When you got new monitors did you have to work harder to get a better sound quality from your music?
I’ve heard a lot of people say that when they got new monitors their music sounded awful, and I just want to know what you did to make it sound better.
I’ve never had studio monitors before and I’m just trying to find out little hints and tips on using them to improve my music quality.
Like is there a way to set the volume properly with monitors? How do you tone down the bass on monitors so it isn’t boomy on other systems?
I would just love some advice on setting up monitors and using them properly so I don’t keep making mistakes with my music.
I know some people have learned the hard way by experimenting with them, but its easier if you can give us guys that are buying them/ bought them a few pointers.
Thanks

Hi!

Im not a pro but i think it goes something like this:

Think what they mean by saying: "it's harder to get better sound in monitors" is that studio monitors are designed to give u the raw deal i.e. reproduce the music as faithfully as possible or as close to the original sound of the instruments (+mixadjustments) as possible.

Regular Hifi-speakers + amplifiers are designed reproduce the music as flattering as possible. Which sound good when u listen to it but gets hard to really hear whats going on in a composition/mixing perspective.

So in short: good studio monitors generally has a very flat frequency response over as broad spectrum as is possbile while hifi not necessary dont. So basically since monitors reveal more u will be able to make more accurate mixing decisions which hopefully will result in a better sound.

THen theres stuff like room ambience and crossover frequencies but i will skip going thru that.

So i think what u need to do is to get used to your monitors: how does my tunes/AvB tunes sound in em and how do they sound in other systems like mp3 players, crappy stereos, club-environment and so on. There usually also exist adjustments screws on monitors to adjust frequency behaviour.

Viktor

Even Above and Beyond needed a little help here...
Link

Thanks for the replies

I read the above and beyond article and I have the same monitors that they use, the Mackie HR824’S.
These monitors are really loud and I have the volume turned down to number one on win amp and number one in fruity as they pump out so much power.
How do you set up the volume so you don’t blow your hearing in ten minutes? I noticed music sounds totally different on the monitors.
I played some of my tunes and some sounded great and some sounded crap, some of my friend tunes sounded god and some really sounded awful.
I’m really happy I got them and hopefully my music should sound better from now on, I even listened to some CD’S and Michael Jackson sounded brilliant while some other artists sounded really terrible because of the recording and mastering.
But the really bad CD’S that sounded terrible on the monitors sounded god on my cheap crappy speakers?
Once again thanks for the replies

quote:

Originally posted by tranceinjection Thanks for the replies I read the above and beyond article and I have the same monitors that they use, the Mackie HR824’S. These monitors are really loud and I have the volume turned down to number one on win amp and number one in fruity as they pump out so much power. How do you set up the volume so you don’t blow your hearing in ten minutes? I noticed music sounds totally different on the monitors. I played some of my tunes and some sounded great and some sounded crap, some of my friend tunes sounded god and some really sounded awful. I’m really happy I got them and hopefully my music should sound better from now on, I even listened to some CD’S and Michael Jackson sounded brilliant while some other artists sounded really terrible because of the recording and mastering. But the really bad CD’S that sounded terrible on the monitors sounded god on my cheap crappy speakers? Once again thanks for the replies

I assume you have the monitors directly connected to the interface, why dont you get a good-cheap mixer

quote:

Originally posted by spolitta I assume you have the monitors directly connected to the interface, why dont you get a good-cheap mixer

Why? no need to add a mixer just for the sake of it. If the setup is fine now, then a mixer is an unnecessary cost.

I’m running the monitors from the Delta 1010 outputs 1+2. I don’t need a mixer at the moment, but wouldn’t mind one later on.
I’d probably go for Allan and Heath mixer something like the mix wizard wz3 16:2 or a Mackie mixer.
I’m told the Allan and Heath mixers are the best mixers to buy due to their build quality and sound quality.
I would have to save up again to get one; I thought I would get the most expensive items first.
I bought the soundcard first so I could produce some tracks with fairly decent audio, then I got the Mackie monitors to see where my music was going wrong!
I can save up for a mixer although I don’t need one; a few people have told me that they do come in handy.
Thanks for the replies

I had the same problem with the volume that you are having when I first got my monitors. I ended up running the sound through an amp to be able to adjust the volume on hardware as opposed to the sound card mixing software (always a hassle, and prone to deafening crashes and mishaps).

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quote:

Originally posted by tranceinjection I’ve heard a lot of people say that when they got NEW monitors their music sounded awful, and I just want to know what you did to make it sound better.

You will always have to get used to the sound of your monitors. When you get them you don't know how your monitor's sound translates to other systems. You learn through experience. So a good new investment doesn't immediately translate to better results, you also need that other investment. Time.

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All rhythm evolves around a kick...

Some speakers also need to warm up a little before they get at their best. Playing loads of music on those speaksers is exactly what will do the trick. It will give you the proper impression of sound you need.

As been said, over time you will get it right just make sure you enjoy what you do for now!

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quote:

If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

Thanks for the replies

I’ve played a few CD’s and have noticed the difference in sound quality, some sound really amazing and some sound totally crap!
I’ve also listened to people music on the net and again a few artists sound good and a lot sound really awful.
Quite a lot had studio monitors and quite a few had over compresses the kicks and bass resulting in distortion.
A lot had added compression to low volumes and it sounded ok, but the biggest thing I noticed with the monitors was the dam awful synth presets and sounds they had used.
I’ve listened to some presets sounds on vst’s and there are a lot of bad presets, most of them are really nice and do shine through on the monitors.
I’ve just noticed that I really have a lot of bad samples that sounded good on my cheap monitors, but sounded bloody terrible on the new monitors.
I’m no expert but just through listening to different CD’s and samples and people on the net I’ve realised how bad music really sounds.
I know I have to learn my monitors, but I just didn’t realise how much crap music was flying around all over the place.
I’ve had friends say my kicks done sound hard or the bass lines don’t sit right, and when I listen I know they where spot on with their truthful observations.
Thanks again