Looking to improve home recordings: Monitoring

  • Thread starter Thread starter beyondplacebo
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beyondplacebo

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Hi, I have dabbled in home recording for years and am just getting to the point where I'd like to start improving the overall quality. Right now my set-up consists of a Line 6 UX1 interface, Steinberg Cubase, and a pair of cheap headphones for monitoring. Other than sound proofing/accoustics for vocal tracks I think the main component I'm missing is a good monitoring set-up. The instruments that I typically record are your normal affair: Guitar, bass, synth, and vocals.

My main question is this: Will a good pair of powered PA speakers doubled out of my Line 6 function as a good monitoring set-up or is there a better option?
 
Powered PA speakers probably aren't a good idea. They're designed for a different environment and probably for louder use than you would want.

Even decent hifi speakers would be better than mixing on headphones, but really, the best bet is to invest in some nice reference monitors.
They're designed to be neutral.
 
+1 on reference monitors - you mentioned sound proofing, be sure to include room treatment (bass traps, etc.). The best pair of monitors will be compromised in an untreated room. Good luck!
 
Mr. June said:
+1 on reference monitors - you mentioned sound proofing, be sure to include room treatment (bass traps, etc.). The best pair of monitors will be compromised in an untreated room. Good luck!
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Yeah...I fit in the "artist" turned "studio engineer" crowd. I've always known that recording was an art of its own and have avoided it as much and as often as possible. I'm actually thinking of just constructing a modular recording booth. Like most other people I'm on a budget, and coming up with the funds to have a fully functional studio is probably either never going to happen or it will take a good while. Instruments/writing/composing are more important to me, but I'd like the tracks I do care to record to at least sound decent...who knows. Thanks for the input.
 
If you have the interface and some mics, all you really need is some ok speakers (or even better, monitors) and you're good to go for simple projects.

If you wanna get more into it you'll need a nice interface and probably more mics (I don't know what you already have), but you can get good recordings with some patience, practice, and minimal gear.
 
Treat your room of course. There are all kinds of references on the internet for making inexpensive panels.
Also, unless your environment is just whacked, a good answer is to listen to as much music that you are familiar with as possible and learn what your room is doing. Take mixes elsewhere and hear what your room is doing. Not the best way for sure, but learning your room can go a long way.
 
Elton123 said:
Treat your room of course. There are all kinds of references on the internet for making inexpensive panels.
Also, unless your environment is just whacked, a good answer is to listen to as much music that you are familiar with as possible and learn what your room is doing. Take mixes elsewhere and hear what your room is doing. Not the best way for sure, but learning your room can go a long way.
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Yeah - bad room is a bear.
 
bad rooms suck (disclaimer: i don't have a treated room, so take this for what it's worth...I do plan to treat this summer...but i do some mixing with a friend who has a professional studio, so i know what a good room can do.)...

but, there are other things I'd do first. i don't understand all these recommendations to treat the room when you don't even have monitors. you gotta have an interface that'll do everything you want, monitors that don't suck, and mics that don't suck.

of course you're only as good as your monitoring (which includes the room), but that is down the road when you have some decent gear and know a bit more about how to get good sound, and are getting some decent mixes. i understand the importance of treatment, but it's not a 1st or 2nd step.
 
aaronmcoleman said:
but that is down the road when you have some decent gear and know a bit more about how to get good sound, and are getting some decent mixes. i understand the importance of treatment, but it's not a 1st or 2nd step.
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Sorry - I was threadjacking. This is the point I'm at - and unfortunately my room isn't really all that treatable - 10X12 - 7 ft ceilings - home office.
 
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