WhiteStrat
Don't stare at the eye.
^^^This^^^
I listen to a ton of my favorite tunes in my studio on my monitors. The more familiar I am with how my favorite music sounds on these speakers, the more likely I am to make my music sound the same.
^^^This^^^
I listen to a ton of my favorite tunes in my studio on my monitors. The more familiar I am with how my favorite music sounds on these speakers, the more likely I am to make my music sound the same.
grimtraveller
If only for a moment.....
You say scheisse, I say Sheesh
You say potatoe, I say potato........
So tell this NOOB what is the differntio between speakers and monitors?
It seems like Gekko was contradicting Whitestrat, but he wasn't. In essence {and with a tweak here and there} they moreorless came to the same conclusion.
By the way, Studiospares' "monitors" are made specifically to be accurate, not to flatter the music. Whether they actually do is anyone's guess and everyone's opinion.
So would we all.
Chili calls it a crapshoot, I kind of agree with him. Perhaps it's my ignorance and inexperience shining through but I don't really see how any Noo0b is going to know what to look out for. There are currently, new, used and discontinued, zillions of monitor speakers out there. Ultimately, all you can do is read up, check out user reviews and any debates on monitors and maybe listen to some in a shop but even with that, that isn't going to be the same as the room you're going to mix in. So it's, in the end, going to require a guess and the hope you've guessed well, Freddo.
I know that superior ears to mine say you should save big and get as your first monitors a shit hot pair. I often disagree because I think whatever pair you get, you'll learn on those and like with instruments and DAWs, you'll know when what you have has become limiting or when you've outgrown them. Also, bear in mind that speakers/monitors don't work independently of the room/environment they're in, the volume you listen at, where they're placed in the room, your distance from them etc....
Armistice
Son of Yoda
Do you know Barry, George, Rinus and Cesar?
I'd vote "axe" at this stage of your journey - you can't record the sound you want if you can't make the sound you want - you have some speakers... you don't have an electric guitar. You want an electric guitar. Get one.
Funny thing is that I have a pair of monitors I'd give you for nix, but you'd have to pick them up from Australia... I've been looking for some useful means of getting rid of them that involves them actually being used in recording, not just left out for the rubbish collection....
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
I'd vote "axe" at this stage of your journey - you can't record the sound you want if you can't make the sound you want - you have some speakers... you don't have an electric guitar. You want an electric guitar. Get one.
I would agree.
New axe =
New monitors =
Critical monitoring is important...but I honestly don't think you're there yet, and you need to make some music before you can mix it.
R
Richard Monroe
Well-known member
Is it a given? No. But it is the plan. Essentially, home audio speakers are supposed to sound good. Monitors are supposed to tell the truth. It's like the difference between an airbrushed supermodel and what she looks like when she wakes up in the morning with a hangover. Gecko is essentially correct. You can learn to use any really good speakers as monitors, once you know what to expect from them. And you can call mediocre speakers "monitors", but they'll still be mediocre. Of course it's your call. Regarding the electric, it sounds to me like you are talking more about wicked clean sound than the overdriven metallic stuff most of the boys here are looking for, which usually means valves. When I want that sound, I plug a solid body into a Behringer Vamp II modeler set for really clean, and put a mic on the solid body (no kidding) to pick up some pick noise. I start with the modeled clean sound, and then start adding the mic until I can't tell if it's acoustic or electric. I also use jazz strings, 0.11's, with a wound G, so I get that full chord stuff that doesn't work on most electrics the way they are set up. That's just a weird tip.
You're on the right track. Monitor speakers are simply a killer that we all need, and unfortunately, I haven't heard any with drivers smaller than 8" that I like. 5" drivers can work, but are usually better with a subwoofer. Once you pay for the sub, you realize you should have just gotten 8" drivers in the first place. Don't worry. Whatever decision you make will be the right one for right now. My advice is- anytime you're not sure, don't buy anything. This is a process, and before you are done, you may have purchased the equivalent of a new car. At this point, I've bought a new BMW. Right now, you're asking whether you should buy the steering wheel, or the tires.
Frankly, I'd find out what it would cost to get Armistice to ship you his speakers, and then start playing cheap new and used solid bodies. My best advice on that is to play them plugged into *nothing*. A solid body is a plank with pickups, and yeah the material affects the electrified tone somewhat, whether the body is chambered, etc., but most of the sound comes from the pickups. If you find a solid body that feels good to you, and has a good straight neck and good intonation, you can put whatever pickups you like into it later. I've got an old Korean-made Samick Epiphone Les Paul like that, that I dropped a pair of Classic 57 humbuckers into. Yeah, the pickups cost me more than the guitar, but in the end, I spent about $800 on an axe that would have cost me $2500 to buy the pre-assembled equivalent. Find an electric that feels and sounds good when it's not plugged in, and upgrade the sound later. Good luck.
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Armistice
Son of Yoda
fritsthegirl
Taste of home
Do you know Barry, George, Rinus and Cesar?
I'm sure I'm meant to get this, but I didn't even know CLA so I'll have to be a numpty on this once again!
I'd vote "axe" at this stage of your journey - you can't record the sound you want if you can't make the sound you want - you have some speakers... you don't have an electric guitar. You want an electric guitar. Get one.
Funny thing is that I have a pair of monitors I'd give you for nix, but you'd have to pick them up from Australia... I've been looking for some useful means of getting rid of them that involves them actually being used in recording, not just left out for the rubbish collection....
Yeh I think you're right, and so many more hours of fun to be had with this. It makes me VERY sad not to be able to take you up on your kind offer of free speakers! I expect the postage would be extortionate. I hope they find a good home.
fritsthegirl
Taste of home
Still pretty hot in the scale of things, I reckon....
I've seen pics of Kate Moss after a bender with that Pete, and she still looked pretty hot alright. He didn't though.
fritsthegirl
Taste of home
Thanks heaps for all the advice here. Got a couple of questions for you if you don't mind...that Behringer V-amp you mention, I'm guessing the V stands for virtual, as in, you don't need a 'real' amp? If so it might just make an electric guitar/amp set up within my price range. I don't do any live playing, so just need to be able to hear myself and record really. How does this device interact with a USB interface? Do you plug it into the MIC in?
I might pop in and try a few electrics unplugged next week - good tip to play unplugged to hear/feel the instrument's body. An Epiphone Les Paul you say you have, funny that, because it is the guitar I have been thinking on the most. Not only because it's within the limits of my budget, but also because I haven't really seen a bad review about it. Good to know the electrics can easily be replaced. Because my real desire was for a Gibson Les Paul, but at the moment, it's way too expensive for a second guitar. I blew all my budget on my acoustic.
Thanks again.
fritsthegirl
Taste of home
I would agree.
New axe =
New monitors =
Decision made with emoticons!
fritsthegirl
Taste of home
Aye, good point. Geez I love this forum. Seriously I never would have believed it was possible to learn so much about speakers/monitors and all the other stuff I've picked up in my short time here. I've gained so much respect for the stuff I listen to. I guess my ears always picked up on the goodness subconsciously, but it sounds even better now that I'm listening consciously.
kjell159
New member
If it's 300 pounds you are talking about,
I would rater suggest buying monitors because nearfield monitors don't have to cost a 1000 or something (My monitors are an active pair for the price of €140!).
While a good guitar + a good amp + maybe a cab (probably with or built in the amp) will cost you some more.
I would rater suggest buying monitors because nearfield monitors don't have to cost a 1000 or something (My monitors are an active pair for the price of €140!).
While a good guitar + a good amp + maybe a cab (probably with or built in the amp) will cost you some more.
fritsthegirl
Taste of home
But what about what Miroslav 'said':
New axe =
New monitors =
I am willing to eat noodles for a month or two...
fritsthegirl
Taste of home
I say eat noodles for a month or two, while you look for used gear as you save. Bargains come up now and again-usually right after you paid to much for something new.
You reckon the Epiphone Les Paul studio is too cheap £260 (new) to be any good? Do you worry about buying second hand, or is that a bit silly?
JimmyS1969
MOODerator
One of my favorite guitar players I had the pleasure to be in a band with, had an Epiphone copy. Sounded amazing.
You just need to check the gear out before you buy, if possible. If doing Ebay stuff, just make sure you have a return policy with a reputable seller.
You just need to check the gear out before you buy, if possible. If doing Ebay stuff, just make sure you have a return policy with a reputable seller.
Armistice
Son of Yoda
I'm sure I'm meant to get this, but I didn't even know CLA so I'll have to be a numpty on this once again!
The only reason anyone here knows who CLA is is because he did a guest forum... I'd not heard of him before, or since.
The question was the equivalant of me asking one of the Poms here if they know John, Paul, George and Ringo....
There haven't been many Dutch bands make an impression on the world music consciousness, but come on... Golden Earring? You have heard of them... right?Well at the moment they're just sitting in a cupboard. Shame really - I don't want to chuck them but I don't know anyone locally who'd have a use for them. Yes, I imagine it'd be cheaper to buy really good expensive monitors locally than to ship these average ones from here... they weigh a ton. I was quite surprised when their replacements didn't...
fritsthegirl
Taste of home
That's good to know. I guess you can kind of spot a decent seller on ebay, their description usual gives away how awesome they thought it was, and how well they looked after it, and that they're really sad to see it go...but they need the money/space for a cot or whatever.
fritsthegirl
Taste of home
Golden Earring? You have heard of them... right?
:
That was not a part of my culture I was familiar with, I only really remember the organ grinder music. The video I saw on youtube of When the Lady Smiled is pretty funny, guess they were smoking a lot of weed back then too. I like how someone called them the Dutch equivalent of the Rolling Stones.
buskerboy
New member
I'd spend the money on a Zoom H2N. Concentrate on the art of making music, with this handy little digital recorder you can make as many frivolous recordings as you like and keep the good ones.