What monitors to get?

  • Thread starter Thread starter regebro
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regebro

regebro

Insane Genious!
I need new monitors. What should I get? I'm on a pretty tight budget and I don't think I'll be able to put out more then $500-$800 on this if I'm going to get them this year. :( If I have any preferences it's towards active monitors, just because I think matching the amp and speakers is a Good Thing, and also because space is limited. If your recommendation is for some passive ones, I need an amp too.

I always try to buy things that are above the qualitry of the rest of the equipment I'm using, so that new additions to the studio doesn't suddenly make the whole studio obsolete. I currently have a Fostex A-8LR 8-track, and a Boss BX-16 mixer (yes, after the monitors a new mixer is needed).

Opinions?
 
I think the Tannoy Reveal Actives are Just about $800 and I'm sure Event has some powered monitors in that price range. I probably go with Events, just cuz everyone else seems to be really happy with them....

If you have the chance though, it's a good idea to go out to a store like MARS or Guitar Satan and check out the different pairs. :D Peace
 
Well, I've listened to some and those Tannoys DOES sound good, and I do have a bit more money than I expected...
I do need to listen to Event 20/20bas too, they are $100 less and have better specs. :)

I'm sleeping on this over the new year, but next year I'm actually gonna start doing a Serious Project, so I need them. :)
 
at the time when I tested them in the stores, I thought Tannoy had a bit of an overactive bass horn - and I thought the Event 20/20's bas were just right.

Since then, I've noticed all my mixes tend to be a bit bass heavy - so I've had to make adjustments to my monitors for the room so they put out more low end - but otherwise, I like my Events - Big bastards, though. If you read the archives, lots of us recommend them, and hardly anyone tears them down - which says a LOT. You won't find many better deals in the $500-$800 range - esp. for active monitors.

RB
 
at the risk of sounding like a sheep :D ...
I do believe that if you put any version of the 20/20's against any other monitor in that price range ... you'll end up preferring them.
Although ... I want some of those Reveals too ... greedy bastard that I am.
 
I was in the same position 6 mos ago. Ended up with the Event PS-6's. Guitar Center sold them to me for $515. at the time.

Take a CD or two of music you are familiar with and try to test out the monitors you are considering. The main thing is to be comfortable with them and to know how your monitors translate to a car stereo, boom box, nice home stereo, etc. That's why studios have several different monitors including cheap NS-10's. No matter what kind you get you have to become familiar with how they sound and how they translate into the environment .

So but the best you can within your budget, and afterwards, keep comparing them so you learn how to mix well with them.

Good Luck

Bob
 
Auratones... no contest! :D

Seriously, I use PS-6s matched with a sub - and they're JUST GREAT! :)

Bruce
 
Hey LongWave....

Sorry to disagree - Alesis makes some good gear, monitors aren't one of them!

Bruce
 
Ive never used them to mix on, never will! but they do deliever a pretty accurate idea of your mix...for me:-) kinda in the way the ns-10's do, but with more bass:-0
 
QUALITY MONITORS/ GREAT PRICE

YO RE-Gee-BRO:]

Hey man, I just took a chance and bought a pair of Yorkville YSM-1 monitors.

Bruce is right. I unplugged my Alesis 1 monitors; they will now go into my storage section of my basement forever unless I sell them.

The Yorkville monitors are easy to handle, not heavy. The sound is about ten times better than the Alesis.

Alesis does not make good monitors as sayeth the Bard, Bruce. [I agree]

The Yorkville monitors go for about 108 pezzutos each. You can get Yorkville on the net and find a dealer near you. The boxes are made in Canada.

I was so impressed with their quality, considering the price, that I'm looking into getting a studio mic made by Yorkville too: Apex 420 or the 430. [also very reasonable pricing]

You've got to hear the Yorkvilles if you are on a tight budget; even if you're not on a budget, they are pretty cool speakers.

Green Hornet
 
I would never say Alesis made great monitors. it's the same with Yamaha, the NS-10s are shite, but that can be used in a good way for a producer. once ive finished a mix, i send it through ns-10's to check it, and also monitor 1's. if you've already got a decent monitor system, it's good to get something like m1's or ns10's just to compare.i wouldn't unplug your m1's! keep em there, now and again, if you aint sure of a mix, you can swap inputs into those. Im using a monster Genelec 5.1 monitoring system but i still put the mixes into crappy monitors just to check it's going right. keep the m1's! if you can afford it, splash out on some genelec monitors, they're awesome!!! and the Mackie HR824's are reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally nice aswell, really good tracking/mixing monitors. nice bass on them.
 
An update: The Event 20/20bas was $100 less than the Tannoy Reaveal Active. That is, ONE Event 20/20 bas is $100 less than TWO Tannoy Reveal Actives. Yup, thats how they are priced in Sweden.

I'll go with the Tannoys. Most people seem to think that they are as good or better or at least not much worse that the Event 20/20 bas, and they are $500 less here in Sweden. The music store will get them in three weeks.
 
The Tannoys are good but I love my Event's, I have a pair of 20/20's and a pair of PS6'S would not trade them for anything!!!!!


Carter
 
What's wrong with the Alesis m1? I thought they sounded pretty decent.
 
Well, I got the Tannoy Reveal Actives, and the name Reveal is definitely a good one. It's kinda like putting on glasses. :)

I can immediately hear all the things I know is wrong with my mixes, but that I didn't hear when I mixed them, but instead have realized after listing a long time on several systems. I also heard some other stuff i hadn't heard before. Like the tape recorder squeeking in the background...

I put on Mobys "Play", and that sounded good. That low nasty pianobass in "Honey" got right in my face! And I could hear more weird background noises in those old blues samples he uses in several of the songs. Things I hadn't noticed before. And, to my surprise, all through "The sky is broken" there is now a clearly audible sync signal! I can hear it on my home system too, but I hadn't noticed it before.

Revealed, indeed. :)
 
Alesis is not that bad

There's nothing really wrong with the Alesis M1 Actives They are good monitors with nice bass response. The ones that are horrible are the Alesis Monitor Ones! It has the same horrible but yet popular thing that the NS10 carries. Weird !

Actually I would like to point out for those recording with a budget to consider Alesis Point 7s which will really surprise you. It's nice and detailed and with the size so compact it fits nicely in your small studio. I'm using a pair of them in my small space. Of course now with the Yorkville YSM-1 in the picture, which i would have gone for if it had come out a bit earlier, its a different story.

Read this review about the Point 7s
http://www.sospubs.co.uk/sos/1997_articles/mar97/alesispoint7.html
 
used JBL4311's.....$350 on the auctions fairly frequently. Studio standards all thru the 70's, 80's, and they still rock, imo.
 
Think regebro has hit on something REAL important here...... we ALL want our mixes to sound great, find the monitors that allow YOUR EARS to distinguish between wanted sound and crap. Attenuate (or edit out) the unwanted and sculpt the wanted signals. TOOLS,TOOLS,TOOLS - we USE these monitors to help sculpt our artwork. Use YOUR ears and be true to what YOU are hearing - forget about who has what and who likes this or that. Also second the idea of using diff monitors ( $$$ available) Yamis, Tannoys, Events, M1's, Yorkvilles etc. ARE TOOLS FOLKS, pick your weapon(s)! Genelecs, well....... those be da BOMB.......cudos to LongWave. Bottom line: be true to your self and your ears, just like a tool box...... I've got more than a hammer and a screwdriver....... DO buy the best that you can afford tho ( as per our long lost friend and mentor Sonusman)! Happy mixing regebro, I find my Reveals revealling to MY ears also.
 
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