About Venue-Amp
We are committed to revolutionizing the way audio is experienced at live events, aiming to connect artists and participants through advanced technology and unparalleled sound quality.
Meet the Venue-Amp Creator
The Venue-Amp Story
Hey there! I'm Thomas Fitzgerald, a retired software business owner with a pretty cool story to share. My partner Nicke Barefoot and I have had some amazing adventures, but one particular journey stands out - our art and craft show escapades from 2011 to 2019.
We'd set up our tent/booth across South Florida, selling Nicke's beautifully hand-painted wine glasses (you can check out her work at barefoot-art.com). These events were always a blast, with a fun, carnival-like atmosphere and live musical performances that added extra excitement.
But here's the thing - hearing those performances was a real challenge. Imagine being a vendor stuck way back from the stage, surrounded by other vendors playing their own music through Bluetooth speakers. It was basically a sound nightmare! I'd chat with other vendors, and we all agreed: we desperately needed a way to hear the music clearly, even from the "outskirts" of the event.
Most of these venues were pop-up events - just temporary setups in parks or closed streets. The performers would bring their own PA systems, which made the sound situation even more complicated. As a tech guy, I started thinking there had to be a better solution.
Back in 2017, I approached a developer about creating an app that could solve this problem. The concept was simple: use a phone to plug into the sound source and broadcast the audio to other phones via WiFi. But when the developer quoted over $20,000 and wasn't even sure it would work, I put the idea on hold.
Fast forward to 2025, and AI technology offered a fresh perspective. I decided to leverage AI to help develop the concept. First, I had AI create a comprehensive analysis of the entire idea. Knowing about phone and network latency, and understanding the slow speed of sound, I asked AI to develop an interference-aware app that could eliminate frequency cancellation when sound sources interfered.
The AI integrated an advanced algorithm to address these technical challenges as I guided it through the development process. Over a few weeks, we went through hundreds of edits, tests, and troubleshooting sessions.
The result? An awesome app called Venue-AMP! It's a solution that will revolutionize how people experience live performances at outdoor events. No more struggling to hear the music or being drowned out by competing sound sources, you can even attach your bluetooth speakers/headphones to listen in your own style..
What started as a frustration at art shows became an innovative technology that could change how we experience live music and events. It's a perfect example of how technology and creativity can solve real-world problems.
The journey from a simple observation at a craft show to developing a cutting-edge audio solution proves that great ideas can come from anywhere - and with the right technology and persistence, they can become reality.
Who would have thought that those noisy art show experiences would lead to something so cool? Just goes to show - always keep your eyes and mind open to potential innovations