Today we’d like to introduce you to Nate Cake.
Hi Nate, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path into the audiovisual world started on the live production side of the industry, long before Benchmark Audiovisual existed. I spent over a decade touring domestically and internationally as a Front of House and Monitor Engineer, working alongside artists like Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jeff Beck, Gov’t Mule, and Davy Knowles, and mixing audio for everything from clubs to major festivals like Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits. That experience shaped how I think about sound, performance, and the emotional impact of a well-executed system—it has to feel right, not just measure well.
At the same time, my foundation goes even deeper into electronics and systems. I served as an Electronics Technician in the United States Coast Guard, where I was responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting mission-critical communication and navigation systems. That training gave me a disciplined, technical understanding of signal flow, reliability, and system design that still influences every project I touch today.
After transitioning out of touring, I moved into the custom integration space in Austin. I started as an installer, then moved into the lead installer/ programmer role, and then into a sales role, working hands-on in the field designing and building complex residential and commercial AV systems. Over time, I grew into a sales and leadership role, managing large-scale projects and helping shape the direction of the companies I worked with. One of the defining projects during that time was serving as Installation Foreman for a 90-foot-wide Barco LED video wall at the Austin Energy Command Center—a project that really underscored the scale and precision this industry can demand.
Eventually, I founded Benchmark Audiovisual to bring together everything I had learned—from live production, engineering, and system design to client experience and aesthetics. Our focus is on high-performance, design-forward AV systems for luxury residential and commercial environments. We approach every project as a balance of art and science—where engineering excellence meets visual and experiential impact.
Today, I continue to lead Benchmark while also expanding into broader opportunities in sales, marketing, and large-scale system design. The goal has always been the same: to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AV, and to create experiences that are not only technically exceptional, but genuinely unforgettable.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If the ride is smooth, there’s something wrong with the path chosen. There have been plenty of ups and plenty of downs in my career, and my path is definitely the not a commonly chosen path.
In the immortal words of the poet, Robert Frost, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
It hasn’t been a smooth road—and in many ways, that’s been the most valuable part of the journey. The biggest challenges have often been the ones I should have anticipated. Even with a bachelor’s degree in Music Business from Full Sail University, I wasn’t prepared for the reality that running a successful business means juggling dozens of critical functions at once—something no one really teaches you. Also, there is no manual to check when systems are going amuck, so I’ve been writing the manual as I go.
When Benchmark Audiovisual was founded in 2024, it was just me handling every aspect of the company—system design, installation and deployment, bookkeeping, marketing, web development, SEO, procurement, and even tracking down overdue payments. Wearing that many hats forced me to learn quickly, but it also exposed every gap in my knowledge and every inefficiency in my processes.
I’ve learned to stick to what I’m best at, and that’s why I hired a good SEO, Book Keeper, and great installers, all aligned with my vision. To flourish in any industry, it’s vital to be able to trust and rely on the people working under the hood.
Those challenges, while demanding, ultimately shaped the foundation of the company. They taught me how to build smarter systems, refine operations, and surround myself with the right people. What started as a one-man operation has evolved into a thriving business, and that growth is a direct result of navigating—and learning from—those early struggles.
All of this has led me to the point where we are now, which is a flourishing business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Benchmark Audiovisual?
Benchmark Audiovisual, led by AV veteran Nate Cake in Austin, Texas, creates high-performance audio and video systems that transform spaces into unforgettable experiences. Specializing in restaurants, nightclubs, event spaces, music venues, and houses of worship, Benchmark designs and integrates systems—from immersive sound and LED video walls to smart lighting and control—that deliver flawless performance and striking visual impact. With over two decades of experience in live music production, corporate AV, and large-scale events, Nate and his team combine technical mastery with refined design, ensuring every space not only sounds and looks exceptional but also elevates the way people gather, entertain, and connect.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, the AV industry will continue its rapid shift toward fully network-based systems, where audio, video, and control operate over robust IP infrastructure. Protocols like Dante and modern AV-over-IP platforms enable high-quality, low-latency signal distribution over standard Ethernet, making systems more scalable, flexible, and easier to expand. As these technologies mature, AV and IT are becoming inseparable, requiring integrators to design, secure, and support the networks that these systems rely on.
This evolution is changing the role of the integrator from equipment installer to technology partner. Clients increasingly expect remote monitoring, firmware management, and ongoing support to ensure uptime and performance. Managed services and cloud-based system oversight are becoming standard, while the real value shifts away from equipment specifications and toward thoughtful system design and user experience. The most successful systems will be those that are intuitive, reliable, and simple to operate, regardless of the complexity behind the scenes.
We’re also seeing a dramatic change in visual display technology. LED video walls, once reserved for large venues and corporate budgets, have dropped significantly in cost while improving in reliability, brightness, and image quality. Installing a 150–200” LED wall in a church, nightclub, sports bar, or hospitality space is now a practical and impactful design choice rather than a luxury, fundamentally changing how spaces create visual engagement.
In residential environments, improvements in HDMI-CEC communication have made device-to-device control far more dependable. For many smaller systems, displays, sources, and audio components can now communicate seamlessly without the need for complex control processors. As a result, full-scale automation platforms like Crestron, Control4, and Savant are becoming less necessary in straightforward installations, allowing simpler, more cost-effective solutions that still deliver an excellent user experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BenchmarkAV.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchmarkaudiovisual
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benchmarkaudiovisual
