Off Topic Help in the Studio Monitor/Reference Monitor Department!

[ScoobySteve]

Hey guys, I need to get some studio/reference monitors for my studio rig at home and another location and I was wondering if anyone could offer some suggestions.

Not too expensive, just enough to satisfy, with good clarity, 12'x12' room.

I'm going to be running a rack unit so I wanna run this with my computer.

Thanks a lot in advance guys!

 

[Dizzy]

Not sure of your budget, but I've got Yamaha HS80M's in a similar sized room and they are sensational.

(Assuming you want actives)

Also check for reviews - I'm not the only one who thinks so.

Maybe little on the bassy side, but otherwise pretty darn accurate.

Some switchable settings to compensate for room size / speaker placement etc, plus Mid EQ, High trim & Low Cut.

I run all my settings flat.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Just checked em out, they sound amazing! But a bit out of my budget for the time being.

 

[Colin]

I use Event Opals they're expensive but absolutely amazing. If you're serious about mixing don't be to cheap on the monitors.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Are you both running a sub-woofer with a pair of monitors?

 

[Colin]

I personally don't and I don't recommend them unless your mixing environment is top notch. Most people make the mistake of adding to much bottom end when learning to mix. Combine this with a room that's tuned properly and the best speakers in the world won't help. You can get software that will analyze your room environment to assist.

 

[Slingy]

KRK Rokit 5, 6, or 8's should do. I have the 5's and like them alot.

 

[the24thfret]

I have a pair of Yamaha MSP5 Studio 5" that are great nearfield monitors.

 

[fsmith]

KRK Rokit 5, 6, or 8's should do. I have the 5's and like them alot.

Ditto... I have the Rokit 5's, they work great and didn't break the bank. GC has the first gen like mine for $99 each.

fred

 

[buckethead777]

KRK Rokit 8 are great to me

 

[Grand Wazoo]

KRK Rokit 5, 6, or 8's should do. I have the 5's and like them alot.

KRK Rokit 5 works well for me too no need for a sub woofer.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Could you substitute your studio monitors for your computer's speakers as well?

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Could you substitute your studio monitors for your computer's speakers as well?

With another mixer yes, otherwise no, cause the speakers only have one set of wire connections, I plug mine directly into the sound card thingie... whatever is called... lol

 

[ScoobySteve]

Are you using the RCA, XLR or Balanced TRS to plug into your sound card?

 

[Grand Wazoo]

The back of the Digidesign Mbox 3 pro has all kind of connection I use a midi one for the axiom49 keyboard controller and 2 stereo speaker cables to the speakers. the guitars and mic go in the front have a look at this

Digidesign Mbox 2 Pro Factory Sound card - 96 kHz - 24-bit#

 

[tommydude]

KRK Rokit 5, 6, or 8's should do. I have the 5's and like them alot.

I have the Rokit 6 (in RED), very reliable product for the money. Check out musiciansfriend.com for good deals.

 

[bkrumme]

Not sure of your budget, but I've got Yamaha HS80M's in a similar sized room and they are sensational.

(Assuming you want actives)

Also check for reviews - I'm not the only one who thinks so.

Maybe little on the bassy side, but otherwise pretty darn accurate.

Some switchable settings to compensate for room size / speaker placement etc, plus Mid EQ, High trim & Low Cut.

I run all my settings flat.

+1 for the HS80M's. If you keep them away from the wall, the bassiness drops out a bit. I A/B them with a pair of DynAudio BM5A's.

 

[Slingy]

Could you substitute your studio monitors for your computer's speakers as well?

Studio monitors sound fantastic for regular listening and gaming, but I chose to leave my regular speakers attached as well. Since I have a Toneport(Works like a mixer here)studio monitors attached to that, and computer speakers attached to internal sound card. It's very easy to switch devices in the control panel.

 

[DTJPPR]

I suggest the Ascend Acoustics stuff, if you don't mind passive monitors. I have an Instructor that turned me onto him(he mainly does mastering, but has also produced and engineered a few bands on the top 40) and he really loves the way they sound, so I picked up the CBM-170's. They are incredibly clean and natural sounding, and i definitely recommend them.
Ascend Acoustics - Quality loudspeakers Made Affordable Via Direct Sales

Otherwise try and find some Genelec 6010APM's on ebay used(otherwise they're $350 a piece like the Yamaha's, though arguably better quality)

All in all, however, if you're going to be mixing in an untreated room, having nice high end monitors isn't going to make a huge difference. My advice: invest in some bass traps! They are the most crucial treatment for in-home studios and will make a world of difference.

 

[conan02919]

I have the KRK Rokit 6 I like them a lot and they were not that expensive