How necessary is a subwoofer?

[Froinlavin]

I'm looking to buy a pair of the Yorkville YSM1p studio monitors. The person I called about them also suggested getting the Yorkville powered subwoofer to go along with them. (Actually, it was more of a "And you'll want the subwoofer to go with that so your total is...)

I'm recording acoustic guitar, drums, vocals, and bass. I suppose the music falls somewhere in between jazz and rock.

So the question is--do I need the subwoofer? Does the bottom end of the monitors need that much help, especially sonsidering that I'm recording as a hobby only, and as such, am not looking for any professional results? If I did purchase the subwoofer, what would that enable me to do that I couldn't if I didn't buy it?

[xstatic]

You can certainly mix just fine without as long as you get some sort of usable response down to 70hz or so. However, it will also take a little learning and possibly a spectrum analyzer to help you fine tune the lowest stuff No sub is certainly better than a loose sub (improperly tuned, room nodes etc...).

[Massive Master]

IMHO, YMMV, yada, yada...

If the ROOM is "worthy" (properly treated, trapped & tuned) then a sub would probably make your day.

If it's not, it may very well ruin it.

I'd see how it goes without the sub. You can always add one later, keeping in mind that adding a sub in a room with low-end buildup or nodes might do more harm than good.

[bleyrad]

YSM1P's have pretty fantastic bass for their size though, they're totally usable down to 45Hz or so in a decent room.

[Cyrokk]

Originally Posted by Froinlavin

So the question is--do I need the subwoofer? Does the bottom end of the monitors need that much help, especially sonsidering that I'm recording as a hobby only, and as such, am not looking for any professional results?

You absolutely do not need a subwoofer and I would not recommend it in your case. Professional results can be made just by getting your ears attuned to how your mixes sound in your room. And since professional mixes aren't even your priority, you probably won't even listen in such detail anyway.

[jeffree]

From my recent experience, both with and without a sub, I'd simply suggest giving your new monitors a try for a while without a sub. If you're anything like me, you'll know within some weeks or months whether or not you need a sub. In other words, if you find yourself spending too much time compensating for and guessing about the low end of your monitor mixes, then adding the sub will be an easy decision. If not, then not.

Enjoy your new monitors,

J.

[Froinlavin]

I'll hold off on the sub and see how things go. My wallet thanks you all.

[jeffree]

One afterthought, seldom mentioned here since it seems almost taboo...

If you're a hobbyist in your home studio, as I am, then there's another issue that could be relevant to some folks here: how impressive do you want your studio sound? I do my pro work (as a paid session guitarist) in local studios, but when I work at home I want the sound to, well, almost take my breath away. I head to my home studio, late in the evening, for enjoyment above all
else--I don't make money there--and while my first priority is to produce good transferable mixes of my music (obviously nothing can beat that), my interest in actually enjoying the sound (while I'm working) is an important second.

What I'm getting at here is the increase in enjoyment that adding a sub can make. At least it did for me. Yes, one can certainly learn to compensate for bass-shy monitors, as I did for a year, but there's something to be said for listening to that low end the way I intend it to sound on other good or better sound systems. After adding a sub, I really look forward to mixing more than ever before, including that exciting moment when I dial in the low end in all its (deep but controlled) glory. Mixing has never been more enjoyable for me, and that counts for something.

Don't shoot the messenger, eh? I'm writing this message only to folks in a home-studio situation similar to mine.

J.

[MrBoogie]

jeffree, I agree with you wholeheartedly! Being a recording/musician hobbyist, I use my recording setup as much for cranking up the tunes just to listen as I do for recording/mixing. It's just plain fun when it sounds so good.

MrBoogie