Author: krksystems

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German Artist Ron Flieger Takes His Studio on the Road With KRK GoAux

The Multi-disciplinary Creative Also Utilizes the Brand’s Renowned V-Series With A KRK Subwoofer in the Studio

BERLIN, GERMANY, APRIL 9, 2024 ― German multi-disciplinary creative director, artist, and digital consultant Ron Flieger combines his love for visuals, fashion, technology, and music in his daily life. With multiple passions and career focuses, Flieger often finds himself working on the road and requires a pair of mobile monitors that fit into his workflow.

The KRK GoAux 3 Portable Monitors have proven to be his ideal companion for reference audio thanks to their fast set-up, ideal travel size, and accurate sound. Flieger also uses the KRK V-Series 6 Powered Studio Monitors and an S10.4 Powered Subwoofer when composing and producing at his studio in Berlin.

“I have been using KRK since 2014 after being introduced to the brand’s sound at a session at The Village Recorder in Los Angeles,” he shares. “I now use KRK gear to create all my music and the sound for my art installations. I also use it on all the music I compose for the videos and commercials that I direct.”

As an artist, Flieger knows that when a new idea comes to mind, there is no time to waste. His GoAux allow him to get started no matter where he is. “I mainly work on and finish my projects at my studio,” he says. “However, I have always loved trying out new ideas while on the road. That is when the GoAux 3 monitors come in handy.”

Flieger appreciates the ability to take his GoAux on the go and notes the monitors’ compact size as a feature that makes them ideal for portable applications. “I spend a lot of time on the road, so I often work out of hotel rooms these days,” shares Flieger. “The GoAux have never failed me on the go, and the bass response coming from such small speakers is super impressive.”

Accurate sound is another important feature for any monitor when it comes to making music. “I love how true KRK speakers are to the sound and that they do not hide anything,” explains Flieger. “I was never interested in overemphasizing audio within my workflow. If the vibe is nice, just let it roll. KRK speakers have always helped me get into the zone without getting carried away from reality.”

Flieger continues to use his KRKs for a variety of creative projects. “I mainly use the KRK GoAux for composing and producing,” shares Flieger. “I pretty much finished a whole project with just the GoAux, had another listen back at my studio and tweaked a few minor things. Everything turned out to be top-notch. I am super happy with the results.”

Ron Flieger has been a part of the music industry since the age of 22 when he was signed with Warner as a full-time singer/songwriter. He worked in this role for several years before getting signed by Universal Music Group, where he expanded his field of work to writing and producing for other artists. Flieger has also composed music for film and commercials.

Today, Flieger is best known as a creative director. His personal aesthetic always follows a “sophisticated and raw” vibe, and his KRKs continue to contribute to his creative workflow. “It is refreshing to be able to fully rely on my KRKs as a reference when it comes to evaluating the magic of sound,” he says.

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KRK Launches ROKIT Generation Five Studio Monitors

Next-gen ROKIT Features Three New Voicing Modes, Enhanced Tweeter Design, and a Refreshed LCD

NASHVILLE, MARCH 26, 2024 ― As the unwavering cornerstone of professional audio monitoring for over three decades, KRK earned its reputation through a rich history of innovation and precision. Building off this legacy, Gibson introduces the newest addition to KRK’s impressive range of professional audio solutions: the ROKIT Generation Five Studio Monitors.Offered in three sizes — five, seven, and eight-inch — these advanced, active, two-way studio reference monitors feature three new voicing modes, an enhanced tweeter design, and a refreshed LCD.

KRK ROKIT Generation Five monitors were created to meet the diverse needs of musicians, composers, producers, and sound engineers by providing the tools needed to reproduce every nuance of a production with astonishing clarity. The ROKIT Generation Five line is available through select dealers and online at krkmusic.com.

“Featuring KRK’s world-renowned sound along with new technology and tuning parameters to truly dial-in the listening experience, the KRK ROKIT Generation Five is a must-have studio solution for the most demanding creators,” says Sterling Doak, Senior Director of Marketing for Gibson. “KRK engineers continually pull from the brand’s legacy of trust and performance to refine its studio monitors — blending cutting-edge technology with the time-tested principles of audio engineering. The same holds true for this latest development. As the most advanced monitor in its class, the KRK ROKIT Generation Five is powerful enough to handle the rigors of professional use but basic enough for emerging producers, engineers, and artists.”

With three voicing modes available, the KRK ROKIT Generation Five Monitors cover all the bases for today’s music makers. Included among these is Mix Mode, which offers a flat frequency and phase response that is ideal for mixing, mastering, and critical listening. Create Mode provides more inspirational voicing and is best used for writing, producing, and casual listening. Finally, Focus Mode has mid-focused voicing for critical analysis of the midrange band, where vocals and instruments have the most energy.

The monitors also feature 25 evolved DSP boundary and tuning EQ combinations that help minimize and correct problems in any acoustic environment. Additionally, the newly designed tweeter benefits from a highly damped acoustic silk dome diaphragm for improved phase performance and an extended frequency range (up to 40 kHz), while the refreshed, amber-colored LCD DSP interface simplifies the calibration process with new tuning options.

The monitors also feature KRK’s iconic woven Kevlar® aramid fiber cone woofers for superior damping and modal breakup control and Class D power amplifiers to drive the transducers evenly and more efficiently at reduced operating temperatures to ensure maximum transient response and dynamics reproduction for audio integrity during long work sessions.

Intended for plug-and-play use, each pair of monitors also comes with a set of isolation wedges for easy setup, while integrated mounting points make it simple to use them with any wall/ceiling mount solutions. Each pair also comes standard with the protective grille installed, while an additional faceplate option without the grille is included to accommodate aesthetic preferences.

As the newest generation of the iconic ROKIT professional studio monitors, the KRK ROKIT Generation Five takes music and sound creativity to a whole new level in the industry.   

Explore the new KRK ROKIT Generation Five product line HERE.

All KRK ROKIT Generation Five assets can be found HERE.

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Esteemed Country Music Engineer Steve Marcantonio Finds Portable Reference Solution With KRK GoAux

GoAux Provides Accurate Audio Representation for Work With Country Stars Such as Ronnie Dunn

NASHVILLE, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 ― With a passion for both music and technology, GRAMMY® Award-winning Engineer Steve Marcantonio has dedicated his life to crafting songs while simultaneously trying every new music industry trend. Early on, Marcantonio distinguished himself by bridging the gap between the analog and digital worlds, a skill he continues to use today. Since his start at New York’s Record Plant Studios, where he worked alongside influential artists such as Aerosmith, Kiss, and John Lennon, Marcantonio has established himself as one of the most esteemed names in country music.

From Taylor Swift’s Red and Carrie Underwood’s Some Hearts to Thomas Rhett’s Where We Started, Marcantonio has had a hand in shaping decades worth of genre-defining hits. This talent was recognized by the Academy of Country Music in 2006 when he was named ACM Engineer of the Year. Marcantonio’s work on the documentary Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me was also awarded a GRAMMY® Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media in 2016. While his workload has certainly not slowed, Marcantonio now prefers to primarily operate out of his Nashville-based studio, “MusicHouse,” where he collaborates with legends and newcomers alike.

Although he is no longer traveling extensively, Marcantonio still finds himself working on sessions outside of his studio space. For these instances, the engineer has turned to his new KRK GoAux 4 Portable Monitor System as an accurate and versatile reference solution. As a longtime KRK user, Marcantonio currently deploys KRK V-Series V4 and V8 monitors and a S10.4 subwoofer in his studio, so the KRK GoAux was a natural progression for the producer.

“The KRK GoAux have a lovely bottom-end with crystal-clear top-end and imaging, which is important to me,” Marcantonio explains. “What I’m used to hearing through my professional KRK speakers comes through in the GoAux. Best of all, I can use them to easily reference what my mix might sound like in different listening areas. I can put them on the other side of the studio wall or in an area that’s not part of our usual listening surface and get an accurate representation of that space. The speakers are good at projecting my track in a way that is comparable to what the consumer will ultimately hear.”

Marcantonio most recently used this method for his recording work with Ronnie Dunn of the country duo Brooks and Dunn. “A lot of times when we’re in the middle of a session, the artist or producer wants to reference another track on their phone,” explains Marcantonio. “It has been a huge help that they are able to just use the Bluetooth connection on the GoAux to easily play back on actual speakers, and it sounds great! The measurement microphone is also awesome. Ultimately, it’s really all about the convenience: the included stands and bag make this so simple to quickly set up.”

The handiness and accessories provided by GoAux were a welcome upgrade to Marcantonio’s mobile setup. Marcantonio also appreciates the convenience of using GoAux to assist his students at Blackbird Academy, an educational mentorship program from Nashville’s Blackbird Studios. Academy students are taught by esteemed audio professionals such as Marcantonio, gaining the hands-on experience needed to succeed in the music industry. As students often take sessions at MusicHouse, among other locations, Marcantonio notes that the portability of GoAux will provide an added benefit for these up-and-coming musicians, producers, and engineers.

“I have encouraged many people, in person and online, to look into the KRK GoAux,” he finishes. “They’re the perfect speakers for a musician who’s going from hotel to hotel, a producer working off their computer, or a young person who’s constantly on the go. The carrying case is a great size for a plane and can fit within your carry-on. Even for someone like me, who isn’t traveling as much anymore, bringing these to recording sessions at artists’ homes or studios is great. For the price, convenience, and history that KRK has, choosing GoAux is a no-brainer.”

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Miami’s Morplay Studio Drops Beats With KRK ROKIT 10-3 and GoAux Mobile Monitors

Audio Engineer and Studio Manager Frank Socorro Uses KRK Monitors for Sound Referencing On-site and On-the-go

MIAMI, FEBRUARY 6, 2024 ― Morplay Studios Audio Engineer and Studio Manager Franklin “Frank” Socorro is a music industry veteran who has shared his knowledge and love for music and production for 25 years. Socorro first started out freelancing, crafting songs for Latin artists like Ricky Martin, Julio Iglesias, and Enrique Iglesias. It wasn’t long before Socorro moved into the hip hop and R&B world, where he worked alongside Producer Salaam Remi and a variety of artists, including Faith Evans, Nas, 50 Cent, and the late Amy Winehouse. He also taught audio courses at the SAE Institute for nearly a decade before joining Morplay Studios in Miami. 

It’s in the Studio Manager role that Socorro required a high-quality studio monitor that offered both reliable sound and visual appeal to match the space. He ultimately selected the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 Midfield Three-Way Studio Monitors to support the reggaeton and urban music produced at the studio, which makes the size and low end of a studio monitor a priority. 

“Due to space limitations in the room, we needed to have the low end without also using a sub,” he says. “With these considerations, choosing the ROKIT 10-3s was an easy decision. Overall, even at a loud volume, the monitors reproduce well. They don’t alter their sound sonically as the volume increases, and that makes it easy for us to trust what’s happening when we play the music through the speakers. It’s a good reference at different volumes, which is important.” 

Socorro also uses two pairs of the KRK GoAux Portable Monitors to assist with mobile referencing.“The ability to go anywhere with the GoAux is really great,” he explains. “I was especially blown away by the bass response, which is obviously hard to pull off in such a small speaker. I find that the accuracy you get from the low end is impressive and extremely useful, especially for a speaker that can be moved around.”

The mobility and sound quality of the GoAux have proven especially important for playback applications. “Right now, we have the GoAux monitors sitting in a non-treated office made out of a container with metal walls, which is the worst listening environment, ever―yet the monitors still sound good,” he shares. “That is a testament to what the KRK GoAux can do; the room becomes less of an issue, which is important when you’re trying to listen to something that’s critical.”

From a usability standpoint, Socorro says that having portable monitors that are easy to set up and work on has made for a much smoother-running studio. “Anyone who is not super familiar or technologically savvy with audio equipment can easily set the KRK GoAux monitors up and make them work,” he adds. “They also have Bluetooth, so anyone can connect and play their music without the need to continually unplug, which is an added bonus.” 

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GRAMMY®-nominated Singer Paula Arenas Creates Heartfelt Tracks With KRK

Mixing and Recording Engineer Maria Elisa Ayerbe Used KRK Headphones, Monitors, and Sub to Produce Arenas’ Most Recent Album

MIAMI, JANUARY 8, 2024 ― GRAMMY®-nominated Singer and Songwriter Paula Arenas released her third album titled ‘A Ciegas’ in May, and it has since been nominated for four Latin GRAMMY® Awards and one GRAMMY® Award in the category of Best Latin Album. Like Arenas’ previous two albums, ‘A Ciegas’ was crafted with the help of her friend and Latin GRAMMY®-winning Engineer and Latin GRAMMY®-nominated Producer and Composer Maria Elisa Ayerbe.

Maria Elisa Ayerbe (left) and Paula Arenas (right) in the studio with KRK KNS 8402 Studio Headphones and KRK V-Series Studio Monitors.

Arenas and Ayerbe both have a strong passion for music, and they require high-quality audio equipment to share this passion with the world. That is why they turned to KRK’s KNS 8402 Studio Headphones, which were used to help create Arenas’ most recent album. “I like the 8402s specifically because they help make our tracks sound good and are well-balanced headphones,” says Ayerbe. “I also really appreciate the fact that they have volume control, so I don’t have to ride the artists’ volume on my end the entire time. The KRK KNS have great isolation, so you don’t get a lot of bleed, which doesn’t happen with other headphones.”

Another reason the KRK headphones are a go-to for the duo is the fit. “They’re comfortable, and that is important while recording since we’re wearing them for hours,” shares Ayerbe. “They are also nice looking, which is always a plus,” adds Arenas. “I love them and really treasure them.”

A long-time KRK user, Ayerbe has a variety of gear at her Miami-based South Mountain Studios,which she also deployed in the creation of Arenas’ music, as well as a variety of other recording and mixing projects. This includes the KRK S8.4 Powered Studio Subwoofer and KRK V4 Series 4 Powered Reference Monitors. “The V4s are incredibly accurate, high-quality compact speakers,” says Ayerbe. “I love how transparent they are. They have a great low end and a very open, pristine, high end, as well as a very good stereo image.”

In addition to working with KRK in the studio, Arenas has her own pair of KNS 8402s at her home as well as the KRK ROKIT 5 G4 Five-inch Powered Near-Field Studio Monitors, which Ayerbe recommended for Arenas’ space. “The monitors work great no matter what environment they are in,” explains Ayerbe of the decision to install the monitors in Arenas’ home. “The ROKITs are good at providing a great reference without relying too much on the acoustic treatment of the room, which is perfect for home-listening applications.”

While the studio equipment used is important to make a great album, so are the people you work with—that is why Arenas and Ayerbe have had such success collaborating for so long. “Paula knows exactly what she wants to sound like, and she is able to let me know the story that she wants to tell sonically before I step in on the technical side,” adds Ayerbe.

“It is so important to work with people who you trust, and Maria Elisa is that for me. We understand each other very well, and that is why we continue to work together,” shares Arenas. ‘A Ciegas’ holds a special place in Arenas’ heart. “The album is very personal. The title means going blindly, which is how I feel when I really get into my music,” says Arenas. “Writing songs is like a diary to me; I tend to write what is in my heart, and I do it to be my best self for me, my son, and my family. The album is almost like a love letter to me.”

Ayerbe also understands the importance of Arenas’ music and believes that is what makes the duo thrive. “Paula’s music is very heartfelt, and she stands by everything that she writes,” shares Ayerbe. “There’s always a story to tell, and there’s always a feeling behind those stories. Also, we are very specific and conscious about the overall quality of the music. This is why I think our partnership has been successful—I listen to her, and I take her music to where she wants it to go. Ours is a great partnership because we have fun, and we love what we do.”

Arenas started her music career in her home of Bogotá, Colombia, and eventually made her way to Miami, where she has lived ever since. Ayerbe is also from Bogotá and has been working professionally for 17 years. She has her own label and a goal to empower and highlight Latin music in the alternative pop scene. She is also an audio educator who currently teaches at Abbey Road Institute in Miami and has taught at a variety of universities across the U.S. and Colombia.

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Italian EDM Artist Giacomo “jayover” Uber Works On-the-go With KRK

GoAux 4 Portable Studio Monitor Helps the Songwriter/Producer Craft a Unique Sound From Anywhere

PADOVA, ITALY, DECEMBER 14, 2023 ― Producer, Writer, and Artist Giacomo Uber, also known as jayover, fell in love with electronic music and music production when he was a kid, and has been pursuing these passions ever since. While working in his Italy-based studio, Area 23, Giacomo has produced and written music for artists such as Gabry Ponte, Don Diablo, LUM!X, Martin Jensen, and JP Cooper, among others, cumulating in around 400 million streams and two gold records. Giacomo’s love for creating music has also translated into his personal career, where he works on his current artistic project, “jayover.”

As someone who is constantly on the move, Giacomo needs the proper tools to help him create his long list of projects, no matter where he finds himself. That is why he turned to the KRK GoAux 4 Portable Studio Monitor System. “I travel quite often, so having portable speakers is great for when I am on the go,” he says. “Usually, when I’m not in my studio, I work on headphones, but that can get tiring after a while. Having small reference speakers like the KRK GoAux helps so much. I use them mainly when I am writing and starting productions; I think those are the scenarios where they really shine.”

Giacomo says that one of his favorite features of the KRK GoAux 4 is the built-in auto-calibration system. “Obviously, hotels and living rooms are not meant to be studios, so the acoustics in these spaces can be a problem,” he explains. “With the auto-calibration system of the KRK GoAux, I can improve the sound of a space in just a couple of minutes! I take them with me quite often, so that’s important. They’re also great for outdoor spaces ― I use them in my garden when I get tired of staying inside my studio. Overall, the KRK GoAux work very well, and having the bag is a plus to carry and protect them!”

While he more recently began using the GoAux, KRK monitors are not new to Giacomo. “I first heard about the brand about ten years ago while watching tutorials on the internet and seeing KRK monitors being used,” he explains. “After that, I started working on a pair of my friend’s ROKIT 6s, and KRK monitors have been my go-to ever since. I can’t wait to bring the GoAux with me to southern Italy on holiday and write music on the beach.”

Giacomo has always had a strong interest in music; he played the drums for a funk band at age 10 and studied music theory in school. Since then, Giacomo has focused on dance and electronic music and has written and produced a variety of songs, such as “In The Club” and “What Happened.” He also formed and is a part of the Italian music duo Out Of Sound with Italian Singer and Songwriter Mattia Lever. The duo has produced multiple tracks, including “Nobody to Love” and “Sweet Like Chocolate.”

In 2022, Giacomo decided to focus on his work as “jayover” and produced “Talk Talk,” his first collaboration with Italian DJ Alex Gaudino and Musical Artist Tobtok. Since then, Giacomo has worked with legendary Italian Musician Gabry Ponte and English Singer Conor Maynard to create “Another Night,” which has millions of streams on various music platforms. Giacomo has also worked with labels such as Sony Music, Polydor (Universal Music), and Virgin Records for both his professional production and writing work and his personal project, jayover. With many releases coming up for jayover, Giacomo is excited to continue to write and produce with his KRK GoAux by his side. 

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KRK Introduces New CLASSIC 5 Monitor Pack

All-in-one Package Includes two CLASSIC 5 Monitors, Cables, and Isolation Pads for a Complete Audio Solution

With proven performance built on decades of successful studio monitoring, the KRK CLASSIC 5 Studio Monitors have become an industry staple for budding producers and seasoned mix engineers. Now, it’s even easier for users to get their hands on a CLASSIC with the introduction of the all-new KRK CLASSIC 5 Monitor Pack: a comprehensive package featuring a pair of KRK Classic 5 monitors, two XLR cables, and two wedge isolation pads for just $299. Available online at krkmusic.com and through select dealers, the CLASSIC 5 Monitor Pack provides tried, true, and reliable KRK sound in a hassle-free ensemble.

“As a long-trusted audio solution within the industry, we’re excited for the CLASSIC 5 monitors to be more accessible than ever,” says Sterling Doak, Senior Director of Marketing for Gibson Brands. “We’re always looking to raise the bar on value, and the CLASSIC 5 pack does just that—producers can now find everything they need for their speaker setup in one place without the need for multiple purchases. Whether you’re saving up to build out your home studio or looking for the best value when adding monitors to your existing studio, the CLASSIC 5 bundle will fit all your needs.”

A staple among hip hop, R&B, and pop producers, the CLASSIC 5 defaults to a flat frequency solution for critical listening and more accurate mixes. An optional +2 dB KRK Bass Boost also provides the enhanced bass response and sound that music creators around the world have loved for years.

Additionally, the CLASSIC 5 monitors offer Volume, HF, and LF level adjustments to tailor the monitors to any acoustic environment and fine-tune the monitoring level. Class AB amplification with region-specific linear power supplies produces 50 watts of power, with a 30-watt amp driving the woven glass fiber woofer and a 20-watt amp for the soft dome textile tweeter.

Beyond the esteemed CLASSIC 5 Studio Monitors, the CLASSIC 5 Monitor Pack also includes additional accessories to complete your speaker setup. Get mixing right away with the two 10-foot XLR cables, which allow you to connect the monitors to most audio interfaces and mixing consoles, while a pair of acoustic foam wedge isolation pads allow for improved clarity while providing a protective barrier to the workspace surface.

The KRK CLASSIC 5 are part of the KRK CLASSIC Series, which were inspired by the brand’s popular ROKIT line. Included in the series are the seven-inch CLASSIC 7 and eight-inch
CLASSIC 8 monitors. All three solutions build off KRK’s 30 years of innovation to deliver the same features, accuracy, and performance, and are an ideal springboard into the world of premium KRK studio monitoring.

The new KRK CLASSIC 5 Monitor Pack is available now online and through select dealers. Visit  https://www.krkmusic.com/Studio-Monitors/CLASSIC-5-PACK for more information.

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Latin Pop Artist Nico González Shares His Passion for Music While Touring With Camilo

The Songwriter, Recording Artist, and Touring Musician Produces, Mixes, and Tracks on the Road With KRK GoAux

Songwriter, Recording Artist, and Touring Musician Nico González has traveled the United States sharing his passion for Latin pop and urban music inspired by his Colombian heritage. When he’s not creating in this style, González finds himself writing, producing, engineering, and performing in a variety of genres and formats, including pop and rock. His musical skills translate not only to his personal projects but also to those artists he works alongside, such as Ela Taubert, Juli, Diego Torres, Las Villa, and Borja, among others.

Currently a touring musician for Colombian singer Camilo, González is constantly on the move and has kept himself busy working on various mixing and production projects while on the road. This includes assignments with labels like Sony Music Latin and Universal Latin, as well as Camilo’s HBO Max Documentary titled “El Primer Tour de mi Vida,” for which González was a mixing engineer.

The ability to produce quality music from anywhere is vital to González’s workflow. He recently turned to the KRK GoAux Portable Monitor System to assist with the workload. “The GoAux monitors truly make me feel like I am working in my studio, and that is the most important part of any portable monitor,” he says. “I really like the sensational and powerful low-end that the GoAux monitors produce, despite their small size. I also like that the mids, low-mids, and high-mids are very defined and clear, and I love that they’re not too bright.”

The small size and sound reproduction of the GoAux especially shine for González while on tour. “Since I am used to the monitors’ great sound, I can work on these projects from anywhere in the world,” he continues. “I have been traveling for weeks now, playing shows while also producing tracks, songwriting, and mixing all kinds of music from hotel rooms. I really like that I can take the KRK GoAux monitors with me everywhere. They’re so small I can fit them almost anywhere; I’ve stored them in my backpack and carry-on when going between tour stops with Camilo. When I’m traveling lighter, I can count on the system’s amazing case.”

With no sign of slowing down and his passion for music only growing, González also creates his own original songs and arrangements, the productions of which are further aided by the KRK GoAux. With the portable monitors now by his side, González has found a way to easily hone his passion with artists all over the United States. “Something I truly enjoy is that the system has built-in Bluetooth,” González says. “Any friend or artist who’s working with me in a session can play their musical references and show their playlists, which enhances and speeds up the creative process.”

A graduate of Berklee, where he dual majored in music production and engineering as well as contemporary writing and production, González released his first single, “¿Cómo Decirte?” in 2016. Since that time, he has put out several other tracks, including “Mira,” “El Traductor,” and a holiday single titled “Si la Vivo en Medellín.” He has also previously toured with Camilo during his first world tour, “Mis Manos.” In addition to touring around North America, González has performed at his alma mater as well as at shows in his home country of Colombia.

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Former Carrie Underwood Guitarist Takes His Talents to the Studio, Creating Tracks for Indie Artists and Iconic Musicians Alike

Producer and Session Guitarist Shawn Tubbs Finds Creative Outlet at Home After Retiring from the Rigors of Touring

Inspired by the work of icons like Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck, Producer and Session Musician Shawn Tubbs developed his own passion and talent for guitar at a young age. His skills catapulted him into a career supporting artists for both live and recorded performances. From touring alongside Carrie Underwood to performing with Stone Temple Pilots on Saturday Night Live and MTV Unplugged, Tubbs has traveled the world performing in intimate venues and large stadiums.

Tubbs’ professional career began in California at age 15, doing session work and playing in some of the region’s hottest clubs. His talents were noticed by the contemporary Christian rock band, The Violet Burning, which propelled him into the world of Christian music as a recording artist and performer. After touring with Underwood for over a decade, Tubbs retired from life on the road and turned his attention to creating online gear demos for YouTube audiences, which he says “boast a large following of gear and guitar lovers alike.”

Now a session guitarist focusing on creating music for various artists, Tubbs completes much of his work remotely, recording or producing tracks from his home studio. This includes custom tracks, which can be found on projects for artists such as bassist and producer Anthony Sallee. Tubbs’ most recent and notable work can be found on three tracks of the late David Crosby’s album, For Free: “Ships in the Night,” “Boxes,” and “River Rise.” Tubbs also released his own album, Demolition, A Collection of Short Guitar Jams, which is available on Soundcloud.

With his musical focus turned primarily to recording and producing these days, Tubbs recognizes the need to always have top-of-the-line gear that will enhance his work. As a result, he installed KRK V-Series 8 Studio Monitors, which he says provide natural reproduction of his tracks and projects. “I feel so much more comfortable now as a guitar player hearing my soloed tracks through the V8s,” he shares. “When I send out work that I have done, I’m confident in what I’ve produced because of how true the V8s are to the sound of the source. In the rare case when a client says a track sounds off, I know it wasn’t because the monitoring was misrepresented. Instead, it’s usually just a matter of the client looking for something else, and the KRKs make it possible for me to easily go back in and adjust the source tone. That’s a big benefit of the V8s for me.”

As a guitarist and producer who has devoted years to his monitors, Tubbs has a unique perspective on the V8s’ performance. “I’m moving into a much smaller room, and the V8s might be a bit much for the space, but I know them and am comfortable with them,” he explains. “I can tune the room for statics and anomalies, but at the end of the day, I know that no matter what I do, my mid- and top-end are going to be honest. That’s what the V8s are―brutally honest speakers. The V8s just sound fabulous. I trust them, and I’m confident in my work because of them.”

Before selecting KRK, Tubbs was a dedicated user of another industry standard brand of studio monitors. He was encouraged by a friend from Gibson [parent company to KRK] to give the V-Series a try, and it wasn’t until Tubbs heard his own soloed tracks for a session project through the V8s that he realized the difference KRK made. “At first, I didn’t want my world to be interrupted,” he explains. “I was so used to my old monitors, but when I soloed up my guitar takes with KRK, it was the first time I could hear how the mids actually sounded. They were ridiculously natural. As a guitar player, the mids are my whole world, so the second I heard them, I knew I was going to have to make a switch to KRK. Since then, I’ve seen a lot of people switch to KRKs solely because they knew if I left my previous brand for them, they must be very good. KRK is really crushing it.”

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KRK Launches Scott Storch CLASSIC 8ss Studio Monitors

An Industry-first in Pro Audio, Limited-edition Artist Signature Release

Designed to Highlight the Legendary Producer’s Signature Style, the CLASSIC 8ss Provide Iconic KRK Sound Quality

Building off the esteemed CLASSIC line of studio monitors, KRK delivers an industry first in pro audio with the new limited-edition signature artist release, the KRK Scott Storch CLASSIC 8ss. Designed in collaboration with the legendary Producer whose work has been featured on eight GRAMMY-winning albums, these eight-inch studio monitors offer all the features that have cemented the CLASSIC 8 monitors as Storch’s speaker of choice. Limited to only 500 pairs, each CLASSIC 8ss―aka Scott Storch model―offers a distinctive gold chrome electroplated front baffle, as well as Storch’s logo and signature, making it a unique solution for any professional engineer, mixer, and/or Scott Storch fan.

“For years, the KRK CLASSIC 8 monitors have been essential to my artistic music-making process,” says Scott Storch. “To now have personalized versions of my favorite studio monitors is an exciting venture for me. Designing these monitors has been such a cool experience―one that you don’t often see happen. I’m honored that KRK chose me for its first-ever artist collaboration. I can’t wait to see everyone rocking the Scott Storch CLASSIC 8ss monitors.”

“We are excited to launch our first artist signature series model―and with none other than Scott Storch, an innovator in production and a legend in the music industry,” says Sterling Doak, Senior Director of Marketing for Gibson Brands. “Scott has consistently been supportive of KRK. Between his initial adoption of the original CLASSIC 8 models in his studio and serving as a mentor for the KRK Kreator Classic, Scott’s partnership with the Gibson family has been a significant one. Now, the KRK Scott Storch CLASSIC 8ss allow us to showcase Scott as a marquee artist. This signature model was designed with Scott to emphasize the eccentric, unique flair that brought him to the level of notoriety he has today.”

With a shimmering gold chrome faceplate replacing the black on the monitor’s front baffle, Storch’s personal style shines throughout the CLASSIC 8ss. Storch’s signature sits in the top right corner of the front panel, while the rear panel features a Scott Storch logo—complete with his iconic sunglasses―along with his signature, making it a truly unique sound solution, for any studio or space looking to elevate the vibe and aesthetic.

While these iconic monitors differ from the original CLASSIC 8 models in a purely visual way, they include all the features that have made this model Storch’s personal monitor. Built on KRK’s legacy of sonic accuracy and performance, the CLASSIC series incorporates over 30 years of innovation, borrowing concepts from the brand’s previous lines.

The new CLASSIC 8ss is an active (self-powered) two-way studio monitor that utilizes a one-inch textile soft dome tweeter paired with an 8” Glass Aramid Woofer. The built-in power amplifiers provide a total of 100 watts of power, with a 75-watt amp driving the woofer and a 25-watt amp for the tweeter. The CLASSIC 8ss defaults to a new flat frequency solution for more critical listening and more accurate mixes. With the optional ability to engage the +2 dB KRK Bass Boost, this new solution provides the enhanced bass response and sound that music creators have loved for years.

The new KRK Scott Storch CLASSIC 8ss Studio Monitors are available now as a limited run of 500 pairs, and retail at $299 per speaker. Please visit an authorized KRK dealer or www.krkmusic.com for more information. Explore the new KRK Scott Storch CLASSIC 8ss at: https://www.krkmusic.com/Studio-Monitors/SCOTT-STORCH-CLASSIC-8SS.