One day I want to get "serious" monitors

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kidkage

kidkage

Bored of Canada
Throughout the past 6 years I've dreamed/wanted/hoped for many things:
A guitar, a drum set, a halfstack, a recorder, a "studio", etc.
I have a tendency to forget that everything I have today and everything I'm doing now at one point was just a crazy idea I had.

I've spent time researching and have set my sights on a UA 4-710d. I don't know what the future holds, so whether or not I'll actually get it I don't know, but I've set my sights and I'm aiming somewhere where I plan to reach, and feel comfortable in knowing that I did not settle for some piece of gear only to look in the sweetwater catalog while drooling over something else. So I'll work and save and see what I can do.

I'm ready to apply that way of thinking to monitors as well.
I may or may not be in a new space within the next year or two (oh... if the world doesnt end :()
And I would like nothing more than to have a wonderful new set of monitors to break in the new space with.

So I need some suggestions on what to set my sights on and prepare a budget for in the future(I'm willing to match the monitor budget with the 4-710d price).
Now I've never looked beyond $500 for monitors so I don't really know what exists "up there" :o

I know I'm kind of jumping the gun, but I want to spend as much time as I can studying on these since they will probably be the be all end all set for me (I don't want to spend all my time and creative energy looking up more gear. I want to spend it all on the music. oh... Mics, amps, notwithstanding of course:p...but my wallet will probably be hidden from me after that :()
 
There have been a lot of new monitor brands/models in the last few years, so you will need to do some serious research and *in-the-room* testing & listening....but when I was doing the same several years back (around 2001-2) and looking to upgrade my smaller Tannoy monitors, there was a studio cat who had been around quite awhile and had an ass-kicking serious commercial studio, so his monitors were in the $10k range, and he at the time said to me that anything less than the Mackie HR824 monitors was pointless for more serious mixing.

I spent quite a bit of time trying out KRK, JBL, Tanny, Hafler, Yamaha, and a few other, along with the Mackie 824...and even brought a couple of pairs into my studio for final test listen, which was key...and out of that crop that was available at the time, and all were in a similar price range $800-$1200 for the pair)...I settled on the Mackie 824 monitors, which were at the high price end.

I tried some ADAM monitors a year later, and didn't care for one of the costlier models (it was like $3.5k/pair)...but the model one step down ($2.5k) was really sweet...I can't remember their model names/numbers.
If I was to upgrade my Mackies...I would look at the newest ADAM crop, like the A8X, which is about $2k for the pair...though that would be my starting point, as there are a few other really nice monitors out there. Focal makes some sweet ones, though they ain't cheap!

There's just no alternative for my Mackies other than fro me to go substantially UP in price...and before I do that, I would probably do an entire studio remodel to make the best use out of anything really higher-end, and that brings me to my final point. What is the condition of your room acoustics?
If your room is crap...even high-end monitors will sound like crap...so you might want to first consider prepping the room before getting the monitors, and by all means, once you think you've settled on a pair or two, ask the store if you can try them in your room before deciding, and that you will pick something different if you don't like them.
A lot of the online stores have a return option...you just pay the shipping...so you can try and then return for something else.
 
miroslav said:
There have been a lot of new monitor brands/models in the last few years, so you will need to do some serious research and *in-the-room* testing & listening....but when I was doing the same several years back (around 2001-2) and looking to upgrade my smaller Tannoy monitors, there was a studio cat who had been around quite awhile and had an ass-kicking serious commercial studio, so his monitors were in the $10k range, and he at the time said to me that anything less than the Mackie HR824 monitors was pointless for more serious mixing.

I spent quite a bit of time trying out KRK, JBL, Tanny, Hafler, Yamaha, and a few other, along with the Mackie 824...and even brought a couple of pairs into my studio for final test listen, which was key...and out of that crop that was available at the time, and all were in a similar price range $800-$1200 for the pair)...I settled on the Mackie 824 monitors, which were at the high price end.

I tried some ADAM monitors a year later, and didn't care for one of the costlier models (it was like $3.5k/pair)...but the model one step down ($2.5k) was really sweet...I can't remember their model names/numbers.
If I was to upgrade my Mackies...I would look at the newest ADAM crop, like the A8X, which is about $2k for the pair...though that would be my starting point, as there are a few other really nice monitors out there. Focal makes some sweet ones, though they ain't cheap!

There's just no alternative for my Mackies other than fro me to go substantially UP in price...and before I do that, I would probably do an entire studio remodel to make the best use out of anything really higher-end, and that brings me to my final point. What is the condition of your room acoustics?
If your room is crap...even high-end monitors will sound like crap...so you might want to first consider prepping the room before getting the monitors, and by all means, once you think you've settled on a pair or two, ask the store if you can try them in your room before deciding, and that you will pick something different if you don't like them.
A lot of the online stores have a return option...you just pay the shipping...so you can try and then return for something else.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the room hasn't been built yet, so when I do build it I'll definitely make it the best it can be. I'm not sure if I need to build it around a "mixing space" or "drum space" requirements. They may be the same for all I know. I'll need to get more advice on that later though, once the time gets closer.
But essentially that's my reason for upgrading. My KRKs were 300 for the pair. I don't really want another set for a similar price in my room, and I don't want to get higher priced ones for the room I'm currently in. I mean, if the difference is really substantial with the price, I'd probably be will to move the budget from $2k to $2.5k.

Unfortunately, I don't think trying a lot of monitors in my space would be an option. The nearest dealer is 2 hours away.
If I could narrow it down to two pairs though, maybe I could find a way to try those out. Either through a website, and pay return shipping on a pair, or make the long drive to somewhere. For a purchase that big and important I definitely want to hear before I commit.
 
BTW. A few questions I have: 6" vs 8" and the importance of a subwoofer?

EDIT: Through initial scan through the ADAM A7X, A8X, and JBL LSR 4328P stick out.
 
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Honestly, there's so much good information out there on choosing monitors. Although it can be a little annoying to weed through the crap, do a few dozen Google searches on individual monitors, on monitor comparisons, search this and other forums for opinions on specific monitors, etc. You're going to find that, in any given price range, there are going to be several monitors that people will recommend, as above a certain level of quality, it's all personal taste.
 
I'm a big fan of the Yamaha HS80s. Nice flat response and are right at $700 for a pair.
 
The Yamaha NS-10s are a studio standard (I believe the dood that recorded the Beatles was just selling the pair he used for around $800)... You can find a pair of those for around $700 if you search around.
The Mackie HR 824s are also really nice. It's what my college uses alongside the NS-10s.
If I'm not mistaken, just check out the frequency response curves of whatever monitors you're looking at. If it looks like a pancake, you're on the right track.
 
Forgot about this thread :p

I've been looking at the focal solo 6be's for the last few weeks
 
MrWrenchey said:
The Yamaha NS-10s are a studio standard (I believe the dood that recorded the Beatles was just selling the pair he used for around $800)... You can find a pair of those for around $700 if you search around.
The Mackie HR 824s are also really nice. It's what my college uses alongside the NS-10s.
If I'm not mistaken, just check out the frequency response curves of whatever monitors you're looking at. If it looks like a pancake, you're on the right track.
Click to expand...

Um, IMO, no. NS10's are a great way to find how mixes might sound on crappy systems. 'Studio standard?' You feel the same about ProTools huh? lol! Just razzing you. I would never spend even $300 for a pair of NS-10's

I have a pair of NS-10T's. Same drivers as the nice looking studio version, before they made them look cool, and jacked the price. $100 EBAY. Same crappy sound. Good for finding balance in the mid frequencies of a mix. A monitor for completing a mix? No friggen way. I am curious tho, if you have seen the response curve of the NS-10's? It will contradict your statement as to what someone should look for.

Here is the non 'pancake' frequency response of the NS10's. Just cus something is used somewhere, does not make it a good idea. Not for an inexperienced recording enthusiast anyway.
 

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MrWrenchey said:
The Yamaha NS-10s are a studio standard (I believe the dood that recorded the Beatles was just selling the pair he used for around $800)... You can find a pair of those for around $700 if you search around.
The Mackie HR 824s are also really nice. It's what my college uses alongside the NS-10s.
If I'm not mistaken, just check out the frequency response curves of whatever monitors you're looking at. If it looks like a pancake, you're on the right track.
Click to expand...

I don't know about anyone else, but I could never mix on NS10 monitors (as my only pair).

I mean FUUUUCCCKKKK have you ever heard NS-10s?

There is a reason there is always a pair of barefoots, focals, or Genelecs sitting next to the NS10 monitors in high end studios.
 
guitaristic said:
Dang!!! :D Stepping up in life, I see!
Click to expand...

I've learned that 80% of the time... you get what you pay for. 10% of the time you get more than what you pay for. and 10% of the time you get less than what you pay for. Or something like that:D

It's at least a year off from now. I've got a lot of reading on acoustics and what not to finish up.
Not to mention build a space to put them in :p

I've got a long road ahead of me. I'm still learning to drive though. Or something shit-sounding like that :facepalm:


jimmys69 said:
'Studio standard?' Just cus something is used somewhere, does not make it a good idea. Not for an inexperienced recording enthusiast anyway.
Click to expand...

I've learned to stop living by "industry standards" a long time ago.
About two years ago. Which is actually when I joined the site. Coincidence? I think not:eek:
-And now here's a patented kidkage long story-
I have a friend in a recording program at a college here in the state. He stopped by around Christmas break. Of course we fit in jamming around taco bell, and video games. He was completely in awe at my set-up. Not because of the stuff in it, but because I actually HAVE a set-up. With an interface, a computer, some outboard, a little mic collection, monitors, a desk- stuff that's the norm to most of us here. He said "dude, like, this is what i want. i dream of this kind of thing... how did you do this?"
He had questions, and I was happy to be able to answer. But I was shocked that he's been in a recording program for a year and a half and didn't know what a pre-amp does, or what my mo-pads were for, nothing about anything really. I'm not an expert or a teacher (you guys have seen the stuff i ask here:laughings:)... but what do they teach there? Obviously I didn't say that, but I felt for the guy :(.
Asked about my computer specs. Said his teacher said recordings not made on macs are worthless.
Asked about my DAW. Cubase 6. "My teacher gave us a list of reasons why Pro Tools whoops everything else"
We started talking about mics. Said his teacher says Shure makes terrible mics.
He asked for a frequency chart on my behringer mic. Which surprised me. But he looked at it, and said "it's crap. i don't like the line moving up. it isn't straight across. my professors neumann is like this *drew a straight line*" :facepalm:
Then it hit me- he is being taught by a snobby phuck that is probably just trying to impress the kiddies.

He went on to say that the recordings he's made with his new friends mac and pro tools setup and the stuff he's recorded in his schools "pro" studio doesn't sound as good as stuff that me and him recorded in my spare bedroom on a tascam 2 years ago :eek:
I can attach that file if you want. If what he's recording in a music program in a pro studio with pro gear doesnt sound that good. Someone should probably be fired.
I can't help but think he's going to come out of there with nothing but an empty wallet.

lol. i knew that ^ would be posted somewhere here eventually:laughings:
But anyway-
I did look into NS10s around the time I bought my KRKs and once again when I started this thread.
Didn't seem too appealing.
I've been looking into focal as a company for quite some time. Saw a factory tour video that looked really assuring. Also heard that Alicia Keys' last album was mastered on Solo6be's after I started looking into them more. I don't listen to Alicia Keys. but that does seem pretty cool. Think they were Sweetwater videos.
 
Focal monitors really do sound great, if you do end up with a pair I highly doubt you will regret the purchase. The main monitors I was using in this thread: https://homerecording.com/bbs/gener...urney-engineer-i-want-hear-your-story-338786/

Are focals, not the solo6 pair but the more expensive twin6 pair, and I tell you they sound incredible. I like them better than the genelecs in the other studio.

Your friend sounds somewhat typical. True story, when I was interning a full sail student inquired about an internship and I overheard the owners talking about the email. The response went something like "yeah you can come clean the fucking shitters." I guess they accepted a full sail student in the past and it was nothing but nightmare with the student un-willing to learn anything and questioning everything they did even to go so far as to point out what they did "wrong." hahaha
 
Guitargodgt said:
Focal monitors really do sound great, if you do end up with a pair I highly doubt you will regret the purchase. The main monitors I was using in this thread: https://homerecording.com/bbs/gener...urney-engineer-i-want-hear-your-story-338786/

Are focals, not the solo6 pair but the more expensive twin6 pair, and I tell you they sound incredible. I like them better than the genelecs in the other studio.
Click to expand...

Oh man, you've got the twins? I've been wondering about those as well. Now I have someone to ask :D
It's probably a dumb question, but here goes-
I had been wondering whether or not the twin speaker design would be overkill for mixing? :o I've mainly seen one speaker monitors.
I didn't know if two speakers per monitor would be "ok" or if it would be harder to mix or make mixes not translate well since they'd be mixed on two speakers... hopefully you can clear that up for me :confused:


Guitargodgt said:
Your friend sounds somewhat typical. True story, when I was interning a full sail student inquired about an internship and I overheard the owners talking about the email. The response went something like "yeah you can come clean the fucking shitters." I guess they accepted a full sail student in the past and it was nothing but nightmare with the student un-willing to learn anything and questioning everything they did even to go so far as to point out what they did "wrong." hahaha
Click to expand...

I've been finding out that it's a typical scenario. It's a sad thing. All those places do is give them an $80,000+ hole in their pockets.
It's disgusting. They feed them this bullshit "Oh, you'll make contacts. We'll guarantee you find a job." that plays on their dreams.
You know, I was thinking about Full Sail about a year or two ago when I was getting close to graduating.
Full Sail, the music program at a college about an hour away, Westwood College for game design, the local community college, business colleges. All that stuff. Put in the apps, got a couple scholarships. I was stressing pretty hard about it as I'm sure all people do when graduation approaches.
But I essentially came to the realization that college is not in the books for me right now.
I'll save you all from my soul searching story (...maybe I can put it in another thread :p)
 
If you want to look really "up there" do some research on the Genelec range.....best sound I've ever heard.

(No, I don't have any--just remember them fondly from work...)
 
Bobbsy said:
If you want to look really "up there" do some research on the Genelec range.....best sound I've ever heard.

(No, I don't have any--just remember them fondly from work...)
Click to expand...

I've inflated my numbers for building the space so when I'm done I'll more than likely have a nice little gear budget left. Some stuff is honestly me being a little over the top. Like, I can scrape a new computer build budget (considering the one I have is barely 2 years old), or something not entirely essential for a while to get some and i quote "serious monitors". At least I'll be able to get the most out of my budget equipment through the aforementioned "serious monitors" instead of trying to run a $2000 preamp through $200 monitors.
...but
YIKES :eek:!

I think those will definitely put me over budget :D

Amazing reviews on those though.
 
Man I wish the twins were mine, but no they do not belong to me. They were in the studio I was engineering in.

I have no idea how they would fare in a home studio environment. The environment I was in was tuned professionally, but a lot of things I notice I miss in my home studio are very clear in the environment I was in with the twins.

Like I said I like them more (personally) than the Genelec 1031 set they have in the other studio.
 
I'm in the same boat as the OP...old crap monitors...room still in progress (actually moving soon, so I don't want to commit to monitors yet).

But, here's what I'm doing...get a list of the monitors in your range that people seem to like (i.e. this thread), look them up individually, narrow it down to 3 or so sets, and listen to them (if possible in your room, I know that's not usually possible). I'd also play some mixes your familiar with through them as a test to see how they compare (how's the low end, do the mids sound balanced, are the highs harsh).

That being said, you can make good mixes through not so good monitors. I've been using some Maudio 5" crappy monitors for 8 years. I know the monitors, and it's pretty easy to know how the mix is going to translate for me. So in a pinch you can pick up a cheap pair of monitors for $150 on ebay and make some great songs until you get some better stuff.
 
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