Edirol MA5D Monitors?

[thebuns]

Hi, guys.

I know this is anathema to most of you, but I have been using Creative Multimedia speakers for mixing with my recording software program. I've been able to get halfway decent results, but I realize that these are not ideal speakers -- to say the least -- to be mixing with.

I'm considering purchasing the Edirol MA5D monitors. Are they any good. I know folks will say that I should save up, spend more, and get real monitors. But for inexpensive monitors, are the MA5D's any good?

If not these, then what monitors would you suggest (under$150/pair)? Again, I know that it's insanely cheap in the recording world, but that's what I have to spend on them.

Thanks in advance for your help.

- b

 

[sonicpaint]

Speakers are speakers!!

thebuns, don't listen to anyone who tells you that you have to have those over priced "studio speakers". Keep in mind that the standard studio monitor (Yamaha NS 10) were created for home use not studio use.

I have come to realize like a lot of things that many people talk a lot about don't know a lot about. I'll be getting monitors soon too and I'm tell you, I'm not going to pay big bucks for speakers just because they are considered "studio speakers".

I would suggest going out to your local audio dealer and listen to the speakers they have asking them to show you the frequency plot graphs of each speaker you listen to. Doing this you'll find a good set of speakers with the flattest signal that you can be sure of, instead of relying on buying "studio speakers".

I think you'll find that a lot of engineers use monitors that they are used to or comfortable with and I know you'd be surprised as to what some of them use. Do some research before taking other people's word for it.

I think personally that good speakers are good speakers whether they are labeled as "studio speakers" or "home speakers". Let your ears and eyes be the judge while listening and seeing the frequency plot graph.

hope this helps,
sonicpaint

 

[faderbug]

Re: Speakers are speakers!!

I think you'll find that a lot of engineers use monitors that they are used to or comfortable with and I know you'd be surprised as to what some of them use. Do some research before taking other people's word for it.

I think personally that good speakers are good speakers whether they are labeled as "studio speakers" or "home speakers". Let your ears and eyes be the judge while listening and seeing the frequency plot graph.

hope this helps,
sonicpaint

about the first sensible thing i've read about speakers on any forum.
people are talked into spending thousands on gear because they think it will 'improve their sound'. the only thing that will improve your sound are your SKILLS, not your wallet.

 

[sonicpaint]

I'm glad someone agrees.

wetteke I'm glad you feel the same. I can't agree with you more with the comment you made saying that skills being the most important part.

Thanks for your comment wetteke.
sonicpaint

 

[malcolm123]

Hi, guys.

I know this is anathema to most of you, but I have been using Creative Multimedia speakers for mixing with my recording software program. I've been able to get halfway decent results, but I realize that these are not ideal speakers -- to say the least -- to be mixing with.

I'm considering purchasing the Edirol MA5D monitors. Are they any good. I know folks will say that I should save up, spend more, and get real monitors. But for inexpensive monitors, are the MA5D's any good?

If not these, then what monitors would you suggest (under$150/pair)? Again, I know that it's insanely cheap in the recording world, but that's what I have to spend on them.

Thanks in advance for your help.

- b

A local band that I work with purchased one of those start up kits for recording. With the mics, mixer, cables and monitors. the monitors are the Edirol MA5D. If you cannot get at least some entry level monitors ie yorkvilles, etc, then I would do like the other guys are saying and just get some home speakers. The Edirols are probably no better than your Clabs. The are tiny little bookshelf type speakers. My harmon/kardon computer speakers sound better to me.

My partner bought some fostex bookshelf type speakers a while back. They are 2 litttle speakers and a powered sub, which also drives the 2 little speakers. If he bought them, then they were probaly pretty cheap <$150. they sound wayy better than those little Edirols.

Good Luck

Malcolm

 

[StevenLindsey]

Re: Re: Speakers are speakers!!

about the first sensible thing i've read about speakers on any forum.
people are talked into spending thousands on gear because they think it will 'improve their sound'. the only thing that will improve your sound are your SKILLS, not your wallet.

Not altogether true. If you can't get the skills out of the common listener's speaker in a way that he enjoys listening to it, the skills are just as well left unrecorded. People with real skills pay thousands to have their music recorded for this very reason.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

There's some serious misinformation in this thread.....

Point #1:
...if you can't hear it, you can't track/mix it...


Point #2:
...you can get away with any type of speaker IF you already have the ears to know what something *should* sound like and can then compensate for a monitor's shortcomings.

Those new to recording who haven't developed their ears will not be well-served by trying to train their ears while at the same time trying to compensate for a monitor's colorations.

 

[faderbug]

read what sonicpaint has to say about speakers again will you bb?