Not sure where to post but I have some ????

[snsguy]

I have some questions and because I'm new here I wasn't sure whereto post. So here it goes. I just got my first pair of real monitors, M-Audio BX5a Deluxes. I purchased the monster Prolink cables TRS to XLR and they make a world of difference. They are a little weak on the low end and I don't have money to purchase a sub right now. What I'm trying to do is use my cambridge soundworks sub by splitting each signal from my MOTU 8 Pre audio interface to both the monitors and to the sub. The problem is when I purchased the splitters, which were not at all as expensive as the monster cable, it is losing almost half of the signal. The volume is less and the high and low end is half as clear. Do I need to pay more for monster cable splitters so the quality won't degrade as much. I know certain peopl;e think there isn't a difference with cables but going from a cheap cable to the monster cables made a world of difference. The other problem could also be the splitters have one black ring around the end which I believe means it's tr where as the monster cables are two black rings, which is TRS? I may be wrong so please correct me if I am.

The next question is this. On the volume knob on the back of each monitor does it matter where it is set at or does tha make a difference in any kind of quality?

The last question, I didn't have the money to buy acoustic padding to go under each of my monitors so I went to Lowes and got some corner padding for things like book cases and such. They are made out of felt. I doubled each corner so the monitors rise about 1/2 inch from the tops of the monitor stands. Should that work in helping with vibration and loss of acoustics from the monitors?

Thanks for all your help!!!

SNSGUY

 

[Chili]

A quick look at the specs on the Motu and your M-Audio monitors shows both can do balanced or unbalanced 1/4" cables. I guess your splitter only does unbalanced. So it seems you should connect everything with unbalanced cables. If the cable runs are short, you won't noticed a degradation in signal quality.

The real solution would be to ensure your monitors are in an acoustically flat environment. Acoustic treatment is the biggest bang for the buck in getting accurate reproduction. And it doesn't have to be expensive. I did my first studio for less than $150 and I thought it came out "stylish".

Instead of trying to hook up a sub, I say learn your monitors by playing commercial cd's that you are very familiar with. Listen closely to what the low freq's are doing. And then test your mixes out in other familiar listening environments like the car or ipod.

Hope this helps.

 

[snsguy]

A quick look at the specs on the Motu and your M-Audio monitors shows both can do balanced or unbalanced 1/4" cables. I guess your splitter only does unbalanced. So it seems you should connect everything with unbalanced cables. If the cable runs are short, you won't noticed a degradation in signal quality.

The real solution would be to ensure your monitors are in an acoustically flat environment. Acoustic treatment is the biggest bang for the buck in getting accurate reproduction. And it doesn't have to be expensive. I did my first studio for less than $150 and I thought it came out "stylish".

Instead of trying to hook up a sub, I say learn your monitors by playing commercial cd's that you are very familiar with. Listen closely to what the low freq's are doing. And then test your mixes out in other familiar listening environments like the car or ipod.

Hope this helps.

Hey thanks for responding. Where did you get acoustic treatments for $150? I decided to completely cut out the splitter and try something different. It's not really the best way but I hooked the sub up by going through the phone output and it works. Not the best way but it works and I can turn it down or off anytime I want and nothing is degraded. I really need to get a realy sub monitor at some point just don't have the dough right now. This will work out fine for now. I do agree that I need to listen to it without the sub also. I really think that can help me in my mixing. I've been listening to different cd's just to get the feel for them and break my ears in a little to get used to their sound. I am enjoying them!!!! Thanks again.

SNSGUY

 

[Chili]

I used an equivalent to Owens Corning 703 insulation. I bought mine through a Johns-Manville dealer and it's the same thing as the 703. I bought 10 panels, each 2'x4'x2", for about $100. Then I bought some very lightweight fabric to cover them from Walmart for $1 per yard. They say if you can breath through it, then it's light enough. Then bought some toggle bolts and lattice wood to permanently mount them to the wall.

I covered the panels with the fabric using spray-on adhesive. Painted the wood white and drilled a hole through the middle. The wood was 1/8" thick and 1" wide and about 1' in length; two pieces for each panel. I inserted the toggle bolts through the hole then pushed it through the fabric and 703 into a hole I punched in the drywall. Tightened up the toggle bolt and called it acoustic treatment.

For the wall behind my monitors, I cut one 703 panel to make two 2'x2' panels. Then I mounted four other full size panels in my room. I wanted to add all of them, but I got satisfactory results with what I already had.

There are strategies on where to place your monitors and acoustic treatment. You can read about it in the Studio Build section of Homerecording.

Disclaimer: I wasn't trying to achieve isolation, just a flatter frequency response from the treated room. I don't use amps or drum kits, so I can keep it fairly quiet which is why I think I didn't need as much 703 as I bought. I was more concerned about monitoring in a known environment when mixing down than waking the family at 3am. YMMV...

Hope this helps.