Studio Monitor Speaker Hookup?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Venom
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Venom

Venom

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Alright so exactly how do monitors work? (speakers) ... I noticed that they all are powered externally so they plug into an outlet, but i also noticed that some have XLR inputs rather than the positive and negative wire input as traditional speakers do. So how should they be ran?

And for the one with the pos and neg input should i be hooking them to a conventional stereo or do i need an upgraded sound card to get them working properly? what?

Im new to all this so help is greatly appriciated.. :)
 
What is all the equipment you have.. so we can figure out what you need to connect to what..
 
Well im still looking at one to purchase, and i have jus been noticing certain ones have the XLR and certain dont, etc... And i dont know exactly what should be done for either circumstance..?
 
Well for active monitor's you just take the output from your soundcard straight to the monitor, if the monitor only has an XLR input then you will have to do some cable conversions, but most monitors have both XLR and 1/4 trs jacks.
 
My chain is DAW>Echo Mia MIDI (soundcard)>Soundcraft CompACT4 (mixer)>Alesis MKII

I have the main outputs on my mixer running to the XLR inputs on my monitors. XLR is far better than a pos-neg attachment, as the XLR's are balanced. Assuming you have a balance signal from your soundcard. I could run the monitors directly off my soundcard from the 1/4" but, I have more control over them from my mixer.
 
yeah, it all depends on what kind of mixer or sound card you're coming from. Like change said XLR is better because it's balanced...I use a 1/4" TRS(tip-ring-sleeve) from the mixer to my monitors....that's balanced too(balanced cuts out wire noise), but it all depends on what you type of thing you are sending to the monitors.

What soundcard/mixer are you using?
 
Yeah, let us know your present setup, so we can steer you in the correct direction.
 
SPINSTERWUN said:
Yeah, let us know your present setup, so we can steer you in the correct direction.
Click to expand...

HEY!!!!!!
Who is this guy who calls himself Spinsterwun?

WADDUP SPIN!!! Been a long time bro, how r u?
 
I honestly dont have anything at the moment, im running everything from an onboard soundcard and its outputted to a stereo runnin some Polk Audio speakers, thats all... Im jus tryin ta get some base knowledge before i start spended tha cash.
 
If your still using a onboard sound card, I suggest switching to a better interface for one thing. Also don't skimp on monitors, they are one of the most important parts in a setup. With bad ones, translating your mixes will be difficult to do properly.
 
To connect the monitors to your computer you will at least have to have a soundcard that has 1/4 inch outputs. Or another option is getting a usb or firewire (prefferably firewire) pre amp. A good pre amp for beginners would be something like the M-Audio Mobile Pre (less than $100, but it's usb). Connect the mobile pre to your computer and there goes an interface for your Studio Monitors. That same mobile pre will give you the ability to connect a phantom power mic to your PC and with the right software you have a beginners studio (sorta).

I find the KRK Rokit speakers to be a really affordable quality brand. Since you are a beginner, you could probably go for the Rokit 5's, but if you have the money I suggest go for the Rokit 8's. They sound good, they're durable and they look cool (well, that's not so important but it is a plus). The rokits come with both xlr and 1/4 inputs so you can connect them either way.

And if you are looking to learn stuff then a great starting place would be the sticky post at the top of this page. People will have no problem answering your questions if you ask good ones. Read, Read, Read, Read and read some more. Then ask the right questions :cool:
 
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Trumpspade said:
HEY!!!!!!
Who is this guy who calls himself Spinsterwun?

WADDUP SPIN!!! Been a long time bro, how r u?
Click to expand...

Whaaaaaassuuuuup!

Yes, it has been a "moon age" since we last communicated.

I haven't been in the best health, lately. But.... I am alive.

You ALL have been doing a great job at maintaining the proper aura here in this forum.
 
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