OLD TAPPAN, NEW JERSEY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 ― Array of Hope is a faith-based organization that creates and produces transformative events, films, and music for Catholic parishes and dioceses.With a mission to “reveal the truths of faith,” Array of Hope leaders believe that music is a powerful conduit for delivering faith to all generations. In an effort to deliver the best possible content, Array of Hope Founder and Executive Director Mario Costabile relies on KRK ROKIT 5 Powered Studio Monitors to elevate the organization’s productions.

Implemented as reference monitors across all the facility’s studios, the ROKITs provide the power, accuracy, and sonic ability necessary to produce professional-caliber content. “The ROKITs are our principal playback speakers,” he shares. “The KRKs have the most punch of any monitor out there, and I really like the way they sound. They’re small, they’re tight, and they can cover everything we need. The ROKITs have great solid bottom, clear top end, and an exceptional volume capacity. In fact, the ROKITs put out a lot of volume for the size of the monitors. They are also modestly priced, so I think they are a great option for people.”

Costabile first discovered KRK monitors about six years ago and has continually used them throughout the organization’s studios. “The KRK ROKITs are our principal studio monitors,” he adds. “Every time we build a new mixing space, we add in KRKs. We have acquired about half a dozen pairs now and have placed them in our video playback studios as well as our Logic mixing rooms for referencing. When we get them, we usually just need to adjust them once — to get a flat sound — and we’re good to go after that.

“I think the ROKITs also look cool,” he continues. “While the primary reason I selected them was for the sound, they are unique-looking speakers. The colors and design truly make the KRKs stand out compared to a lot of other monitors.”

Costabile was a successful music and film producer for over 40 years before co-founding Array of Hope in 2010. He has produced content for film, television, and the recording industry. Among the notable organizations for which Costabile has worked are MTV, Sony Music, and Universal Music. As the Executive Director of Array of Hope, Costabile has helped the organization become a leader in evangelization throughout the country.

Array of Hope accomplishes its goals through each of its specific ministries, which include The Array of Hope Concerts and retreats, AOH Music, The Array of Hope Channel and app, The Reason for Hope Podcast, and Array of Hope Social Media Outreach.

The Array of Hope Concert is a wide-ranging live performance that features multiple musical acts, motivational speakers, and thought-provoking film presentations. AOH Music is the organization’s band, which creates praise and worship music to play for the community. The Array of Hope Channel and app is a global video destination where everyone can find meaningful and inspiring films of faith, hope, and love for the entire family.

From in-person concerts to content that is distributed globally, the organization continues to share the Christian faith through high-quality media and events. The KRK ROKIT Studio Monitors help Array of Hope bring the faith-based community together through music television. 

MIAMI, SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 ― DJ, Producer, and Multi-instrumentalist Mike Cerda has been in the music industry for over 25 years. He has worked with various artists and bands such as Shakira, Axwell & Ingrosso, and ChocQuibTown, among others. Cerda’s collaborations with GRAMMY^® and Latin GRAMMY winners, in addition to his role as Musical Director for Maluma, have allowed his influence to reach international heights.

To ensure clear and consistent sound when creating beats in his Miami studio, Cerda relies on the KRK V-Series V6 Powered Studio Monitors, an S10.4 Powered Studio Subwoofer,and KNS 8402 Studio Headphones. For times when he’s crafting arrangements on the road, Cerda calls on the KRK GoAux Mobile Monitoring System.

“I think the most important thing to consider when choosing a pair of speakers is whether they reflect what’s happening and provide transparency of the audio,” says Cerda. “There are a lot of brands that either underrepresent or overrepresent the sound. For me, KRK translates my ideas in the mix exactly how I want.”

Cerda also notes the importance of how his new KRK Subwoofer complements his latest V-Series studio monitors. “I love the combination of my V6 monitors with the 10-inch sub,” he shares. “Even at very low volumes, there is still a great bass presence that translates well in my mixes. Without the sub, I would have to work with higher volumes just to feel the bass.”

A longtime user of KRK, Cerda acquired his first pair of V-Series monitors from a friend and says it was the brand’s aesthetic that initially drew him in. “The appearance of the KRKs is great; I love the yellow cones,” he explains. “The way they look against the brushed metal finish of the faceplate makes the monitors seem almost futuristic.”

Cerda also credits the flexibility of the KRK V-Series as being an important benefit. “It is cool that you can adapt the speakers to any environment that you are working in,” he adds. “They are very easy to use; you can tune them to any room, and they will sound great.”

In addition to his monitors and subwoofer, Cerda praises his KNS headphones for helping him perfect his mixes. “I love the KRK headphones,” he adds. “They are excellent for mixing, but I also use them during recordings as a reference to check my mixes. When I am at my home studio, I use KNS all the time, especially now that I’m a new dad and need to keep the volume low at times.”

Cerda has spent a lot of time touring with Maluma and found himself frequently calling on his KRK GoAuxto produce on the go. “I did not want to have to be isolated in a hotel room, so I would carry my GoAux and use them as a reference when listening,” he explains. “With GoAux, I no longer have to make arrangements to find a studio while on the road; they are easy to travel with and get set up and provide me with a helpful tool for referencing productions and mixes on the go.”

Aside from the features of KRK products themselves, Cerda also finds that the team behind KRK has been instrumental to him. “The support I receive from KRK and [its parent company] Gibson is amazing,” he shares. “I love the Miami team; they are incredible and easy to work with. If I need help with my gear in any way, they are there for me.”

A proud Venezuelan who was born in Caracas, Cerda has been around music his entire life. His musical odyssey began with his grandfather’s influence, a guiding force that introduced him to the world of music. At the age of eight, he embraced instruments like trombone, trumpet, and saxophone, setting the stage for a lifelong passion. While studying geophysical engineering in school, Cerda started a rap/hip-hop band called Cuarto Poder. The band soon became mainstream in Venezuela, which inspired Cerda to switch to studying recording arts in school. Cerda found it enriching to learn the theory of music while getting hands-on practice at the same time.

Now, with a wealth of experiences from traveling the world, Cerda immerses himself in his latest projects. He fuses the captivating realms of house music with the diverse influences that have shaped his musical identity while also exploring unique sound and rhythm.

Songwriter Uses the Brand’s Monitors and Subwoofers in his Home Studio and On-the-Go

MIAMI, AUGUST 20, 2024 ― Music Producer, TV/Film/Musicals Creator, Songwriter, and Guitarist Jose Luis “Pepe” Pagan has had an ear for music from a young age. He was born in Argentina, where he first began his career in the music industry before moving to the United States 25 years ago. He has since worked with artists such as Marc Anthony, J.Lo, Chayanne, Thalia, and Sarah Lenore, among others.

In addition to being a music producer, Pagan also works in the TV, film, and musicals industries and is the creator and music producer of the Amazon Prime show “Melody.” The show follows 18-year-old Melody, who seeks to develop her musical career as a means of escape from her challenges at home. Pagan is also the co-producer for an upcoming musical about the life of Latin American Artist Sandro. The show honors the late Latin icon and will showcase the story of his life and musical career. 

For these projects, Pagan splits his time between his home studio and locations in Miami and Argentina, where he always has a combination of KRK solutions available. Included among these are the V-Series V4 Powered Studio Monitors and an S10.4 Powered Studio Subwoofer, as well as the legacy ROKIT 5 Generation 4 Powered Studio Monitors and 10S Subwoofer.

“I use the V4s a lot, basically for everything: when mixing, during the recording, and for completing all my music,” he says. “I love these speakers. When I go to Argentina again for my next musical, I will bring them with me. I travel everywhere with them because I like to always have the ability to reference on the spot.”

As a producer, Pagan previously found it difficult to get just the right level of vocals for his mixes, but the V4s have solved this problem with ease. “I was struggling a bit with finishing mixes, and I found that, despite being smaller speakers, they provide a perfect balance between all the frequencies that are really key,” he shares.

A longtime KRK user, Pagan first started with the brand’s iconic ROKIT monitors. “For general use, the ROKITs are incredible and very solid for their price point; they have great accuracy and bass response,” he shares. “The ROKITs are also an amazing option for entry-level producers.”

Pagan also entrusts his KRK subwoofers to deliver quality sound at his home studio. “I use the subwoofers to make sure everything is balanced. I have one in the center, which is an old KRK 10S Sub, and I have another one a little bit to the side, which is the new 10.4. The definition from the KRK subs is way better than any other subs I have tried. I really love them both.”

Pagan says that he finds the brand’s connection to its artists to be equally as important as the quality of its equipment. “I have been working with KRK’s parent company, Gibson, for a long time, close to 20 years, and their support has been incredible,” he shares. “I think the care Gibson gives to its artists is something incomparable. Of course, the craftsmanship of the brand also makes a huge difference. When you combine the artist relations and the quality of the instruments and equipment, it is something extraordinary. I have truly had a beautiful journey with Gibson/KRK.”

With such a long history with the brands, Pagan sees no end to his use of KRK gear, which he credits with having helped improve his workflow in a significant way. “My KRK gear has really changed the way I work when mixing, and they always seem to know exactly what I need,” he says. “I think that is something really special.” 

Lifelong KRK User Equips Latest Studio With the Brand’s Monitors and Subwoofers to Create Iconic Beats for Stereo and Dolby Atmos Applications

MIAMI, JULY 16, 2024 ― Five-time GRAMMY^® Award-winning Recording Engineer and Producer Jimmy Douglass has a prolific career spanning over four decades. Throughout his time in the music industry, Douglass has worked with renowned artists like Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, and Foreigner, to contemporary performers such as Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, and many more.

As someone who lives and breathes music, Douglass has always felt the most creative when he taps into the feeling of the music. He says his goal is to create music that makes everybody in the room feel good. “Music is all about the vibe,” he shares. “Whether it’s rock, R&B, or soul, when you get that certain feeling, that is when it’s right.”

Douglass’ Miami studio consists of two stereo rooms and one Dolby® Atmos room, which requires gear that can withstand various musical applications. A longtime KRK user, his studio currently consists of a collection of V-Series V8 Powered Studio Monitors, Classic 8 Powered Studio Monitors,and S10 Powered Studio Subwoofers.

“KRK speakers can handle the levels required for hip-hop. I can blow them up, and they can really push that power out,” he shares. “They have tone even without a subwoofer and are nice and crisp sounding. I use them a lot in both my Dolby and stereo rooms.”

After nearly two decades of using KRK in his workspaces, Douglass knew it was the only brand he would trust when it came time to build his Dolby Atmos studio. “I had about 20 KRK monitors in my inventory, so I decided to use those to build my Dolby system, and I love how you really get to hear the definition and the distance in the surround production,” he says. “Another advantage of KRK is that I can move them around with ease. I have them on stands around the room, which makes it a portable configuration. I can break it down at any time, and I don’t have to commit. To me, that is the beauty of that system.”

Douglass also appreciates the aesthetic appeal of the KRK brand. “One of my favorite elements of KRK is the easily identifiable color of those woofers; the yellow really stands out,” he adds. “My KRKs also take punishment well. Durability is a major consideration when using a speaker, especially doing a lot of hip-hop with all the extra energy that is being pushed out,” he adds.

Douglass has had a long-standing relationship with KRK since the early 2000s and has used his KRKs on a few recent projects, and he does not plan to stop anytime soon. “I was lucky enough to get to redo Justin Timberlake’s catalog in Atmos,” he says. “My KRKs were very instrumental to that project. The songs sound amazing when you get to hear them on the speakers in the immersive environment. I tried to listen back on my phone in binaural, but I was not getting the spatial dimension that I was experiencing from listening through speakers. So, those were very important throughout the whole process. Whatever projects I have coming down the line, I am working on them with my KRKs.”

Jimmy Douglass continues to display his versatility by remaining current while drawing from his years of experience. He is best known for bringing unconventional techniques into the studio and encouraging artists to transcend genre restrictions. Douglass is credited with bringing a raw edge to sound and specifically bringing a heavy funk bass sound into rock music. His hard work and immense talent have carved a place for him among some of the most respected engineers and mixers in the world.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

PV Nova Calls on the KRK V-Series 6 Studio Monitors to Provide Authentic Audio for his Mixing and Monitoring Needs

With a career propelled by the power of YouTube, French Musician and Producer PV Nova has long utilized the Internet and social media as a way to highlight his talents. Surrounded by music as a child, PV was first introduced to the art by his father, a guitarist, and his mother, a pianist, singer, and fan of classical music. After learning the piano himself, PV was a proud amateur musician but never anticipated turning the hobby into his career. It wasn’t until the YouTube videos he shared of himself performing gained traction, with hundreds of thousands of views each, that he realized the reality of this path for him.

Since his YouTube success, PV has garnered an influential online career, popularizing music writing and editing. He prides himself on his educational videos, teaching upcoming artists how to produce tracks in multiple genres while keeping the content fun and humorous. PV has also called on his digital finesse for his creation, Internet Orchestra. Featuring 500 musicians, Internet Orchestra is the world’s largest live performance webcast, offering supercharged and thrilling concert experiences to at-home viewers everywhere.

For these ventures, PV makes the magic happen from his new home studio in Nantes, France. Although smaller than his previous space, PV still requires the accuracy and frequency response of a professional studio. This is accomplished with a pair of KRK V-Series 6 Studio Monitors, which he uses for mixing and monitoring. “I’ve been a fan of the Gibson brands for quite a long time now, and I was eager to learn more about KRK,” he shares. “When I decided to build a new home studio, the timing felt perfect. The power of the V6s is perfectly adaptable to my new smaller space. I had a pair of studio monitors that cost four times the price of KRKs when I lived in Paris, and yet their sound quality was not four times better!”

Finding a compatible monitor for his studio was crucial to PV, who understands the critical role monitoring plays in the mixing process. Between his online work and his recorded projects, PV expects authentic replication and clarity for all his music. “It is extremely important that the sound you hear when mixing reflects what your audience will hear,” he explains. “I play and record music every day in my home studio, whether it be pop or rock songs, orchestral music, or electronic tracks. The V6s offer a good response along the entire frequency spectrum.”

When he’s not in the studio, PV loves performing and is often on the stage playing for live audiences across France. Here, he finds himself calling on another Gibson brand product: the Maestro Original Collection guitar pedals. Ideal for his rock-centric tracks, PV particularly enjoys working with the Fuzz-Tone FZ-M and Ranger Overdrive. “My pedalboard is always with me on stage, so I can adapt my level of drive and distortion,” he shares. “The Fuzz pedal has such a unique and powerful sound, and I like to use the Overdrive on its low setting to add a bit more warmth and bite to my guitar sound. They’re simple to use and have allowed me to find the exact sound I was looking for with my music.”

Currently on a break from touring, PV has been full-force in the studio. With new music and online content constantly in the works, he looks forward to his continued use of KRK. “I’ve been livestreaming recording sessions on Twitch, and the monitors have been perfect for that,” he shares. “Not only sound-wise either; the yellow cones of the V6s bring some welcomed bright color to the otherwise black gear in my studio. KRK offers a very good quality-to-price ratio, and the V6s have been the perfect addition to my studio.”

Mixer Gareth Johnson Depends on the Portable Monitor System as a Reliable and Mobile Mixing Solution for Teenage Cancer Trust Fundraiser

Royal Albert Hall was once again the site for the annual concert series benefiting the Teenage Cancer Trust, an organization providing unique care and support for young people living with cancer. Featuring acts such as Roger Daltrey of The Who, Underworld, Wet Leg, and Jake Bugg, the task of mixing audio for the six-day-long event was given to Producer, Mixer, and Writer Gareth Johnson. Although Johnson has been mixing the Teenage Cancer Trust shows for nearly 20 years, this was the first time he relied on a brand-new solution: the KRK GoAux 3 Portable Monitor System.

“I originally wanted to try the KRK GoAux because they’re a complete reference monitor system that can fit in a bag,” Johnson explains. “A portable solution is great for me since I’m always moving between live venues, my professional studio, and my home studio. Plus, it’s good to have a system where I can have a quick listen to what was recorded from the live show. The KRK GoAux does just that. They are extremely portable, and let me know what has been recorded so I can construct mixes to check that we have everything we need.”

Mixing accurate audio for the Teenage Cancer Trust shows was crucial for Johnson. Each performance had multi-track and multi-camera recordings for live albums and other content to support the charity. “It was a full production,” says Johnson about the gigs, “and it was at one of the world’s most iconic venues with some of the biggest artists from around the globe. There wasn’t much free time because it was all systems go right from the start. The GoAux made my job so much easier; they were simple to set up, super light, and did their job perfectly.”

“When I was backstage, I was immediately able to plug the GoAux in and get a rough balance,” Johnson continues. “The KRK GoAux over-delivered in how easy they were to use and balance tracks. I streamed a 128-channel full concert straight from my laptop via the GoAux’s Bluetooth capabilities. There was no problem with bandwidth at all. When I got to my main studio and opened my mix, it didn’t sound wildly different.”

The GoAux’s features and capabilities proved equally useful backstage. “Obviously you can use headphones, but it was great to have something that I could just set up in a room and have other people listen in as well,” says Johnson. “I’ve used other portable monitors before, but none of them were as small as the GoAux. It would’ve been great to have access to something like this, at this price point, when I was first starting out. It’s so cool that these are available and exist now.”

Although the KRK GoAux weren’t available when Johnson began mixing, the now retired KRK VXT Series Studio Monitors were the first pair of professional monitors he ever owned. “As such a long-standing brand—one that I’ve had experience with for years—I’m happy to know that KRK continues to provide innovative products,” he says. “The GoAux are such a reliable and portable reference system. For a fast turnaround and high-pressure environment like the Teenage Cancer Trust shows, the last thing you want is gear that is going to let you down. I was so happy with how the KRK GoAux worked out for this project and look forward to using them on my next gig.”