klotz — issue #01
decades
klotz —issue #01: years weeks days 35 1,825 12,775 hours minutes 306,600 18,396,000 seconds 1,103,760,000
the three klotz brothers, thomas, dieter and peter have been in the forefront of the audio broadcasting and event technology industry for 35 years. from the foundation through periods of innovation and growth, and last but not least due to the refocus on the two market segments interfaces and communications, the klotz companies have mastered periods of turbulent developments and changes successfully. by exploiting their strengths, including dynamic innovation, reliability, desire and ability to ensure the satisfaction of individual customer needs, the companies have established themselves as leaders in quality and performance. until today this has been appreciated by musicians, rental operators, theatres, operas, stadiums, airports and worldwide broadcast stations. the times 88—95 they are a- changin’ growth
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the world in a state of upheaval. As the Cold War standards to the studio rack. In 1988 Klotz established it´s cable production in the ended, borders were dissolved. The sound-track for the era was provided by the Franconian town of Vilchband. In the late 80ies Klotz was pioneering the fibre optic Scorpions with their worldwide megahit “Wind of Change”. The band’s guitarist, technology within the pro audio market. The development of OAK_link, the world’s first Matthias Jabs, would later collaborate with Klotz to develop his signature cable, the optical fiber cable designed specifically for professional audio technology, proved its “Rockmaster”. It’s a small world! In the meantime, Klotz was also continuing to put worth in numerous settings including Wembley Stadium, where it made an impressive every effort into improving and expanding its range of standard music products, launching debut by delivering superb sound for the Rolling Stones and Madonna. new speaker designs and a modular studio series which transferred customers’ high
79 — 81 95—03 refocus
Klotz refocused and identified two market segments for the future. Interfaces and as well as the first all-metal XLR connectors, the first digital video cable and ultra- foundation Communications. Communication began to build up partnerships with radio stations reliable DMX cables. In the mid-1990s, international radio stations began to introduce throughout the world, with required suitable distribution systems as they increased a new business model and sought audio distribution systems to deliver content sharing. Most company start-ups are founded on a smart idea… This initial inspiration of Thomas rapidly expanded to include production of speaker cabinets and horn systems. To meet their reliance on digital content. Based on its profound market intelligence and A trend that Klotz communications was quickly identifying. From these initial beginnings Klotz resulted in the launch of the first Klotz company in 1979, the first company in these needs, the brothers Dieter, Peter and Thomas Klotz went into the speaker business manufacturing know how interfaces developed groundbreaking products representing until today countless products were developed spanning digital mixing consoles, audio Germany, if not the whole of Europe, to specialize in the development, manufacture and with Zebra Holzbau. By fall of 1980 the company was already facing a move to larger a complete new generation of cables specially made for digital audio and video and distribution networks and digital PA systems. sale of specialized multicore, microphone and instrument cables. The product range production facilities. The foundations for the company’s success story had been laid. interface components. Designed for maximum durability KIK connectors were launched 81— 88 03—present innovation future
The 1980s were particularly notable for the growing professionalism and pace of Klotz Thick and Soft”, this model – naturally updated several times - is still a staple in In the new millennium, interfaces has continued to drive progress with vigour and installation and formed partnerships with major equipment rental companies. The development in many sectors, including the music industry. Digital technology began to our catalogue. At the same time, the company launched various new speakers and its dynamism. The launch of the new Signature instrument cable range was a sensational family-run company demonstrated its vision and bold innovative strength by launching spread rapidly – with the compact disc probably its most widespread and universal first in-house designed DI box, taking the highest possible quality standards as its success, including signature cables designed in partnership with Matthias Jabs future-oriented products such as DigiLine, an RC5-based digital instrument cable, and representative – to match the increasingly advanced and complex demands of this new benchmark. Another introduction was the Modular Interface System (M.I.S.), a flexible, (Rockmaster), T.M. Stevens (Funkmaster, with over 100,000 sold to date) and last but the HD PowerLink camera transmission system. It will be fascinating to see what era. Recognizing this trend at an early stage, Klotz responded by supplying appropriate modular connecting system. The trust and confidence our customers had grown to not least with Joe Bonamassa. The patented Titanium cable range introduced a short products Klotz will create to amaze its customers in the future – from musicians and products including the Nano 300 processor-controlled speaker system. Klotz also place in Klotz could be traced in the major contracts awarded to our company – like time later represented a further pinnacle of quality and is still the highest-end Klotz rental companies to professional installation specialists. The company’s choice of raised the bar on quality in the field of musicians’ supplies and developed a host of cabling installations for the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo and for the legendary cable today. But the company also caters to entry-level customers, with ranges like the Germany as the location for its development and production operations will continue to products, many of which are still best-sellers today. The LaGrange cable, launched in Abbey Road Studios. And this was only the beginning. Greyhound Series bringing high-quality products within the reach of musicians on a be the hallmark of superb quality and durability. 1985, was the first Klotz cable in the premium price range. Often described as “the budget. In addition, interfaces expanded its activities in the fields of broadcasting and 19"tainer, 59er vintage guitar cable, ad10, ad100, aeon, audio innovations serie 50, blueline, blueline pro, cam311, dc i, dc ii, d10, di44, dia44, dabs digital audio backbone system, decennium, decennium hd / 5.1, digiwire, drumlink, drumlink pro, extreme2, fibreflex, fibreflex ultra, fibreflex extreme2, fibrelink, fsd french signal distribution, funkmaster, g2 audio engine, graphite one, graphite two, graphite three, greyhound, hd-powerlink, hd-powerlink plus, hd-powerlink plus opto, icerock, icb installation connection boxes, joe bonamassa, k-check, k-sub, keymaster, kik klotz instrumenten kabel, kmk klotz mikrofon kabel, lagrange, m1, m2, m5, mikro pa, mini_link, minicore, m.i.s. modular interface system, msd modular signal distribution, multilink, nano 300, nano 800, nano 1500, nano control 12, nano control 15, nano 500 bass, oak_link, omnifix, omnilive, omnistar, omnitrans, omniwire, pa 900, pa1200, paradigm, polydata, polyfix, polyflex, polylite, polylive, polystar, polywire, powercore-flex, powerflex, pro artist, rpc/2 rms power controller, ramcat5, ramcat6, rockmaster, sc1, sc3, sc5, sentinel, smartbeam, smartbeam duo, smartbeam quad, smartkit, smartlink, spherion, starquad, straightlink, studiocore, studioline, tactiles, t-box, tr-2 miditransmitter, titanium, touchstone, tritek, truelink, truelink pro, ultra, ultra pa, ums universal multicore system, vadis, vario stereo guitar cable, varizone, xenon, zebra combo, zebra kontra, zebra phase, zebra tango. peter klotz has been a key member of the company from the outset and is currently on the managing board, with responsibility for marketing and sales. we asked him how klotz ais succeeds in reaching as many customers as possible with its products and providing individual, personal service to them all. and we also found out more about his services to the event industry in germany.
You’re responsible for coordinating internal processes at Klotz AIS and for creating a track of the same name. You’ve just completed a company rebranding at Klotz AIS. distinctive and competitive identity for the company. What are the critical factors? The Klotz brand has been in existence for 35 years and has undergone numerous Connecting things is what we're all about as a cable manufacturer. It’s our core changes during its lifetime. It was time for us to change again and to bring together competence, be it connecting instruments and amplifiers or, in fact, connecting any the various units under the umbrella of a strong brand. What are your priorities in kind of devices. So we’re naturally well aware of the importance of making excellent implementing the new branding? All our employees are called upon to ensure this connections with our customers. Good customer contact is essential for all the change is implemented as fast as possible, because a company that keeps moving products we sell, from cables for microphones and instruments to cables for cameras stays young and dynamic! Our modern, dynamic new logo and wordmark also reflect or TV broadcasting.For this reason, Klotz attends 20 – 25 trade shows per year to main- this new image. Of course it was a lot of work, but we have a great team! You recently tain close and constant contact with our customers. We also visit our customers regu- held the first Klotz Factory Tour. Yes, and it was extremely successful. We invited larly, at least once a year, and use newsletters and social media like Facebook to en- specialist music retailers to our Vilchband production facility and gave them a detailed sure our customers are well looked after and well informed. How do you achieve your tour of our production processes, together with training in our premade range and global presence? We have a total of five sales offices and branches outside our fibre-optic technology, with all the information they need about the manufacture Germany, in Austria, the Netherlands, Singapore, the UK and France. In other countries, and assembly of our products. We plan to hold the factory tours monthly from April such as the USA, we have arrangements with distributors to look after our customers. 2015 because we think they are the best way of convincing our customers of the high This enables us to strengthen our customer loyalty and add a personal touch to the manufacturing quality of our products. Anybody interested in experiencing a Factory Klotz name. Of course Germany is also part of our network, with sales offices in Tour in person can send a mail to [email protected] – the first 50 people will Northern, Central and Southern Germany. We can provide extremely intensive customer be invited to one of the next Factory Tours. You’re also the co-founder and honorary care on this basis. But another priority for us is to support and drive the retail sector. chairman of the German Media and Event Technology Association (VPLT). What does 2,500 Klotz display units present our products at 1,100 retailers throughout the world, the organization do? Founded in 1983, the VPLT represents almost 600 companies with ensuring that Klotz products can be found all over the world. We are currently total sales of 3.5 billion euros and around 10,000 employees. It is Europe’s largest establishing a position on the last major markets in North and South America, and Klotz industry association. Back in the 1980s, we considered what could be done for the cables are even available as far away as Japan. Where does the LaGrange Cable get its lighting and sound industry in Germany. Our ideas included the definition of recognized name from? When we launched the GY107 guitar cable thirty years ago, it was still professional qualifications involving a three-year training course – which 25,000 to known as “the Klotz Thick and Soft”. Sales were very good, including in the USA. Ken- 30,000 young people have taken up since then. The VPLT also organizes advanced and drick, ZZ Top’s guitar technician at that time, used our cables throughout his studio and further training, contributing to the exceptionally high standards of German equipment at every ZZ Top concert. So the idea of calling the cable LaGrange came to us more or hire companies. Looking back, our idea proved to be an extremely successful method less by chance. I’m sure there are a few fans around that still remember the ZZ Top that enhanced the professionalism of the event industry at the time. stefan brenner has been part of klotz since 1986 and is head of procurement. we asked him how the company manages to ensure its portfolio — which now spans an incredibly comprehensive array of products — is always available in sufficient quantities at consistent top quality. he also revealed which musical instrument he would choose to take the stage by storm.
You’re the only managing partner that isn’t a member of the Klotz family. Is that a our strategic procurement management system that controls the flow of goods we difficult position to be in? The success of our company is built from the work of all our need in real production. It’s a basic requirement for counteracting cost pressure. By employees! It’s vital for us to ensure that each and every member of our company can adopting intelligent procurement measures that take our suppliers’ manufacturing and identify with KLOTZ, and that we all think and act along performance-oriented lines. organizational capacities and abilities into consideration, our Procurement division This ensures that it is the person, not the name, that commits to playing their part in can provide the bedrock for our globally famous brand – and naturally comply with the Klotz success story. You’ve been responsible for purchasing since 1986. What has Klotz quality standards at the same time. What role does availability play in your changed over that period? Purchasing has become increasingly complex for a number operations? Time constraints are becoming increasingly tight in project management. of reasons. Firstly, when Klotz AIS launched its cable production operations in 1996 Rapid availability is absolutely vital – in fact, no business would take place without it. we had 44 types of cables; today we have over 330 different cables and This is why we permanently keep 2.4 million metres of cable in stock, which guarantees systems Secondly, customer-oriented production focuses on speed. The key factors are high availability for our products while also meeting our own high standards. If you fast availability, good value for money and avoidance of the mistake of “overbooking”. were a musician, what instrument would you play? If I could play, I’d love to belt out How do you combine quality standards with cost pressure? Global sourcing is part of rock music at Woodstock – on a German-style accordion! dieter klotz. managing director dieter klotz has also dedicated himself to advancing the development of klotz ais since the company was founded. we asked him how he sees the position of klotz ais in comparison to its competitors, how the company’s many different types of customers can be kept satisfied, and why germany offers the greatest advantages as a production location.
What position does the Klotz brand hold today with respect to global competition? To- checks at the individual stages of product manufacturing. As far as we know, you are day, Klotz is a well-known name both in Germany and abroad. Exports now account for the only cable manufacturer in this field that has chosen Germany as its production 75 per cent of our business. We have been represented internationally since the com- location. What are the advantages? Our company has its roots in the German states pany started; initially we focused on Europe before expanding our operations to global of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and we stand by our support of Germany as a level. We are the leading manufacturer to operate in the musicians’, audio, video and manufacturing centre. We would never consider relocating our production facilities multimedia markets as well as in major projects. The quality, design and durability of abroad. However, we are well aware that with Germany as the location of our production our products play essential roles in our success. When customers choose Klotz they operations, we need to deliver higher quality than companies that manufacture their are actually saving money, because our products have such a long lifespan that they products abroad. For this reason, industrial workflow processes are integrated into can be used for a long time before replacements are needed. Why do so many custom- parts of our cable system manufacturing operations, to ensure our production is ers decide on KLOTZ? Customer service is a top priority for us, and reliability and flex- cost-effective and delivers outstanding value for money in comparison with our ibility are a matter of course. All customers know our sales team and are competitors. Are these advantages also in evidence in human resources? Quite simply, assigned their personal contact from the team. Team members include speakers of we can recruit staff with higher qualification levels in Germany; the level of training and German, English, Russian, French and Croatian who can advise our customers in their education is very high over here. It is these highly qualified skilled employees that own language. Our customers can rely on receiving expert and well-founded product enable us to achieve the degree of vertical integration we now have in the company. offers that are precisely tailored to their needs. We’re also famous for our fast, on-time We retain all our expertise within the company, and thanks to our own experience in delivery, managed by our modern production planning and control system. Our in-house cable production we can always stay on the ball. This also means we retain control of workflows are perfectly optimized and enable us to meet virtually every deadline. We quality. Our company has an excellent working atmosphere; 40 per cent of our employees focus on our customers and their needs, and we fulfil those needs with our products. have been with us for ten years or more. All together, they form a well-oiled team that This ensures Klotz customers receive significant and clear-cut added value compared works flawlessly as a unit.But you also commission some products from abroad. We to other brands. What are the critical success factors in your business? We’re proud of commission individual product components abroad – primarily in Western Europe. our long-standing experience and our innovative strength. Most of all, we’re proud of These products are designed by us and are specified down to the last detail. The our passion and enthusiasm for the development and advancement of forward-looking production locations must confirm the high standards of their production, demonstrate products and technologies. As a matter of course, we involve our customers and users, they have modern machinery and equipment and maintain an end-to-end quality our internal and external strategic partners and our production directors at an early management system in compliance with ISO 9000. Their products undergo the same stage of development, which enables us to guarantee our products will be successful. strict and continuous quality checks as the products we produce here in Germany. Product quality is our cornerstone. Every product that leaves our factory has gone We also hold ISO 9001:2008 certification, and we live and breathe a culture of continuous through a 100% quality control process. In addition, we conduct separate quality improvement in both our corporate processes and the products created by them. supreme quality.
production in vilchband — made in germany optimum quality control is an essential stage in manufacturing – particularly for cable-related products. and it is easiest to guarantee high quality when manufacturing takes place on site. this is the case at Klotz Interfaces, where all our products are manufactured manually at our production facility in vilchband, franconia. Our manufacturing facility at Vilchband relies on skilled manual procedures to guarantee produce our own stage boxes, connection systems and installation connection boxes, the outstanding quality of our products. This method ensures all our products – from as well as other products including mixers for OEM customers. And our employees’ copper cables to fibre-optic – have consistent high quality. Our production processes expertise also covers the optical fibre sector; our fibre-optic assembly specialists are involve a series of coordinated steps aligned to specific cables and connectors to experienced and highly qualified, working with state-of-the-art measurement and testing make up the individual cable models. Depending on the cable type, various connection technology. Special polishing machines cover all common connector types as well as technologies are used. And we do much more. Our extensive production operations our own proven SmartBeam connector range with lens technology developed in-house. include metal-working using high-tech laser CNC milling machines, with which we This enables us to guarantee that all our products leave our factory in flawless quality. our quality control — the guarantee of top-quality products. even providing the best manufacturing conditions, conducting regular in- depth testing on all our products, is an essential part of the process. this is the only way to ensure to meet our rigorous quality standards. for this reason, at Klotz Interfaces we pay particular attention to quality control. one hundred percent quality control.
the outstanding quality of our products is one of the reasons why Klotz Interfaces has achieved such a high international reputation. to ensure these quality standards we continuously optimize all our production processes by using state-of-the-art testing equipment. for example, tensile testing rigs are used to check the mechanical pull-off force of crimp joints in every cable series. all premade copper cables and cable systems – many of which are manually soldered – undergo auto- mated computer-controlled contact resistance testing before they leave our factory. all premade optical fibre cables are tested on our fo test rig, using the optical wavelengths for each fibre type to check optical attenuation; in addition, 3d and 2d interferometer testing is conducted on the polished ferrules of fo cables. by using the best and most efficient production methods at klotz interfaces, we can meet our own rigorous standards of quality and performance. we are also certified under the intl. quality standard iso9001:2008. words & illustrations by george bates “ the bass chose me.”
t.m. stevens “... ‘who is tm stevens?’ a friend had asked me after i spent the afternoon with the man in question. my response — he is simply an american treasure, bass legend/visionary, electrifying performer and an extremely open and hospitable guy.”
george bates
Who an artist is, is the culmination of so many diverse needed my help. So I walked over to the mike and said thought it was great!” Miles then said “Sure, you played and molding factors from life, chance and most importantly “Ladies and Gentlemen for the first time, James Brown everything fine all the notes were right on and correct sheer will, grit and determination. Usually we only get has done a split and, he loves this crowd so much that but its’ when you really take some risks and are willing to see the pinpoint focus of all of this depth of history he’s decided to stay there for you!” The crowd went wild to make mistakes, that’s where things get really and life experience when it is revealed on-stage. It is and I whispered to James that when I put out my hand use interesting...” Apparently folks at the session were not here where it explodes into a stunning and memorable it to give me a slap, jump up, do a spin and grab the mike. cool with the fact that he just walked up to Miles and flat performance or recording, but rarely do we ever get to James did it and the crowd went absolutely insane!” Later out asked him about his playing. “You don’t just walk up see what goes on Backstage. The idea of what “Back- that night James said “ TM, how did you know how to to Miles Davis and begin talking to him...!”. For the next stage” is and what happens there has always intrigued stage that so perfectly?” and TM says. “Because I’m a day’s session TM mentioned that he took more risks and me the most about any artist’s intent and history. It’s total Pro. I know what I’m doing!”. James gave TM a $200 went “Out” there with his playing more and also respected within the nuance of the Backstage where you get to bonus that night for his ability to truly understand the the distance between the band and the man but Miles see what it really takes to be an artist and the bravery complexities of what a live performance really is and to walked right up to him after that session, said nothing, one has to have to risk it all for something that most deliver on the true natural showmanship of the artist and offered him half of his sandwich right up to his mouth. folks can’t even image. What I’m talking about is what at work. James also singled him out to sing the only other Everyone agreed that was a sign that Miles really dug the it takes to actually make your voice and intent both vocal track on James Brown’s Living in America in playing that day. distinct and heard. addition to his bass playing. TM is so easy to hang out with but the most remarkable When I starting out playing in bands someone who I When we arrived back at TM’s House after spending transfiguration occurred whenever the Bass was in his really respected in the music scene said to me “On the some time in town and on the beach the first order of hand. The scene would go from a casual hangout with a first note that you play, people decide if they are going business was a few healthy pours of some Jäger and then really friendly guy to suddenly it felt like we were at a to stay and continue to listen to your band or leave the we got down to looking around. We were invited into a performance in a stadium venue. He brings that energy to room. On the first note...”. Imagine for a minute that sort treasure trove of American musical history as everywhere any room instantly with his electric stage presence and of pressure and the implications of making every second you look there are things like dimestore developed snap- profoundly creative bass playing. But when he played the and every note count to that degree. This in not a world shots of historic concerts with TM on stage, photos of 8 string bass, with the map of Africa painted on it-double for those not willing or not capable to be “On Point” all Joe Cocker, Miles Davis, Pretenders and countless other neck, the room sounded like a choir of funky angels the time and deliver at the drop of the hat a precise luminaries from music history everywhere and walls of laying down some thunderous of Shocka Zooloo hellfire! and engaging aesthetic. It’s a demanding and Art with Platinum and Gold records he’s played on. This guy has You expect this sort of intensity and “juice” only to be seen all that implies. So, recently I went “Backstage” with TM been a part of ever facet of American musical history on-stage but he brings that presence to any room, any Stevens for an afternoon of conversation and photos by during his lifetime and everywhere you look it’s a music time, no matter the size. That’s some natural charisma on Sven Hoffmann that extended deep into the night. history buffs “diggers” paradise. Every item has a story top of a true artists ethos. He fills any room, period. Our and depth related to TM’s art, ethos and process. I’m very afternoon had easily slipped late into the night and after George Bates : Why did you move to Long Branch NJ? interested in process and what process is for an artist hearing such a wide range of stories from—“In the Joe and an artist’s unique voice. A true voice cannot be Cocker band I was also enlisted by the manager to help TM Stevens: I was playing the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, replicated by anyone. How an artist hones, risks and out by making bottles of booze disappear if they were NJ with Little Steven one night and Bruce Springsteen assesses their voice, craft and intent through process within arms reach of Joe so he could actually perform at jumps up on stage to play with us and I’m thinking, why and then continues to push the limits is remarkable if the shows later on...” to stories of performances with Sun am I living in NYC where I’m lugging these huge amps up you take a minute to think about it. Sure, there is a path Ra and a love of Led Zeppelin records—my sense was of to my apartment when it’s this nice, easy and with this that has been set forth by others who have done similar the prevailing ethos—Everything is for The Music. The caliber of musicians and artist down here in the ocean sorts of things but to have a voice is to simply do some- Life is The Music. The meaning of all of this stuff is The towns of NJ... thing there is no precedent for and that is incredibly Music. The Music really happens “Backstage”. It’s all Art, risky. As an artist, no one has ever really done it “your and the point of any Art or Aesthetic is that if, even for a GB: Why did you gravitate towards the Bass? way” and there’s really no guide to doing it “your way”. minute, you can take someone out of their narrow world What makes up that unique voice is only really seen view and expose them to an idea or feeling that helps to TM: The Bass chose me. “Backstage” and everywhere we looked in TM’s house reshape their view into a more positive or thoughtful we saw the things that formed, honed and perfected that reflection (that Rocks!) then something of real value has We drove around town with TM for a while and the unique TM voice. Gumby figures, Buddhist images and been accomplished. Art’s value is in what it makes a person conversation easily unfolded into a personal history reminders, Bob Marley Flags, African carvings, legendary think or feel. As I sat with TM that night and watched the lesson covering a huge swath of American musical concert shwag, fistfuls of backstage passes from decades video footage the final show of the Bootsy Collins Funk history and the joys and realities of being a working of tours, a dizzying assortment of modern and vintage Unity Japan Tour there is a point where Bootsy leaves the musician. TM told the stories of how he bought his first Basses, Guitars, Amps and the framed Military Service stage and hands it over entirely to TM. In that moment TM bass from a junky who needed cash in Harlem and American Flags prominently displayed in a special place had decided to give every band member a solo even when shortly thereafter he began playing Burlesque clubs over the mixing board that were given to TM for the the spotlight was entirely his. Now this had not been done when he was underage. Because he was so young the service his Mother and Aunt gave to the US Armed Forces, on the tour at all up until this point so you can actually club owners had to send him to hide in the alley when just to name a few. see how surprised and overjoyed these musicians were inspectors and officials came by so the club wouldn’t get There is a photo that was taken during the sessions for this gift and the level of intensity, feel and musical shut down or fined. He spoke of how when he was very TM played with Miles Davis that hangs on the wall prowess that was put into everyone’s solo is incredible to young he found James Brown behind a venue after a that’s just insane. In the photo he’s so young sitting next see and hear. You can see the audience come alive with seeing his performance and told him that he was going to miles wearing a T-shirt that says “Bass Forever” on it. more enthusiasm and actively respond to the bands to play in his band someday, and he did! The story It’s probably one of the coolest thing I’ve ever seen and invigorated intensity. Everyone in that room is having a he told about actually playing with James Brown was to be standing next to the man who was in on that better time than they had a few minutes ago. Something fascinating as TM remarked “If James points at you session wearing that shirt was humbling and it put a lot had changed. TM brought that change and life to that during a performance that’s a $20 mistake. I was only in perspective about Art in general. TM mentioned that room and brought, no, burned the house down with nothin’ fined twice while I was in the band but once, while we after his first session with Miles he just went up to him left but a pile of ash. EVERYONE left that room that night were performing, James did a split and couldn’t get back and asked him what he thought about his Bass playing in touch with something a little better in their lives, I’m up, he got stuck down there, so he motioned to me that he and Miles said “It was good” the young TM said’ “Good, I sure of that. Bass Forever, Bass Forever... TM Forever. a few references. abu dhabi emirates palace hotel – auditorium & congress centre algeria ‘théâtre de verdure’ du complexe culturel laâdi flici australia sydney opera house – australian broadcasting corporation – austereo radio australian radio network – dmg radio – macquarie radio network, sydney – hot tomato broadcasting company, gold coast – sbs radio – sky radio network, sydney – the community broadcasters association of australia (cbaa) – voice international austria bregenz festival hall and stage, bregenz, lake constance – ‘mozarteum‘ – university of music and performing arts, salzburg – krone hit radio, vienna azerbaijan nga sports venue (nat. gymnastics association) – olympic stadium, baku belgium – european parliament, brussels china beijing radio state bureau of environment protection – daging radio, heilongjiang – guangdong tv – suzhou radio – yong kang tv, Zhejiang – zun yi radio croatia hrt – croatian radio and tv station czech republic ceská televize – czech radio – czech broadcasting – o2 arena / 'sazka hall‘, prague – radio free europe, prague denmark dr byen concert hall (danmarks radios), Copenhagen – danmark radio egypt ertu – egyptian radio and tv station, cairo finland ‘barona areena’, espoo – yle (finnish broadcasting company) france grande halle d’auvergne – l’aventure michelin (michelin museum) – stade 'marcel-michelin' (football stadium), clermont-ferrand – ‘les victoires de la musique‘ (annual festival) – ‘le Prisme’ – multi-purpose hall, aurillac – maison de l’étudiant – university of orléans – Allianz Riviera (soccer stadium) – nice acropolis – congress centre, nizza – théatre mogador ('le roi lion' – the lion king), paris – european parliament, strasbourg – espace group, gap – radio france internationale germany Kammerspiele & Festspiele Theatres – Friedrich Ebert Foundation – Humboldt University – Deutscher Bundestag, Berlin - Deutsche Bank Blue, Frankfurt – Bayerischer Rundfunk – Refurbishing and extension of Olympic Hall – BMW Museum, BMW Welt, Munich – Franz Josef Strauß-Airport, Munich – Deutsche Welle, Bonn – Norddeutscher Rundfunk – Radio Arabella, Munich greece antique theatre, piraeus – concert hall – onassis cultural center, athens – thessaloniki concert hall – athens concert hall india – ht music & entertainment, delhi, mumbai & bangalore – radio indigo, panaji – radio tarang, hisar – red fm 93.5 indonesia – mra group – mtv on sky, jakarta – radio suara surabaya – trijaya radio, Jakarta – tpi palembang radio ireland the ritz-carlton hotel, powerscourt, county wicklow italy – rtl 102.5 lithuania ‘akropolis’ shopping mall – ‘siemens’ arena, vilnius luxembourg parlement européen – european parliament malta royal opera house, valetta malaysia formula 1 race track, kuala lumpur – radio television malaysia – bfm 89.9 – media prima radio networks – rtm – wanita fm 88.1 fm, kuala lumpur – xfresh malaysia, bahasa morocco grand stade “ibn battouta”, tangier namibia namibia broadcasting corporation netherlands de flint theater, amersfoort – delamar theater, Amsterdam – omroep brabant, breda norway arendal house of culture, arendal – den norske opera & ballet – opera house, oslo – norwegian broadcasting company philippines heart fm 103.6 poland warsaw football stadium – tvp & radio warsaw – ‘wisla‘ stadium, cracow - eurozet portugal hard-club (live music club), porto qatar national convention center (qncc) – ‘state mosque’ of qatar, doha – qatar tv russia bolshoi theatre (new stage, old stage renovation) – conservatory – khodynskoye pole ice rink – luzhniki stadium, moscow – novosibirsk opera – olympic winter games 2014, sotchi saudi arabia 'princess noura bint abdulrahman university' for women, riyadh – king abdul aziz international airport, jeddah singapur radio mrc – city harvest church south africa south african broadcasting corporation – department of communication – christian vision, cape town – primedia, johannesburg spain estadio de gran canaria (multi-purpose stadium), las palmas – parque warner / warner brothers movie world (theme park), madrid sweden 'kalmar arena‘ football stadium, kalmar – ‘solvalla‘ horse racing and harness racing track, stockholm switzerland equipment and products for procon thailand skyhigh network, bangkok turkey the edition hotel (marriott group) – galatasaray stadium / 'türk telekom arena', istanbul – new konya stadium – mersin stadium – canwestmedia – saran group, Istanbul turkmenistan olympic stadium, ashgabat ukraine lviv football stadium, nsk “olimpijskyj” stadium – national olympic stadium, kiev – odessa national academic theater of opera & ballet united arabian emirates arabian radio network, dubai – gulf news broadcasting united kingdom olympic summer games 2012, london – commonwealth games 2014, glasgow – global radio, London – virgin radio, london usa xm satellite radio – american broadcasting company – black entertainment television, washington – bonneville international corporation, st. louis – clear channel radio, denver – c-span, washington – first broadcast, dallas – focus on the family, colorado springs – fútbol de primera – greater detroit radio group – infinity broadcasting, los angeles – infinity radio, seattle – liberman broadcasting, los angeles – kansas public radio – kcam, alaska – knight broadcasting inc., santa barbara – mercury radio communications, buffalo – national broadcasting company (nbc) – national public radio – new orleans hornets – onstar, detroit – slb radio production inc, pittsburgh – wfmt radio network, chicago – wvud college radio, newark cruise ships aida-blue, celebrity-eclipse, disney dream, celebrity-equinox, aidasol, aidaluna, pride of hawai, aidabella, celebrity-solstice, norwegian gem, aida-diva. thomas klotz a restless mind, permanently anticipating needs and discovering opportunities for improvements, pioneer and audio aficionado from multicore cables to digital routing and distributions systems, mixing consoles and matrix systems for the broadcast industry.
The news about KLOTZ are quite impressive. Now, we would like to learn from you place. Since then, it has always been very challenging and exciting for me to keep up how it all began? In the late seventies, when I entered into my entrepreneurial live PA with the requirements of the audio markets and technology users. At first, networking electronics, professional loudspeakers and cable accessories were mostly manu- was the main demand of the broadcast industry when large integrated broadcast factured in and imported from the US and Great Britain. Subsequently, when I started conglomerates were founded where content had to be available for everybody and my first business this was aimed at importing live mixers and special microphones everywhere. Since a few years new, the new industrial countries in Asia and Africa from England. Quickly, I realized that there was more demand for cable snakes than for demand for information and entertainment broadcast - markets where we are present another mixing console brand in the market and focused on the production of multicore since 20 years. What do you think which trends will determine the future of the pro- and other cables for the audio industry. The company grew swiftly from a 1 man show audio markets in the future? In the western worlds, the internet makes information to a company with over 30 people - of course faced with all teething problems as they available for everybody and broadcasters have to re-define themselves. Producing and are typical for small newcomers. In my memory, this period was mainly driven by broadcasting life content is a challenge bigger than ever and the sheer amount of passion and excitement and some of the solutions we had developed at that time are information will shift the attention of broadcasters from content distribution to data still waiting for a problem they can solve. It seems that the begining of Klotz was more broadcasting. Ergonomic and sophisticated control devices of today should be much opportunity driven rather than based on a structured business plan. Nevertheless Klotz more than a traditional audio mixer can offer and have to incorporate control of all could develop a constant and successfull business. How was that possible? Well, the related and external information and production devices. My company Digonomics pro-audio market of the eighties was certainly not as clearly structured as of today. GmbH is dedicated to the combination of highly ergonomic control devices combined There was a big change going on in the eighties as digitization started to show presence with data distribution and networking and develops completely new user interfaces for in all market segments. Of course, nobody knew at this time which direction the audio the broadcast and live entertainment worlds. In addition to mixing consoles and audio industry would finally be going and it was advised to keep its eyes and ears open for networks which we successfully sell in Asia, Europe an Africa. we are working on new trends. Also, producing in the Far East reduced the cost of many products and completely new user interface solutions like our TouchStone control devices based on companies sourcing their products in Asia became serious competitors for European tactile elements fitted on touch-screen monitors. Even it may look like a fall-back and American manufacturers. Retrospectively, we have been lucky to have gathered to earlier times, we offer now conference systems, translations systems and public enough technological know-how, marketing experience and structural flexibility to information systems as well. These products share the technology we use for the react successfully to the changes of the market requirements. The fall of the iron wall high-end broadcast markets and our experience coming from this clientele allow us to in 1989 and the end of the cold war inflated the markets we could address substantially offer very cost efficient and innovative solutions. Over the last few years PA and live and from that time it was possible to generate enough business for an independent production markets - where Klotz AIS always has had a strong and extremely powerful cable and Pro-Audio products business. As an off-spring from the cable business, we reputation - has begun to demand for low cost signal distribution solutions. This developed digital routing and distribution systems which were sold to stadiums at first. requirement can only by fulfilled by smart but standardized products manufactured with The enormous amount of financial investment needed to develop new products for this high quality and available at reasonable cost which is exactly the strength of Klotz market as well as the very different sales channel made it necessary to separate these AIS. We at Klotz Digonomics are more than happy to co-operate with Klotz AIS in activities from the existing cables and accessories business. A new company called order to help to create such products and to support Klotz AIS with our know-how and Klotz Digital Audio Communications was founded and raised venture capital to invest experience coming from 25 years of digital live. What a great outlook... What is the professionally in the development and manufacturing of digital routing systems, mixing philosophy of the brand KLOTZ and which messages will the brand transport in the consoles and matrix systems for the Broadcast industry. When we eventually partnered future? Klotz stands internationally for solid technology, highest production quality with venture capital firms, this business was not a side business anymore and it was and best possible user value. Klotz companies, their partners and licensees must advised to keep my full focus on this new venture. How could Klotz develop a guarantee that they represent our philosophy without any limitation We have just constantly successful business based on such a conglomerate of different business undergone a rebranding with a new head brand and sub-branding for Klotz Interfaces ventures? As a consequence, the team of Dieter Klotz, Peter Klotz and Stefan Brenner and Klotz Communications The new design will enable us to internationally enforce our took over and restructured the cable and accessory business in a management buy out, image as an innovative and hip company and will make clear to everybody that all Klotz founding Klotz AIS GmbH, today a leading company in the cable and accessory market branded enterprises are part of the same culture and philosophy. 1x 1x 1x 1x
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Every individual is identified by it´s unique and distinctive fingerprint. Our fingerprint at Klotz has evolved. Hand in hand with all the innovative activities shaping up the future for the various Klotz activities, we first wanted to evolve the mother logo in a contemporary way. At the same time, we needed to support the identity of the two companies, interfaces and communications, by assigning an individual corporate color to both, cyan for interfaces and gold for communications. These additional colors and the brand sub-lines support the identification of products and source of delivery for the trade on the one hand, and underline the specific competences of both companies. Most important - as you can see on the following page - whatever happens on the corporate, product identity or communication levels, it all pays into the brand awareness of the Klotz master brand.
Thanks to the Klotz team for a great project. www.saltsandsuits.de Klotz AIS GmbH main logo, proportions main claim cable branding Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Str. 36 85591 Vaterstetten/München the signal masters hc54a8p25 — Hybrid Cable — Cable-triple shielded — by Klotz AIS GmbH Tel.: +49 (0) 8106 308-100 Fax: +49 (0) 8106 308-101 eMail: info(at)klotz-ais.com Internet: www.klotz-ais.com video branding
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corporate colors: pure white rich black: blue: pantone black pantone 298 c
Klotz consumer Klotz AVM cmyk: c60 — m40 — y20 — k100 cmyk: c66 — m06 — y00 — k00 klotz consumer klotz avm rgb: r0 — g0 — b0 rgb: r66 — g184 — b235
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Anton Djermester Dipl.-Ing. Nachrichtentechnik Forschung & Entwicklung Research & Development kabeltrommel neutrik opticalcon KLOTZ AIS GmbH Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Str. 36 85591 Vaterstetten / München LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT Germany glasfaser ccu (camera control unit) hxcu-fb70 opticalcon duo kabelstecker (lc-duplex) Tel: +49.(0)8106.308.310 Fax: +49.(0)8106.308.301 2 single-mode glasfasern e9/125 µm Mail: [email protected] 6 kupferleiter (4 x stromversorgung + 2 x steuerung) Web: klotz-ais.com interfaces neutrik opticalcon-steckverbinder kabel: cam311p
kabeltrommel neutrik opticalcon
glasfaser ccu (camera control unit) hxcu-fb70 opticalcon duo kabelstecker (lc-duplex) 2 single-mode glasfasern e9/125 µm 6 kupferleiter (4 x stromversorgung + 2 x steuerung) interfaces neutrik opticalcon-steckverbinder 9 10 11 12kabel: cam311p 13 14 15 16 the signal masters GND GND GND GND smpte311m smpte311mGND GND GND GND LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT
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KLOTZ AIS GmbH Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Str. 36 Tel.: +49.(0)8106.308.0 Amtsgericht München HRB 112612 Geschäftsführer: Dieter Klotz 85591 Vaterstetten / München Web: klotz-ais.com Ust.-IdNr.: DE811998658 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Commerzbank AG Kreissparkasse München Starnberg Ebersberg Münchner Bank eG UniCredit Bank AG IBAN: DE29 7004 0041 0211 5947 00 IBAN: DE28 7025 0150 0000 9792 45 IBAN: DE76 7019 0000 0003 1319 80 IBAN: DE62 7002 0270 0035 9510 08 BIC: COBADEFF700 BIC: BYLADEM1KMS BIC: GENODEF1M01 BIC: HYVEDEMMXXX GND GND GND GND GND GND GND GND
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klotz-ais.com LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT 19" multicore system MAIN OUTPUT SPLIT OUTPUT single ground ground lift
klotz-ais.com 19" multicore system single ground ground lift 32ch. ConcertLink 32ch. ConcertLink big claim logos: positive, negative & color version Klotz Digonomics GmbH main logo, proportions use of typeface: headlines lower case copy texts: upper and lower case product names on techbloc: lower case
Hansjakobstr. 127a GRAPHITE TWO consoles are extremely versatile as they can be 81825 München confi gured either as stand-alone or as networking consoles. The graphite one fully modular design allows confi guring mixing consoles from 8 to 32 faders - up to 640 input and 640 output channels. Many graphite two the one and features can be programmed individually by the customer such Tel.: +49 (0) 89 4510863-0 as monitor feeds, GPIs and GPOs, sources and busses and logic commands. The control surfaces are connected by either IPX/SPX graphite three Fax: +49 (0) 89 4510863-23 or TPC/IP protocol to the G2 audio engines and routers and can eMail: [email protected] share all sources and outputs within the audio network. Using the g2 audio engine only typeface: IPX/SPX protocol interface, GRAPHITE TWO consoles are an ideal Internet: www.klotzdigonomics.com option to upgrade existing VADIS* system installations as they are fi ully VADIS* compatible. vz6100 trade gothic vz8000 1x touchstone communications 1½ x lt std bold. headlines & claims: lower case ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890 — .,!?@# we make sound sound
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12 fader console with monitor section corporate colors: pure white rich black: gold: Fully networking console pantone black pantone 10117 c Integrated audio interface unit in the console frame 12 faders – 640 input and 640 output channels Comfortable user interface - Easy to configure cmyk: c60 — m40 — y20 — k100 cmyk: c25 — m25 — y60 — k25 communications Comfortable graphical user interface (GUI) Hot-swap of cards without system shut down graphite two rgb: r0 — g0 — b0 rgb: r207 — g187 — b109
12 fader console with monitor section
Fully networking console Integrated audio interface unit in the console frame 12 faders – 640 input and 640 output channels Comfortable user interface - Easy to configure communications Comfortable graphical user interface (GUI) Hot-swap of cards without system shut down graphite two
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Thomas Klotz President
Digonomics GmbH Hansjakobstraße 127a D-81825 München Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 89-45 10 863-0 Fax: +49 (0) 89-45 10 863-23 Mobile: +49 (0) 176 84 03 54 75 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.klotzdigonomics.com
DigonomicsKLOTZ AIS GmbHGmbH Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Str.Hansjakobstr. 127a 36 Tel:Tel.: +49.(0)89.451.08.63-0 +49.(0)8106.308.0 AmtsgerichtE-Mail: [email protected] München HRB 112612 Geschäftsführer:ThomasGeschäftsführer: Dieter Klotz Klotz 8559181825 VaterstettenMünchen / Germany/ München Fax:Web: +49.(0)89.451.08.63-23 klotz-ais.com Ust.-IdNr.:Internet: www.klotzdigonomics.com DE811998658
HypoVereinsbankCommerzbank AG KreissparkasseHypoVereinsbank München Starnberg Ebersberg RegistergerichtMünchner Bank eG UniCredit Bank AG communications BLZ:IBAN: 700 DE29 202 7004 70 0041 0211 5947 00 IBAN: DE17 DE28 70257002 01500270 00000655 9792 4050 45 70 AmtsgerichtIBAN: DE76 München7019 0000 HRB 0003 186881 1319 80 IBAN: DE62 7002 0270 0035 9510 08 KtNr.:BIC: 655COBADEFF700 40 50 70 BIC: HYVEDEMMXXX BYLADEM1KMS Ust.-IdNr.:BIC: GENODEF1M01 DE273024865 BIC: HYVEDEMMXXX
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big claim logos: positive, negative & color version we make sound sound — the signal masters. © 2014 HERAUSGEBER: KLOTZ AIS GMBH // TEL. 08106 308-0 // GESCHÄFTSFÜHRER: DIETER KLOTZ // REDAKTION: PETER KLOTZ // MITGLIEDER DER REDAKTION: RENE GREIL, MARTIN SCHNELLE // DESIGN: WWW.SVENHOFFMANN.ME // ALLE VERWENDETEN BILDER, GRAFIKEN UND TEXTE SIND EIGENTUM DER KLOTZ AIS GMBH. ILLUSTRATIONEN: GEORGE BATES.