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brandon.w
New member
what's the difference between active and passive monitors?
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brandon.w
New member
I forgot...
I'm on a budjet...I have a yamaha mt8x analog multitrack recorder...I would also like to know what the best type/brand of studio monitors would be ideal for a small home recording setup with the forementioned equipemnet...
I'm on a budjet...I have a yamaha mt8x analog multitrack recorder...I would also like to know what the best type/brand of studio monitors would be ideal for a small home recording setup with the forementioned equipemnet...
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brandon.w
New member
just taking up post space now...
I also have a setup where my computer is very close by...I've heard that can be an issue...thank you.
I also have a setup where my computer is very close by...I've heard that can be an issue...thank you.
Henrik
Member
Active monitors have built-in amplifiers, so you can hook them up directly to your mixer's Monitor Out. Passives need an external amplifier to drive them.
Make a search on this forum, and you will find many threads covering which monitors people like at different price levels. The Tannoy Reveals (both active and passive) and the JBL 25 something seem to be the most popular entry level monitors. I myself have Alesis Monitor One (Passive) and having worked with them for about five years I know them so well it would really take a lot for me to get rid of them. Like if someone all of a sudden would give me a pair of Mackie 824's.
Cheers
/Henrik
Make a search on this forum, and you will find many threads covering which monitors people like at different price levels. The Tannoy Reveals (both active and passive) and the JBL 25 something seem to be the most popular entry level monitors. I myself have Alesis Monitor One (Passive) and having worked with them for about five years I know them so well it would really take a lot for me to get rid of them. Like if someone all of a sudden would give me a pair of Mackie 824's.
Cheers
/Henrik
SPINSTERWUN
Active member
I use the Event 20/20's
http://www.event1.com
I would say they are DEFINITELY a great bang for the buck (about $299.00).
Also the computer (being close) shouldn't be an issue.
http://www.event1.com
I would say they are DEFINITELY a great bang for the buck (about $299.00).
Also the computer (being close) shouldn't be an issue.
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
Now that you know the difference, do you want active or passive....if you want passive, do you have access to a power amp.......what is your $$$ budget for the whole shebang......
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brandon.w
New member
well...now that I know the difference...I would probably go for active...seeing as I wouldn't need an amp...but my budject is VERY slim...so whatever is the cheapest and wouldn't fall apart on me...I've read lost of arguments about not mastering with headphones...and how monitors are so much better...so I would rather buy a set of active monitors for like...200 I suppose, but if that's impossible...I'd rather get these "monitoring headphones" and deal with it...
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overseas
New member
Hi again, MT8X dude!
As for monitoring with headphones....
It's usually a must for tracking and listening to overdubs, but getting monitors for mixing down to 2-track stereo is damn near essential. Mixing down with headphones won't let you get an accurate picture of what your music will sound like over a set of speakers. The bass frequencies are the most problematic here - you can't actually "feel" the bass in your body like you can with monitor speakers. Also, there can be a great deal of variance in the amount of bass frequencies you hear in the cans if you change their position on your head even slightly.
That having been said, I have to make a confession here - I've mixed down a few tapes from the exact same machine you have (original version MT8X) using only headphones and got acceptable results. How? Be sure you're monitoring a reference CD while you're doing the mix. That is, patch in a CD of some music that has a sound similar to what you're looking for. On the MT8X, that can be done via the "2TR IN" jack. You'll be able to hear it in your phones, but it won't get recorded onto your mixdown machine. If you get your mix as close as you can to what you're referencing in the cans, the end product can actually end up sounding pretty decent (considering you're working in the cassette 8-track realm). But yes, in the long run, you'll definitely need monitors.
Hope this helps.
Bruce in Korea
As for monitoring with headphones....
It's usually a must for tracking and listening to overdubs, but getting monitors for mixing down to 2-track stereo is damn near essential. Mixing down with headphones won't let you get an accurate picture of what your music will sound like over a set of speakers. The bass frequencies are the most problematic here - you can't actually "feel" the bass in your body like you can with monitor speakers. Also, there can be a great deal of variance in the amount of bass frequencies you hear in the cans if you change their position on your head even slightly.
That having been said, I have to make a confession here - I've mixed down a few tapes from the exact same machine you have (original version MT8X) using only headphones and got acceptable results. How? Be sure you're monitoring a reference CD while you're doing the mix. That is, patch in a CD of some music that has a sound similar to what you're looking for. On the MT8X, that can be done via the "2TR IN" jack. You'll be able to hear it in your phones, but it won't get recorded onto your mixdown machine. If you get your mix as close as you can to what you're referencing in the cans, the end product can actually end up sounding pretty decent (considering you're working in the cassette 8-track realm). But yes, in the long run, you'll definitely need monitors.
Hope this helps.
Bruce in Korea
Henrik
Member
I don't think it's possible to find a pair of active monitors for $200. A pair of Behringer Truths are $398 at www.8thstreet.com, I think those are the cheapest you can get (but I may be wrong). And from what I hear, they're not very good.
So if I were you I'd rather try mixing on your hifi (supposing you have one). A good piece of advice is to listen to your mixes through as many sources as possible. Your hifi, maybe a pair of computer speakers, a car stereo and headphones. Both mono and stereo. Loudness on and off on your hifi. Stick your head in the speakers, take a few steps away, listen from outside the room. If your mix works in all these conditions, it should be pretty well balanced.
Also, like Overseas points out, always listen to CDs you like on the same sources and compare the professional mix to yours.
Good luck
/Henrik
So if I were you I'd rather try mixing on your hifi (supposing you have one). A good piece of advice is to listen to your mixes through as many sources as possible. Your hifi, maybe a pair of computer speakers, a car stereo and headphones. Both mono and stereo. Loudness on and off on your hifi. Stick your head in the speakers, take a few steps away, listen from outside the room. If your mix works in all these conditions, it should be pretty well balanced.
Also, like Overseas points out, always listen to CDs you like on the same sources and compare the professional mix to yours.
Good luck
/Henrik
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
Brandon, what are you monitoring with now?...
a home stereo and speakers with the EQ set flat will work fine until you can get better...id never recommend headphones for mixing (only tracking)....$300 is about the cheapest youll get a pair of decent monitors and an amp (buying separate is cheaper than getting actives)......
a home stereo and speakers with the EQ set flat will work fine until you can get better...id never recommend headphones for mixing (only tracking)....$300 is about the cheapest youll get a pair of decent monitors and an amp (buying separate is cheaper than getting actives)......