Testimonials – SBS Slammer | Custom sound systems by Shorty Craig Bernabeu

East West Studios

March 29, 2023 by Mervin Hernandez

SBS Designs S Series Amplifiers Demoed:
S2 Class AB Amplifier
S5 Pure Class AB High Current 2 Ohm Stable amplifier
East West Studios current in house Amplifiers:
Krell
Loud Speakers:
Wilson Audio – X-1 Grand Slamm series 3′s
Kieth Munsen feedback
The SBS amps are incredibly punchy, and feel very smooth across all registers. They feel very precise without being sterile.
Tracks that I’m very familiar with sounded cleaner and much clearer than I’m used to hearing. Subtleties that were lost listening on the Krell amps through the same system re-appeared with the depth and clarity that were intended on the SBS Amps.
Kieth Munsen
http://eastweststudios.com/
Staff Engineer East West Studios
Los Angeles California

Audiophile quote on the SBS Slammer

March 29, 2023 by Mervin Hernandez

Hi Shorty,
The SBS Slammer got tonal balance right-on, dynamic range was nature-like, phase-timing was locked down and at no time did the system strain—headroom was stupendous.
Below is some commentary on my experiences with the SBS Slammer:
After attending a few legends performing on the SBS Slammer system all on separate nights, months apart, this is the best integrated sound I’ve heard at a large club venue in recent memory.
Both at work and in-home, I know these artists and recordings inside out and play them regularly through some of the worlds finest audiophile playback systems comprising DCS (Data Conversion Systems) for digital-to-analog conversion, Grand Prix turntables with Lyra cartridges for vinyl playback, VTL (Vacuum Tube Logic) for phono-stage, preamplifier line-stage, power amplification, Transparent cables, Wilson Audio speakers.
The SBS Slammer got tonal balance right-on, dynamic range was nature-like, phase-timing was locked down and at no time did the system strain—headroom was stupendous.
It’s almost always the case that hostile acoustical environments e.g. square box-type venues will overwhelm and boss systems of this scale, but not this time, so resolved and seamless was the dial-in and voicing.
For my own sound-artist and DJ related work, this would without doubt be the ultimate system to exhibit, perform, or DJ on.
Scott Haggart ‪
Compliments like this by Scott you just don’t see on Pro audio for clubs.
I Always go for a Pro Audiophile layout with a balanced musical voicing and sometimes you will get people in a venue powered by SBS Designs who happen to sell the HIGHEST End of home Audiophile sound that go well into the 6 figures with the most exotic components made in consumer hifi will get to hear what many speak about with my designs.
Scott Haggart works with and sells the highest end audio on the market and def knows proper sound, thx for your kind words Scott!
Www.sbsSLAMMER.com

Deidre Covington

March 29, 2023 by Mervin Hernandez

Go ahead Craig Bernabeu aka Shorty.

Your sound at Nowadays is heart friendly technically speaking. Yay #survivorshaveheart

Omg went to hear @DannyKrivit play at @Nowadays last Friday for my first time. In love with the place.

Most importantly my heart which under went a quadruple bypass, could take the sound while standing in front of those speakers !

You have no idea how after 4 years I can do this at Nowadays. It’s these small victories that keep me dancing. Thanks for designing that sound to be clear, clean and loud without any after effects. ☻

Craig Bernabeu so you can add that to your credentials.

I used to come out with a pillow while getting it together cause of the heaviness as you describe of the systems.
Now I don’t carry the pillow anymore but I don’t get in the speakers way at most clubs, but at this spot I get no side effects. #cleansystemsrock

@fergtv on Instagram – Hearing your work at Nowadays changed my life

July 29, 2022 by Mervin Hernandez

It’s really nice to read compliments from everyone online and in a PM and I am amazed to read some as powerful as what @fergtv had recently expressed how the Sound has moved him!

I find it amazing how sound can touch people in so many ways and love seeing how many enjoy what u bring to the dance floor as some expressed here that has “Changed there life” I am blown away by this compliment rt here!

Thanks for your kind words!

“I can honestly say seeing and hearing your work at Nowadays changed my life. The care and quality put into every point of the signal chain. Although most people who have listened to that system would say it’s the best they have ever heard, you are still dedicated to constantly Improving.” -@fergtv

David Shaw

July 19, 2022 by Mervin Hernandez

Former Columbia Records staff David Shaw

Was there Saturday as well..amazing how I can go into Nowadays were the volume is very high ..and I never have come out with fuzzy “club ears” or ringing.

Billie Prest

July 19, 2022 by Mervin Hernandez

I’m always one that will disagree with the thought from many that say,

Ahhhh the clients don’t know or care about sound, all they care about is LOUD they won’t know the dif, and then I am always out in various places I have done over the past where customers will say I can tell this or that has been improved and many over the yrs at Nowadays that are so appreciative and will thank us for our efforts on the Intelligence Series indoors or R.T Series SBS Slammer Outdoors that always comment,

wow I hear this and that so much better now that approach me in conversation out of nowhere,

Here is another example of someone at @nowadaysnyc Nowadays Sun night following @mistereamonharkin @mistersundaynyc for @tony_humphries client describing there experience,

Craig Bernabeu for a few minutes I was in the back of the dance floor where the bleacher-type seats are and was amazed (but not surprised) at the level of sound control. Back there the music is not blasting in your ears, but once you go towards the speaker it reminds me of supermarket freezer blinds, on one side it’s warm and on the other side it’s freezing. That’s how the music was, it was centered specifically on the dance floor. Walk away from it towards the bar, not as loud.

That is an amazing job you’ve done! I may not have worded it correctly but I’m sure you know what I mean.

That is the way club sound systems should be.

This is why I never even think the public is dumbed down to volume only matters and do want and pay attention to sound quality and if a Regular at the space does take note to upgrades and changes to the systems I build and many other systems in spaces.

Www.sbsSLAMMER.com

Shown here the Intelligence Series
Inside Nowadays.
Www.Nowadays.nyc
56-06 Cooper Ave
Ridgewood Queens

Billie Prest Reply, Former Director

My “ears” were fortunately exposed to David Mancuso’s sound system @ The Original Loft w/ Larry Levan on turntables playing “BRA”… “Klipsch was King”. – Subsequently, I oversaw 4 Richard Long & Associates Sounds Systems (Club 88 &. Club Zanzibar). That said,

I’d just like to say that Craig Bernabeu (Shorty) was the chosen Sound Engineer to oversee those RLA Custom Sound Systems. – Billie Prest.- Former Director of Club 88 & Club Zanzibar – Long story short…

“Shorty” has real ears.

Personal Email

June 12, 2022 by Mervin Hernandez

Always try to design systems for my clients that really go above and beyond

as promised and the dancers will enjoy when coming to a venue powered by

the high definition SBS Slammer.

I got an email alert on my phone tonight that I thought I would share.

most personal emails I receive I don’t share, I just thank them personally

that they enjoy my designs, and thank them for the kind words.

But I felt compelled to share this with permission from the sender so it is

not disrespectful towards anyone that shares their thoughts on the designs.

Subject: Your Sound System is incredible

Message Body:

I heard your outdoor rig for the first time at Mister Sunday (Nowadays)

this year and it was seriously life changing. I’ve never been so blown away

by a sound system.

I’m not a DJ or a club owner, I’m simply a music lover and Audiophile, but

I just wanted to write to you to give some recognition.

I still haven’t heard the indoor system at Nowadays, That’s happening soon. I cant wait.

It’s a dream to one day have a system of that quality in my own home. Do you guys do home audio systems? It will be a LONG time before I can afford one but it’s on my bucket list. Anyways, Thank you for the amazing sound it made the whole experience for me.

Coloring Lessons – June 2022

June 2, 2022 by Mervin Hernandez

We spoke with Shorty about his earliest experiences with sound, his process with designing a system, and more.

Coloring Lessons: Hi Shorty! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with us, we really appreciate it!

Shorty: Thank you guys for having me!

CL: To start, where are you from and what were your early experiences with music and sound?

S: I’m actually originally from Brooklyn. I grew up on Avenue V and East 15th Street, right by Coney Island Ave.

When I was a teenager I worked in a Hi-Fi shop, in the car stereo division. It was a local shop, not too far from where I lived and I’d constantly go in and bother the staff until they hired me. At first, they had me working in the car shop, sweeping up the wires that were cut from installing the radios. I then started to assist with installing the radios and eventually moved on to sales.

Read the full article here