After a year and a half of restructuring, following the acquisition of TC Group, the Music Group is now focused on relaunching many of the products that had been previewed at the last shows where they actually showed equipment. For a year now, Music is attending shows with nearly empty booths, while they conclude their restructuring process, hiring completely new teams in all departments, reorganizing all their three market divisions - Enterprise, Creation and Lifestyle - establishing a completely new global distribution network, and expanding their production facilities in China, now reinforced with a new cutting edge 1 million sq. ft factory.
So, while Music keeps their footprint around the world, with R&D, sales, marketing, and support operations based mostly on the countries where their brands originated - the UK, in the case of Klark Teknik, Midas, Tannoy, Turbosound and DDA - we can be certain that all newly released products from these brands are now manufactured in some of the most sophisticated and modern facilities available - which in turn allows for important price reductions.
A surprising example resulting of these changes is the newly announced Klark Teknik 1176-KT FET-style compressor, an homage to the classic 1176LN model, now shipping. This is an unusual move for a prestigious brand such as Klark Teknik, and typically something we would expect to see more coming from Behringer. With a valuable catalogue of great original designs, it is somewhat strange to see the Klark Teknik name used on an “homage” product, forever connected with Bill Putnam and UREI. But for The Music Group, that will be the philosophy, apparently - introducing products in market segments, with its most recognizable brand. So, dynamic processing = Klark Teknik.
Introduced in 1968, the original 1176 “true peak limiter”, designed by Bill Putnam was a major breakthrough, evolved from the Universal Audio/UREI 175 and 176 vacuum tube limiters. Recognized for its ultra-fast attack time, continuously variable attack and release, and amount of compression determined by setting the input level, with selectable ratios of 4:1 and 8:1 for compression, and 12:1 and 20:1 for limiting, the 1176 “feedback” compressor became extremely popular among producers and engineers. The 1176LN was actually a 1970 redesign by Brad Plunkett (UREI’s Director of Engineering, and the famous creator of the Wah-Wah effects pedal) and is considered to be the best-sounding version. In 1999, when Bill Putnam, Jr. relaunched Universal Audio, a reproduction of the Blackface 1176LN was the company’s first product. Reissued in 2000, it is still manufactured in California today and sells for $1,999.00 - while the company’s software plug-in version - the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection - costs $299.
According to the Music Group announcement, the Klark Teknik 1176-KT is an entirely modernized and discrete signal path utilizing custom-engineered Midas input and output transformers, improving its sonic performance, and with a 2U steel rack mount enclosure optimized for “rigorous live concert touring.” Otherwise the unit keeps the same familiar panel, and it offers the same classic three compression ratios: 4:1 for moderate compression; 8:1 for severe compression: 12:1 for mild limiting; and 20:1 for hard limiting. An additional ‘All-button’ mode is included for aggressive compression, while the illuminated vintage-style VU meter keeps the 1176-KT in style with the original processor. Otherwise, the Klark Teknik “homage” to the 1176 ships with Neutrik XLR connectors and a universal power supply with auto-voltage sensing for worldwide usability.
The 1176-KT is available at a suggested list price of US $689.99 and is covered by Music’s 3-Year Limited Warranty Program.
www.music-group.com | www.klarkteknik.com
