Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

infrared72

infrared72

New member
I've been looking for a small set of active (powered) studio monitors. What are all of you using out there for your recording setups? I have an old set of Tannoy pbm 6.5's that I'm not sure if I put more money into them, or just get something new. I've looked at the M-audio bx5a, Wharfedale diamond , and Krk monitors. The price point for me seems to be below $400 right now.

-Peter
 
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

I'm using M-Audio BX-5's myself and they work pretty wel, as do the BX-8's (which might be a little better)
 
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

At that price, I'd get a good set of headphones for tracking/references and stick with a set of consumer speakers that you know the sound of. There's no point in spending $400 on monitors that you're going to outgrow in a year after spending a while getting used to them.
 
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

I use BX-8a's and love them. Much better than my old Monitor Ones, and the M-Audios are powered. I bought mine used off of ebay dirt cheap because one was blown. I called M-Audio and go the parts to fix it and still have less than $200 total in the set.
 
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

I have a pair of nEar 05 made by ESI. They're dirt cheap but I have had them for so long I can mix well on them - they do sound good too. I like KRK monitors and the M-Audio monitors are fine. I also like mixing on 5" or 6" monitors more than on 8" though playing back on 8" is more of a pleasure.

http://columbia.craigslist.org/msg/647045494.html

studio1.JPG
 
Last edited:
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

I'm using a set of Dynaudio BM15's with a Hafler Transnova & recently put my old PBM6.5 back into service... They had been on the home entertainment system for a few years. Those are pretty decent monitors... I looked around for something small & new and there was nothing under $500 worth spending money on. I found the KRK's to be unbelievably harsh & fatiguing... after 20 minutes my ears started closing up.

Maybe put the $400 into a better power amp and some room treatment...
 
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

M-Audio BX-8's here.

Nice speakers, they weren't all that expensive (under $400) and they do a nice job for me though I rarely do any final mixes here, just roughs. I had some old Tannoys before that and they were fine too.
 
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

I've found that the trick to getting better mixes is to really know your monitors, whatever they are, rather than having something really expensive. I always check everything through my old boom box before deciding it's done.
+1 on a good pair of headphones too.
 
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

I got the KRK RP-8's with an RP-10S. Makes for one hell of a budget setup.

Sure, the Rokits may be a little stiffer and harsher than some of the higher-end monitors out there, but within the price range I have yet to find a better Monitor. Didn't like the M-audios...they sounded a little too muffled and didn't seem to take high volumes very well. The KRK's are crystal clear, and have a great bottom end to 'em as well, even without the sub.

But, all in all your ears will be the best judge. Go to a music store and see if you can't try out a few different monitors. I went into guitar center with a few CD's and the guys there set me up to listen to all the monitors in my price range. The KRK's were the clear winners for me, but your mileage my vary ;).
 
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

I've been tearing my thoughts back and forth on how to improve my monitoring... I have a topnotch 2.1 system from Acoustic Energy that sounds fabulous, even though they ain't studio speakers. But as I don't have the opportunity to start acoustically treating my room I don't really have any use in blowing 600€ on a pair of Genelecs. And know I also start to know the Acoustic Energy system really well and I'm comfortable with it.

So when I'm buying some studio gear it'll be a pair of top of the line headphones instead , probably Ultrasones Pro(line) 2500.

I find that to be te wisest route, for me at least :)
 
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

I'm a headphones fan for 25 years. Of course it requires good headphone, but they really aren't that expensive.

The main advantage is reproducibility. When rooms change, monitors change etc you still get the same base. You can take the recording home or to your walkman/ipod and get the same base.

I have three sets of high-end headphones that all have different strengths and I could make good use to "debug" mixes.
 
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

I have the M Audio Pro 3's. I think they were 100$. Cheap but decent. They are realtively flat as far as tone goes. I have them hooked up to an Mbox Mini and riht into my Mac. Works great sounds great.
 
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

DesertRat said:
I've found that the trick to getting better mixes is to really know your monitors, whatever they are, rather than having something really expensive. I always check everything through my old boom box before deciding it's done.
+1 on a good pair of headphones too.
Click to expand...

Indeed...

The monitors are nothing more then a lens, and I'd argue... probably the most important piece of gear in a recording envorinment. If you can't trust what the monitors tell you it's all for naught... you'll be chasing your tail around.

I rely on two sets if not three or four to be sure things translate from the mix room to the rest of the world. The Dyn's are frightening... very revealing and full spectrum. I also use the Tannoys, a little 4" mono speaker and sometimes headphones... was Sennheiser HD25's for a long long time but they finally blew apart and I'm looking for a new set...

That said though...

Room treatment is the single most important thing!!!

I do a fair amount of consulting for guys with home studios... maybe a half-dozen setups a year and all too commonly I see people throw $1000's at new speakers & amps... cables... say they're stuff is bunk and they need new gear when the stuff they have is fine, even great!

With proper orientation in the room and some nods to physics & basic treatment they're amazed at how much BETTER things sound and how the translation is more 'true'.

Not that I recommend Auralex, but the Acoustics 101 paper on their site is filled with useful info...
 
Re: Studio Monitors - your recording setup..

I'm no expert by any means, but what I do is mix everything using my monitors, then burn a copy and listen to it on my car stereo. If it sounds good ther, it should sound good anywhere else as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Robert S.
Your DAW and my mental decline...
Replies
4
Views
254
uOpt
uOpt
Mincer
Introducing the PowerStage 700 Bass!
Replies
8
Views
764
Mincer
Mincer
C
What is your "skeleton crew" setup?
Replies
17
Views
680
80's_Thrash_Metal
80's_Thrash_Metal
Masta' C
PSA: Latest Kali V.2 Studio Monitors on Sale!
Replies
4
Views
243
Masta' C
Masta' C
Phantasmagoria
NAD - Laney IRT Studio
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
donaldr
donaldr
Back
Top