Nearfield/Reference Monitors???

[Franky 2000]

Can anyone tell me the differences between the two types of monitors i have listed above and the types of applications both are used for??

Which should i look to get first so that i can complete setting up my small home studio??

Also, which monitors do you recommend for someone on a budget??

Thanks

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Reference monitors refer to any type of speaker which you use to evaluate recordings and make mixing decisions. So nearfields are in fact reference monitors.

Near-field monitors are those that are situated fairly close to the engineer (in a traditional set up they're the speakers you will often see sat on top of the console meter bridge). They take a lot of the room out of the sound you're hearing.

Many home and smaller project studios will rely on nearfield monitoring alone bacause they're more affordable and most of these types of studio don't have very good rooms for monitoring.

 

[Franky 2000]

Ah.......i see. Thanks for clearing that up!!

Are there any monitors you would recommend to someone who is just starting out but wants to buy good quality equipment??

Thanks

p.s I see your from Bath. Used to spend time there on holiday when i was a kid.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Are there any monitors you would recommend to someone who is just starting out but wants to buy good quality equipment??

To get anything decent, you're going to have to spend about US$300. Check out this thread http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=123752 which mainly discusses the Wharfedale Diamond Pro 8.2a ("a" for actives, as opposed to "passives" which need a separate power amp). The general opinion of many forum members who own the Wharfedales suggests they are a best buy for the money. Happy reading!

I just received my pair of the Wharfedales -- yesterday, in fact. Being my first pair of nearfield monitors, like you, I wanted something inexpensive to start out with, but with reasonable quality. It'll take me a few days to get things going to be able to actually try them, and even then, as a newbie I'm not in a good position to judge, but based on the reviews, I believe I've made a wise purchase. I'll consider upgrading some time down the road as my listening skills and pocketbook improve.

 

[Franky 2000]

Thanks Cheeky for the info and the link!

I understand the difference between active and passive monitors but what are the advantages of one over the other??? Which do people prefer and for what reason do you prefer them??

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Ah.......i see. Thanks for clearing that up!!

Are there any monitors you would recommend to someone who is just starting out but wants to buy good quality equipment??

Thanks

p.s I see your from Bath. Used to spend time there on holiday when i was a kid.

I was at college in Callington in Cornwall for a couple of years so I ventured over the Tamar on a few occasions.

Monitors are arguably the most important part of your set up (along with your monitoring environment) so it's worth investing. It depends on your budget really but if you're after real value for money then the Wharfedale diamond pro 8.2 actives are a real favourite around here. Sound control do them for about £250.

You'd do well to do a bit of research on room treatment too (there's a studio building forum here which will have loads of stuff on room treatment).

There are a few others by the likes of Alesis, Behringer, Tannoy etc. but I've not heard them for myself so I couldn't comment.

 

[thane1200]

Thanks Cheeky for the info and the link!

I understand the difference between active and passive monitors but what are the advantages of one over the other??? Which do people prefer and for what reason do you prefer them??

In my opinion active monitors are the way to go. I believe having the amp built in is advantageous because you are assured that it is properly "matched" to the drivers; also they take up less space; no seperate amp or speaker wire. I personally use passive monitors, but I often use the amp with other speakers as well (an advantage of passive monitors).