JES Posted January 30, 2003 Posted January 30, 2003 Hi, I'd like to stay away from brands on this one, but rather ask a philosophical question about monitoring (yes, I'm looking to get a new set, and I've read the backlog). Some people like to mix on NS-10s, or other nearfields that don't go all the way down to 20hz. Others swear by full range systems that at least give good definition down to 40hz. I know it's mostly a matter of taste, but I wonder if there's more conventional wisdom than that: for instance, are there certain genres where people mostly go one way or the other? What are the pitfalls of a full range system vs. a not-full range system? Right now, I use a limited-range system and check the lows on my home stereo (my stereo speakers go down to 20hz, and sound fine at 40hz, but are definitely "colored" in a pleasing way). Thanks for your thoughts. --JES PS -- I'm also posting this on George's board, hope that's not rude!
fantasticsound Posted January 30, 2003 Posted January 30, 2003 The thought is, listening to the same music, over and over, with full range, is potentially detrimental to your mix. First, it can be more tiring to listen to everything all at once. Second, many playback systems won't touch low bass either, and bass frequencies can often mask problems higher up. Get 90% of it right on the near fields and then switch to full range speakers to ensure your bass frequencies are mixed well. These are certainly not hard and fast rules, but they were common practice ever since near field monitors became popular. Nowadays, many nearfield or mid-field monitors can reproduce low bass. You don't neccesarily need to own a pair of huge, UREI monitors to hear big bass. If I could only afford a single pair of monitors for a studio, I doubt NS-10's would be considered. Of course, I haven't mixed on them for 20 years either. ;) It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd
Salyphus Posted January 30, 2003 Posted January 30, 2003 You could use a subwoofer with your monitors and only switch it on when needed.
Joachim P. Dyndale Posted January 31, 2003 Posted January 31, 2003 Kind of what fantasticsound said. As far as I've heard (this doesn't apply to me for some obvious reasons, since I'm 21 and a student) the pro's use the near-fields (i.e. NS-10's or 1031's) at a conversation level volume to get a good mix. Then they put it up on the $25.000 - $50.000 huge speakers (i.e. Westlake) at a very loud level to make sure the bottom is right. Then they make sure it sounds good down the hall, in the car etc. I've just bought a pair of Event PS-8's. I love'em... -Joachim Dyndale -------------------- Einstein: The difference between genius and stupidity is: Genius has limits My Blog...
JES Posted January 31, 2003 Author Posted January 31, 2003 Thanks for the replies, all. So, fantasticsound -- I was totally with you until the end, when I got a little confused. You say that nowaways near and midfields can reproduce low bass; given what you said before -- is that an endorsement or a warning? Right now I can afford one decent pair of monitors (decent to me, anyway). I can go for 6" woofer models that sound really good and have lots of midrange detail (which is what I'm used to), or I can go with one of the new 8" models or evena sub/satellite system, where I really like the low end extension but sometimes wonder if I can hear everything in the mids as well (of course, this isn't in my own studio either; anything will take getting used to). What I've been doing with my current set (for about 4 years now; I know it real well, but it's not that great a set and the poweramp is dying, hence the upgrade thought) is mixing stuff and then checking it on my hifi upstairs, which isn't ruler flat but does go down to 35hz no problem -- tons of low end, so I get a good idea that way. I'm just wondering if i should add the bass extension in my upgrade or stick with something closer to what I've got. Thanks. --JES
ITGITC Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 OK... so I'm still thinking about this monitor stuff. I haven't had the time to audition them to my satisfaction. What I'm thinking about is a system with a couple of 2-way monitors and a sub. Companies like Genelec let you pair various near-field models with a sub. But my question is - just how small of a woofer can a near-field monitor use - along with a sub - before they stop blending. I mean, you want a near-field where the low end sounds good on its own before the sub is added, right? When you put the sub with it, it should sound like a complete 'SYSTEM', and not 3 distinct speakers. So, do you need a 6" woofer, an 8" woofer... larger? Or would a smaller woofer like in the Genelec 1029s be OK? The final answer should come easily when I audition these, and other models of monitors. I'm just asking for your opinions today. Thanks, Tom "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo
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