BAREFOOT, Technical questions on Near-fields

[smellyfuzz]

OK...

I know how Near-field monitors sound different then bookshelf speakers, but...

1) How are they constructed differently ?

2) Can regular bookshelves be modified to become near-fields ?

3) Would it be in vain to try to modify bookshelves to near-fields ?


Sean

 

[barefoot]

Sean,

If these are true bookshelf speakers, they will be designed with their anechoic frequency responses and total power responses being similar to speakers intended for flush mounting. In other words, both the frequency and power responses will be very nearly flat when placed essentially flush in a bookshelf. Nearfields are designed with non-flat power responses in order to make their anechoic responses flat when place relatively free standing out in a room. I've explained the differences before in this post. https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?postid=449183&highlight=anechoic+response#post449183

You should be able to tell whether these are true bookshelf speakers by listening to them placed in a bookshelf and also free standing a few feet away from any walls. If they sound about right in the bookshelf and sound rather bass lite when free standing, then they are most likely true bookshelf speakers.

If so, you can mimic the response of nearfields by putting a low shelf filter in series with your master output. Use a 6dB/oct low shelf filter with a +6dB low end boost. The +3dB center frequency (inflection point) should be set to f3 = 4560/W, where "W" is the width of the front speaker baffle (cabinet front) in inches. With this filter in place the bookshelf speakers should sound reasonably well balanced when free standing. Just remember to disengage this filter if your are going to use the master output to record the mix!

Of course, another and even better alternative is to put a bookshelf behind your workstation. Or a soffit will also due.

Niether of these solutions is ideal though. But, if your budget is tight this could suffice until you get some good monitors.

Thomas

http://barefootsound.com

 

[smellyfuzz]

Ok, let's start over...

First of all, thanks for responding, greatly appreciated.

Second, most of what you typed was way, way over my retarded head.

I was sure you were speaking in tongues.

I have a pair of Paradigm Titans, they have a rear bass port.

I'm 90% sure that they are NOT true book shelf speakers.

What is the best way to set these up for recording & mixing ?


Sean

Ps.

I heard some of your tunes, I love them.

I downloaded a couple and loaded them into Sim-City 4.

While I build my cities, I can hear your work.

Nice work Tom !

 

[barefoot]

Sean,

Sorry for my technical ramblings.

I checked out the Titan online and yes these are just standard "monitor" type speakers. Don't think you need to do anything to make them ready. They should suffice as monitors, but you should eventually upgrade. When and if you do upgrade, go for something at least as good as say a Mackie HR624 or KRK V6. Otherwise, you'll just be making a fairly lateral move.

Thanks for the compliments on my music!

Btw, are you really in Amityville? I was in Melville on business a few months ago and Amityville was the only place I could find decent food. There's a little hole in the wall Caribbean restaurant in the downtown area. Can't remember the name, but its on the main north/south highway right where the road turns into a Y as you heading south. Anyhow, they had great cheap food. I drove down there a few times for lunch. Know the place?

Thomas

 

[smellyfuzz]

YES !

That's my Little Town.

I know the restaurant, never tried it.

Amityville is a pretty good place to live.

My wife and I lucked out when we got a home in The Village.

It use to be an all Catholic White town, now we consider it Racial/Religious/Political
harmony USA, at least my neighborhood.

We have everyone here.(except on our Police Department, all white, not happy about that)

The bad things about the area are, to many stupid little laws,(can park your car on
the street between 3:00 am - 6:00 am, otherwise your in for a ticket), and
North Amityville, is an area of poverty & high crime, which taints the whole area,
even the Village where I live.

This attitude, kills the value of our homes, which is unfortunate because it really
is a nice little town to live.

Thanks for the help.

Sean