KRK Systems

DJ and Producer Mike Cerda Crafts Unique Beats With KRK Monitors, Subwoofers, and Headphones

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.

KRK Systems

Music Producer Jose Luis “Pepe” Pagan Creates Notable Melodies With KRK

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.” 

KRK Systems

Legendary Recording Engineer Jimmy Douglass Pushes the Limit With KRK

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.

KRK Systems

Podcaster and On-air Personality Humberto “El Gato” Rodriguez Gets Real With KRK

Rodriguez Uses KRK ROKITs as Reference Monitors for his Podcast “El Poder de la Música”

MIAMI, JUNE 24, 2024 ― Podcaster Humberto “El Gato” Rodriguez’s “El Poder de la Música” podcast focuses on all the intricacies of music, from the science behind production to new and emerging artists. His show, which translates to “The Power of Music,” can be found on all major podcasting platforms — such as Apple Music, Spotify, and iHeart Radio.

“El Poder is a reflection of my love for music and the type of musician I would want to be had I become one,” shares Rodriguez. “I started this podcast six years ago with the vision of having a platform to discuss music with musicians, creators, engineers, producers, and anybody else who has anything to do with music, even from a scientific point of view. It has been a real treat to do what I love and be around great music and musicians.”

To bring his podcast to life, Rodriguez knows the gear in his studio needs to be equally as great as the equipment used by the artists he interviews. The KRK ROKIT 7 G4 Professional Bi-Amp Powered Studio Monitors were an easy choice. “I use my KRKs for everything,” says Rodriguez, who has the White Noise editions. “I use them for the podcast, which I air on audio and video platforms, and to listen to music; I have also produced a couple of songs with them.”

While there are many features that Rodriguez appreciates about his ROKITs, there are a few that stand out most. “One thing I really love about my KRKs is that the bass is in the front,” he says. “I don’t have a lot of room in my studio, and I needed a sound that was accurate and reliable. If the bass is too close to the back, the sound bounces and isn’t accurate. I love bass, so it was important for me to find a speaker that allows it to sound clean and precise.”

Rodriguez also credits the control functions of the monitors as being among his favored features. “I like the on-board LCD visual EQ,” he adds. “At first, I didn’t know that you could have presets of EQ, but now I love that function because I can keep the speakers flat and use my presets as necessary. I also love the standby feature. If I forget to turn off the speakers, it goes into standby mode and shuts itself down.” 

As someone who prides himself on being genuine, Rodriguez was happy to find a pair of speakers that he trusts. “I am very honest in my personal life and even when I go on air for my radio show or podcast,” he explains. “So, I need real gear and KRK for me is real. There are other well-known brands that might look very cool, but they are not authentic. I like accuracy and an honest sound; the KRK ROKITs are that for me.”

A staple in the pro audio industry for nearly 35 years, Rodriguez started his career working in a recording studio at a radio station in the Dominican Republic, which he credits as the driving force behind his connection to music. Rodriguez studied journalism in Colombia and after moving to the United States, became a well-known on-air personality. He has hosted programs on Spanish-language stations in the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Florida. He continues to follow his passion for music and considers himself a communicator through radio and television.

As a longtime fan of Gibson, Rodriguez has a strong relationship with the brand and KRK. He works closely with Cesar Acevedo, director of entertainment relations for Latin America at Gibson. “Cesar is like a brother to me,” shares Rodriguez. “Gibson is truly like my family, so working with KRK just made sense.”

KRK Systems

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.