-sertifiseringsprogrammet gjør det mulig for brukere å dokumentere sine ferdigheter i bruk av Smaart-programvaren. Programmet består for tiden av Smaart Operator Level 1-sertifiseringstesten og Smaart Operator Network. Les mer her: https://www.tzaudio.no/training-classes/smaart-operator-certification-program/
Målet med kurset er å gi deg verktøyene du trenger for å bestå den elektroniske testen.
Thomas has found a brilliant and practical way to combine his expertise in audio analysis with the loyalty and intelligence of his Border Collie, Einstein.
When conducting measurements using Smaart (System Measurement Acoustic Analysis Real-time Tool), Thomas sometimes needs to place a measurement microphone in specific listening positions—often in hard-to-reach or time-consuming spots to access manually.
That’s where Einstein comes in. As a well-trained shepherd dog with a degeree, Einstein understands directional commands like left, right, forward, and lay down. This makes him the perfect assistant in the field.
Here’s how it works:
Border Collie Einstein – the Acoustic Assistant
Thomas attaches a lightweight MELLab TX-3 measurement microphone to a specially designed harness on Einstein’s back. The cable runs to a wireless GOADIMIC transmitter.
Then, using whistle signals or voice commands, Thomas guides Einstein to the desired mic position in the venue or field:
come bye – Einstein pivots and trots left (clockwise) walk on – He continues across the room to a predefined measurement point.
“Lay down!”– Once he’s in position, Einstein lies down calmly, holding the mic in the exact spot Thomas needs.
If Thomas needs the mic moved to another location, Einstein is simply directed to the next spot.
Because of Einstein’s impeccable obedience and keen sense of spatial awareness, he can navigate even complex indoor environments like concert halls, theaters, or outdoor locations with minimal supervision. Thomas jokingly refers to this setup as “Remote-Controlled Reference Mic Placement.” It’s efficient, charming, and surprisingly accurate.
This method not only saves Thomas time during setup and testing—it also brings a touch of personality and innovation to his work.
People often smile when they see Einstein walking calmly across the room, mic in tow, like a furry little sound technician.
Smaart Certification Success in Oslo and Hammerfest – A Landmark for Sound Professionals in the North
Oslo & Hammerfest, Norway – July 2, 2025
The Norwegian audio community continues to raise the bar for professional standards. Following two intensive Smaart Operator courses held this spring—one in Oslo in May and one in Hammerfest in June—participants from both classes have now successfully passed the official Smaart Certification Test.
These newly certified operators represent a growing wave of technically proficient sound professionals in Norway, and Sweden equipped with cutting-edge knowledge in real-time sound system measurement, tuning, and optimization using Rational Acoustics’ industry-leading Smaart software.
The Oslo class gathered a diverse group of technicians and engineers from across Southern and Central Norway, contributing to a lively and insightful session filled with shared experiences and collaborative learning.
Meanwhile, the Hammerfest course marked a milestone not just for the participants but for the town itself. With this latest certification round, Hammerfest becomes the first city in the world where all active sound staff are officially Smaart certified—a remarkable achievement for a town best known as the northernmost city in the world. This underscores the region’s commitment to technical excellence despite its remote location.
Course instructor Thomas Züllich, praised both groups for their dedication and curiosity:
“The enthusiasm and focus shown by the participants in both Oslo and Hammerfest were exceptional. It’s clear that Scandinavia is investing in sound quality and technical competence on a serious level.”
The success of these certification events highlights not only a national trend towards higher audio standards but also the potential for small and remote communities to lead by example in professional development.
Smaart-sertifisering i Oslo og Hammerfest – Profesjonell milepæl for skandinaviske lydteknikere
Oslo / Hammerfest, 2. juli 2025
Det skandinaviske lydmiljøet tar et nytt steg mot høyere faglig standard. Etter to vellykkede Smaart Operator-kurs tidligere i år – ett i Oslo i mai og ett i Hammerfest i juni – har en stor del av deltakere bestått den offisielle Smaart-sertifiseringstesten.
Disse nysertifiserte operatørene er nå en del av et voksende nettverk av teknisk kompetente lydfolk i Norge, med inngående kunnskap om systemmåling, tuning og optimalisering med det bransjeledende verktøyet Smaart fra Rational Acoustics.
Kurset i Oslo samlet teknikere og lydansvarlige fra Sverige og Norge, og ble preget av faglig engasjement, gode diskusjoner og erfaringsdeling på tvers av bransjen.
Kurset i Hammerfest markerte samtidig en helt spesiell milepæl – ikke bare for deltakerne, men også for byen: Med denne sertifiseringsrunden er alle aktive lydteknikere i Hammerfest nå Smaart-sertifisert. Dermed blir Hammerfest, som allerede er kjent som verdens nordligste by, også den nordligste, og kanskje den eneste byen i verden der hele lydstaben i Kulturhuset er Smaart-sertifisert.
Kursinstruktør Thomas Züllich uttrykte stor begeistring:
“Det var imponerende å se det engasjementet og den lærevilligheten deltakerne viste – både i Oslo og Hammerfest. Dette viser tydelig at Norge satser seriøst på lydkvalitet og teknisk kompetanse, også langt utenfor de største byene.”
Denne utviklingen viser at det ikke bare er mulig, men også ønskelig, å satse på høy teknisk standard i alle deler av landet – fra hovedstaden til nordkalotten.
It’s not every day that a world-class audio training event makes its way to the far north of Norway—but this past week, the town of Hammerfest played host to a unique and inspiring edition of the SMAART Bootcamp.
From June 3rd to 6th, a small but highly motivated group of three students gathered at the Arktisk Kultursenter for an intensive course in sound system measurement and optimization. Leading the course was veteran instructor Thomas Züllich, who, true to his word, made the long journey—some 1800 kilometers—all the way from Oslo to the northernmost town of the world, despite the modest class size.
From left to right: Eirik Gustavo Diesen Tovar, Dag Jarle Nilsen, Thomas Züllich & Sondre Forselv
THOMAS ZÜLLICH (Instructor):
“I did this as I truly love Northern Norway. From an economic perspective, it was maybe a little less than ideal, but the incredible hospitality and eagerness of the students made more than up for it. We really had a blast.”
Originally, more local technicians had planned to attend, but many were called away at the last minute to mix live shows—a common challenge during the busy summer season. Still, Züllich remained committed to bringing high-level training to Hammerfest.
“We were really happy Thomas made the effort to come to our place. These four days were some of the most informative and educational I’ve ever had. The class superseded my wildest expectations. I’ve used SMAART before, but Thomas introduced a whole new approach—his way of thinking about sound systems is both simple and sophisticated. All in all, very motivating & inspiring.”
The bootcamp blended hands-on measurement techniques, system tuning theory, and practical exercises, tailored to the unique acoustics of the Arktisk Kultursenter. Despite the small turnout, the enthusiasm was sky-high, and participants left the course with fresh insights and renewed energy.
Dag Jarle Nilsen (Sound Engineer, Arktisk Kultursenter):
“Wow, those four days were intense — and a lot of fun. It’s going to take some time to fully process all the information, but I’m really looking forward to taking the certification test. I plan to use SMAART extensively in my work. It´s quite an eye (and ear) opener this one”
Eirik Gustavo Diesen Tovar (Technician, Arktisk Kultursenter):
“As a multi-purpose technician working across lighting, video, and audio, I’m really glad I took the course. It provides a solid foundation for adjusting sound systems based on facts rather than guesswork. Thomas made even the most complex topics easy to understand, and I’m planning to take the certification test soon as well.”
It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful learning happens not in crowded halls, but in committed, close-knit groups—especially when guided by a teacher willing to cross the country to share his passion.
For the team in Hammerfest, this was more than just a workshop—it was a landmark moment. And perhaps a signal that with the right dedication, professional development can reach even the northernmost corners of Norway.
In addition to the seminar the AKS invited interested people to a free of charge Sound Pressure workshop.
THOMAS ZÜLLICH (tz audio):
“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Arktisk Kultursenter, the entire staff, and the administration—especially Linda Hassfjord—for making it possible for me to take part in this course. I truly appreciate the opportunity and support. It’s been an incredibly valuable experience that I’ll carry with me into my daily work.”
Captured in Hammerfest—the world’s northernmost town—this photo features the MELLab MYc-3 microphone in action. Attached is the high-performance DT228G-P transmitter by GAODIMIC®, delivering reliable audio even in extreme environments.
Since the beginning, I operated under the name Rational Acoustics Scandinavia. From a marketing perspective, this seemed to make sense, as approximately 80% of our portfolio is dedicated to Rational Acoustics’ Smaart software.
Alongside this, I teach audio engineering (Smaart) classes and offer a range of specialized products such as iSEMcon & MELLab microphones, SLS Audio in-ear adapters, sound cards, and the 10EaZy SPL measurement package.
However, over time, it became increasingly apparent that the name Rational Acoustics Scandinavia caused confusion internationally. It led some to believe that my company was owned by Rational Acoustics USA, which is not and never was the case. Rational Acoustics Scandinavia / TZ Audio is and always was independently owned and operated by me.
In simple terms, I purchase the software from Rational Acoustics and distribute it under my own company, which is now called TZ Audio. While we work closely as partners with my suppliers, I am a distributor, not an extension of any company I distribute the products of.
This confusion extended beyond just the public—it also created complications with tax authorities and financial institutions.
To clarify this distinction and reinforce our independence, I have rebranded to TZ Audio. The name reflects my initials (TZ) and highlights my focus on audio solutions. This change ensures a clearer understanding of who we are, without altering my strong commitment to delivering top-tier audio products and services.
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