HARMAN’s JBL 3 Series Studio Monitors and AKG Microphones Improve Greater Media NJ’s Statewide Broadcasts

NORTHRIDGE, California – Finalizing a station-wide renovation, Greater Media, Inc.’s New Jersey-market facility WRAT-FM (The RAT) recently installed two pairs of HARMAN’s JBL LSR studio monitors. With a pair of LSR305 studio monitors in a small production room and LSR308 studio monitors in the main production room, the creative department now has a more accurate reference for the commercials, music programs, and promotional announcements they produce. Regional manufacturer’s representative Sigmet Corporation provided the JBL equipment.

“We had what I like to call a ‘snowflake collection’ in our studios in that building – no two pairs of anything were the same,” stated Keith Smeal, Director of Technical Operations, Greater Media New Jersey. “We’re currently working on getting every station on the same platform and the initial installation of the LSR’s has been a very successful starting point. The LSR monitors are a major improvement from our legacy equipment. They produce a nice, crisp and clear high end and remarkably full bottom.”

Leveraging new technology developed for JBL’s flagship M2 Master Reference Monitor, the 3 Series studio monitors feature JBL’s patent-pending Image Control Waveguide, which enables the listener to hear greater depth and ambience in recordings.

An additional pair of LSR305’s is installed in the home studio of the program manager of WJRZ, New Jersey’s Greatest Hits-another Greater Media New Jersey station.

Sigmet also delivered three pairs of JBL Control 5 loudspeakers for portable use during radio station-sponsored events. The loudspeakers’ rugged construction and high-performance capabilities provide a clear sound for event participants, whether Greater Media sets up its portable broadcast station on a boardwalk or in a parking lot for a store opening.

During the renovation, Smeal demoed numerous AKG microphones to help improve the sound of the station. A set of microphones provided by Sigmet consisting of C414s, C214s, 4500 BCs, C3000s and a D12 VR was delivered to the broadcast facility. According to Smeal, the AKG microphones were a hit at the station—a nice in-between solution for the DJs while the renovation continues. “We want to ensure we’re sending out the best sound, whether our listeners are in the car or in front of a hi-fi system,” he said.

 Smeal has plans to use 60 AKG C414s in his studios for a full microphone upgrade in 2014.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of 14,600 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $4.5 billion for the last twelve months ended September 30, 2013.