US engineer/producer Dave Way has installed KRK V Series studio monitors and active subwoofers in his Waystation Studio for working with Dolby Atmos surround sound for music and film soundtracks.
Counting the likes of Ringo Starr, Shakira, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder, Gwen Stefani and Foo Fighters in his portfolio, Way is no stranger to high-quality mixes. ‘I have used a variety of high-end speakers over the years, and the first time I listened to the KRKs, I was immediately impressed,’ he says. ‘I found myself noticing things I wasn’t hearing from my previous monitors. Within two weeks of mixing on the KRKs, my mixes were coming fast and easy, and I just really liked the sound of them.’
When it came time for Way to set up his Los Angeles studio for Atmos, KRK was the only brand he considered. He currently uses seven V8s, four V6s, and two 10-inch subwoofers in a 7.1.4 Atmos array. ‘With my KRKs, I can really get inside the mixes – there’s a three-dimensional quality to them even when they’re not in an Atmos set-up. I knew they would perform phenomenally in a surround sound application, no matter the genre I’m working on. The speakers also have an extremely precise low-end, so I’m able to really feel those bass-heavy mixes. With the KRK subs, I can push the bass even further – it’s incredible. Deploying KRKs in Atmos has truly taken my mixes to the next level, allowing for a completely immersive experience.’
Not only does Way find his KRKs to be accurate, they also give him an enjoyable tracking experience. ‘I was tracking a band recently, and they came in for the playback. As we were listening to the mix on my KRKs, everyone was blown away by the clarity and detail. When I’m tracking, I truly appreciate being able to easily hear everything in the arrangement, and I find that I don’t need to EQ or compress as much.’
Prior to adapting his studio to Atmos, Way was accustomed to testing out his mixes on various brands’ speakers – but with Dolby Atmos, having one set of reliable studio monitors is crucial. ‘Since I was no longer able to reference alternative speakers, I was a little nervous for my first Atmos track,’ he says. ‘However, as soon as I took that track to Capitol Studios, it sounded just as great there, and I knew I could rely on my KRKs for accurate playback from then on. For engineers, speakers are like our favorite pair of jeans – they fit perfectly and make you feel comfortable, and that’s exactly how I feel about my KRKs.’
Additionally, he is a founding member of KRK’s Kreator Alliance, participating in conversations regarding product updates, launches and brand development. ‘I’ve been so happy with KRK as a brand that becoming a part of its Kreator Alliance was a natural progression. For years, I’ve been recommending KRKs. Not only are they super high-performing and dependable, but they’re also extremely affordable. With KRK, you simply cannot go wrong.’
More: www.krkmusic.com
