Klark Teknik Processors
ABOUT KLARK TEKNIK:
Symphony 440 Design Group is proud to be the authorized dealer for Klark Teknik, A UK based designer and developer of professional speakers, signal processing and audio compressors.
Located in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, UK, the company was founded in 1974 by Terry and Phillip Clarke. They developed several new types of equipment in the audio field, leading themselves to the ultimate Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in 1986. The dynamic Music Group now owns Klark Teknik.
Klark Teknik’s Historical journey:
Precursors:
The Clarke brothers, in 1971, ran a company by the name “Klark Equipment” to produce garage forecourt equipment such as vending style vacuum cleaners, space heaters and other similar products.
With Phillip Clarke being an entrepreneur having run a clothing business in Australia before, and Terry Clarke, an active local musician and an engineer who had worked for Decca, the company soon branched into professional speakers and other audio equipment.
They began by upgrading and customizing Decca multi-track tape recorders and producing a very high-quality ¼ inch, 2-track tape machine of their own, the SM2.
BBC and other independent broadcasting companies bought this tape machine carrying the “Teknik” brand name.
Terry later started developing various signal processing hardware, including audio compressor/limiters and small graphic equalizers.
These were produced in low quantities and sold to (mostly local) recording studios to compliment the day’s relatively simple audio mixing console.
The graphic equalizers developed from 1973 onwards as Teknik 7S and 9S, with seven and nine bands respectively, plus a stereo 11+11S with eleven EQ bands.
Klark Teknik:
The brand name “Klark Teknik” came into existence in 1974. 1976 saw the first Klark Teknik product produced in real volume, with 6500 units sold between 1977 and 1985.
In 1980, the company moved to its newly built premises at Walter Nash Road, Kidderminster. The business operates out of an old Nissen hut at a rear corner of the Summerfield MOD, a solid-fuel rocket motor factory with about 15 employees.
In 1986, Klark Teknik acquired the Hounslow based studio mixing company DDA and subsequently moved the manufacturing to Kidderminster.
The company further diversified by developing active studio monitors under the brand “Klark Acoustic”, winning a Queen’s Award for export. It also launched the DN772, a seven-second profanity delay with innovative time re-setting technology without pitch shifting artefacts, featured in the BBC programme Tomorrow’s World.
Subsequent mergers:
Klark Teknik rightfully purchased Midas Audio Systems Ltd in 1987. In 1992, the Clarke brothers sold Klark Teknik Group to Mark IV Audio. In 1994, Terry Clarke set up MC2 Audio Ltd with co-founder Ian McCarthy to produce high-quality power amplifiers for the commercial market.
In December 2009, Music Group acquired Midas and Klark Teknik, a musical holding company chaired by Uli Behringer, which also owns other splendid audio companies such as Behringer and Bugera, as well as Electronic Manufacturing Services Company Eurotec.
Klark Teknik’s technological features:
SuperMAC and HyperMAC digital audio networking technologies: Klark Teknik’s SuperMAC and HyperMAC technologies provide high channel counts, ultra-low and deterministic latencies, sample-synchronous and phase-aligned networked clock distribution, error detection, network redundancy, and ease of deployment and use – to meet the demanding requirements of live concert touring.
Advanced Digital Audio Processor: Klark Teknik uses an advanced digital audio processor, which comes with tremendous power and versatility in handling even the most challenging application.
Powerful Audio DSP: The Audio DSP has a comprehensive library of processing modules that can be deployed and configured at any time. Processing modules include Input, Output, ULTRANET I/O digital audio transport output for use with compatible devices. Audio DSP allows the entire signal and processing structure to be defined and compiled right on any PC.
Klark Teknik’s celebrated products:
DN series:
Klark Teknik’s DN series offers network converters or I/O interface mixers, audio compressors, professional speakers, and DI boxes, to only be well established as one of the most landmarked products. DN series vary from the graphic equalizer and digital time processor to microphone splitter.
DF suspension processor:
The DF feedback suspension processor is ultra-fast designed for a fully automatic and zero-configuration setup. These are highly effective with speech and music and instantly detect and restrict acoustic feedback, often used fondly as a professional speaker at various studios.
KT audio compressor:
Klark Teknik’s KT audio compressor comes with a classic level amplifier and MIDAS transformers for an incredibly accurate signal path.
They come equipped for the 21st century; this audio compressor masters quality compression and limiting at a price point that makes the KT series equally at home in any professional studio setup. The custom-designed MIDAS input and output transformers produce ultimate high-quality audio reproduction in both live and studio environments.
Stereo DI series:
These passive stereo DI box series are equipped with custom-built MIDAS transformers for the highest signal integrity and extended dynamic range. High headroom design offers a spectacular sound quality, which matches the level and impedance of the unity gain without loading the source.
Popular reviews on Klark Teknik’s products:
1176-KT audio compressor:
“You’ll find the 1176 peak limiter in the rack of nearly every high-end studio. Normally, 1176 will set you back a couple of grand, but the Klark Teknik 1176-KT puts this iconic audio compressor in your hands for much less.
The 1176-KT features a discrete output amplifier and custom Midas transformers, delivering top-notch sound. You get the original 1176’s compression ratios, including the all-buttons-in “nuke” mode. Complete with vintage-style metering and balanced Neutrik connectors, the Klark Teknik 1176-KT FET compressor is a flattering redesign of a studio classic.”
-Sweetwater studio
DN500 Plus audio compressor:
“The DN500 Plus from Klark Teknik is a dual-channel compressor/limiter/expander that integrates all of three processes into a single space rack-mount chassis. The unit provides complete dynamic control over gain while also adding control over problems due to noise in the signal chain and the distortion that excessive peak levels may cause.”
-BH: Photo video pro-audio
Being an authorized dealer of Klark Teknik, Symphony 440 Design Group provides original professional speakers and other audio equipment from Klark Teknik at a genuine price.
With experienced audio consultants on board, the Symphony 440 Design group suggests the right set of Klark Teknik products considering your application and budget. Feel free to reach out to us for any Klark Teknik requirement.
