Whats the purpose for Monitors!

[h i p h o p]

honestly....what is the BIG DEAL with monitors...i feel like they aren't that important...but everyone says it's somethin i should get after buying a mic...so can someone tell me what monitors do! thanks in advance!

 

[PhilGood]

Monitors are not just for playback and hearing what you are recording. They are there to reveal the truth about the sound detail. It is important that you have an acurate "picture" of the sound you are recording. You need to be able to tell if there are any harsh frequencies, noise or hum present while tracking. Not to mention that mixing on a good set of monitors will make sure that your mix sounds good on any system the tune is played on.

If you mix on a crappy set of speakers, you will end up EQing for that set of speakers. Then when you play your track on another system you will wonder why it doesn't sound right. If the monitors you have are fairly neutral, your mix will translate well to other systems.

Also, mixing on headphones is bad! Your brain alters the sound when wearing headphones and doesn't account for room acoustics and reflections.

Someone else is sure to explain that better than me!

 

[battleminnow]

I agree with what Phil said. Also, I think the most important thing is that you know your speakers. I have heard unbelievably amazing mixes done on $30 headphones and I have heard terrible mixes on systems costing thousands of dollars. But good monitors, once you learn "their" sound will be an invaluable tool.

Pete

 

[jonnyc]

I thought I could get away with a bookshelf system but nothing sounded good after I recorded it. So I got cheap monitors, again nothing sounded good. Decided on good monitors and it's amazing how night and day my old vs. new mixes are. Monitors are EXTREMELY important.

 

[dwarf]

I may get my ass kicked but I got some behringer 2031's (dunno where the "A" went) and even though they are cheap I've allready heard a great differance in my recordings.

 

[chessrock]

honestly....what is the BIG DEAL with monitors...i feel like they aren't that important...but everyone says it's somethin i should get after buying a mic...so can someone tell me what monitors do! thanks in advance!

Dipshit.

You use monitors so you can hear what the crap is going on.

.

 

[PhilGood]

Dipshit.

You use monitors so you can hear what the crap is going on.

.

I was actually COUNTING on you for that one!!

Thanks for not letting me down!

 

[petermiller]

I may get my ass kicked but I got some behringer 2031's (dunno where the "A" went) and even though they are cheap I've allready heard a great differance in my recordings.

the a is the model that was redesigned to be sheilded for use near a computer (and yes for the money they are a pretty good copy of a Mackie

 

[PhilGood]

the a is the model that was redesigned to be sheilded for use near a computer (and yes for the money they are a pretty good copy of a Mackie

The A stands for "active", which has a built-in amplifier for each speaker. P stands for "passive", where you use your own amplifier.

 

[h i p h o p]

thank you everyone...i love you all, i appreciate the feedback

 

[studiomaster]

As monitors get more pricey, they most likely will get more honest when giving you the sound. and by the way, Monitors are one of the most crucial component in a studio chain. after you mix a few songs without monitors, you will despite your anticipation for real monitors.

 

[h i p h o p]

i mean i have cheap monitors...$100, m-audio...would it be worth spending more....and if so, which one.

 

[studiomaster]

$100 m-audio monitors? Which one are u talking about?

 

[h i p h o p]

http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--MDOSP3

 

[jkokura]

Yes it most definately would be worht spending more. What kind? Well that's a big subject.

You'll start seeing improvement when you get 5" or larger cones...But I wouldn't recommend you get anything smaller than 6". The idea (as far as I understand) is that larger speakers transmit lower frequencies better. Those little 3.5's don't really give you all of the actual sound you've got recorded. It's hard to mix when you're not hearing all your low end!

I'm a big fan of Event personally. Look at the TR6 or TR8 or the 20/20 BAS... Mackie HR's are good too. There's a bunch of different options available, and your budget will determine what you're looking for.

Jacob

 

[chance]

My suggestion is to get the very best you can afford. Learn by using them as to how they translate to the outside world. Once you learn how they translate, you are set. More than 30 years ago I got JBL 4311 studio monitors. after many years of using them, I tried some very expensive hi-end monitors. I used them for a month. I started getting complaints from some of my clients. I went back to my 4311's and everything is good again. Why? because I know/learned how they translate, and to get to know a new monitor, I would have to un-learn the old and re-learn the new. Having a busy studio doesn't give me this luxury. To this day I still use them day in and day out.

 

[riccol]

I saw in the Sweetwater Catalog a little set of Tascam VL-S21 desktop monitors. They say they are flat and a good starting point for monitors. Haven't tried them ....but the price be right!

 

[gummblefish]

Dont want to be a dick about this but why are we talking about this in the "microphone" section?

 

[bubbagump]

http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--MDOSP3

Thos aren't worth it.. they are barely more than regular computer speakers. With the bass a hip hop mix would throw at them... those 3.25" woofers will be grunting.

Now if you really want to have something to worry about.... the monitors are only as good as the room they are in. Standing waves, flutter, and 100 other screwy things in a room can make great monitors sound like poo.

Dont want to be a dick about this but why are we talking about this in the "microphone" section?

Err, umm.... bug off you and your logic!

 

[Robert D]

Dont want to be a dick about this but why are we talking about this in the "microphone" section?

Because speakers are microphones in reverse, and it's back-asswards day.