Catalyst Connect returns for its second year, and in this episode, we will hear from those that help to make it happen. We are joined by Catalyst Acoustics Group CEO Charles Merrimon, Group Presidents Jeremy Cantor and James Hou, and Channel Alliance Manager Eric McNeal on what makes this year's event worth the trip, along with Aaron Duncan of Sound Seal and Mike Merry of Frasch on what their brands are bringing to the show floor.

We also get a preview of this year's speaking sessions from the presenters themselves: Andrew Polte of IAC Acoustics, James Thomas of Noise Barriers, Ben Vause and Ben Hickey of Kinetics Noise Control and RealAcoustix, and Eric Wolfram of Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories.

Catalyst Connect takes place Wednesday, October 14 in Columbus, Ohio, featuring CEU and technical presentations, a tour of the Kinetics Noise Control manufacturing facility, and tabletop displays from every brand in the Catalyst family, and it's completely free to attend.

To register for the event, please visit here: https://catalystacoustics.com/events/connect/

Part 3 in our acoustic door series continues the conversation between Grace Jacob of IAC Acoustics and Mike Sirna of Hensel Diversified Construction, and takes it a step further to look at what happens during installation because even the best designed acoustic door can run into problems if the installation isn't done correctly.

Whether you’re an architect writing specs or a contractor installing in the field, this episode offers practical insight into how your door selection can directly impact performance, reliability, and project outcomes.

To learn more about IAC's acoustic doors, visit: https://www.iacacoustics.com/specialty-solutions-systems/architectural-doors

Part 2 in our acoustic door series continues the conversation between Grace Jacob of IAC Acoustics and Mike Sirna of Hensel Diversified Construction, digging deeper into something that surprises a lot of people: the door itself is only part of the acoustic performance equation.

Whether you’re an architect writing specs or a contractor installing in the field, this episode offers practical insight into how your door selection can directly impact performance, reliability, and project outcomes.

To learn more about IAC's acoustic doors, visit: https://www.iacacoustics.com/specialty-solutions-systems/architectural-doors

Listen in as we focus on engineering services for noise control solutions, not as a product, but as a decision-making tool. We discuss why acoustical, noise, vibration, and seismic decisions are often unclear early in a project, what risks those unknowns create, and how engineering analysis helps teams reduce rework, improve accuracy, and meet demanding schedules, especially in high-stakes environments like data centers.

We are joined by Thomas Yuschak, who is the Vice President of Engineering at Kinetics Noise Control, Joe Florer, the General Manager of Air Solutions at McMillan James, and Logan Herkomer, Director of Sales, HVAC Market at Kinetics. And now, let's get started with today's conversation.

Kit door or factory pre-hung? It’s a question that surfaces on nearly every project where sound control matters. In this episode of Catalyst Conversations, Grace Jacob of IAC Acoustics and Mike Sirna of Hensel Diversified Construction discuss the differences between the two.

Whether you’re an architect writing specs or a contractor installing in the field, this episode offers practical insight into how your door selection can directly impact performance, reliability, and project outcomes.

To learn more about IAC's acoustic doors, visit: https://www.iacacoustics.com/specialty-solutions-systems/architectural-doors

In this episode, we explore how acoustical products are conceived, tested, and refined through the lens of Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories and one of the most forward-thinking voices in acoustic design. We discuss how product aesthetics have evolved, how testing methodologies shape product outcomes, and what the future holds for acoustic innovation across industries.

We are joined by Eric Wolfram, from Riverbank, and Zackery Belanger, principal of Umbel, a Detroit-based studio specializing in shaping objects, surfaces, and rooms for acoustic performance in any material. Zackery brings deep experience across the built environment, from products to concert hall design, and is widely recognized for his research, teaching, and his influential essay, ‘Acoustic Ornament.’

In this episode, we focus on the synergy between Kinetics Noise Control and CurbTech. We explore Kinetics’ history in the roof curb market, the recent Catalyst acquisition of CurbTech, and how these two businesses are partnering to deliver the industry’s best curb solutions, while driving growth and innovation for their customers.

We are joined by Joe VanHoorn from Kinetics and Trent Globetti from CurbTech.

To learn more about Kinetics, visit https://kineticsnoise.com/

To learn more about CurbTech, visit https://www.curbtech.net/

In this episode, hear about a topic that quietly impacts our daily lives yet is often overlooked in the early stages of design: acoustics. Michael Fay, a 45-year veteran AV and acoustical design engineer, former editor of Recording Engineer/Producer magazine, and author of Acoustic Essentials for Architects, has a gift for breaking down complex concepts into practical, no-nonsense guidance—making the science of sound not only accessible but fascinating.

In this conversation, we’ll explore key principles from his book, uncover why acoustics often get sidelined in architectural projects, and learn how asking four simple questions can make the difference between a space that just looks good and one that sounds as good as it looks.

Whether you’re an architect, designer, or just someone curious about how sound shapes our world, this episode will change the way you think about the spaces you create and inhabit.

Purchase Michael's book here: Acoustic Essentials for Architects: The Primer Many Architects Wish They Were Offered in School