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olemon
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2012/02/09 08:21:08 (permalink)

Do I Even Studio Monitors?

Before I go the the Hardware Forum for advice, wondering about studio monitors.  Don't have any now, just use headphones or pc speakers, output from M-Audio, to playback what I record.  I am of the one-man-band variety and my future projects will likely contain these tracks: vocal1, vocal2, guitar1, guitar2, drums1, midi/synth/instrument1, midi/synth/instrument2.
 
I have limited space and don't want to spend more than $200.  There are at least three brands/models that could work, M-Audio BX5a, Cakewalk MA-15D, KRK Rokit Powered 5 G2.
 
Uh, I probably just talked myself into buying some, but would appreciate any thoughts.  Thanks.

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    Bristol_Jonesey
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    Re:Do I Even Studio Monitors? 2012/02/09 09:45:46 (permalink) ☄ Helpful
    Yes.

    You'll never get the results you want from using headphones alone.

    Phones are great for checking things on, and tracking of course, but their usefulness where mixing is concerned is extremely limited.

    Other people might advise differently, but this would be my advice.

    YMMV.

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    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:Do I Even Studio Monitors? 2012/02/09 10:37:09 (permalink)
    I agree that decent monitors are almost a neccesity. That doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune though, there's diminishing returns as you go up the £/$ ladder.

    Karl
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    Bristol_Jonesey
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    Re:Do I Even Studio Monitors? 2012/02/10 05:08:53 (permalink)
    A wise man once said "be prepared to spend the same amount of money on room treatment as you do on monitors"

    But it wasn't me

    CbB, Platinum, 64 bit throughout
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    aceteleman
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    Re:Do I Even Studio Monitors? 2012/02/26 20:05:01 (permalink) ☄ Helpful
    Hi Olemon, I have a pair of M-Audio BX 5a's, they're compact and kick ass for their size. Shop around for prices if you have more than one suppy source close to you, or online. I think I paid around $300 for mine a couple years ago...
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    gray36
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    Re:Do I Even Studio Monitors? 2012/03/20 12:02:16 (permalink)
    I have a set of JBLs 30 watt-active Control 2P, Sweetwater has them under $200, I believe, and they sound damn good to me, good luck!

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    Kalle Rantaaho
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    Re:Do I Even Studio Monitors? 2012/03/20 12:30:23 (permalink)
    Well, this thread is so old you have propably made a decision, but it seems to me now that quality/price-ratiowise the hottest small loudspeaker at the moment could be Equator D5 for 299,99$.

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    FuddyDuddy
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    Re:Do I Even Studio Monitors? 2012/03/26 21:14:00 (permalink) ☄ Helpful
    Hi Olemon,

    I was in the same boat as you (headphones and crappy speakers) for quite awhile, but when I finally heard some of my "mixes" on decent audio systems I was horrified.  

    For less than $200 I got a pair of Alesis M1Active 520's, and they are amazing.  Hearing your work through good speakers is essential.  We are creating and shaping music, and hearing rough approximations through crappy gear just doesn't cut it.  I could barely afford even these speakers, but I've come to realize they are the most important investment I've made so far.  

    Cheers..
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