Widely regarded as one of the most successful session drummers of the past 40 years, Omar Hakim also works as a producer, arranger and composer – based as his The OH-Zone personal studio, where he recently installed a pair of ATC SCM50ASL Pro three-way active loudspeaker monitors.

‘I didn’t become aware of ATC until I began working with Kate Bush [on her 2014 London live performances],’ he says. ‘Her engineer was the great producer/engineer Greg Walsh, who set up a control room space at the rehearsal location during pre-production for the shows. That’s where I heard ATCs for the first time — SCM100ASL Pros, I believe. I was immediately blown away with what I was hearing. That was the first time that I had ever heard a speaker reproduce audio like that. Then I had the pleasure of doing some show prep at Kate’s personal studio, where, I think, she had SCM150ASL Pros.’

When it came to upgrading the main monitoring at The OH-Zone in New Jersey, ATC was an appealing option: ‘I was thinking of getting SCM25A Pros until I heard the SCM50ASL Pros at the ATC factory – having had the pleasure of a factory tour and sitting with Managing Director Billy Woodman to audition several ATC models. I decided to go with the SCM50ASL Pros because I could hear the difference in the low-end response. I also knew that for my purpose of tracking live drums and small rhythm sections they were the right choice. To be able to monitor music with this level of accuracy and detail is an incredible experience for me.’

Alongside session work, he has been recording, mixing and producing his third solo album, We Are One, at The OH-Zone. In addition, Trio of OZ, the band he formed with wife Rachel Z in 2010, are currently working on a second album for release on his OZmosis Media Group label in 2016. ‘I’ve recorded and mixed three albums there, and I also do lots of sessions for clients around the world that send me tracks to put drums on.’

Hakim has plans to build a new home and studio, and the SCM50ASL Pros will make the move with him: ‘I’ve always had a deep appreciation for technology and the thought, ingenuity, and commitment needed to bring it to the world. Billy Woodman and the crew at ATC are craftsman of the highest order. From the beautiful wood cabinetry to the speaker components and electronics, ATC speakers are simply amazing.’