<<Grace Design News>>

Crystalphonic installs Grace Design m906
Control room B at Crystalphonic

Crystalphonic Recording Studios, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a world-class studio complex that caters to music clients both on the local and national level. The multi-room facility is equipped with the finest in digital and analog technologies and now includes a recently installed m906 5.1 monitor controller as the primary monitor control system for the studio’s B-room. The m906 is used in a 5.1 configuration and is primarily sourced from a large Digidesign Pro Tools|HD rig.

The m906 is a stand-alone, high fidelity 5.1 surround monitoring system and is comprised of three system components; a 2U, 19” rack mount I/O and processing mainframe, a remote control unit and an external half-rack linear power supply. Multiple analog and digital inputs are provided for both 5.1 and stereo sources. Digital formats include AES3, ADAT, S/PDIF and Optical, and incorporates Grace’s latest generation, ultra low distortion 24-bit, 192kHz D/A converter technology. Two 5.1 control room outputs and up to three stereo pair outputs are provided with individual channel solo/mute capability. Comprehensive system calibration tools allow users to fine tune input levels, individual inter-channel balance and control room output levels. Other features include a built in reference headphone amplifier with dual outputs and a talkback mic input with an associated TB switch for communicating with talent in the studio.

“Crystalphonic initially chose the m906 based on the high quality of Grace’s other products. We own a number of Grace pieces and find them to be without measure. I figured the m906 would be a very flexible and convenient surround monitoring system but what I discovered after installing it simply blew me away” noted Crystalphonic owner Kevin McNoldy. “The m906 is the best monitoring solution I’ve ever heard, bar none. The system, when combined with a great set of speakers, gives an entirely new dimension to recorded music. I give the m906 the best compliment I can possibly give to a piece of pro-audio gear – I simply refuse to mix without it. As with all our Grace equipment choices, Crystalphonic will end up owning multiple units.”

The m906 has an SRP of $5,995 (USD). Click here to learn more about the m906 5.1 monitor system.

For more information on Crystalphonic Recording Studios, visit www.crystalphonic.com.

the main tracking room at chrystalphonic

<<Dealer Spotlight >>

Founded in 1987 in NYC, Tekserve originally opened its doors as an Apple computer repair/ service business. As the Macintosh computer quickly became the de facto standard for professional Audio and Video production, Tekserve expanded their business to include sales and consulting for a wide range of peripheral A/V products.

Grace Design signed Tekserve on as a dealer in 2003, and we are constantly impressed with every aspect of their business. Their pro audio sales department is based on the old school, customer service oriented, pre ‘box house’ style model. The staff at Tekserve are highly educated, and they work very hard to learn about and develop real relationships with their customers.

We are lucky to catch up with Mr. Chris Payne, the director of the Pro Audio department at Tekserve. Thanks for your time Chris!

Q. How did you end up with Tekserve? Could we get a little of your background?
Hello! I actually started with Tekserve in July of 2002. I moved over from the old Sam Ash Professional location on 1600 Broadway. The basic concept for Tekserve Pro Audio was to start and develop a high-end, professional audio sales division, focusing on Digidesign Pro Tools systems. We immediately started to add other Pro manufacturers that helped solidify us as a formidable, professional audio reseller. Some of the other manufacturers include Grace Design (my personal favorite), Genelec, TC Electronic, Eventide, Dynaudio Acoustics, Focusrite and Blue Microphones. Our main selling point at Tekserve is to deliver completely installed and functional workstations. We do the entire system setup in-house and deliver the customer a fully tested and working system.

Q. Being a computer sales and service business first, Tekserve’s pro audio department seems to be focused around selling/ supporting high end DAWs- namely Pro Tools. Has your expansion into general pro audio sales (mics, outboard etc…) been largely successful?
It is slowly growing. Since there was no real Pro Audio presence at Tekserve earlier, it has taken time to get the word out that we are more than just the computer facility. It has taken some time, but we are now beginning to see the fruits of our labor.

Q. Can you tell us a little about your staff in the pro audio division?
Sure. There is myself and my charming assistant Abby, who handles all of the incoming customer calls and helps qualify our customers. Our two senior Audio Technicians are Ron Thomson and Derek Davis. Ron and Derek perform all of the audio system configurations at Tekserve. They also provide our audio customers with technical support and service. Between myself, Ron and Derek, we have close to 50 years experience in the audio recording industry. Then we have Karriem Shabazz and Lars Hoel, who work along side me with our audio specific sales. Lars, Karriem and Ron were sent out to Digidesign late last year for a full week of intense product info and sales training.

Q. What is the state of pro audio in NYC? What types of clients do you seem to interact with the most these days?
It really varies. We have such a diverse customer base here. Post Production, Large-scale Music Facilities. Also deal with many home based Producers/Engineers. I have been extremely blessed with a fantastic client base.

Q. Why did you decide to carry the Grace Design line of products? Why do our products make such a good fit for your company and your customers?
I like to think of Tekserve as a grass-roots company. While not family owned, it certainly feels like it is. I feel the same way about Grace. Not only are the products of the highest quality and caliber, I get the same feeling from their family as I do from my Tekserve family. That feeling of being able to provide the best products for your customers, while never forgetting about the customer as a person.

Q. We know that you have our new m906 and m904 systems available to demo to your customers. How has the response been to these new units?
So far, the response has been tremendous. People are really getting knocked off their seats, especially when they are listening to familiar source material that is now being sent through the unit(s). Transparent but very revealing. I have a feeling many of these customers will be re-mixing some tracks when they get their new units.

Please visit Tekserve online at www.tekserve.com