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ATC Launches Statement EL50 Anniversary Loudspeaker
The EL50 Anniversary active 3-way tower is the latest evolution of ATC’s winning design blueprint.
ATC is delighted to introduce the EL50 Anniversary to audiophiles and music lovers seeking long-lasting high performance, design and engineering quality. It’s the latest evolution of the legendary ATC 50 loudspeaker design, featuring discrete active tri-amp technology first deployed by the SCM70 in the 1990s and refined through the SCM50 Anniversary speaker in 2004 and the SE Series in 2014. Its industrial design draws from the EL150, released in 2006, the first ATC loudspeaker to employ an elliptical enclosure and designed by Billy Woodman. Leather detailing on the front face and beautiful hand-selected veneers further elevate the design.
New Discrete Active Amp-Pack
This advanced new model incorporates a new, proprietary 3-channel active ‘Amp-Pack’ featuring balanced input, user controls, active crossovers and three power amp channels, delivering 200W, 100W and 50W continuous power to the bass, mid and high-frequency channels, respectively. Within the first line level stages, new discrete gain blocks have been developed and implemented within a balanced instrumentation input and the fourth-order active crossovers to achieve a lower noise floor and reduce distortion. In addition, the power supply has been comprehensively re-designed and upgraded with individual toroidal transformers for each power amplifier channel, plus a separate transformer serving the low voltage supply. This topology improves headroom under demanding use and reduces intermodulation distortion between the channels to deliver greater clarity to the listener.
Cabinetry and Finishing
Building on previous development work, the EL50 Anniversary cabinet construction has been improved and updated via advanced in-house manufacturing technology to increase stiffness and internal damping, reducing cabinet-borne colouration in the upper-bass and mid-range. The bass driver is mounted into a precision turned aluminium ring which is bolted into the cabinet face, further increasing cabinet integrity. A curved cabinet face and edges create a smooth transition from the driver output into the room, reducing edge diffraction and producing a more uniform on and off-axis frequency response for reduced linear distortion. Hand-selected and matched European walnut veneers cover the curved elements of the cabinet complemented by ebony inlays on the rear panel and finished with a high-gloss polyester lacquer. Upholstered napa leather panels around the mid and high-frequency drivers and the lower front section add a contrasting texture while integrating cleanly with the cabinet’s overall form.
Drive Units
The drive unit complement is built entirely in-house with a focus on low distortion and consistent performance at all playback levels with any source material. The SH25-76S ‘S-Spec’ tweeter uses a compact but exceptionally powerful neodymium motor, a dual-suspension system to precisely control the coil motion, and a coated fabric dome for smooth, uniform on and off-axis response. The critical mid-band is reproduced by ATC’s SM75-150S ‘Superdome’ mid-range driver, covering 380Hz to 3.5kHz. Its combination of high-power magnet drive system and large voice coil mated to a dome diaphragm results in a driver system that can resolve the smallest musical details while effortlessly handling the largest dynamic peaks found in complex recordings. Completing the system, the SB75-234SL bass driver features ATC’s Super Linear motor system for reduced 3rd harmonic distortion in the upper-bass/lower-midrange resulting in improved clarity and integration with the mid-range driver. At the lowest octaves, an optimised spider-roll-surround pairing allows large linear excursion for controlled low frequency output.
The EL50 Anniversary launches as an exclusive run of 50 pairs, each supplied with a hardbound owner’s handbook. The book celebrates ATC’s journey from its origin as a drive unit specialist in 1974 to its status as one of the world’s most highly respected loudspeaker manufacturers, revered by music lovers and audiophiles, and trusted by hundreds of international recording and mastering studios.
The new EL50 Anniversary will make its global debut at The Bristol Hi Fi Show, Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd February 2026.
ATC EL50 Anniversary
Availability: March 2026
For pricing and availability in the UK and internationally, please contact your local dealer or distributor.
Contact information can be found here.
For detailed specifications, please visit the EL50 Anniversary product web page.
ATC Announces New SSM Series Wall/Ceiling-Mount Monitors and R4-150 Pro Quad-Mono Power Amplifier
Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK – ATC is expanding its professional loudspeaker portfolio with the introduction of the SSM Series, a new generation of shallow, wall and ceiling-mount passive studio monitors designed for modern control rooms, surround and immersive audio environments. The range launches with two models – the SSM12i Pro and SSM25i Pro – alongside the new R4-150 Pro, a four-channel power amplifier that makes an ideal partner to the new loudspeaker series.
Designed for Space-Critical Installations
Both SSM models feature very shallow enclosures – 147 mm / 5 13/16” for the two-way SSM12i Pro and 198 mm / 7 13/16” for the three-way SSM25i Pro – including mounting hardware. This enables integration into control rooms where room width, depth and ceiling height are critical constraints.
The cabinets can be mounted in either portrait or landscape orientation and use a robust mounting system that attaches flat to a wall or ceiling. A pivoting mechanism allows precise aiming toward the mix position, enabling improved imaging, and in-room response.
Both enclosures incorporate internal steel reinforcement and a safety-tether point to meet the practical requirements of secure professional installation, particularly for overhead mounting.
SSM12i Pro – 2-way
The SSM12i Pro is a passive two-way loudspeaker engineered around ATC’s proprietary drive-unit technology and housed within a sealed cabinet optimised for on-wall/ceiling installation.
Low and mid-range is handled by the SB45-150CLD 150 mm driver, whose Constrained Layer Damping (CLD) cone minimises breakup modes while maintaining linear behaviour across the operating band. Above the 2.2 kHz crossover point, ATC’s SH25-76 25 mm dual-suspension soft-dome tweeter provides low distortion and excellent high-frequency resolution.
Together with a newly developed crossover network – modelled and fine-tuned specifically for on-wall operation – the SSM12i Pro delivers high resolution, controlled dispersion, and accurate translation with compact control & mix rooms.
SSM25i Pro – 3-way
For medium to large control rooms, including those used for mixing Dolby Atmos and other immersive audio formats, the SSM25i Pro offers improved bandwidth and output via a three-way sealed design and three ATC proprietary drive units.
Low frequencies are handled by the SB50-164SC 164 mm/6.5” driver featuring a short-coil/long-gap motor and paper/carbon-fibre composite cone. Mid-range duties are performed by ATC’s renowned SM75-150 75 mm/3” soft-dome – known for its exceptional clarity and minimal coloration – while high frequencies are managed by the SH25-76S tweeter, featuring a high-flux motor to deliver an extended high-frequency response and very low distortion.
The crossover network has again been engineered specifically for boundary mounting, ensuring the speaker delivers ATC’s signature neutrality and transient accuracy even when installed close to surfaces and perfect integration with ATC’s range of active loudspeakers and subwoofers.
Physical Specifications (Selected)
SSM12i Pro (flat portrait orientation inc. hardware):
- 517 × 315 x 147mm / 20 3/8 x 12 3/8 x 5 13/16 ” (H x W x D).
- 14.8 kg / 32.6lbs.
SSM25i Pro (flat portrait orientation inc. hardware):
- 767 × 380 x 198mm / 30 3/16 x 14 15/16 x 7 13/16” (H x W x D).
- 28.2 kg / 62.2lbs.
Due to weight and overhead mounting considerations, SSM Series products must be installed
by qualified professionals. Both models ship with mounting hardware drilling templates.
R4-150 Pro — Quad-Mono Amplification for Professional Multi-Channel Systems
To complement the SSM Series, ATC introduces the R4-150 Pro, a new 5U rack-mount, quad-mono power amplifier built around four independent power supplies and class A/B MOSFET output stages.
Each channel delivers 150 W continuous, making the R4-150 Pro ideally suited for the dynamic demands of immersive audio and multi-channel playback or bi-amping passive nearfield monitors. Balanced inputs are provided via four XLR connectors with very high common-mode rejection, while outputs use Neutrik NL4 sockets for a secure and reliable connection.
With convection cooling for silent operation and built-in thermal and DC-offset protection, the R4-150 Pro is designed for reliable long-term use in the most demanding professional studio installations. A remote power-on/off trigger further simplifies integration into larger control systems.
Pricing & Availability
All three products are available to order now.
SSM12i Pro is available at a RRP (Recommended Retail Price) of £2167 + VAT per pair.
For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated SSM12i Pro Product Webpage.
SSM25i Pro is available at a RRP of £4667 + VAT per pair.
For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated SSM25i Pro Product Webpage.
R4-150 Pro is available at an RRP of £3667 + VAT each.
For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated R4-150 Pro Product Webpage.
For pricing and availability in your country, please contact your local dealer or distributor.
You can find them listed here in the Where To Buy section of the website.
ATC Unveils High-Output SCS140iW Pro 2×12” and SCS240iW Pro 2×15” In-Wall Subwoofers.
Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK: ATC is proud to introduce its SCS140iW and SCS240iW Pro subwoofers, new dual-driver in-wall models evolved from the established 12” SCS70iW Pro and 15” SCS120iW Pro designs. Representing ATC’s most powerful in-wall subwoofer systems to date, these models deliver significantly increased output and performance for modern stereo, surround and immersive monitoring environments.
The larger SCS240iW Pro has been engineered for the largest control rooms, stereo and immersive formats and for seamless integration with ATC’s SCM300AiW main monitors. The SCS140iW Pro, meanwhile, is ideally suited to partner the SCM200AiW main monitors and performs equally effectively as a dedicated LFE solution for surround and immersive formats such as Dolby Atmos. Both subwoofers provide extended low-frequency capability and exceptional headroom, enabling accurate monitoring in demanding professional environments.
SCS140iW Pro
The SCS140iW Pro is a new 2×12” design that builds upon the strengths of the proven SCS70iW Pro by utilising a pair of 12”/300 mm drivers and dual remote amplifiers. This upgrade delivers a 6 dB increase in output, achieving a continuous SPL capability of 116 dB and a peak of 121 dB at 1 m. Despite this performance, the cabinet remains compact, with a width that matches the SCM200AiW in-wall main monitor for a cohesive visual and acoustic pairing. The SCS140iW Pro can also partner smaller ATC models or complement any system requiring extended bass performance with high SPL and headroom.
SCS240iW Pro
Designed for the largest control rooms, the SCS240iW Pro is the most powerful and linear subwoofer manufactured by ATC. Evolved from the SCS120iW Pro, this new 2×15” design doubles both the driver and amplifier complement, resulting in a 6 dB increase in output over its predecessor. It delivers 119 dB continuous and 126 dB peak SPL at 1 m.
The cabinet width matches the SCM300AiW main monitor, creating an impressive full-range in-wall system when installed together. The SCS240iW Pro may also be used alongside ATC’s larger mid-field monitors — including the SCM150A Pro — or integrated into any system demanding a low cut-off frequency with high dynamic range.
Drive Unit Technology
The 12”/300 mm and 15”/375 mm drivers used in the SCS140iW Pro and SCS240iW Pro are built entirely in-house by ATC, reflecting the company’s commitment to designing and manufacturing products from component level without compromise. Both drivers feature a 30 mm magnetic gap, which is 50% longer than previous generation bass drivers. This extended gap reduces motor-generated distortion while enabling the high excursion required for accurate, dynamic low-frequency reproduction. Every element of the driver — from the motor to the suspension — has been meticulously optimised using advanced analysis tools to deliver deep, controlled bass from 120 Hz down to below 20 Hz, all with minimal distortion and maximum impact.
Amplifier Technology
Power for the new subwoofers is provided by dual R1-300 Pro remote-mounted 7U/19” amplifiers, each using 300 W Class A-B output stages. Their rack-mount format offers installation flexibility, allowing the amplifiers to be located within a nearby wall, a control-room rack, or a machine room. Amp connections are made using NL4 speaker cables and 5-pin XLR. The amplifiers offer balanced stereo inputs and full-range balanced outputs, with analogue 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley filters providing multiple crossover options including an industry-standard 80 Hz setting and a bypass mode for use with external processing. Polarity switching, variable phase adjustment and a stepped attenuator allow precise system alignment. The amplifiers also feature convenient mute control via footswitch, with daisy-chain capability for multiple subs.
Both subwoofers are available to order now.
SCS140iW Pro is available at a UK RRP (Recommended Retail Price) of £7700 + VAT including 2 x R1-300 Pro remote power amplifiers (excluding cables).
For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated SCS140iW Pro Product Webpage.
SCS240iW Pro is available at a UK RRP of £10,817, including it 2 x R1-300 Pro remote power amplifiers (excluding cables).
For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated SCS240iW Pro Product Webpage.
For pricing and availability in your country, please contact your local dealer or distributor. You can find them listed here in the Where To Buy section of the website.
ATC Announces Availability of SCM105AC and SCM105AiWC Centre Channel Studio Monitors.
Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK: ATC are very pleased to introduce the SCM105AC Pro and SCM105AiWC Pro, two new high-performance centre channel studio monitors, precision-engineered for surround and immersive audio environments. Sharing engineering and technology with tried-and-tested ATC 3-way studio monitors, this performance is now available in a compact cabinet format, to deliver exceptional
clarity and resolution in the centre channel.
Both new models are based on the successful SCM110A Pro, a 3-way studio monitor trusted by leading studios worldwide. They boast dual 9″/234 mm SL bass drivers, a 3″/75 mm ‘Superdome’ midrange, and a 1″ SSpec tweeter, all designed and manufactured in-house by ATC. Each driver is driven by a discrete MOSFET A/B power amplifier delivering 200W (bass), 100W (mid) and 50W (HF). A 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley electronic crossover with all-pass filters offers uncompromised phase coherence and audio clarity.
The SCM105 is offered in two configurations, with closely matched performance, both to each other and to existing production-proven ATC monitors. The SCM105AC Pro is the free-standing / stand-mount solution, whilst the SCM105AiWC has been optimised for flush mounting in-wall via the following features:
- Full-face square edge front baffle for seamless in-wall integration and improved acoustic performance.
- Recessed rear-mounted input panel for reduced depth.
- 19”/6U R1-350 Pro remote amp delivers reduced depth and flexible amp mounting options.
- Amp-speaker connection via NL8 speaker cables & 5-pin XLR LED cables.
The amp partnering the in-wall SCM105AiWC is the R1-350 Pro, a 19”/6U rack-mount version of the amp that drives the SCM105AC (and SCM50/100/110/150). It can be mounted in a control room wall or in a 19” rack. Balanced audio and power connect via front panel XLR and IEC connectors. Connections to the loudspeaker are via rear panel-mounted NL8 and 5-pin XLR connectors for speaker-level audio and power/limit LEDs, respectively. Cables are available in a range of lengths to suit the specific install.
The primary application of the SCM105AC and SCM105AiWC Pro studio monitors is as a centre channel in 5.1, 7.1 and immersive audio applications such as Dolby Atmos. However, the performance is not application/channel specific, and both new products can be used as left/right stereo pairs or as surround channels, should the cabinet format be the best solution for a given room or project.
The two new centre channel monitors are ideally matched to the ATC SCM50/100/110/150 studio monitors via shared technology, components and performance. Now, via the new compact cabinet format the benefits can be realised in a wider number of control and mixing rooms, both in recording and audio post applications.
The SCM105AC Pro and SCM105AiWC Pro are available to order now. Contact ATC or your local ATC dealer or distributor for further information.
The recommended UK retail price for the SCM105AC Pro is: £7604+ VAT.
The recommended UK retail price for the SCM105AiWC Pro is: £7604+ VAT.
The recommended UK retail price for the partnering R1-350 Pro remote amp is: £713+ VAT and relevant cables are priced according to length.
For a list of authorised international ATC distributors and dealers, and for pricing in your country/region, please see Where To Buy.
For further information on the SCM105AC Pro & SCM105AiWC Pro, please visit the Product Webpage.
New SCS120 Pro & SCS120iW Pro: Powerful New Subwoofers for Studio Monitoring
Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK: ATC is proud to unveil two new flagship 15″/375mm active subwoofers — the SCS120 Pro and SCS120iW Pro — designed to elevate professional monitoring systems to new levels.
Engineered to support ATC’s larger mid-field and main monitors, these subs deliver exceptional low-frequency extension, expanded dynamic range, and seamless integration for stereo, surround, and immersive formats including Dolby Atmos. The SCS120 Pro has been designed for use free-standing, and the SCS120iW Pro includes features ideal for flush/in-wall mounting.
Building on the success of the 12” SCS70 Pro, but both models feature a new hand-built 15”/375mm sub-bass driver, developed and manufactured by ATC at their facility in Gloucestershire, England. All driver components and parameters – from the drive system to the suspension – have been precisely optimised using the latest analysis tools available, at both small and large signal level. The result is an advanced transducer that combines a powerful short-coil motor system featuring optimised airflow and cooling, with a carbon-paper composite cone, resulting in deep, clean bass from 120Hz down to below 20Hz — with minimal distortion and maximum impact.
The SCS120 Pro subwoofers deliver an extended low-frequency response without complex electronic equalisation or processing, instead employing the more elegant combination of exceptional transducer engineering and a marginally larger cabinet volume. Such simplicity reduces phase shift and group delay, aiding the integration of the sub with the partnering monitor loudspeakers. Ultimately, it delivers a more balanced and coherent experience for the listener, combining an extending low-frequency response with outstanding clarity in the upper bass.
Both new subwoofers are powered by a 300W class AB amplifier, hand-built and optimised for fast, dynamic response. Versatile connectivity & control includes balanced stereo inputs, balanced (full-range) outputs, and analogue 4th order Linkwitz-Riley filters with multiple crossover options — including an industry-standard 80Hz setting and bypass setting for external processing. A polarity switch, variable phase control, and stepped attenuator allow precise system tuning. For added convenience, the amp features mute control via footswitch, with daisy-chain capability for linking multiple subs.
The SCS120iW Pro (In-Wall) variant offers all the above-mentioned performance but is optimised for flush in-wall mounting, featuring a shallower cabinet, and recessed rear input connector panel, maximising floor space. The accompanying R1-300 Pro remote-mounted 7U/19” amplifier offers the user the flexibility to install the amplifier in a suitable wall close to the subwoofer, in a control room rack, or in a machine room, with connections made via NL4 speaker and 5-pin XLR cables.
These two new subwoofers are the perfect match to the ATC SCM100/110/150A Pro studio monitors and scale effortlessly to larger systems featuring the SCM200/300A Pro main monitors. Multiple subs can be employed to elevate performance and to fill larger rooms.
Surround and Immersive Audio formats such as Dolby Atmos can be demanding of subwoofers, and these two new designs both offer significant performance gains over the smaller ATC SCS70 and the outgoing SCM0.1/15.
Thanks to employing advanced transducer and amplifier technology, the new SCS120 and SCS120iW Pro subs offer increased dynamic range and low frequency extension, strengthening the upper range of ATC’s Professional Product line. They offer improved subwoofer solutions to users of mid-to-large format monitors and/or to those working in larger control rooms. The increased dynamic range on offer is particularly useful in in immersive audio and post-production applications where low frequency effects (LFE) content places large demands on subwoofers.
The SCS120 Pro and SCS120iW Pro are available now.
The recommended UK retail price for the SCS120 Pro is: £4575+ VAT.
The recommended UK retail price for the SCS120iW Pro is: £5408 + VAT (inc. R1-300 Pro remote amp, excluding cables).
Contact your local ATC dealer or distributor to arrange a demonstration.
For a list of authorised international ATC distributors and dealers, and for pricing in your country/region, please see Where To Buy
For further information on the SCS120 Pro & SCS120iW Pro, please visit the Product Webpage.
HTS7 5.1 Wins AV Tech Media Award for Best On-Wall Speaker System
ATC Loudspeakers Partners with Rutherford Audio as their U.S. Sales Partner for its Hi-Fi Home Audio Series
Las Vegas, NV (August 15, 2017) – Lone Mountain Audio, the importer of ATC Consumer Hi Fi Loudspeakers from England, is proud to announce Rutherford Audio as their new exclusive US Sales Representative for ATC HI Fi and Consumer range of Loudspeakers.
Rutherford’s prestige line up of European made audiophile-grade products include Burmester, Vertere Acoustics, Thorens, Acoustical Systems, Vertere, Scheu Analogue, and others.
Brad Lunde, president of ATC’s U.S. distributor Lone Mountain Audio shared; “We searched for a U.S. sales partner that aligned with ATC’s philosophy of premium “in house” handcrafted products and limited distribution to the best US consumer retailers. Rutherford Audio’s reputation for presenting and selling in the same manner made them our perfect choice.”
ATC Hi Fi is set as an ideal alternative as high-end brands change their product and distribution philosophy away from independent dealers. “We know that ATCs product technology (currently dominating the professional recording studio market) combined with a family-feel work ethic focused on stable long term relationships is exactly what the US retail dealer market is seeking. Lone Mountain’s ATC product and brand support and Rutherford’s sales expertise and existing long-term dealer relationships are a perfect combination. The ideal plan would be partnering exclusively with 25 of the top independent high-end dealers, those with extremely limited Internet marketing and seeking alike brand protection,” says Lunde.
Norm Steinke, President of US Sales for Rutherford Audio and founder/CEO, Rob Niemann were quick to see the value of adding ATC Loudspeakers and electronics to its line up of audiophile gear. Norm stated; “ATC Loudspeakers are world renowned, used by the best studios, recording artist, bands, producers/directors and now consumers too can experience the same level of audio precision, purity and dynamics in their own homes.” “I will add; we at Rutherford Audio are very pleased to be chosen to represent ATC’s HiFi Loudspeakers to our US dealer base.
ATC Loudspeakers will be on demonstration with Rutherford Audio at the upcoming Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, October 6-8, 2017 at the Denver Marriott Tech Centre.
ABOUT LONE MOUNTAIN AUDIO / ATC U.S. – www.lonemountainaudio.com
Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lone Mountain Audio is the exclusive U.S. distributor for ATC Loudspeakers for the Hi-Fi and CI (custom integration) marketplaces providing sales, marketing, customer service and full support for all ATC loudspeaker products.
About Rutherford Audio – www.rutherfordaudio.com
Rutherford Audio is North America’s premier distribution channel for a select few of Europe’s finest Hi-Fi audio brands. We strive to represent only the best in the market, carefully choosing our partners for their commitment to quality and performance. Their catalog varies greatly: from the small in size, such as our luxury headphones designed in Paris by Aedle, to Burmester’s immense full-sized home theatre packages. Turntable prices range from $500 to $25,000, ultra high-end reference Amplifiers and top-of-the-line Speakers from prestige audiophile brands are featured. Rutherford Audio is in constant search of the best possible audio gear coming out of Europe.
Entry Series – Now available in Satin Black & Satin White
ATC MONITORS TURN TO GAMING WITH STEVE KEMPSTER
Although he is still best known for his work on over 120 films such as National Treasure, Remember The Titans, Austin Powers in Goldmember, Armageddon, Twister, Bourne Supremacy, and Training Day, veteran recording and mix engineer Steve Kempster has, as of late, turned his prodigious talents to the burgeoning world of high-end audio for gaming. Indeed, this year composer Austin Wintory won the ASCAP Composers Choice Award for Assassin’s Creed Syndicate and composer Gareth Coker won the Game Audio Network Guild Awards for Ori and the Blind Forest in the categories of Audio of the Year, Best Mix, Best Instrumental Track, and Rookie of the Year. Kempster mixed both scores at his private mix room, relying on his ATC SCM100ASL LCR midfield monitors and his ATC SCM25A LCR near-field monitors to ensure that the full emotional impact and intention of the composers’ works translate to gamers around the world, regardless of the sound systems they listen on.
“I’ve done most of Austin’s games and movies in the last few years,” Kempster said. “I helped him record the original ideas for Assassin’s Creed here in LA, and we were able to get very specific about the feeling and timbre we were after. He wanted a real tactile feeling so that the gamer would feel like the music was right there, not far off in the distance. Our early conversations and work held the project together, and so my mix was a natural extension of that.” Wintory introduced Kempster to Gareth Coker, which led to his work on Ori and the Blind Forest. Kempster is also working on new games with award-winning composer, Mikolai Stroinski.
Back in the late 1970s, Kempster got into the music business as a singer-songwriter. “I learned engineering so that I could get the right sound for the stories I wanted to tell,” he said. “I was inspired to do that because I found that if the engineer understood what I was up to, the song’s intention came through. But if he didn’t, it fell flat. It was an important place to get it right, so I trained myself on how to record and mix and worked with musicians on my own material. They said I had a better sound coming out of my garage than they were getting at the nice studios, so they started asking me to come work with them there. I think it’s helpful to keep the songwriter’s perspective as an engineer. I look at my job from a storytelling point of view first and foremost.”
Kempster explains that the biggest difference between mixing for records or movies and mixing for games is the inherent non-linearity of games. “Depending on the design of the game, the player will hear different things depending on their play,” he said. “If a player engages in a battle and loses, the game may reset to an earlier point. There can be a million different paths and outcomes, as compared to a record or movie with just a single linear arc. The music has to be composed so that it walks hand-in-hand with the action without becoming repetitious. It’s an amazing art that Wintory and Coker are adept at navigating. They build in different levels of the same cue. Those levels seamlessly transmute, and I have to be very careful that my mix works across all of those levels. That’s no easy trick.”
Kempster has two ATC setups: he has his LCR system of ATC SCM25As permanently installed in his home mix room and a large, but mobile LCR system of ATC SCM100ASLs paired with an ATC SCM0.1/15ASL subwoofer for use at different facilities around town. “My ATCs are the most important thing I own, and I own a lot of gear,” Kempster laughed. “With the 100s, I’m kind of like a mobile MASH unit. I’m pretty good at arranging them and working with the subwoofer’s cutoff and volume to get a nice even response. I have a few pieces of music that I listen to that help me calibrate things. Once they sound right, I know whatever I record or mix will translate.”
“All mixing is like sculpting,” he continued.” I chip away and remove the things I don’t want until I hear what I want to hear. With all the levels of a game’s mix, the details can add up in unexpected ways, and I rely on my ATC’s incredible clarity to alert me to any potential issues. When I have the mix right, the imaging on the ATCs is breathtaking and the mix sounds correct across all the volume levels. By relying on ATCs, my mixes translate to postproduction and consumer systems. If I couldn’t get that right, someone later in the production chain would have to do it for me. It’s great that there are talented people who can do that, but I certainly don’t want to be the engineer whose mix needs saving! Career longevity doesn’t come out of that equation!” (Spoken by an engineer who has been delivering spot on mixes for nearly forty years…).
Photo © 2016 Larry Mah
Transaudio Group (ATC U.S. Professional Product Distribution)
Hi-Fi+ Review the ATC SCM150ASL & Primare PRE60
Jason Kennedy has reviewed the SCM150ASL in the latest (May) edition of Hi-Fi+. Here is just a taster of what Jason though of the loudspeakers.
“Real gravitas, there is no excess, no flab, just girth.”
“More important is that the music makes sense, the absence of thickness in the bass allows the tune to take precedence over the sound, it allows the message in the music to be communicated in a way that most systems struggle with because they don’t have the resolution and control that this one does…”
Jason Kennedy, Hi-Fi+, May 2016.
To downloand and read the review in full, here is the PDF of the SCM150ASL review.
SCM10 Signature Edition
ATC was founded in 1974 by our Head of Engineering and Managing Director, Billy Woodman. In March this year, Billy celebrates his 70th Birthday!
Celebrations deserve something special and to mark the occasion we are building a very limited run of one of our earlier models and, a favourite of Billy, the SCM10.
This very limited Signature Edition SCM10SE has been refined from the original design. ATC’s new SH25-76S dual-suspension tweeter now handles the high frequencies and the crossover has been completely re-designed to suit. The resultant system offers superlative reproduction of the upper octaves, an extended high frequency response and greatly improved integration between the bass/mid and tweeter.
Studiobizz Makes a Big Step Forward with New ATC Monitor System
After working on audio monitors of a well known brand for over 12 years, Ulmt of Helios suggested to have a listen at ATC. After short deliberation the SCM45A Pro looked like the best option, so he brought a pair over to my studio. After all, it is best to check a monitor system in your own, familiar environment.
We played several CD tracks as well as some of my own recordings from a Pro Tools HD system. I “clicked” with the loudspeakers immediately, though I didn’t dare to say it out loud just yet! Ulmt suggested to keep the monitors in my studio for a while. “I’ll call you up in about a week to hear what you think of them”, he said. Two days later I made the call and told him I couldn’t do without them anymore.
Despite the fact the mixes I made on my previous monitors still hold their ground, the ATC’s give me much more detailed and accurate information, especially when it concerns layers of instruments, placement and depth of field. After experiencing this, there simply was no way back. But the most important thing for me was that, while so much more information was presented to me, the overall sound appeared more relaxing to my ears. It caused, so to say, less confusion in my head. The positive result of this is that it leaves more room for creativity in my mind. Making mix decisions is now so much easier! Music is a story to be told and when mixing, all the track information needs to be brought into balance, giving each and everything the right dynamics. The SCM45A Pro’s are a great support accomplishing this.
Peter van Tilburg, Studiobizz, Oss
ATC MONITORS DELIVER FOR TV’S PROLIFIC COMPOSER DEVIN POWERS
“I know it’s cliché to say, but it’s true. The most important piece of gear in my studio is the monitor system. My ATCs are the best overall loudspeaker that I’ve ever heard.”
Like The Beatles, Madonna, and Nirvana, you’ve undoubtedly heard the music of Devin Powers, but you probably didn’t know it. Powers is arguably the world’s most prolific recording artist turned composer for modern television. He’s written, performed, and recorded literally tens-of-thousands of songs in every genre and style imaginable for all manner of TV shows. His clients include the pioneering reality show Blind Date, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, The Biggest Loser, The Amazing Race, and Naked & Afraid, the ground breaking #1 survival show for Discovery along with others for ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, The History Channel, MTV, A&E, and more. In fact, Powers has had music in over four hundred TV shows over the last seventeen years. He’s earned numerous awards from ASCAP, including “Most Performed Television Underscore” in 2006. The three keys to his success are a limitless wellspring of musical inspiration, the capacity to perform every aspect of his compositions, and the professional tools to nail the sound of the target genre and deliver a perfect mix on deadline. For the last two years, Powers has relied on ATC SCM25A active near-field monitors to craft those perfect mixes in an enjoyable, non-fatiguing way, day-in and day-out.
Powers didn’t start out aiming to be top dog in the world of television underscores. Instead, he was a bona fide rocker; an ace on guitar and vocals, with plenty of chops to spare on everything else. He wrote for and led the Universal Records band The Vents in the 1990s. With top-10 radio hits saturating the airwaves, The Vents toured the USA, opening up for bands like Smashmouth, Matchbox 20, Radiohead, Foo Fighters, and Wilco. Clearly, Powers had arrived. But alas, the vicissitudes of corporate mergers and steely boardroom decisions saw The Vents dropped from the label despite radio hits and an undeniably ascending trajectory.
It was a blessing in disguise. “My goal had never been to be a rock star, per se,” Powers said. “I live and breathe music. It oozes out of my pores. My goal was always to make a living making music. I started producing for younger bands when I met up with an industry friend who was looking for an authentic rock guy to write songs for a ‘reality TV show.’ This was back in 1998, and no one knew what a ‘reality TV show’ was! He explained the concept, and I thought it sounded like a fun opportunity to sit in one place and write punk, funk, rock, R&B, metal, you name it. I signed on, and it was way more rewarding in many ways than working in the rock world with no touring! In Blind Date’s first season, Powers wrote and recorded over 1,500 tracks, and at the end of five seasons, he had 7,000 tracks.
Now eighteen years later, Powers has a group of writers working under him, but his main focus is still on writing, recording, and mixing music for his biggest clients. And he has amassed the resources to be a true master of tone. He has all the guitars, amps, drums, keyboards, microphones, vintage outboard gear, and all the deep know-how to pick and choose among that massive arsenal of tools to get just the right sound for a piece. And he does it at a breakneck pace, often starting with nothing in the morning and leaving eight hours later with several completed mixes of songs he wrote and recorded that day!
“Only the biggest primetime scripted shows master or sweeten the music tracks before they’re incorporated into the show. On unscripted shows it’s on the composer to make sure everything is absolutely perfect before it goes out the door,” Powers said. “I have found that my ATC 25s reveal everything that’s going on in my mix, and they do so at any volume. Their midrange is fantastic, and overall, they have the right combination of rock, detail, and punch. And I can listen to them all day and not leave feeling fatigued.”
Powers notes that there are a few differences between mixing for traditional music outlets and for television. First, there’s no unity volume in TV, so Powers typically mixes in the green, leaving more room for dynamics than you might guess. Second, the effects of low volume on sustained sounds (e.g. synth pads) versus transients (e.g. drums) can wreak havoc with a mix. Although he doesn’t want to give away too many secrets, Powers always checks his mixes at low volume on Auratone Sound Cubes. “I listen carefully to the transients,” he said. “My mixes have to work well and translate at all volumes.”
SCM11 Reviewed By Hi-Fi Critic
Highly experienced designer and reviewer, Martin Colloms has reviewed the SCM11 in the latest edition of Hi-Fi Critic.
To save the document, download the Hi-Fi Critic SCM11 Review
Hi-Fi Critic: www.hificritic.com
ATC LOUDSPEAKERS SPONSORS LEGENDARY RECORDING ENGINEER AND PRODUCER, MICHAEL BISHOP AT AXPONA
Behind the Magic Curtain: The Making of a State of the Art Recording
In association with Lone Mountain Audio, ATC’s U.S distribution partner,we are proud to announce the sponsorship of Grammy Award winning recording engineer and producer, Michael Bishop at AXPONA 2016, Audio Expo North America.
The seminar event, “Behind the Magic Curtain: The Making of a State of the Art Recording” will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at the Westin O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois. Ever wonder about the process behind making your favorite recordings? Recording high-resolution music is as much an art as the music itself! Attendees Of Michael’s presentation will learn first hand what it takes to record and master a major orchestral, jazz, or blues recording and get peak inside the studio and see “how it’s done”. Michael will conduct demonstrations of his recordings that have won him Grammies on the same ATC monitors used to Master the recordings, right at AXPONA. Attendees of the presentation will have the rare experience of being inside the Studio with the Recording Engineer and hear how it all works. Michael will discuss the present reality of DSD downloads with additional demonstrations. Michael will also be on hand after his presentation in the Lone Mountain/ATC Room 408 to personally answer your questions.
Michael Bishop, multi-award winning Recording Engineer and Producer has received ten Grammy® Awards (2015, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2002 and 1997) including six for Best-Engineered Recording and two consecutive Grammy® Awards for best Sound Mix-Orchestral, and multiple nominations over the past years. Michaels recording credits include Bobby Womack, the Count Basie Orchestra, Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, Isaac Hayes, Carlos Santana, Dianna Krall, The James Gang, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie and many more.
Michael Bishop co-founded Five/Four Productions, LTD., an independent full service audio production company. Michael engineers and produces renowned recording projects, maintaining the high production values set in his twenty-year career at Telarc Records.
AXPONA, Audio Expo North America will be held April 15-17, 2016 at the Westin O’Hare located at 6100 North River Road. Please visit www.axpona.com for more information on Axpona 2016.
ATC Loudspeakers / Lone Mountain Audio will be exhibiting at Axpona in room #408.
