Mixer Gareth Johnson Depends on the Portable Monitor System as a Reliable and Mobile Mixing Solution for Teenage Cancer Trust Fundraiser

LONDON, JUNE 6, 2023 ― Royal Albert Hall was once again the site for the annual concert series benefiting the Teenage Cancer Trust, an organization providing unique care and support for young people living with cancer. Featuring acts such as Roger Daltrey of The Who, Underworld, Wet Leg, and Jake Bugg, the task of mixing audio for the six-day-long event was given to Producer, Mixer, and Writer Gareth Johnson. Although Johnson has been mixing the Teenage Cancer Trust shows for nearly 20 years, this was the first time he relied on a brand-new solution: the KRK GoAux 3 Portable Monitor System.

“I originally wanted to try the KRK GoAux because they’re a complete reference monitor system that can fit in a bag,” Johnson explains. “A portable solution is great for me since I’m always moving between live venues, my professional studio, and my home studio. Plus, it’s good to have a system where I can have a quick listen to what was recorded from the live show. The KRK GoAux does just that. They are extremely portable, and let me know what has been recorded so I can construct mixes to check that we have everything we need.”

Mixing accurate audio for the Teenage Cancer Trust shows was crucial for Johnson. Each performance had multi-track and multi-camera recordings for live albums and other content to support the charity. “It was a full production,” says Johnson about the gigs, “and it was at one of the world’s most iconic venues with some of the biggest artists from around the globe. There wasn’t much free time because it was all systems go right from the start. The GoAux made my job so much easier; they were simple to set up, super light, and did their job perfectly.”

“When I was backstage, I was immediately able to plug the GoAux in and get a rough balance,” Johnson continues. “The KRK GoAux over-delivered in how easy they were to use and balance tracks. I streamed a 128-channel full concert straight from my laptop via the GoAux’s Bluetooth capabilities. There was no problem with bandwidth at all. When I got to my main studio and opened my mix, it didn’t sound wildly different.”

The GoAux’s features and capabilities proved equally useful backstage. “Obviously you can use headphones, but it was great to have something that I could just set up in a room and have other people listen in as well,” says Johnson. “I’ve used other portable monitors before, but none of them were as small as the GoAux. It would’ve been great to have access to something like this, at this price point, when I was first starting out. It’s so cool that these are available and exist now.”

Although the KRK GoAux weren’t available when Johnson began mixing, the now retired KRK VXT Series Studio Monitors were the first pair of professional monitors he ever owned. “As such a long-standing brand—one that I’ve had experience with for years—I’m happy to know that KRK continues to provide innovative products,” he says. “The GoAux are such a reliable and portable reference system. For a fast turnaround and high-pressure environment like the Teenage Cancer Trust shows, the last thing you want is gear that is going to let you down. I was so happy with how the KRK GoAux worked out for this project and look forward to using them on my next gig.”

Gareth Johnson — Photo by Marcus Maschwitz

About KRK

Over the past three decades, KRK, part of Gibson Pro Audio, has become synonymous with quality design and unparalleled performance in the world of studio monitors, subwoofers, and headphones. KRK offers products that meet the diverse needs of home studios and professional studios alike, no matter the style of music or application. For more information, visit krkmusic.com.

About Gibson

Gibson, the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for 127 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson Brands has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson Brands portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, and KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals. Gibson Brands is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands. Learn more at Gibson.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Gibson TV, and Instagram.

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