Rat Sound Systems
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersCamarillo, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Rat Sound Systems does
Rat Sound Systems, Inc. is a privately held professional audio services company founded circa 1979-1980 by Dave Rat and headquartered at 486 Constitution Ave, Camarillo, California. The firm operates four integrated business lines: (1) equipment rentals for live concert touring, ranging from individual microphones to complete turn-key stadium sound systems; (2) pro audio equipment and merchandise sales through its ratsoundsales.com storefront and dealership network; (3) design/build and bid/build audio-visual installation services for commercial venues nationwide; and (4) SoundTools, a wholly-owned manufacturing subsidiary producing proprietary audio testing and utility devices such as the Sniffer/Sender Pack and NL4 Sniffer/Sender Tester Kit. The company also owns the MicroWedge and AIRS (Acoustic Instrument Reproduction System) loudspeaker brands. Its customer base is concentrated in professional touring productions — including documented work with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, James Taylor, The Pixies, and Ben Harper — alongside commercial installation clients and individual audio professionals purchasing tools and accessories.
The underlying technology stack is centered on professional live reinforcement audio: line array loudspeaker systems (primarily L-Acoustics V-DOSC and dV-DOSC), proprietary floor monitor wedges (MicroWedge, Rat SuperWedge with Powersoft X4 amplification), custom subwoofer designs (Rat 21 TubeSub), digital mixing consoles (DiGiCo, Avid Venue), and BSS Soundweb digital signal processing. A signature operational methodology — the Worldwide Sonic Consistency System — uses identical system types, common template layouts, and carried system processors across eight different sound vendors in seven countries to deliver consistent sound on multi-country tours. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales for rentals and installs, an e-commerce storefront for products and accessories, and a regional dealership channel. The company is founder-owned with 11-50 employees, no disclosed external funding, and active sub-brands SoundTools and MicroWedge supporting both internal touring use and external product sales.
Rat Sound Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rat Sound Systems
- Legal name
- Rat Sound Systems, Inc.
- Website
- https://ratsound.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rat Sound Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Audio Services
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Live Sound & Stage Equipment (PA Systems, Amplification, Monitoring) (MPAIAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pro Audio Equipment (Mics, Interfaces, Mixers, Studio Monitors) (MPAIAJAB), Backline & Musical Instrument Rentals (Concert/Performance Support) (THAHAEAL)
Keywords
Where Rat Sound Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Camarillo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Rat Sound Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Audio Equipment Rentals: Professional concert audio equipment rentals ranging from individual microphones to complete stadium sound systems. Core business for touring productions and live events.
- Pro Audio Sales: Sales division outfitting quality tools for audio professionals through ratsoundsales.com, including microphones, cables, accessories, and branded merchandise.
- Audio Visual Installation Services: Design/build and bid/build installation services for commercial customers nationwide. Includes system design, equipment procurement, and installation.
- SoundTools Products: Manufacturing and selling proprietary audio devices including the Sniffer/Sender Pack. Products sold through Amazon Fulfilled by Amazon and direct channels.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Rental Services - Custom Quote |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Product Sales - Individual Items |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Installation Services - Project Based |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Rat Sound Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rat Sound Systems is a professional audio services company providing concert audio equipment rentals (from individual microphones to complete turn-key stadium sound systems), professional audio sales through its online storefront ratsoundsales.com, and audio-visual installation services (design/build and bid/build) for commercial customers nationwide. The company also develops and sells proprietary audio products under the MicroWedge, AIRS, and SoundTools brands, and operates under founder Dave Rat's Worldwide Sonic Consistency System methodology for multi-venue touring productions.
Product overview
Rat Sound Systems is a premier audio services company offering three core service divisions: professional audio equipment rentals (from individual microphones to complete stadium sound systems), pro audio sales, and audio-visual installation services (design/build and bid/build). The company also has related product brands including MicroWedge (stage monitor wedges), AIRS - Acoustic Instrument Reproduction System (innovative speaker design by Dave Rat), and SoundTools NL4 Sniffer/Sender (audio testing equipment). Their primary offerings are service-oriented rather than software products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SoundTools: Manufactures cool and useful audio devices with the happiness and confidence of audio pros in mind.
- MicroWedge
Products and services
- Audio Equipment Rentals Full-service rental division offering pro concert audio equipment ranging from individual microphones to complete turn-key stadium sound systems for concerts, festivals, and live events. Includes crew, system technicians, and advance production support.
- Pro Audio Sales Sales division outfitting quality tools for the audio professional, including microphones, cables, accessories, and branded merchandise, accessible via ratsoundsales.com.
- Audio Visual Installation Services Design/build and bid/build installation services for audio-visual systems, serving a national customer base of commercial venues, theaters, and facilities. Includes system design, equipment procurement, integration with existing infrastructure, and commissioning.
- MicroWedge Floor monitor wedge product line designed for professional touring applications, with dedicated product website at microwedge.com. Registered brand and Dave Rat invention.
- AIRS - Acoustic Instrument Reproduction System Novel speaker system invented by Dave Rat (also called the Real Sounding Speaker) that captures instruments from five directional perspectives — front left, front right, above, below, and behind — reproducing each through a dedicated driver pointing in the same direction as its microphone, with no DSP, no spatial synthesis, and no mixing.
- SoundTools Audio Testing Devices Audio device product line manufactured under the SoundTools brand including the Rat Sniffer/Sender Pack for audio cable testing/troubleshooting (sold via Amazon FBA and direct) and the SoundTools NL4 Sniffer/Sender Tester Kit for NL4 speakON connector testing.
Quantifiable outcome
- Achieved worldwide sonic consistency across 14 shows in 7 countries using 8 different vendors
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Rat Sound Systems
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Rat Sound Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Rat Sound Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- L-AcousticscorePrimary loudspeaker system provider for Rat Sound touring productions. V-DOSC, dV-DOSC line arrays and SB 218 subwoofers used extensively. Dave Rat switched from proprietary Rat Trap 5 to L-Acoustics V-DOSC for worldwide sonic consistency. L-Acoustics provides innovative advice and great tools.
- BSS AudiocoreBSS Soundweb digital processors used for system processing. Two racks of five BSS Soundweb units (32-input by 32-output) carried for all main system processing on major tours.
- Britannia RowminorUK-based touring sound company providing local PA systems and support for European tour leg.
- WigwamminorUK-based sound company supporting UK tour dates.
- Satis & FyminorGerman sound company that Rat Sound has toured with previously. Provided systems for Rock AM Ring festival.
- StageProminorNetherlands-based production company supporting European tour dates.
- DTBHminorFrench sound company supporting tour dates in France.
- AgoraminorItalian sound company supporting tour dates in Italy.
- FOR Music/KLEMMminorAustrian sound company supporting tour dates in Austria.
- Twin Cam Audio/High LevelminorSpanish sound company supporting tour dates in Spain.
- PowersoftcoreAmplifier manufacturer. Powersoft X4 and X8 amplifiers, LA8 and LA12 amplifiers used with L-Acoustics systems. Rat Sound programs L-Acoustics amplifiers as needed.
- DiGiCocoreDigital mixing console manufacturer. Working knowledge of Digico platforms required for Rat Sound technicians.
- AvidPro Tools and Venue digital audio platforms. Setup and testing of Waves, Pro Tools, and recording setups with consoles.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Rat Sound Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Clair Global: One of the largest concert sound reinforcement and touring production companies in the world; competes head-to-head with Rat Sound for major international touring acts and high-end live event audio.
- Solotech: Canadian-headquartered concert sound, staging, and integrated live event production provider with global operations; competes in the same stadium-grade touring audio segment as Rat Sound.
- ATK Audiotek: Concert and event sound reinforcement company serving high-profile touring and televised live productions; competes in the same large-format live audio segment as Rat Sound.
- Britannia Row Productions: UK-based concert sound reinforcement company, listed as a tour partner of Rat Sound for European legs; offers similar pro touring audio services in a UK/EU footprint.
- Maryland Sound International: US concert sound reinforcement and tour production company serving large-format touring acts; comparable to Rat Sound on professional concert PA rentals and international tour logistics.
- Sound Image: Concert audio and event production company serving major touring artists and large-scale productions in North America, directly comparable to Rat Sound's touring rental and engineering offering.
- Eighth Day Sound: High-profile concert sound reinforcement company serving major touring productions with international scope, directly comparable in tour-scale audio services and engineering capability.
- Wigwam Acoustics: UK concert sound company and prior Rat Sound partner for UK tour dates; comparable as a regional pro touring audio provider with overlapping services and customer profile.
Broad incumbents
- PRG (Production Resource Group): One of the largest integrated live event production companies globally, offering audio alongside video, lighting, and staging; serves the same touring and event clients but at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
Others
- L-Acoustics: Premium loudspeaker manufacturer and Rat Sound's primary technology partner for V-DOSC, K1, and K2 systems; not a direct competitor but a key ecosystem player shaping Rat Sound's touring service offering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rat Sound Systems social profiles
Digital presenceRat Sound Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rat Sound Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Rat Sound Systems subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Rat Sound Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rat Sound Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rat Sound Systems
What does Rat Sound Systems do?
Rat Sound Systems is a professional audio services company providing concert audio equipment rentals (from individual microphones to complete turn-key stadium sound systems), professional audio sales through its online storefront ratsoundsales.com, and audio-visual installation services (design/build and bid/build) for commercial customers nationwide. The company also develops and sells proprietary audio products under the MicroWedge, AIRS, and SoundTools brands, and operates under founder Dave Rat's Worldwide Sonic Consistency System methodology for multi-venue touring productions.
Is Rat Sound Systems a public or private company?
Rat Sound Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Rat Sound Systems founded?
Rat Sound Systems was founded in 1980. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Rat Sound Systems based?
Rat Sound Systems is headquartered in Camarillo, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rat Sound Systems make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Audio Equipment Rentals are the primary driver. The others are pro Audio Sales, audio Visual Installation Services and soundTools Products.
Who are Rat Sound Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Clair Global, Solotech, ATK Audiotek, Britannia Row Productions, Maryland Sound International, Sound Image, Eighth Day Sound and Wigwam Acoustics. PRG (Production Resource Group) is listed as a broad incumbent. L-Acoustics is listed as an others.
Does Rat Sound Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rat Sound Systems.
What industry is Rat Sound Systems in?
Rat Sound Systems's product category is Professional Audio Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAD, Live Sound & Stage Equipment (PA Systems, Amplification, Monitoring), with a secondary code of MPAIAJAB, Pro Audio Equipment (Mics, Interfaces, Mixers, Studio Monitors). Its NAICS code is 3343.