It's yet another monitor question..... odd question?

[rushfan33]

I'm now just about ready to transform my detached garage into a small studio. I plan on using it for my own personal use and possibly record friend's bands and small bands looking to record a demo. It will not be a full production type studio. My mics are good and my board is a Mackie 32-8 going to ADAT-XT 16-bit.

I'm monitor-less at the moment but I'm ready to buy some and I need help deciding. I don't plan on having a "supertuned" control room (or live room for that matter) as the budget is low for now. Since the rooms are not going to be "supertuned", do I need to spend top dollar on monitors? I'm stuck between the Mackie 824's or the Event 20/20bas.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks,
RF

 

[Giganova]

Have you considered the M-Audio BX8? I just got a pair and I am very happy with them.

 

[13th_Omen]

The MAckie HR824s are pretty close to top dollar! They are sliding in at about $800 each! If you want to go a little cheaper and yet get a decent monitor I reccomend the Tannoy Reveal Actives at about $700 for the pair. They still claim to give a flat frequency response which is what you are generally looking for in monitors. I asked the same question... "My gear isn't all that good or extensive, do I still need good monitors?" I was given the answer that "Monitors are the only thing you hear in the studio." This pretty much answered my question. I haven't gotten monitors yet but I am going to get the HR824s. Hope this helps!

Here's the link:
Tannoy Reveals From zzounds.com

By the way.. if you're going to get ANY monitors that you can trust I suggest getting active ones!

 

[jake-owa]

Go for the MAckies and stay away from the M-audios. The 20/20s are decent sounding but the Mackies are much nicer in my opinion.

 

[malcolm123]

If you get those Mackies,, pick up some bass traps.

Your gonna need em. especially if the room has parallel walls.


Malcolm

 

[Giganova]

... stay away from the M-audios.

Would you care to explain? A statement without facts is not particularly helpful.

 

[rushfan33]

I guess the jist of my question is this: From a listening test at a music store a couple of years ago in a non-tuned room, I concluded that the Mackies were the best sounding monitors that I've had personal experience with. When I said "top dollar" I meant top dollar of MY budget! I realize that $1200 is nowhere near "top dollar". In my control room, will I hear that much of a difference in the monitors if it's not very well tuned? If not, I'd rather save the $400 difference and get another decent pre or something.
I appreciate your suggestions about the other brands but I've concluded that either the Mackies or the Events are for me. I was considering some V-8's but I had a chance to hear them and I just wasn't impressed. I know thery're good quality and it could've been the guy's studio or his mixing but I just never heard anything that I liked.
Thanks,
RF

 

[Giganova]

I think you've pretty much nailed it down and can't go wrong with either decision.

 

[jake-owa]

Would you care to explain? A statement without facts is not particularly helpful.

It's actually mostly hearsay that brings me to that conclusion. I've heard that they sound like decent hi-fi speakers. I've read complaints from pros and home recorders alike who had trouble with, or didn't like them.
I'm sure any decent speakers are useable if you take the time to get to know them. Once you've corrected enough unbalanced mixes you get tuned to the monitors. I know because I have a pretty innacurate room/monitor situation.

I like the detail of the Mackies but I bet the bass could get bad in a small room. The 20/20 are big without being bassy so they might be a better option.
I'm just guessing as usual....no real facts.


...btw, I've heard the Mackies and 20/20s but not the M-audios.

 

[Giganova]

I hear you, Jake. I've previously only listend to the M-Audio BX8 coz that's what I've got, and can't compare. Today I listend to a bunch of monitors at Samash in NYC, but that was not a "controlled situation", so I couldn't say which ones were the "best" monitors.
It took me quite a while to get to know the BX8. My first mixes sounded horrible! Now I am right on the money with them. I guess its the same as usual: you get what you pay for. For just under $500, the BX8 are great. I am sure, though, that the Mackie are better -- but they are much more expensive (hopefully not only because you can rotate the "Mackie" logo -- get that!)

 

[malcolm123]

I also heard that the Blue Skys were pretty good as well.

I haven't heard them, but I did research them before getting my Mackies. If I could have heard them,, I might have gone that route instead.

The Mackies are pretty good tho.

Malcolm