Berlin-based studio and music production house jay jay has invested in a pair of Genelec 8351B coaxial monitors and GLM calibration software to support its mission of delivering ‘tailored, story-driven music’ for high-profile advertising clients. Founded by long-time collaborators Jared Meier-Klodt and Johannes Stegemann, jay jay has already made its mark on campaigns for major brands including BMW, Under Armour, Vinted and Volkswagen.
With a background that spans agency work and academic training, Meier-Klodt and Stegemann launched jay jay in 2017 to pursue a narrative approach to music production: ‘We aim to create tracks that don’t really sound like your regular advertising music,’ Meier-Klodt explains. ‘The next step is to shape the music to support the story’s key moments and emotional beats.’
When selecting their monitoring solution, the team visited local dealer JustMusic before working with Eric Horstmann at Genelec’s Berlin Experience Centre to evaluate the best model for their needs. Listening tests with Genelec’s 8351B from The Ones coaxial series proved decisive.
‘There are some records that reveal different details depending on what you listen on,’ Stegemann says. ‘With the 8351s, we could hear things we hadn’t heard before – like the room tone and tape hiss on Friday Morning by Khruangbin. The soundstage and detail were just better.’
‘We wanted something with depth and openness – monitors that could deliver bass without needing a sub,’ Meier-Klodt adds. ‘The 8351B is the perfect mix of openness and bass.’
Initially using the monitors without calibration, the pair later introduced GLM software to fine-tune the set-up for multiple listening positions. ‘GLM is a huge factor because rooms are never perfect,’ says Stegemann. ‘We now have three optimised positions – our main production desk, the client couch, and a standing position for when we’re playing instruments.’
Since calibrating the system, both founders have noticed a marked improvement in mix clarity and consistency: ‘Genelec gives me the confidence that the work will translate,’ Meier-Klodt says. ‘There was this moment where I realised I could hear reverb tails with more definition – it changed how I approach mixing.’
‘There’s nothing more satisfying than catching a subtle hiss or artifact,’ Stegemann agrees. ‘It’s a good tool to make sure there’s nothing going on that you don’t want.’
Looking ahead, jay jay is expanding its vision beyond advertising work. Future plans include opening the studio to musicians as a full recording facility, as well as offering curated listening experiences to the public. ‘We want to build a community space for music lovers – somewhere people can come and really connect with sound,’ says Stegemann.
More: www.genelec.com