Why monitors and not a PA system?

[atomic punk]

Why do studios use powered monitors and not a PA system, which incorporates an amp and a mixer in one? For home amateur recordings, is a PA system ok to use as a monitor?

 

[Roel]

Studio's use monitors??

Studio's should use headphones to monitor while recording, you only want to record the instrument that you are playing.

And they use studio-monitors, which is a totally different concept. These are reference monitors, designed to have a very accurate playback. The amp is preferably also very accurate. Everything has to be as accurate as possible, actually.

Not all studiomonitors are powered. Some aren't. In which case you can use an amplifier of your choice, as accurate as possible.

You can use a pa system to monitor. But those speakers are not designed to have an accurate respons.

 

[battleminnow]

I have never liked the sound of a PA as a monitor. The PA speakers are just not accurate, they are made for pumping sound at high volume, not reproducing with sonic clarity. Studios use combinations of super quiet amplification and ideally accurate speakers for listening, because they are listening to a true sound that can be well represented on any stereo. I would suggest this, however, i f you have to use PA speakers...

1. Know that there isn't alot you can do if your amp is noisy (and most PA amps usually are

2. Mix your song, go listen to it on a stereo you are familiar with and then make notes. You will be able to see what you need to adjust, then go remix the song.(I am very anal about my car stereo, and I know what sounds good and what was mixed well when I listen there)

3. Try a bunch of different stereos, just to make sure you really like your final mix.

This is more time consuming than just taping or burning a cd and flying with it, but you will get way better results.

Pete

 

[PowerCouple]

And...

You will go deaf in less than a year if you use a PA system for monitoring...and then you'll get beaten up by your neighborhoods...and so on...

Peace...

PC

 

[barefoot]

I sometimes use PA speakers to monitor - when I'm specifically adjusting my mixes (electronica) for live performance. I would never use them for a recording though.

barefoot

 

[Guernica]

.....like using a shovel to sculpt clay

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

.....like using a shovel to sculpt clay

 

[detuned6]

I used a pa for monitors in my studio, it kinda sucks, now that i have my events i would never go back.

 

[Track Rat]

.....like using a shovel to sculpt clay

Well said.