Do computer speaker work for cheap monitors?

[Dracon]

Hello:

I'm just reading the forum and see people talking about monitors, headphones, and so forth. I was wondering if the computer monitors (Altec Lasing) are good enough to work as monitors or should I just use headphones.

I'm not trying to do a Professional job I'm trying to do something for me, for now.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

I was wondering if the computer monitors (Altec Lasing) are good enough to work as monitors or should I just use headphones.

Neither are good for mixing...

You need monitors that will actually let you hear all the detail of what you're trying to record. And headphones aren't interchangeable with monitors either....

 

[jeffree]

Dracon, while I agree with BB in theory, I'd add the following...

Since you admit that your're not looking for anything too professional, I'd suggest giving these computer speakers a try. Run a mix or two and then play it on other stereo systems (home and car). See if you can produce something that pleases your ears on these other systems. If so, voila--you've found a low-cost way to approach your mixes, at least until you can affort something better. It's all in the ears, level of need, and budget... yours, specifically. BB's right--cheap monitor and phones are a lot harder to work with, but many of us did exactly that when starting out, and some of us even managed to produce some surprisingly good "home" results with imperfect systems. Give it a go, and then you'll know.

Good luck,

J.

 

[Dracon]

Neither are good for mixing...

You need monitors that will actually let you hear all the detail of what you're trying to record. And headphones aren't interchangeable with monitors either....

Okay Bear. I've never done mixing (ever) so, I may sound un-educated in the subject. I'm taking music from a CD which I'll record in the computer, and I am going to record speach seperately.
I am going to use software to put the music as background music to the speach.

So basically I will have two tracks or two sound files and basically mixing them into one. My Altec Lasings (with one sub-woofer on the floor) are not good for this application?

 

[Dracon]

Dracon, while I agree with BB in theory, I'd add the following...

Since you admit that your're not looking for anything too professional, I'd suggest giving these computer speakers a try. Run a mix or two and then play it on other stereo systems (home and car). See if you can produce something that pleases your ears on these other systems. If so, voila--you've found a low-cost way to approach your mixes, at least until you can affort something better. It's all in the ears, level of need, and budget... yours, specifically. ....

Give it a go, and then you'll know.

Good luck,

J.

Hey Jeffree:

I like your advice. Okay, so basically the answer would be yes with the caveat : if it suits your needs.

See this will only be played in a home stereo and not loud at all. Besides, they are intended as tests so that my wife and I can get the right combination between the background and the speech. They are CDs for relaxation and we are making scripts and we have several tracks for background in a CD. All we are doing is recording the scripts that we want, and then mix and match with different background music to see what sounds best or works best.

 

[pdadda]

If that's the extent of what you plan to do, then monitors would probably be a waste of money for you.

 

[Dracon]

If that's the extent of what you plan to do, then monitors would probably be a waste of money for you.

Hey that's what I like to hear!! Cool!
Hey thanks everyone, I'll go with my computer speakers for now and if I ever upgrade I promise I'll get some decent Monitors.

 

[jeffree]

Dracon, you've touched upon an issue that arises in this forum regularly. We have folks here of all different levels of tastes, needs, and budets--and the best answer for some will not suit others as well. One size rarely fits all. In the end, I've come to believe that the advice here at the forum (from folks like BB) is excellent but that you have to factor in your own situation. Even most pros will tell you that basic rules and theories are helpful guidelines, but that many people still find ways to break them with decent (even sometimes great) results for a particular situation.

Above all, I've learned that actually trying something in my own home studio usually yields the best result. I still ask here for advice first, to gain some good perspective, but nothing really replaces personally testing things in my own studio space. In fact, for me, that's half the fun of choosing equipment.

Just my dime's worth,

J.

 

[fraserhutch]

FWIW, I have a set of Klipsch Promedia (http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=803)
that I use for gaming. They actually sound pretty good - as good as I think you are going to get for computer speakers. I use them to play around with surround mixing (they are NOT my main monitors...). Highly recommended.

 

[Dracon]

Dracon, you've touched upon an issue that arises in this forum regularly. We have folks here of all different levels of tastes, needs, and budets--and the best answer for some will not suit others as well. One size rarely fits all. In the end, I've come to believe that the advice here at the forum (from folks like BB) is excellent but that you have to factor in your own situation. Even most pros will tell you that basic rules and theories are helpful guidelines, but that many people still find ways to break them with decent (even sometimes great) results for a particular situation.

Above all, I've learned that actually trying something in my own home studio usually yields the best result. I still ask here for advice first, to gain some good perspective, but nothing really replaces personally testing things in my own studio space. In fact, for me, that's half the fun of choosing equipment.

Just my dime's worth,

J.

Hey J. I like to ask because certain things matter. When I first started this project I borrowed a microphone and plugged it into my soundcard. I found out that I could barely hear and that I had to practically eat the microphone to get any sound out of it. That's when I found this site and started asking questions. I've learned some good things, but I also got to keep in mind what I'm trying to accomplish.
In the future I will probably upgrade to something better than a UB802 and get a real soundcard, plus a monitor and even a recording microphone instead of a performance microphone. That's when I'll need a sound proof (or sound dimished) booth for the vocals, and I may even make my own music.

For now I think for under $200 I've got everything I need. Thanks to everyone for all of the advice.

 

[Dracon]

FWIW, I have a set of Klipsch Promedia (http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=803)
that I use for gaming. They actually sound pretty good - as good as I think you are going to get for computer speakers. I use them to play around with surround mixing (they are NOT my main monitors...). Highly recommended.

Hey Dilbert - My Altec Lasing are pretty good and include a sub-woofer. They actually did not come with the computer. I bought them for what I think was $50.00 4 years ago. I used to own an old IAWA stereo and the Altec Lasing speakers I have were almost par with the IAWA. I too used them for Gaming & Music in the past.

 

[Ed Dixon]

The simple answer is yes. Almost any kind of speakers can be used as monitors as long as the end result suits your needs.

As others have already pointed out, different folks have different targets and different approaches. What works for one will not always work for another.

It boils down to listening to what your speakers produce, and then making changes in the mix. If the CD end result sounds good to you on whatever systems it will be used on, then you have met your goals.

Ed

 

[Dracon]

The simple answer is yes. Almost any kind of speakers can be used as monitors as long as the end result suits your needs.

As others have already pointed out, different folks have different targets and different approaches. What works for one will not always work for another.

It boils down to listening to what your speakers produce, and then making changes in the mix. If the CD end result sounds good to you on whatever systems it will be used on, then you have met your goals.

Ed

Hey I like how you think Ed. Thanks! I will use my computer microphones as monitors, and when they no longer serve me for that application, then I'll get me something else.

 

[fraserhutch]

Dilbert? Where did *that* come from?

The real point here is, if it works for you, it works for you. No one is going to give a damn about your monitors (outside of forums like these of couse) if your work sound good. Just realize that what you hear on your computer monitors will NOT be what will be heard on other systems. If you know these differences, you can compensate. It may not even be a concern for you. For what you are trying to do this is not a problem as the music will already be mixed and you are essentially just trying to get decent levels between the speech and the music track, correct?


Anyways, best of luck!

 

[Dracon]

Dilbert? Where did *that* come from?

Anyways, best of luck!

Uhmm!!!??? Are you serious? I didn't mean to insult you, but your Avatar is a picture of Dilbert.

I can see the need for monitors when you have a lead singer, back-up singers, several instruments, and perhaps they were all recorded at different times or seperately. Heck, I can even see it when you are doing midi, and mixing your own music or pre-recorded music like dance music or DJing.

I'm not doing anything that complicated, and I'm also going to test the end product in my CD player as well as other people will play the role of guinea pigs (my family). However, this will not go to any consumer or for mass media consumption. When I'm ready for that I'll do things the right way. 'Till then, I think like you said I can live with these speakers as monitors.

 

[fraserhutch]

LoL, you know, I never noticed - I don't recall actually selecting it, and I never looked.


hah, that's one on me

 

[Dracon]

LoL, you know, I never noticed - I don't recall actually selecting it, and I never looked.


hah, that's one on me

That's alright. In fact I think I have seen someone else with the same Avatar. I guess I would be confused if you called me Marvin.

 

[Dracon]

P.S. Not that anyone cares, but I've tested my Altec Lasing (which by the way my wife claims we paid $200 - I seriously doubt it probably more like $75) and they will work just fine as monitors for my application.

Thanks to everyone for all the feed back and for everything I've learned.