multi-purpose budget monitors

[sathyan]

To this point I have been monitoring using my hifi (Onkyo amp, Wharfedale full range fronts) and headphones (Grado SR60 for open; Yamaha RH2b for closed). I considering getting some real active monitors (for budgetary reasons, can I buy one channel now and another in the future or must they be in pairs?)

Monitors would be used in the following ways:
1. hearing what has been recorded (playback)
2. while recording non-miked instruments (bass and keyboard)
3. practicing keyboard (as a keyboard amp)

Ideally two sources could be connected - recorder playback and mixer - to reduce cable swapping. The recorder has RCA and TRS outs; the mixer has RCA and TS outs.

The band plays a wide range of genres: pop/rock, classic rock, country, arabian, celtic, jazz (70s), and some classical

Instruments: piano, electric bass guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, violin, viola, harmonica, dobro, drum machine, percussion (tambourine, shaker), keyboard (piano, rock organ, sitar, synth strings, synth brass), vocals (baritone, bass)


Any suggestions?

What do you think of the Yamaha MSP3?

 

[notbradsohner]

id say, to solve the cable swapping problems, get a little mixer, like a 60 dollar behringer, and put all your sources that need to be monitored into that. Then take those stereo outs into your powered speakers. There, you can plug anything in and hear it in the speakers.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Sath:

Two budget monitors to consider:

Passive Yorkvilles

KRK ST8 [I'm ordering a pair of these this day because the woofer is 8" and the Yorks are 6.5"


Green Hornet

 

[eeldip]

right now all over the web you can find KRK V88s for $700 a pair. those are active units, so no need for any other purchase.

pretty sweet deal. they get mixed reviews, but most reviewers are comparing them to the $1200+ crowd where they dont fare so well. but in the $700 club, you will probably not find an equal.

they would make KILLER keyboard amps. lots of LOW. TWO 8" woofers.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

...most reviewers are comparing them to the $1200+ crowd where they dont fare so well. but in the $700 club, you will probably not find an equal.

Say WHAT???

The KRK V-series are an excellent monitor --- the V8s sold for $1800/pair before they were discontinued. The V88s ran about $2300........

They more than "fare well" in the $2000 club................

 

[Treeline]

id say, to solve the cable swapping problems, get a little mixer, like a 60 dollar behringer, and put all your sources that need to be monitored into that. Then take those stereo outs into your powered speakers. There, you can plug anything in and hear it in the speakers.

That's what I did; it worked slick as I was figuring out about these things for the first time. But Behringer mixers are pretty much temporary and disposable gear - mine worked like a charm for about two years and then the transformer started pumping out all kinds of noise into the thing, just like everyone told me it would. Sounded like a diesel idling outside the window. Kind of smelled like one, too.



Hey, dammit!!! Close that bloody window!