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Major League Corporate Audio
A Look at ATK/Audiotek
By Dan Laveglia
Part 1
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1 2
Part 2
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The term “corporate audio” covers a very broad spectrum
of events today. It’s not just talking heads and interfacing
with vidiots anymore. No, corporate audio is everything from political
extravaganzas to TV specials to award shows to major sporting events.
So when it comes time for the National
Democratic Convention, or the “America:
A Tribute to Heroes” global TV special, or the Grammys,
or the Superbowl,
there seems to be only one phone ringing in Burbank, CA!!!!
The World… As They Know It!
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Scott Harmala with wireless touchscreen
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Welcome to the world of ATK/Audiotek.
This is the big league!! High pressure, high profile events
where it has to be right the first and only time, and big
bucks are paid to prove it! Take a look at their track record,
and you will note they are well up to the task. “We pride
ourselves in pushing the technology envelope. We are always
looking at other industries’ technologies to see if we
can apply them to ourselves,” says Scott Harmala (VP
Engineering & Technology,) when asked about the company’s
identity in the industry, It is this attitude that permeates
ATK. They strive for excellence in an arena where their reputation
is constantly on the line, taking on the biggest events for
the highest maintenance clients in the business.
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A Brief History
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Inclinometer
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The company we know as ATK/Audiotek was founded in 1983 as
Showker Audio. Jim Showker was previously a partner in Burns
Audio (You may remember them as I do, the special event sound
company from the 70’s and 80’s.) But Jim found himself
splitting the assets of the company in 1982, so naturally
he did what he knew best; formed a new company to compete
in the then wide-open market of specialty TV events. Imagine
that, an audio company that didn’t set out to compete
with the Showcos
and Clair
Brothers of the world! Gee, what a concept.
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Though the company was initially focused on the specialty TV audio
market, today ATK also does many corporate industrials for the likes
of Microsoft,
BMG and Sony,
as well as high end touring and permanent installs. It seems that
they will provide a wide variety of audio services for those clients
with deep enough pockets looking for the “ATK difference.”
What’s Goin’ On?
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18 conductor fly cable
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ATK is run primarily by Mike Stahl (President & GM),
Scott Harmala, and Mikael Stewart (VP Special Events). Jim
Showker is still an owner, but hasn’t been active in
running the company for years. There are 47 full-time employees
in a 30,000 square foot facility in Burbank, CA., as well
as a partner relationship with Firehouse Productions in New
York, where they warehouse an east coast inventory.
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They do sound reinforcement for 80% to 85% of all of the TV/Special
Events/Award Shows in the U.S. and are focused on the high end of
the many markets, where Scott Harmala says “We have found a
niche in many segments of pro audio where there are clients willing
to pay the proper price for premium services.”
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