Problem of sound quality depending on speakers used

[RhetoricalChaos]

Hi,

We are a newly formed band, and we are trying to record a song. However we are having serious problems regarding the sound quality. In the recording studio, with quality speakers, the sound is fine and clean. But when we play it through low-quality speakers or a headphone, the tones sounds detuned. Also, the song sounds enclosed, like in a box.

We have tried multiple headsets and low-quality speakers, where other songs play fine. Probably there is something fundamentally wrong with the way we record. We are using an Edirol FA-101 sound card together with Cubase for the recording. When we are recording the part with gain, we use a Cube 30X amplifier to process the sound before it is sent to the sound card.


Does anyone know what this problem can be caused by, or how we could fix it?
Thanks for any help!

 

[kcearl]

Ive little or no experience why recording guitars but my guess is its in the mix that the problems lie...getting mixes to translate to different system is a difficult part of the process

small speakers will highlight your mids at the expense of lows and highs so if there is a problem in this range it will be highlighted...

It might be worth posting a streaming mp3 of your song because no one can tell whats wrong by the information you give

 

[RhetoricalChaos]

Song sample

Well, here is a part of the song we are currently recording. Just keep in mind that this is a recording in progress.

The song is not self made, it's a song called "The Rising", by Killrbuckeye, which you can find at youtube.

The sound is not awful, it's just not at the same level compared to what other songs sounds like on the same speaker. Also, our song sound a lot better on a high-quality speaker. The worst problem is that the tones sound almost detuned on the bad speakers.

 

[kcearl]

Well, here is a part of the song we are currently recording. Just keep in mind that this is a recording in progress.

The song is not self made, it's a song called "The Rising", by Killrbuckeye, which you can find at youtube.

The sound is not awful, it's just not at the same level compared to what other songs sounds like on the same speaker. Also, our song sound a lot better on a high-quality speaker. The worst problem is that the tones sound almost detuned on the bad speakers.

OK the best thing to do with this is stick it in the MP3 clinic with "urgent help needed from guitarists" in the title, you get a far better and worthwhile response...

Im listening to it and it doesnt sound out of tune or anything...the mix is pretty bad...the rhythm guitar(s) have far too much midrange and I guess thats what you are hearing...the drums are all splash and no body, the other guitars are too loud...I bet fiddling with this for ten minutes would get it working on smaller speakers better...

but like I say...you need some rock guys opinions and there are loads in the MP3 clinic forum

 

[diggy_dude]

Based on what you've said, I suspect that your studio monitors are flattering the mix rather than revealing subtle deficiencies. Your monitors should be neutral. If everything sounds good on them, then they're probably lying to you.

I listened to a few seconds of the MP3 on a pair of computer speakers with no subwoofer. I can't turn it up because I'm at work and there are other people in the office. What I heard sounded okay though. It's not muffled, and the levels aren't low. Computer speakers are prone to sound "boxy" whether the source material sounds that way or not, so I can't make an objective determination here.

 

[RhetoricalChaos]

Ok, thanks for all help