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Miami-Based DJ Creates Unique Mixes in His Studio With KRK

Christian “Tian” Jimenez Uses KRK ROKIT Monitors and Subwoofer While Producing and Mastering a Variety of Projects

MIAMI, MAY 9, 2024 ― Miami-based DJ, Music Producer,and Music Business Entrepreneur Christian “Tian” Jimenez has always enjoyed making music. From producing and mastering in his home studio to mixing on stage, Jimenez continues to develop his sound. The KRK ROKIT 8 G4 Studio Monitors and S10.4 Studio Subwoofer have both played a crucial part in helping Jimenez create his beats.

“I use my KRKs for production and mastering projects as an electronic music DJ and producer, and switching to the ROKIT 8 monitors paired with the S10.4 subwoofer has been spectacular,” says Jimenez. “The audio reference is extremely balanced between bass, mids, and highs. I consider audio quality to be very important in any scenario and having equipment with these capabilities makes you really work and appreciate the music.”

Jimenez finds that his KRKs allow for an overall better listening experience when in the studio. “Thanks to my KRKs, I have better control of the room and a better sonic experience,” explains Jimenez. “The speakers are super powerful, and I am very happy with them. I feel that my KRKs are very well-rounded, and my favorite spec of the speakers is the low end!”

While Jimenez enjoys a variety of the features his KRK ROKIT monitors have to offer, one of his favorite parts is the DSP-driven Graphic EQ. “Having a Graphic EQ in the back is a big plus for me,” says Jimenez. “It allows me to control the dynamics and modify the settings of the speakers for the room.” The 25 settings also help condition his acoustic environment and offer new levels of versatility within the studio monitors. This feature is great for when Jimenez wants a different EQ response between creating and mixing his music.

Hailing from El Paso, TX, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Jimenez is a longtime vinyl enthusiast. He understands the impact that quality equipment in the music-making process can have on the final product. “I have always wanted to own a pair of KRKs and thanks to the KRK Miami team, now I do,” shares Jimenez.

In addition to his studio work, Jimenez’s selections and mixing abilities have given him the opportunity to play at a variety of notable venues in Miami. He made his first international debut at Soles Beach Club in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Looking ahead, Jimenez plans to continue to use his KRKs for future projects, specifically when recording and mixing.

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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 Expands Its CLASSIC Line of Studio Monitors

New Seven- and Eight-inch Variations are Welcomed to the KRK CLASSIC Family

Building on KRK‘s legacy of sonic accuracy and performance, the brand announces the expansion of its CLASSIC line of studio monitors with the addition of 7- and 8-inch models. Incorporating over 30 years of innovation from the world’s leading studio monitor manufacturer, KRK’s CLASSIC product range was designed using concepts from the brand’s previous ROKIT lines to deliver the same high-quality mixes that customers have come to expect from KRK at a lower price-point.

“We are thrilled to welcome two new solutions to KRK’s family of professional-grade studio monitor offerings,” says Sterling Doak, Director of Marketing for Gibson. “Joining KRK’s CLASSIC 5, the new CLASSIC 7 and CLASSIC 8 provide the enhanced bass response and sound that music creators around the world have trusted for years. Perfect for all genres of music, KRK CLASSIC monitors provide artists, producers, and engineers with the renowned KRK sound, without breaking the bank. Plus, with three sizes to choose from, there’s now a CLASSIC monitor for everyone.”

True to their name, KRK’s CLASSIC active two-way studio monitors are packed with a multitude of time-tested features, including innovative bi-amped Class A/B amplifiers with a built-in automatic limiter and a low-resonance enclosure for minimized distortion and colorization. With the optional ability to engage the +2 dB KRK Bass Boost, the CLASSIC line of studio monitors can hold true to the acclaimed KRK sound that music creators desire.

Like the CLASSIC 5, the new CLASSIC 7 and CLASSIC 8 utilize a one-inch textile, soft-dome tweeter paired with either a seven-, or eight-inch glass aramid woofer, depending on the size monitor selected, delivering a clear midrange and tighter bass. KRK CLASSIC monitors feature a front-slotted bass port, which reduces boundary coupling and allows for flexible positioning within a room. It also is designed with a preinstalled hi-density foam pad to decouple the speaker enclosure from the surface, helping with clarity and accurate frequency response.

With high- and low-frequency controls, users can adjust the monitors’ sound to their environment and preference, adding versatility and improved accuracy for mixes that translate in any production environment. Additionally, multiple input connections (XLR, ¼-inch, RCA) allow for universal connectivity, making it seamless to integrate CLASSIC monitors into any studio setup.

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Gibson Gives Foundation Expands Its Reach With KRK Kares

Initiative Brings the Power of Music to Schools and Non-Profit Organizations Around the World

Gibson, and its charitable arm Gibson Gives, which makes music matter to more people, in more ways, one guitar at a time, is proud to launch KRK Kares. KRK Kares’ giving initiative will provide top-performing studio gear to schools and other non-profit organizations to promote learning through music creation using KRK solutions.

For 127 years, Gibson has shaped, partnered, and supported the music industry across generations and genres. Today, Gibson Brands recognizes its obligation and opportunity to support future music makers through valuable donations. Similar to Gibson Gives, KRK Kares aims to make music matter to more people in more ways.

KRK understands that studio monitors and headphones are some of the most crucial pieces of gear when producing music. In November, KRK shipped 46 ROKIT 5 G4 studio monitors and 46 KNS headphones to Music Has Healing Power. These KRK solutions are to be deployed in Shriner’s Children’s Hospital’s in-house studios, which are currently being built. KRK is also currently working on additional giving opportunities with organizations such as the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and Notes for Notes.

Photo Courtesy of Notes for Notes

“The bright yellow cones of KRKs are instantly recognizable,” says Phillip Gilley, CEO and Co-Founder at Notes for Notes. “When youth walk through the doors of any Notes for Notes studio, they know we have the tools to help them make their music, and they recognize the partners that have supported their dream to do so. We are so grateful for the support of KRK Kares and Gibson Gives, which has helped outfit our N4N studios around the country and believe in our message of ‘Producing Tomorrow’s Musicians®.’”

In addition, KRK Kares, through the Gibson Gives “Play it Forward” program, recently donated a pair of KRK ROKIT 5 G4 studio monitors and a pair of KNS headphones to Buck McCoy, a prominent Nashville-based artist who tragically lost his home and all his studio gear in the blast that rocked downtown Nashville on Christmas morning. This donation will help Buck McCoy to get back on his feet and making music.

“The entire team at KRK Systems is committed to giving back to the community through the KRK Kares giving program,” says Sterling Doak, Director of Marketing, Gibson Brands, Inc. “Music has the ability to bring people around the world together, to educate, to entertain and much more—music truly has no bounds. With KRK Kares, we are thrilled to be able to help organizations with the wonderful experience of music creation by providing top-performing KRK studio monitors and headphones. Through the power of music and high-quality recording solutions, let’s keep making great music together.”

Schools or non-profit organizations that have a music-based mission and would like to be considered for the KRK Kares giving program, please visit Gibson Gives’ Give Music page. Select the “Request a Donation” button to complete the online form and indicate KRK Kares. For those looking to subsidize the program, please select the “Donate” button—100 percent of all donations go to KRK Kares and Gibson Gives to give the gift of music.

For more information on KRK Kares, please visit www.gibsonfoundation.org/krk-kares.

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American Idol Top-10 Finalist and KRK User Dennis Lorenzo Offers Insight on Influence, and Becoming Your Own Artist

Dennis Lorenzo KRK ROKIT Blog 2 1American Idol Top-10 finalist Dennis Lorenzo offers insight on influence and a list of artists who helped sculpt him into a diverse music creator.

“So, what kind of music do you make?” This is a question people ask me all the time, and let me tell you, it used to be a difficult one for me to answer. Part of the reason is because I grew up listening to so many different genres of music, and I really was influenced by everyone one of them. There were two genres however that stood out from my childhood, and would later define me as a musician. I’m talking about Rock and Soul music.

Dennis Lorenzo KRK ROKIT G4 1ROCK

When I go back as far as I can remember, I have memories of my Mom playing, “Frontline” by Stevie Wonder, “Beat It”, by Michael Jackson and every song in Prince’s catalog. All of this music had one thing in common, Rock “n” Roll. I didn’t really think too much of it until I became somewhat obsessed with the music in WWF promos, which was 99.9% rock music. One Christmas I asked my Mom for 4 albums, the artists were Three Days Grace, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, 30 Seconds To Mars, and Breaking Benjamin. I studied them all, and then some. I think one of the most defining moments for me happened at the final scene of my favorite film of all time, “The Matrix”. Neo says his closing line and then boom, “Wake Up” by Rage Against The Machine plays, that was when I knew I was a rocker at heart.

SOUL

Musiq SoulchildOn the other side of the spectrum, which I happen to be most known for, we also listened to the likes of Donny Hathaway, Jill Scott, Boyz II Men, The Temptations, and Whitney Houston among many other great soul artists of my time and before. Actually, the first time my Mom found out I could “really sing” (as she puts it), was when I sang the high note at the end of “Love” by Music Soulchild in the backseat of her car when I was 10—and I didn’t think she was listening. Soul and RnB music was surely the default in my household growing up.

When I was 15, I’d ask my Grandma and Pop-pop to buy me a guitar, that gift changed my life forever. I taught myself how to play guitar at 17, and I haven’t looked back since. While my voice grew more soulful, you would find that rock had influenced most of the music I was writing. I listened to Jeff Buckley, Hendrix, Andre 3000, Circa Survive, Coheed and Cambria, and Donny Hathaway always, that pretty much sums up what my music was like back then.

ATLANTA

Pushing ahead a few years to my time in Atlanta, you’d have found me with a laptop and a keyboard as much as you’d see me with my guitar. Compared to Philly, this was a completely different world for me. Picture this, I moved to Atlanta in 2013, we’re talking Dennis Lorenzo KRK ROKIT G4 7 2Future, Migos, Mike Will Made It, Rae Sremmurd, Rich Homie Quan, Young Thug, I mean the list goes on. Trap wasn’t just a genre of music in Atlanta, it was a lifestyle. I’ll never forget the first time I heard the “S**t” by Future. I was like “What the hell is this?” It was different from NY, Philly or Jersey’s style of Hip Hop, there were no boundaries, and the 808’s were booming! The song “Versace” by Migos and Drake pretty much shaped a new sound for hip hop, along with artists like Lil Wayne. And the Migos are from ATL. It’s almost like Atlanta trap became the new Pop music. I was immersed in the culture. So much that I taught myself how produce trap music! It became my favorite thing of all time. A common joke among my brothers and I was how they’d hear/see me late at night, breathing heavily, slamming keyboard keys, and being blinded by my MacBook light, with my headphones blaring (I’m laughing as I write this thinking back). By the end of 2015 however, I came to a realization that I didn’t want to fully accept: my time in Atlanta had reached its peak, I had to make a move that would take me to the next of my artistry, and not just as a producer, so I moved to LA.

IN MY BLOOD

DLAbout 2 and half years after I moved to LA, I got my first “big break” on American Idol. The most important part of that journey was when I sang “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes. When I finished, Lionel Richie brought himself to his feet and said to me “I just want to congratulate you because there is a time in every performer’s life, when you actually break through the ceiling, and you’re introduced to your new self. You have just taken that next step my friend. I am very proud of you!” After that Katy Perry said that I’m “Alternative” and that I remind her of Chris Cornell, another one of my biggest influences.

After my stint on the show ended, I went on a short hiatus and began to really craft my sound which is now a blend of Rock, Soul and Trap. I believe that the sky’s the limit for any artist who really knows himself/herself. Finding your sound, and/or where you fit in is no small feat for artists these days, especially in an industry that demands more and more of what it already has. It takes courage, strength, practice, trial & error, and failure to find who you are in this business.

It also takes these things to win, because that’s what you do when you find yourself regardless of where you end up.

MORE INFORMATION:

IG: @dennislorenzo

FB: @Hllywdrenz

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Dennis Lorenzo uses KRK ROKIT G4 RP7 Monitors