reference monitor problems

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baerstev

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Does anyone have a recommendation for a reference monitor that is similar in its EQ response to most stereo systems, or that will give me a true sound? I bought a pair of reference monitors (Event TR8s), thinking it would be a huge improvement from the stereo system I was using to mix on. After hours and hours and hours! of tweaking my first three songs, I took them to other stereo systems and could not believe how much bass was in the mix on each song. Talk about frustrating! I have heard from people on here that you have to sort of learn how to adapt your mixing style to your speakers EQ response, and check things out on other systems. This makes sense to me to a point, but when I am going to have to burn a CD, and listen to it somewhere else and then make adjustments, burn another CD etc., it almost defeats the purpose of having a reference monitor. I turn down the bass in the mix, burn a CD, drive home to check it out on a couple other systems, and then it sounds tinny-add some mids, burn a CD, check it out, now its harsh etc.... hard to tell what is just right when I don't believe the monitors especially when its a matter of 1 or 2 db and this is real ineffecient-and I am feeling the pressure from my band to get the album done. Obviously with the speakers I bought, the bass response must not be very true or consistent. I listened to other bands' CDs on those speakers, and tried to make the frequency response sound just the same. Didn't work. Maybe I am just not in the right price range for monitors... spent about $400. I hate to spend more on them, but maybe I have no choice. Anyone have experience with TR8s? Suggestions for different monitors? Thanks for your time.
 
It's more likely a room problem than an issue with the monitors.

If you end up with bass-heavy mixes when playing them on other systems, this suggests your listening position has a hole in the low-end response, causing you to boost your lows excessively.

Look at Ethan Winer's website for info on room treatment......
 
Yeah, definately sounds like a room problem. Unfortunately it will take a lot of time to get used to your monitors and your room, but room treatments are generally super expensive, so you may have to deal with it. Try using some quality headphones every once in a while to reference your bass, I've done that with some success. Better than just guessing and testing all the time I guess.

What type of room you mixing in?
 
Baer,

> I took them to other stereo systems and could not believe how much bass was in the mix <

This is very common, and as Blue Bear said the problem is surely your room. Even mid-level loudspeakers can give good results - look at the continued popularity of NS-10s! But even the finest speakers in the world are useless if your room has no bass traps and other acoustic treatment.

--Ethan
 
4-Man,

> room treatments are generally super expensive <

It's all relative. When considered in the grand scheme of things, like the cost of decent microphones, loudspeakers, and other recording gear, bass traps and room treatment are not very expensive.

--Ethan
 
It may not be the room here is what I learned from engineer's and what little experience I have ...

There are 2 paths sound travels in mixdown

1. The path to the mixdown machine
2. The acoustic path to your ears


There are so many factors as to why you mix on a good pair of monitors and the bass is outta control when you play the CD in your car, yet it sounds good when your mixing it down. In respect, who listen to there stereo system in a sound chambered room? not me, that is why NS10's are popular, they are crappy "flat" sounding monitors. Which with the 2 paths I mentioned give you the most realistic view as to what it will sound like from a cheap car stereo.

Check this site out ... it will give you an insite as to what is going on
http://www.johnvestman.com/studio_monitor_madness.htm

jr
have fun, it will be a never ending circle of confusion .. at least it still is for me
 
Jimmie,

> Check this site out <

Other than the suggestion to use acoustic treatment, which is valid, I disagree with pretty much everything else in that article. Improve your sound with replacement power cords? Give me a break.

--Ethan
 
Ethan Winer said:
Jimmie,

> Check this site out <

Other than the suggestion to use acoustic treatment, which is valid, I disagree with pretty much everything else in that article. Improve your sound with replacement power cords? Give me a break.

--Ethan
Click to expand...

I'm with Ethan on this, except that I think getting a sub (or pair) would help.

If your mixes are sounding like reference CDs like you had mentioned, but are still ending up bottom heavy when comparing the same reference CDs on other systems then you aren't hearing the bottom correctly. You need to be able to hear down to 20Hz (and up to 20K) with the flattest frequency response possible on whatever monitoring system (and room) you are using if you want to make accurate mixes.

The purpose of a reference monitor is to (hopefully) create the flattest response and should therefore NOT represent a "standard stereo" system since this purposely adds character that varies from manufacturer.

Until you can afford a sub and room treatment, you may want to compare the bass response between your mixes and a reference on a pair of headphones, though this isn't the best way of fixing the problem.
 
The suggestion that it is the room is not a fair statement. I don't agree with everything in that article, but at least the article gives one an insite that there are many variables as to why we experience "STUDIO MONITOR MADNESS"


I agree with you on the cable issue too. But I look past that and to the point of what this guy is saying in his opinion.

it's all personal opinions.
 
This is very common, and as Blue Bear said the problem is surely your room.
Click to expand...


:rolleyes:

I meant not just the room, room is an option but not the only one.
 
Don't we have more productive things to do than argue? haha Maybe go back to making music?

*just killing time dumping 1" recording to the harddrive"
 
Jimmy -

You're right, it's not the room alone. A monitoring system IMHO is mainy a combination of the room, the speakers, and your ears. Even the same pair of speakers will sound completely different from room to room.

From the info I have, the Event TR8s go down to 35 Hz, so there is a piece of the puzzle that they are missing. A sub would definitely help there.

Keep in mind that you can't account for the things that you can't hear. Non-referenced "monitors" are going to add their character which will most likely hype the bottom and top in different ways. You really have to be intimate with your speakers, room, and any other issues that will skew your perception of what you are listening through in comparison to the "norm". It doesn't mean that you can't create a great recording under less than optimal conditions, you just need to know how to compensate or have the patience to play "sneaker monitoring" by checking on other systems.

Oh yeah, and be sure to use the best power cables that you can afford :)
 
id rather hear accurately at 52 hrz then unaccurately at 20hrz just cause they say they can go down to 35 hrz doesnt mean that they are a flat responce interesting how even top monitors stick around 45hrz an up?
 
ok

now,

what's the difference between "reference" and "nearfield" monitors ?

nearfield= it are 'small' speakers that are positioned close to your ears

reference= ehm, they got a flat response so you can try to compare a commercial cd with your sound ?

how wrong am i ?
thanx

earworm
 
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