Miller & Kreisel Professional Delivers Scalable, Multi-Channel Monitoring Solutions For Virtually Any Audio Environment

By Ken Kreisel, Co-Founder, Miller & Kreisel Sound Corp.

15-Apr-00

The ability for creators of multimedia entertainment to deliver audio using more than two channels opens up a new universe of exciting possibilities. At the same time that innovations in visual technology are evolving at a breakneck pace, an equivalent potential using the vast palette of multi-channel audio is just now becoming clear to many in the broadcast and post production industries.For over 25 years, Miller & Kreisel has been an innovator and leader in the areas of loudspeaker and recording technologies. We have not only provided loudspeaker products for both the professional and consumer arenas, but have also recorded and produced dozens of recordings on our own record label, in addition to having worked with format developers such as DolbyÆ Laboratories and the ATSC. Our experience with both stereo and multi-channel sound puts us in a unique position to help with the significant ramp-up that broadcasters and post production outlets face with trying to incorporate multi-channel sound. M&K Professional products are designed to provide accurate, high-performance solutions for the full spectrum of monitoring environments. All products are designed to offer the highest levels of performance for their physical package, with simplicity and expandability as a primary consideration. M&K Professional sets itself apart by providing an array of solutions ranging from bandwidth extension through the use of a subwoofer up to and beyond full 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1-channel monitoring.The wide bandwidth, superior transient response, precise imaging, low distortion and flat frequency response of M&K monitors, combined with numerous proprietary features, provide solutions for monitoring in all of todayís existing and emerging formats, in addition to facilitating any facilityís future upgrade to additional monitoring channels for surround formats. These unique features include space-saving internal amplification and proprietary Phase-Focused crossover designs that deliver razor-sharp imaging and flat frequency response to cover a very wide listening area that extends the ""sweet spot"" well beyond the mixer's chair. M&K Professional products are designed for an array of applications, ranging from desktop and project studios to audio post facilities, event rooms, audio mastering suites and large control rooms.M&K Professional is committed to continuing to innovate loudspeaker designs that can improve the monitoring performance of any facility. Here are several examples illustrating the scale of improvements that can be effected.The most basic option is the addition of a powered subwoofer to an existing monitoring system. Whether the system is used for monitoring mono, stereo, or surround material, an M&K subwoofer will extend the monitoring system's bandwidth to encompass the lowest frequencies that are not reproduced by so-called ""full-range"" monitors that do not incorporate subwoofers.M&K Professional offers several noteworthy subwoofer design innovations, including the unique Backfireô design, which solves the question of subwoofer placement in studios. Other features include the proprietary Headroom Maximizer Circuit, which, unlike many other subwoofers, lets the full uncompressed dynamics of the mix be heard up to the subwoofer's capacity while preventing amplifier clipping and distortion. Perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of multi-channel sound is the concept of bass management. The mere addition of a subwoofer will not result in an accurate, translatable multi-channel mix. What is necessary is proper redirection of the bass content of all channels to the subwoofer. This is only possible by using a bass management controller. The controller duplicates the function found in many consumer home theater systems (thanks to Dolby's standardization of AC-3Æ decoders) that routes bass content to a dedicated subwoofer output.In order for content creators to know what consumers will eventually hear, a properly designed and calibrated bass managed monitoring system is essential. As one of the very first innovators of technically correct bass management controllers for professional monitoring, M&K Professional has taken a leadership position in educating the industry on the critical importance of proper bass management, both through the M&K Professional Web site (www.mkprofessional.com) and regular participation in various events and seminars within the pro audio industry.The next level of M&K Pro monitoring products moves up to the stereo level, with a system consisting of two M&K Pro main monitors and a powered subwoofer, in what M&K has termed a 2.1 channel configuration (two main channels with a "".1"" subwoofer channel). M&K powered monitors deliver superior resolution while saving on both space and system complexity.For full surround monitoring, M&K Pro offers an array of dedicated surround channel monitor speakers (unlike virtually all other manufacturers), which allow existing systems to be expanded to 5.1, 6.1 for Surround EX material, or even 7.1 and beyond. M&K Proís proprietary Tripoleô technology is the key to the success of these surround speaker designs.The Tripole technology gives mixers the unique ability to perform monitoring with both imaging specificity and enveloping sound qualities while, most significantly, allowing mixers to evaluate how mixes will sound when consumers eventually hear them on either direct radiating, dipole, or an array of surround speakers.The reality of multi-channel sound will forever change the way audio is recorded and heard. Now that broadcast and post production industries have embraced this new paradigm, we find it particularly gratifying, as we have been major proponents of multi-channel sound since the early 1970s.As the adoption of consumer multi-channel audio systems becomes more mainstream, demand for content will continue to grow. To fulfill this expanding appetite, producers of multi-channel audio will need to continue to expand and upgrade their facilities. While M&K Professional aims to position its products as a de facto standard for multi-channel playback at both the pro and consumer levels, we also believe that the most exciting aspect of this paradigm shift will still be the inspiration that it will provide to the creative artist.About M&K ProfessionalMiller & Kreisel Professional Sound Corp., located in Culver City, California, has been a pioneer in the development of high-end loudspeakers and subwoofers for both home and studio environments since 1974. For more information, visit the M&K Professional Web site at www.mkprofessional.com.

Read More:
http://www.mkprofessional.com