JAPAN: Along the picturesque Meguro River in Nishi Gotanda/Fudomae, Shinagawa-ku (Tokyo), TONER — a distinctive café-bar and collective creative space — has refined its sonic identity with a comprehensive audio upgrade powered by Powersoft amplification and control solutions. Delivered by integrator Audio Brains, the installation introduces a carefully tuned system built around the Powersoft Quattrocanali 1204 DSP+D, Mezzo 604 AD, Mezzo 322 AD and a WM Touch wall-mounted control panel, enabling the venue to transition seamlessly from relaxed daytime ambience to vibrant DJ-driven nightlife.

Named after the ink cartridges used in professional printers, TONER embraces the idea that each visitor contributes their own unique colour to the venue’s atmosphere. Built around the concept of “weave and bond”, the space hosts a broad mix of experiences — from daytime coffee service and casual social gatherings to private events, pop-up shops and DJ-led evenings. Designing an audio system capable of maintaining tonal balance and clarity across such diverse use cases therefore became a central priority.

To achieve this flexibility, TONER partnered with integrator Audio Brains, who collaborated with respected Osaka electronic musician and producer Aoki Takamasa to craft a sound solution tailored to the venue’s evolving sonic demands.

“The end client wanted an audio system that could provide total tonal balance,” reveals Audio Brains President Junta Yamazaki. “It needed to be ready for low-volume ambient background music during the day, but it also had to be capable of driving high-energy DJ sets, so Powersoft amplifiers quickly appeared to be the best choice for this project. Plus, they complement any speaker we pair them with.”

At the heart of the system sits the Powersoft Quattrocanali 1204 DSP+D, a four-channel Class-D amplifier designed to deliver both efficiency and performance. Equipped with Powersoft’s patented Smart Rails Management (SRM) technology, the amplifier dynamically optimises power consumption while simultaneously reducing thermal dissipation — a particularly valuable capability in hospitality venues where rack space and heat management can present operational challenges.

Supporting the main amplifier are the compact Mezzo 604 AD and Mezzo 322 AD units, which expand the system’s routing and power capabilities while maintaining a minimal footprint. The Mezzo 604 AD provides four channels of amplification at 600 W total output, while the Mezzo 322 AD delivers two channels of 160 W output and includes additional line-level outputs for expanded routing options. Their half-rack size design also allowed Audio Brains to integrate significant amplification capacity within a constrained installation space.

Control and day-to-day operation of the system are managed through the Powersoft WM Touch, a wall-mounted 4.3” touchscreen controller powered entirely through a single Ethernet connection. The interface allows venue staff to adjust volume levels and system behaviour throughout the day, enabling quick changes in response to shifting ambience and programming.

“TONER doesn’t host DJs every day, nor do they have a full-time sound engineer,” says Yamazaki. “So having the WM Touch is a great tool for the venue. Staff can quickly and easily adjust volume levels and zoning to match the vibe of the moment. And that makes day-to-day operation of the system much easier.”

Before final handover, the system underwent a rigorous 13-hour test session during which the team refined mapping and tuning across a variety of musical styles to ensure the system performed consistently across different programme material.

“We adjusted mapping and tuning across musical styles,” informs Yamazaki. “And the Powersoft amplifiers performed as expected. They made the system shine.”

The careful tuning process has ensured that TONER’s sound environment maintains clarity, balance and control regardless of listening level — whether delivering subtle background music for daytime patrons or driving energetic DJ performances during evening sessions.

“Even customers who know nothing about sound equipment say that the sound has a new clarity to it,” says Yamazaki. “They’re surprised that even when it’s quite loud, they can still talk to one another without having to raise their voices.”

For TONER, the installation represents more than a technical refresh; it reinforces the venue’s broader vision as a thoughtfully curated social and creative environment. “When we set out on this project, we wanted to create a space that was comfortable for every patron throughout the day and into the night,” concludes Yamazaki. “And that’s what we’ve achieved. We’re very proud of the final result.”