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.”

KRK ROKIT and CLASSIC Monitors Provide Versatility for Production and Mastering of the Rapper/Producer’s Newest Releases

Rapper, Recording Artist, and Producer LOCS first found his passion for music in college. Between writing, producing, and touring, he has since fully immersed himself in everything the industry has to offer, looking for new ways to advance his career. After landing a number of impressive sync placements, including features on HBO Max’s “The Hype” and Freeform’s “Grownish,” LOCS turned his focus to his latest project: his new single, “Good Time.” As with all his past releases, LOCS once again relied on KRK studio monitors, which most recently included the ROKIT 7 G4 and CLASSIC 7 monitors.  

“KRK has been all over my releases since I began making music,” LOCS explains. “The producer I worked with when I first started had KRK ROKIT 8s in his studio, and that was the first time I really got to hear them in a professional setting. Now that I’m working on new music, I’ve been using my ROKITs and CLASSICs in my studios in Los Angeles and Atlanta. They were especially useful on my most recent EP, ‘Arrival,’ which I released last September. Having the ability to use both lines has been a game changer for me.”

This versatility is key for LOCS, who prefers to rely on each of his sets of monitors for different applications. “If I was doing just production, I would use my KRK CLASSIC 7s,” he says. “Those studio monitors are perfect for when I want to listen to straight instrumentals. They are a little bit warmer and provide great coloration. For things like mixing and mastering, the KRK ROKIT 7 G4s are my go-to. I get a really nice, neutral tone from these speakers, which is why they are ideal for my mastering, mixing, and as an all-around solution. Having the option to switch back and forth between these two lines has really allowed me to open up and get what I want out of my music.”

LOCS also has tested other leading brands for his workflow and says that the variety in sound afforded by KRK CLASSICs and ROKITs is something he can’t find anywhere else. “The KRKs have just been great,” he shares. “Nothing else has hit for me like the KRKs have; the sound they give off has become so natural and familiar. I see myself continuing to use the brand for a very long time.”

LOCS is so dedicated to the brand that he most recently added the KRK GoAux Portable Monitor Solution to his setup. As someone who bounces between his studios in Atlanta and Los Angeles, he says that a pair of mobile speakers was the perfect addition to his workflow. “The GoAux are definitely going to come in handy,” he adds. “I know I’m going to have them with me all the time because I love how they make it possible to work on the go. Since the GoAux are specifically designed for mobile production, I know that I’ll be able to keep my music quality where I want it, no matter where I am.”

As LOCS continues putting out music and traveling across the country, his KRKs will continue to remain by his side in the studio and on the go. “These GoAux are perfect for me,” he declares. “I can only imagine what kind of convenience they’ll provide. All my work in the studio this past year has been with ROKITs and CLASSICs, and I can’t wait to add the GoAux to the mix. For me, there’s no reason to have any other speakers―the KRKs serve all the purposes that I need. Just know that when I have music coming out: if it’s made by me, it’s made with KRK.”

Listen to LOCS’ latest single, “Good Time,” on Spotify, Apple Music, or any major streaming platform. Plus, stay up to date with LOCS on Instagram and Twitter.

The Portable Monitor System Offers Consistent and Accurate Audio in the Studio and on the Road

Italian Musician, Guitarist, and Producer Lapo Consortini’s career started with a computer science engineering degree and a passion for music, and has since turned into an impressive résumé of skills for studio and stage productions alike. Consortini has molded a unique position for himself in the music industry, relying on his transversal knowledge of engineering, songwriting, recording, and production to establish connections and participate in various live and recorded projects. With such a diverse lineup of work, Consortini recently turned to the KRK GoAux 4 Portable Monitor System for consistent and accurate audio, no matter the location or task.

“I am always on the go for projects, covering a lot of artists and different musical genres,” Consortini explains, “and the GoAux 4 are easing my workflow immensely. Within seconds, I can easily set up the speakers and establish the ideal sound using the integrated ARC system. They also work easily with a laptop and provide good sound pressure and full-range fidelity, even in a small hotel room, with no compromise on audio quality. It’s incredible how they sound in lower ranges without having to set undesirably high volumes.”

The GoAux are a welcome addition to Consortini’s setup, assisting him on various editing and mixing projects. Most recently, he prepared the arrangements, programming, and backing tracks for Italian pop band Modà’s current tour, which features a live orchestra accompaniment. He has also arranged and produced numerous jingles for various Italian radio stations, in addition to recording and mixing the latest single for Italian singer-songwriter Paola Turci. “I’ve been very satisfied,” Consortini says of the KRK GoAux. “The monitors keep me safe in the reviewing process of all my mixes. When you reach that perfect connection with the sound of your speakers, you know you can expect accuracy and transparent audio from all your music.”

While Consortini only recently got his hands on the GoAux, he has long been familiar with KRK as a brand. “I’ve been using KRK for over ten years now,” he says. “Throughout my career, I have tried many different KRK lines and series, from the ROKITs and retired VXT series to the original Exposè E8Bs. Even when I was first starting out, I would notice the brand throughout Italian recording studios thanks to the bright yellow cones. You can immediately recognize a KRK in a jungle of speakers. These days, I’m hoping to upgrade my studio setup with a new pair of the KRK V-Series 4 Studio Monitors, which provide a very comfortable listening experience compared to other brands I have tried.”

Similarly, the KRK GoAux stand out in comparison to Consortini’s previous, industry-standard mobile studio monitors. “These aren’t my first pair of mobile speakers, but they are the best I’ve seen,” he explains. “Thanks to the minimal and simple connections, foldable stands with inclines, and custom-made carrying bag, the KRK GoAux are ideal for on-the-go work. The GoAux are the perfect size to use on a small surface with my laptop and provide a good and definitive sound while also allowing my colleagues to listen to what I’m producing. I can’t wait to take the KRK GoAux on tour with me.” With Consortini hitting the road alongside Modà and Italian Singer/Songwriter Marco Masini, he is most excited about the benefits afforded by the simple and sleek design of the GoAux. “I am not afraid of complexity; I like my gear to have many features,” he finishes. “Being a modern producer forces you to obtain optimal results in a short time, so I love finding complex yet easy-to-use solutions to help with my work. The KRK GoAux 4’s perfect balance of robustness, simplicity, and versatility provides exactly that.”

Brand’s Lines of Studio Monitors and Headphones are now Found in all 26 Non-profit Studios

Driven by the belief in music’s influence on children’s lives, Notes for Notes (N4N) has dedicated itself to being an answer to the lack of contemporary musical equipment and programs in public schools. For the past 17 years, the non-profit organization has built 26 N4N recording studios, providing the instruments, guidance, and space for young people to create music and realize their artistic identity.

As an early supporter of the non-profit, KRK, through its charitable arm KRK Kares, has provided gear for every N4N studio across the country. This includes N4N’s most recent studio powered by Sony Music Group at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro LA’s Watts/Willowbrook, which was stocked with KRK CLASSIC 7, ROKIT 10-3 G4, and ROKIT 5 G4 Studio Monitors, as well as the brand’s KNS 8402 Headphones. With KRK Kares’ latest donations, every Notes for Notes studio is now equipped with KRK at every level, giving youth at 26 studios across 13 states the ability to produce, record, and mix like the pros while learning the ins and outs of music creation.

“Both KRK and Gibson and subsequently KRK Kares and Gibson Gives have been there for the majority of our growth, providing some of the most important gear for our studios,” shares Notes for Notes CEO and Co-founder Philip Gilley. “KRK has provided equipment for our facilities since studio number three. Monitors and headphones are core staples of any recording studio, and we wouldn’t have been able to complete those builds without them. In fact, we always make sure we’ve got those nice big, bright, yellow cones front and center at all our mixing stations.”

The Watts/Willowbrook Clubhouse also features multiple Epiphone guitars and bass guitars, MESA/Boogie California Tweed amps, and a selection of guitar pedals from Maestro Electronics. By outfitting all its studios with Gibson brands, N4N aims to expose young people to gear that is attainable for them. “Younger generations pay special attention to brand recognition, and that iconic KRK yellow cone is hugely recognizable to them. KRK also has a very strong name within the Hip-Hop community, so that connection point between what’s in our studios and what they see on their favorite artists’ and producers’ Instagrams is a huge benefit.”

Gilley adds that it’s not just the recognizability that makes KRK products an ideal fit for N4N. “Obviously, there’s a quality aspect to consider when choosing KRKs, but there’s also something to be said for the fact that this gear is attainable to young people,” he explains. “The same goes for other Gibson brands, like Epiphone, Kramer, and Gibson guitars. Youth at our studios become accustomed to these brands when they’re first learning and growing, and these are the brands they will reach for when they can afford their first guitar or pair of monitors. Providing gear that’s within their financial reach is very important to us.” 

N4N believes that incorporating reliable and recognizable music-making solutions is a key foundation, not just to every build, but for youth’s musical education. “We’re building environments that visually, sonically, and equipment-wise are something that most youth have never seen before,” shares Gilley. “It may not exist in their community or schools, so they have only seen most of this gear on TV, in the movies, or on social media. Once they get access to this stuff, there is always a ‘wow’ moment. There’s never a shortage of excitement when we crack open the doors to the studio for the first time. If anything, we always have to set the volume at a reasonable level on the speakers because it’s only natural that every young person wants to ‘turn it up to eleven.’ ”

According to Gilley, N4N also provides many extra resources to youth. “For us, it’s as much about emotional development as it is artistic,” he adds. “Young people may learn what it’s like to be in a studio and to work efficiently on top-of-the-line equipment, but our producers are also a big influence in their lives. We focus as much on personal development as we do artistic. Music can be the key to unlocking something in a young person that they never imagined they were capable of. Providing a safe and inspiring environment for youth to learn musical skills and develop emotionally means that when they eventually get into a commercial studio, they will be light years ahead in knowledge and experience. Thanks to Gibson Gives and KRK Kares, we can continue to provide these resources in all our studios.”

Schools or non-profit organizations that have a music-based mission and would like to be considered for the KRK Kares giving program should 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 towards KRK Kares and Gibson Gives to give the gift of music. For more information on KRK Kares, please visit www.gibsonfoundation.org/krk-kares.