Do I NEED a subwoofer? Suggestions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TylerW
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TylerW

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Basic question. For monitoring do I need a sub-woofer and if so, then what are some of your recommendations? Thanks.
 
You don't exactly NEED one. Especially if your monitors are big enough. I have small monitors (5 inch woofer) and I don't use a sub (although I probably should :D). I just occasionally monitor with some headphones to get an idea of the bass.
 
Yeah, I have pretty small monitors as well. I'd rather save the money for nicer monitors really as I only have M-Audio AV40's
 
Nobody NEEDS one, but why would you not want one? As long as it's actually extending flat freq response lower, and not causing spikes in the 80 hz ballpark like some do. It can only be good. What if your low lows are all wonky and you have no idea cuz you didnt even know they existed?
 
I'd do whatever I could to save up for better/bigger monitors with a wider/deeper frequency response and do everything I could to avoid a sub. Properly setting up and calibrating a stereo playback system is difficult enough. Adding a sub multiplies the problems with low end translation.
 
Massive Master said:
Adding a sub multiplies the problems with low end translation.
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Assuming your room is treated well and your listening position is accurate? Flat response that goes lower is better than response that rolls off higher. People will prolly be listening on systems with subs.
 
Man, you gotta give a bunch more info here. Yes, everyone should have a sub, a pool, exercise room, Lava lamp, and scantily dressed housekeepers dressed as prostitutes. Oh, and egg crates on the walls. Wait, I meant foam, sorry. :)

Aside from two of these above, what it is you are looking to do is most important in deciding what is needed for a home studio. A sub can help with low end when combined with quality monitors that have small woofers (did I just type woofer?). A sub in an untreated room (especially a small one) can create even more issues. That IMO, is just from my personal experience. I could be totally wrong.

Lava Lamp should be your first purchase. Makes the bass sound way better. :)

Oops, almost forgot.... LOL!
 
suprstar said:
Assuming your room is treated well and your listening position is accurate? Flat response that goes lower is better than response that rolls off higher. People will prolly be listening on systems with subs.
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*IF* the room is treated well and *IF* the listening position is setup properly and *IF* the system is properly calibrated? Sure. I'm all over using subs if necessary. Sort of. I'd still avoid them if possible (by using monitors with a wide enough frequency response to make them unnecessary).

But I can count the number of "proper" (this, that, etc.) listening setups in professional studios I've worked with probably only on my fingers. Most people who ask "do I need a sub" have no idea of the difficulties involved in setting the system up properly.

Listening on a sub-system and working on a sub-system are two wholly and completely different things. One needs to "sound bangin" (for lack of a better term). The other has to be accurate and consistent.
 
If your monitors have sufficient low end and you can tell how your low end will sound on other systems through the monitors then you don't really need a bass sub. But that being said, if you have the money to splash out then go ahead. :)

G
 
I think in general a sub will mess you up more than help you. Your room has to be right, your ears have to be right, and even then a good set of monitors with a wide frequency response will do all you need to do. Low end control with even basic monitoring is a big problem in budget minded home studios. Why make it exponentially worse by adding a sub?
 
I personally am a fan of bigger monitors and no sub...but that's just me :)
 
Agreed. Bigger monitors and no subs. Some people I know with subs don't even mix with them. They only turn them on occasionally to check the mixes with the subs.
 
I've worked (read: making hip hop beats) with a sub for years now, wouldn't go back. Mostly because it's more fun, and I want to enjoy creating music. I use it when mixing as well, because what I do is pretty heavy on the bass side. I have KRK RP8G2 and I wouldn't be able to check my basslines for that earthquake feeling I sometimes go for on those alone, for that I need my sub...
It's important to check your mix without the sub too, though.

I'm not saying a sub is necessary.

And you definitely need a lot of bass trapping... that's for sure.
 
kingsmen said:
I have KRK RP8G2 and I wouldn't be able to check my basslines for that earthquake feeling I sometimes go for on those alone, for that I need my sub...
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Woah, sounds like you are using a lot of low end at Mixing, or your sub is up too loud! The "earthquake feeling" lol.

G
 
Hehe, no doubt... I remember I started out with the sub on its -30db setting, now I'm at -6db. Anyone with the same sub knows that it packs quite a punch at that setting.
A friend of a friend who's making dubstep actually use 4 subs in his setup.
 
kingsmen said:
Hehe, no doubt... I remember I started out with the sub on its -30db setting, now I'm at -6db. Anyone with the same sub knows that it packs quite a punch at that setting.
A friend of a friend who's making dubstep actually use 4 subs in his setup.
Click to expand...

4 subs? What can he possibly gain from 4 subs, that he couldn't in 1...
 
If you absolutely can't get bigger monitors and are stuck with small ones, a sub will come in handy. But why buy a separate sub when you can use that money to just buy a pair of larger monitors ? I have small monitors (got em free), and I had a few subs lying around, so I just use those. My room is a big though, so I uncontrolled bass isn't too much of a problem. Wouldn't want to do that in a small room though. If I had to buy them myself I would have gotten bigger monitors.
 
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