Monitors

Matt Steindl · Post by **Matt Steindl** » 17 Feb 2003 7:52 pm

I just got my first pair of "real" studio monitors for recording. I had been previously using my home stereo w/ big Bose speakers, Headphones, or my computer speakers.

I gotta tell ya, I feel like I just had my ears cleaned or something. I am hearing parts in old mixdowns that I totally forgot were on there.

I now realize that it might be the most important part of my project studio. How dumb was I? Going all those years and not really hearing what was going on.

I have now seen the light!!

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 17 Feb 2003 8:54 pm

What kind did ya get?

Matt Steindl · Post by **Matt Steindl** » 18 Feb 2003 6:30 am

M-Audio SP-5Bs. They were originally retailing for $400 at MF, but they are blowing em out at $200 now. I love em. Perfect price for my cheap budget too!

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

Sam Minnitti · Post by **Sam Minnitti** » 18 Feb 2003 10:54 am

Hi Matt,

Nice move, I just took advantage of the same deal at Musician's Friend. They really do feel and sound like $400 monitors, and was happy to get them for $200.

Such a difference compared to mixing with the home stereo or headphones.

Matt Steindl · Post by **Matt Steindl** » 18 Feb 2003 1:14 pm

Amen Sam The Man! Sam, do you have a problem w/ the so called lack of bass that people were complaining about on the Homerecording.com bbs? They sound fine to me, but I dont really have anything to compare em to.

Its still going to take some time for me to re-adjust to hearing the truth. I had a bunch of silly tricks to get appropriate mixdowns while not hearing the whole song. I have a few days off, so I am gonna try to figure these puppys out. Will report back what I find.

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 18 Feb 2003 1:15 pm

Yea Matt. Monitors are the single most important tool an audio engineer can have. It's your window to the sound. Monitors not only need to be decent, but the most important thing of all is being familiar with them. I'm a mastering engineer and there's no question that the monitors are critical. What's real important with new monitors is that you play your favorite, familiar CD's thru them BEFORE you engineer with them. Get to know what they sound like. Get to know how bassy they should sound on a mix. This is where your favorite CD's will teach you the balance. Your ear needs to become accustomed to the voice and range of the speakers. Also know that a new monitor will break-in for a while. Generally you'll hear the tweeter soften up and smooth out plus the woofers will open up and become more robust sounding. Usually about 1-3 months is the break-in period. To break them in faster, play music thru them 24-7 at a medium volume. I've heard good things about the M-Audio stuff, especially for the money.

Brad Sarno
St. Louis, MO

Greg Simmons · Post by **Greg Simmons** » 18 Feb 2003 1:38 pm

Brad (or anybody): have any thoughts on the Mackie HR624 vs. the Tannoy 600A?

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Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website

Sam Minnitti · Post by **Sam Minnitti** » 18 Feb 2003 3:41 pm

Hi Matt,

I did not hear that about them and I also didn't notice any lack of bass response with these monitors. In the general scheme of things I am more of a 'bass' guy than 'treble' guy if that makes any sense, and they do not seem to lack any on the bass side of things for me.

I do know that it is important to not have the back of the monitors up against the wall; they need some breathing room as the vent for reproduction of low frequencies is in the back.

Brad, thanks for sharing that useful info.
[This message was edited by Sam Minnitti on 18 February 2003 at 03:42 PM.]

Matt Steindl · Post by **Matt Steindl** » 18 Feb 2003 4:43 pm

Brad, thanks for the advice about aclaimating my ears to the monitors, and breaking em in.

Sam, after some research, here is what Ive found. These speakers MUST be w/in 6-10" from the wall, so the bass port on the back reflects back to you. If they are floating in space, the super low frequencies will be lost. If they are too close, they will sound distorted.

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

Sam Minnitti · Post by **Sam Minnitti** » 19 Feb 2003 6:24 am

Matt,

That makes sense, maybe the people complaining have them suspended or pushed up against the wall. For my setup, that requirement is not a problem..so far so good.

[This message was edited by Sam Minnitti on 19 February 2003 at 06:24 AM.]

Matt Steindl · Post by **Matt Steindl** » 19 Feb 2003 6:51 am

Just finished a mixdown last night, and I wasnt sure how good it would transfer to my home stereo, then when I burned it to CD I was blown away! Im pumped about these things.

Oh yeah, the ear fatigue issue seemed to be a lot less that working w/ computer speakers(DUH!).

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul