Positive Feedback

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Bethany

Things are going even better than expected for our newly American made products.  In the last two weeks, we’ve shipped out over a hundred new transducers and we’re already getting some incredible feedback.

Our friends at Porter & Davies manufacture bass drum monitoring systems that are acclaimed by some of the industry’s best-known artists. These monitoring systems, which allow drummers to both hear and feel the music through their drum thrones, are driven by our professional line of tactile sound transducers.

Dil Davies, Artistic Director of Porter & Davies, is one of the first to experience the difference between the older Chinese built transducers and the newer American made ones.  According to Dil, the new transducers have “noticeably more focus” and “5 to 10% more muscle,” a fact we attribute to the higher quality materials we use now that operations are in our hands.

We’re really excited to continue improving our product and we’re so happy to hear it is already making a good impression!

If you’ve had a chance to experience one of our transducers, we’d love to hear what you think.  Contact us at 303-797-7500 or just shoot us an email at info@clarksynthesis.com.  We’d love to hear from you!

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Manufacturing Begins in Colorado

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Bethany

It’s a big day at Clark Synthesis as today, April 8th, we officially begin our state side manufacturing operations.  Our transducers have been manufactured overseas for the last 10 years, so needless to say, this is a really exciting time!

Although incredibly busy, it feels so good to have production up and running.  I’ve been asked to give a quick summary of how this move came about, so here’s a rundown of how it all began.

About two years ago, we decided to experiment with doing partial builds of our products in the states.  To do this, we purchased transducer components from Chinese factories and assembled them here in Colorado.  The results were so outstanding, we were inspired to bring the whole operation back to the states.

Our first step in the move was to put as much stock on our warehouse shelves as possible.  Next, we needed to get our injection mold tooling back from China, and so we had that shipped as soon as possible.  The third step was to source components from US manufacturers, which has been both fun an exciting.  Finally, we developed new manufacturing procedures that took advantage of today’s technology.  To support all of this work, we implemented a new order processing system that can handle the newly expanded requirements of our business.  All of these changes have been a challenge, but we are more than happy to take them on.

We have been working with Front Range Tooling to make the necessary changes and modifications to our tooling.  Scott, Dennis, and their whole staff have been wonderful and an absolute joy to work with.  The first batch of plastic parts is set to be produced this week, and from what I’ve seen they are better than I could have asked.  The issues we did happen find are minor and easily fixed, so we are thankful for that.

One major advantage in moving manufacturing back home is that we can easily update materials and take advantage of all the latest technologies.  We are doing everything possible to make these the best transducers we’ve ever produced.  With all the new improvements, I expect a transducer manufactured this year will still be making people smile 25 years from now.

I’m so proud of my staff, our vendors, and all our friends who have encouraged us along the way.  Our dealers have been amazingly supportive, even as we’ve begun to run out of inventory on products they need.  We are so thankful for their continued support and understanding as we make the shift from overseas to at-home manufacturing.  We feel honored with their patience and words of encouragement through this transition.

-Bill

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A Backyard Oasis

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Bethany

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United States Synchronized Swimming

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Bethany

Some relationships are so good, you just don’t want them to end.  That’s exactly how we feel about United States Synchronized Swimming and why we’re so delighted, once again, to be their official underwater sound supplier.  We’ve enjoyed many years of relationship with this wonderful organization, and now we get to look forward to many more.

One thing we’ve learned over the years is that synchronized swimming coaches are some of our most demanding customers.  They require flawless sound reproduction and products they can truly rely on day after day, year after year.  Since many coaches teach at YMCA facilities or other practice pools, they must transport their equipment in and out of the water on a daily basis, which puts significant physical strain on the equipment.  Working with USSS has allowed us the opportunity to continually improve our speakers so that they hold up to the most rigorous demands.

In the coming months, we’ll be introducing new speakers that combine our passion for fabulous underwater audio with our love of delighting customers.  Stay tuned, because in less than 60 days, the new product introductions will begin.

- Bill

 

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Official Product Lines

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Bethany

Contact us for more information:

 

 

 

 

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NAMM 2013

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Bethany

Well, I just got back from the NAMM show in California and wow, what a blast!  Being around so many musicians and musical instruments is a huge part of what makes NAMM one of the most enjoyable trade shows in the world.

Once again, I got to hang with Paul, Tim, Dil, and Kevin from Porter and Davies in the UK.  These guys manufacture the only drum throne with a built-in Clark Synthesis transducer and a custom amplifier to drive it.  This is their second year showing at NAMM, and this year’s crowd certainly kept them busy.

Top-name drummers showed up to give autographs and I watched as the lines stretched through the aisles.  Large crowds gathered to listen to these famous drummers show us all why they’re among the best in the world.

There were a lot of fun things to see at NAMM this year, but seeing the smiles on each drummer’s face as they experienced the tactile monitors topped it all.  Porter and Davies forecast a record-braking year this year and judging from the crowd’s positive reactions, I have no doubt they will.

You can check out the Porter and Davies website here.

-Bill

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CES 2013

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Bethany

CES 2013 was pretty exciting as I got a small taste for the future and direction of Home Theater.  It seems like everywhere I turned this year, companies were demonstrating 4K televisions – all of which looked really amazing.  Some manufacturers demonstrated the 4K technology by comparing a Blu-Ray on a 4K set alongside the same video shown on a 1K high-definition set and, needless to say, the difference was stunning.  These 4K televisions are able to upconvert the 1K material to 4K and, I must admit, the 1K looked a bit plain in comparison.

The two obvious questions I had when looking at the 4K televisions were, “when will these be available?” and “how much do they cost?”  I asked around and found out the new 4K should be available sometime over the summer.  But as for their cost, well, nobody could quite say.  I heard rumors of prices starting at US$12,000 but nothing was verified.  If the rumors are true, I don’t suspect to be seeing them at Best Buy or Walmart anytime soon.  Even so, one manufacturer claimed there would be a 4K set available for the consumer market this summer, but again, nothing official.  I personally don’t expect to see the new technology hit the consumer market for a few more years, but I would love to be wrong about that!

With all the 4K televisions around, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in the 3D world.  I saw some good looking 4K 3D televisions that didn’t require glasses, but the viewing angle was pretty narrow.  The picture started to look strange when you got far enough off-axis and it appears they were using some type of lenticular system to create the 3D effect.  I didn’t see one demonstrated, but I wonder what the 2D programs look like on those 3D televisions.

Anyways, it was good to see the new technology and I can’t wait to see where it leads the Home Theater industry in the coming years.

-Bill

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FAQ: How Do Our Transducers Differ?

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Bethany

One frequent question we get asked at Clark Synthesis is “what’s the main difference between your three transducers?”  It’s a valid question considering their price range and variability of application, and even though the answer is important, it’s still pretty simple.  We want all our customers to be confident they’re buying the right product for their needs, so here’s a quick rundown of the answer.

Simply put, the difference between our transducers is one of power.  The make, quality, and durability are all the same but the impact you both feel and hear with each transducer is on a continuum from softer to stronger.  Think of it like the difference between a lawn mower engine, a V-8 engine, and a jet engine.  All three work very well in the application for which they were designed, but the power levels are very different.  The stronger the transducer, the more capable it is to handle more powerful applications.

The TST239 Silver Transducer is the least powerful of the three.  It needs to be installed in furniture with thin cushions in order to be felt, as the impact would get lost in thicker padding and cushions.  It is perfect for light furniture and game chairs, which makes it the best choice for anyone wanting to add another level of reality to their gaming. (Keep in mind that even though the Silver transducer is the least powerful in the Clark Synthesis line, it is still more powerful than most other transducers on the market.)

The TST329 Gold transducer, our mid-level, has approximately double the output of the Silver and can be easily felt through thick furniture and strong materials.  Because the Gold is approximately twice as strong as the Silver, the sound and the vibrations are twice as intense.  Likewise, the Platinum transducer is approximately twice as strong as the Gold, which makes it the most powerful transducer in the Clark Synthesis line.  The TST429 Platinum puts out the strongest and most intense vibrations of the three and is strong enough to vibrate very plush furniture, large platforms, and even whole concert stages.  Because of their strength of output, our Gold and Platinum transducers are frequently used in military training simulators.

Well, that’s the basic idea.  Hopefully this helps distinguish the difference between our transducers and helps you determine which level is best for you.  No matter what, you’ll be getting an amazing product that is sure to enhance movie-watching, music-playing, or gaming.  Or maybe you can think of another great way to use them!

Check out our Just For Fun page to see some fun ways that others have used our transducers.

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Looking Forward to 2013

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Bethany

Over the last year, Clark Synthesis product lines went through a few changes. To name a few, the Aquasonic® Underwater Speaker got re-named to the Diluvio™, we added fully weatherproof speakers (the Aguaceiro™ and the Torden™) to our outdoor living product line, and then we made Aquasonic® the brand name for the whole line of outdoor living speakers. Finally, when the cost of neodymium (a rare earth metal used in our transducers and underwater speakers) stabilized after a huge cost increase, we were able to bring down prices on most products and pass the savings onto our dedicated customers. Now that it’s 2013, the changes are still rolling in.

As the New Year begins, we’re still adjusting to moving manufacturing back to the US, a process that will be complete sometime in the spring. We also have plans to make the current Diluvio™ Underwater Speaker available in four different configurations. It will be the same amazing underwater speaker that we’ve always produced, but will soon be able to fit into just about any type of pool.  Specifically, the new configurations will allow for much easier retrofitting.

We’re so thankful for everyone who sells and uses our products, and we’re really excited to be providing even more innovation in the coming year. As we look ahead, we welcome both the fun and challenging times it will bring.

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Moving Manufacturing Back To USA

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Bethany

Even though the holiday season is famously known (or perhaps infamously known) for its harried busyness, Clark Synthesis has even more hustle and bustle than normal.  Why all the frazzle this year?  Well, unfortunately for my sweet-tooth, it isn’t because of the cookie baking and candy making (although our office manager does have an amazing knack for the culinary arts).  It is, however, something we’re all really excited about.  Clark Synthesis is happy and proud to announce that in the coming year, we will be moving most manufacturing operations back to the United States.

Yep, that’s right.  Clark Synthesis products are soon going to be manufactured right here in the US.  The last few months have seen a lot of preparation work and as details are being finalized, we’re really excited to begin thinking of all the positive changes this will mean for both our customers and for us as a company.

Among many other benefits, having our manufacturing done stateside will allow us more flexibility and freedom with product design and development.  In fact, Bill is already brainstorming different ways to tailor our products to meet even more of our customer’s needs!  And this is just the beginning.

As we head into the coming year, we’re excited to watch these new beginnings unfold and discover new ways they will benefit our present and future customers.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

 

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