Toshikuni Hashimoto: “Nothing Beats a Live Performance”

Toshikuni Hashimoto

T-Spec’s Toshikuni Hashimoto on Creating Immersive Live Experiences with Alcons Audio.

For Toshikuni Hashimoto, founder and CEO of Japan-based T-Spec, immersive audio represents more than a technological advancement. It is a way to bring audiences closer to the emotional impact of live music. An early adopter of digital audio networking and AoIP technologies such as Dante, Hashimoto has dedicated recent years to exploring how immersive sound can overcome the limitations of conventional PA systems. “The sound should come from the direction of the performer,” he says. “That’s the essence of live immersion.”

According to Hashimoto, traditional left/right PA systems inevitably compromise localisation and clarity. Because both arrays reproduce almost identical content to ensure balanced coverage, listeners often experience comb filtering and reduced intelligibility. The Haas effect can further disconnect audiences from the performance, with off-centre listeners perceiving the sound predominantly from the nearest array.

Test set-up in the T-Spec warehouse with single LR7s

“Even when the vocalist stands in the centre of the stage, many people hear the sound coming from one side,” he explains. “There is a discrepancy between what people see and what they hear.”

Immersive live sound addresses this challenge differently. Rather than reproducing the same signals from left and right arrays, multiple loudspeaker positions across the stage reproduce independent audio objects aligned with the performers.

“Wherever you sit, the direction of the sound matches the direction of the performer.”

Implementing immersive systems in Japan presents practical challenges. Many small and medium-sized halls have suspension capacities limited to approximately 150–300kg, making loudspeaker weight a critical consideration. “I wanted to introduce immersive audio even in smaller venues,” says Hashimoto. “But immersive systems require multiple loudspeakers. Typical compression-driver systems quickly exceed the available load capacity.”

“I chose Alcons Audio because I wanted to deliver the best possible sound to people who truly love live music,” Toshikuni Hashimoto, founder and CEO of T-Spec

For Hashimoto, Alcons Audio offered the ideal solution. “Because Alcons uses Pro-Ribbon technology, the loudspeaker systems are remarkably lightweight, allowing immersive systems to be deployed safely in venues with limited rigging capacity.”

The controlled directivity of the Alcons Pro-Ribbon transducer proved equally important. “In immersive sound, all loudspeakers cover the audience area. The wide yet precise dispersion of Alcons ribbon drivers allows overlapping sources to remain clear and consistent throughout the venue.”

Hashimoto’s appreciation extends beyond technical performance. “I originally chose Alcons because I simply loved the sound,” he says. “The response is flat and natural. The high frequencies are smooth and pleasant, without harshness or listening fatigue, even at high output levels.”

That transparency became particularly evident during the Wakayama Medical University Big Band’s 57th Regular Concert. The immersive system featured five rows of Alcons LR7/120 compact line-array modules using Wave Field Synthesis processing, powered by Sentinel amplified loudspeaker controllers, with LR7B subwoofers and VR8 stage monitors completing the system.

“There was none of the unnatural character often associated with PA systems,” Hashimoto recalls. “It became difficult to distinguish between the live instruments and the amplified sound.”

Immersive object placement and transition smoothing were handled using FLUX::IRCAM Spat Revolution over a Dante network, a configuration Hashimoto values for its flexibility.

“Alcons allows me to build the system exactly as needed while using the processing platform that best suits the application.”

Hashimoto’s commitment to immersive sound deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic. “For three years, live events almost disappeared. Everyone watching livestreams said the same thing: ‘Nothing beats a live performance.’ During that time, I studied immersive audio every single day.” That pursuit ultimately led him to Alcons Audio.

“I chose Alcons Audio because I wanted to deliver the best possible sound to people who truly love live music,” he concludes. “I want to continue creating the finest live immersive experiences with Alcons Audio.”

This article is a condensed version of the interview in Sound & Recording magazine Japan; Go here for the complete publication.

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