If you didn’t make it to NAB 2026 this year, here’s the short version.
The industry is still moving forward, just with a lot more focus.
This year’s show was less about spectacle and more about practical change. The strongest conversations were not around hype cycles or abstract AI promises. They were around workflow simplification, resilient IP transport, better system integration, and reducing operational complexity without sacrificing reliability.
In short, the market is shifting toward smarter systems, better interoperability, and infrastructure that is easier to scale, easier to support, and easier to trust.
That matters, especially for broadcasters being asked to do more with less.
We spent the week on the floor meeting with vendors, product teams and engineering leads across radio, audio, transmission and infrastructure. Keep scrolling for some of our tech takes and stand tours, with quick insights from the floor.
Nautel NX Low Power
At NAB Show 2026, Nautel introduced two practical additions to its AM transmission range, the NX1 and NX2.5. Designed to bring the architecture and serviceability of Nautel’s larger NX transmitters into smaller, more deployment-friendly form factors, both units are aimed at broadcasters who need efficient, modern AM transmission without the complexity of larger legacy systems.
Karen Olliver caught up with Brooke McKenzie from Nautel to dive into the new series:
Sonifex RMX-64DNT Brings Practical Multi-Format Audio Monitoring to NAB 2026
Sonifex has introduced a practical new addition for broadcasters who need fast, reliable confidence monitoring across multiple audio formats. The new RMX-64DNT is a reference monitor designed for modern technical environments where operators need clear visibility, simple source selection, and flexible monitoring across increasingly mixed signal paths.
Paul Dengate caught up with Richie from Sonifex for an OnAir Tech Take on the new RMX-64DNT.
Award-Winning FM Receiver at NAB 2026 | Inovonics AARON 656 Explained
At NAB 2026, we got hands-on with the new AARON 656 FM Rebroadcast Receiver from Inovonics, recently awarded by Radio World.
This isn’t just another rebroadcast receiver. It introduces Maximum Ratio Combining (MRC), a smarter way of using dual antennas to improve signal quality, reduce multipath interference, and deliver a more stable FM output.
In this Stand Tour, we break down:
What MRC is and why it matters
How dual antennas are combined (not just switched)
Why this matters for real‑world broadcast deployments
Tieline Duo and Gateway Nexus at NAB 2026
Paul Dengate caught up with Charlie Gawley from Tieline to look at two important additions to the range, the new Duo, a compact successor to the popular ViA codec, and the new Gateway Nexus 32‑channel codec.
The new Duo is built for commentators and reporters who need flexible IP workflows in a smaller form factor. We also look at the new Gateway Nexus, designed for customers asking for more channel capacity and predictable hardware‑based latency.
Where We’re Focused Next
The real value of NAB is not what launches on the floor. It is what makes sense once it is applied locally.
That is the work now.
Over the coming weeks we will be breaking down the most relevant products, use cases and opportunities from the show, and where they make practical sense for broadcasters here. In the meantime, you can explore all of our Tech Takes, Stand Tours, and on‑the‑ground insights on our YouTube channel.
If there was something you missed, or something you’d like us to dig deeper into, contact us for a custom solution → onair.au/contact-us
OnAir Solutions is your trusted partner for complete AV integration and support. As a full-service Systems Integrator, we offer consulting, design, product supply, installation, programming, commissioning, and ongoing support. We provide full turnkey projects, both small and large!
Sonifex Australia, a brand of the OnAir Solutions Group, continues to operate with its own dedicated focus on broadcast equipment and support, while benefiting from the expanded resources and expertise of the wider group.
