Monitor Settings.........advice

[yorksrvc]

I use Yamaha MSP5 Bi-amp monitors. Here's the problem, being a newbie and still trying to understand frequencies.......I'm kind of lost on where to put the monitor switch settings.

Again, being partially deaf on the high end and at times hearing only muddy bass tones.........is a big problem. To try to compensate, common sense tells me to adjust the high end to a higher setting, so I will tend to cutback on the high end EQ. The same, I guess should go for the bass.....bass at a wider range, so I'll tend to decrease the bass in EQ. Would you agree? or what is the best route to go? I'm doing this in a living room, so sound and acoustics are not in my control. What would be the best monitor positioning for listening?

Shouldn't I be able to come up with a fairly decent mix, using my monitors?

I use headphones initially for panning and sound effects and some detail. I then play on my computer speaker system, which is upgraded with a sub-woffer and speaker system........an average upgrade. I then play through my monitors and do some tweaking, but I'll continue to fight back and forth between speakers and monitors, making adjustments. Once I think I'm OK, I put it on CD and give it the truck test..........usually I end up throwing the CD at a passing car and start over . My truck is my end test. The thing is, I go through so many CD's before I get a half satisfying mix. I'd like to get to a point of near satisfaction prior to the CD burn. Not because of all the CD's used, but because of all the time I spend doing it over and over. I just think that understanding my monitors will help immensily, by cutting time spent fighting my systems. Shouldn't I be able to rely on my monitors for a decent mix, prior to the final burn?

Again, any suggestions and advice will be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks, Rob

 

[xistenz]

the only way you can know for absolute sure is to measure your room with acoustic measurement software. you could also approximate this by creating a series of sine wave sweeps that would allow you to figure out where your room modes are. then set the switches accordingly. you can also calculate room modes based on dimension if your room is perfectly square, and use that as a starting point. your best bet is to measure though.

the problem with those switches is that they're rather general, whereas you're more likely to need specific correction. eq'ing is not the proper way to compensate for acoustic problems either.

 

[ssscientist]

Shouldn't I be able to come up with a fairly decent mix, using my monitors?

Unlike xistenz, I wouldn't send you scampering for a test tone CD and a measurement device, as useful as they may be.

Pick out a few good CDs from your collection. They should be not only well-mixed but in the general ballpark of what your own music sounds like. Play them over your monitoring system and try to pick them apart as far as general frequency response, relative levels of the instruments to each other and everything else you can possibly think of. Then set up an A/B situation where you can switch back an forth between one of your mixes and a commercial mix you admire. Be careful to match the volumes and in general make the test as honest as possible.

Don't expect instant results. You may need to repeat this for several song cycles before you get close to a commercial mix.

As far as your hearing loss goes, nobody's perfect in that regard. Use your ears and no rules, meters or other stuff to get as close as you can to your favorite CDs and you'll be well on your way.

 

[yorksrvc]

THAT is a GREAT Idea.........

I don't know why I didn't think of that.........I guess that's why YOU'RE the ssscientist and I'm the newbie

I tried to get something out of the other comment, but I don't know anything about room sound tests......I had to search the internet for room sound test info

Being new at this, I probably should do all the reading, but I can only absorb so much..........I like the comparison test, for me, at this point. As I go along, I pick little tid bits of info and that helps when I'm reading. SOO!! When I get to room sound tests, I'l have a clue

Thanks GUYS!!