Recording with Monitors on

[Steenamaroo]

It has just struck me whilst answering another thread that we must have an audio-technical "lost" generation!

In my teens and 20's (I am 67) if you wanted anything 1/2 decent in terms of sound reproduction you had to buy an amplifier, a turntable (and fit your own arm and cartridge if you wanted the REAL dog's bllx) speakers and then wire the whole shootin' match up. FM radio was an extra tuner (but agreed, "recievers" came about pretty quickly) and recording? Revox, Ferrograph open reel and the associated cabling, later cassette but you still needed to wire it up and any kind of dubbing needed a bit of nonce!

Of course, if you grew up knowing no better than a Blue Spot Radiogram or worse a Dansette record wearer-outer, maybe you are forgiven!

Any of you ever fitted a radio into a car? (thought not).

Dave.

I agree with this 100%.
I'm a relative beginner, but I wire my own car stereos..I wire my own alarms and even a remote start once!
If the skybox or an LCD monitor breaks, I fix it. I make my own cables, have racked a few preamps etc etc....


The thing is, in conversation with someone who knows their stuff it'd be immediately apparent that I do not.
You don't need to be a baker to make a loaf though.
I'm part of a generation that just doesn't need to know, or doesn't care, how stuff works and how to fix it and I think that's a shame.
There's a wealth of stuff you can do with absolute basic knowledge.

It amazes me how often I'm someones 'go-to-guy' for this kind of thing, and honestly, I don't know shit!

(this isn't really aimed at the OP; I'm just agreeing with Ecc)

 

[TheNightman77]

Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated.

Good idea but some monitors go on and/or off with a hell of a crack! Banging such on and off several times a day might do some damage, unlikely but would be stressful?

This was actually my concern.....I had thought about doing this but felt I may damage the monitors if I was constantly turning off and on and get that loud "pop". My current setup however doesn't really allow me to add another power strip. I record in my basement that only has a few outlets, but also serves as a live room for my band who practices quite often. Unfortunately there's just not enough outlets for an additional power strip. I'll look into getting a kill switch of some kind. I appreciate the feedback.

With regards to being part of a generation that knows nothing about audio technical aspect of recording, unfortunately you've got me pegged. I would love to know more about electronics. Unfortunately like so many others, I have a completely unrelated day job, and I didn't get into recording until after college, and knew absolutely nothing about it electronics or audio before I started teaching myself the art of recording. So I have a friend who when he gets time helps me out with basic electronics skills. I wish I knew more about it, but I do try to teach myself. Also why although I am not really new to recording, I'm posting under the "newbies" section as I'm well aware of my lack of technical savvy. If anyone has any good links to visit to improve my basic electronics know-how, I'd be happy to check them out as I am very interested in teaching myself.

Thanks again.

 

[ecc83]

"My current setup however doesn't really allow me to add another power strip. I record in my basement that only has a few outlets, but also serves as a live room for my band who practices quite often. Unfortunately there's just not enough outlets for an additional power strip."

You can have as many power strips as you like so long as the total load does not exceed the outlet capacity. Did we establish that you are not UK? If not then this will be ammended at end.
Our mains plugs are fused, max 13amps so you can string as many socket strips and plug in as much kit as you like. If you exceed the fuse rating it will blow and no harm done. I have for instance 8 items all ultimately returning to one mains socket in my "studio" (actually a grotty little bedroom sans bed).

Ammendment: If you don't have fused plugs you can surely buy a fused power strip? Make that the first strip from the outlet and then go nuts! You can run one H of a lot of computer and audio gear from one outlet (other kit, heaters,AC, lights, beer cooler, must be on a separate circuit).

Re Learning. If you wish you can PM me. I have helped a few others with basic stuff.

Dave, (make that 10 items, forgot the Tannoys!)