Computer speakers

Computer speakers are crap when mixing down.  Studio Monitor speakers are required.  I have some Samson speakers that I use with my recording audio interface units (but I can switch them to the PC audio if wanted - but rarely do that). 

Both my Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 and M Audio Fastrack Ultra 8R have separate "line" outputs to drive studio monitors and that's what should be used with Sonar or whatever program you use to mixdown and master.

There are lots of studio monitors around with varying price ranges.  Everyone has their favorite and not all agree on what is a "good" or "best".   A  recording studio in a local music store uses Behringer "Truth" studio monitors and with it being a music store he can buy whatever he wants at the "dealers cost".

i was in the same position as you about a month ago..i was using these old pro audio comuter suround sound desk top speakers..and the best thing i caould get,,within my range(under or 100 us dollars) was -m-audio desk top speakers at best buy..and i like them..there is probably different kinds out there or maybe better ones..but i like these..they have a bass bost..and two different imputs..not a big fan of mm-audio but these do the job..for 100 bucks..they wont give you precise measurements,then your looking at 2-3-400 dollars..and even then they wont be totaly precise..

Was just looking at these on Sweewater: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MA7ABK/
 
They just barely hit the <$100 mark. There aren't any reviews about them on here but I generally trust Roland stuff.
 
What do you guys think? Any other suggestions?
Edit: I think I might look at these instead: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M1Act320USB/ they have pretty good reviews.

Hi,guys,
     I usually check my mixes on several different speaker configs. The ones that stay hooked to my Topaz 8 board is a pair of old school Alesis Monitor Twos and an alternate pair of Roland Micro Monitor MA8. I check my mix between the two before I burn my discs. I have actually just done quick mixes just on the Rolands to see if I could do a high quality master on just those. I was astounded to find they work really well and if you set the eq right, your mixes sound great no matter what you play them on. Just for my 2 Cents.
     I don't know if they are available anymore but I bought those for around ninety bucks. Good luck!

If you're only spending a $100 you'd be better served by spending it on headphones. Shure SRH 440's or whatever brand you prefer.

Focusrite has a new product, introduced at NAAM, and coming out in Feb.  Call the "VRM Box", it connects to a digital output and has options for various speaker emulations for mixing down with headset.  Something to consider. 

http://www.focusrite.com/products/vrm/vrm_box/

Kingrazor

Kingrazor


Edit: I think I might look at these instead: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M1Act320USB/ they have pretty good reviews.

One nifty feature about those is that they have a built in audio interface. I doubt it's as nice as an M-Audio Fast Track Pro, but I figure any interface is better than none.

Please don't!

These "nifty" things many times are a pain...I recall someone else in another forum/ thread just bought something like this..... and came looking for help because it didn't work well. IIRC it used some sort of audio codec as a driver.... it was popping and clicking and generally creating havoc in this guys system.

Best advice is to buy one piece of GOOD GEAR at a time if that's what you can afford to do. Think "Discreet components."  Don't buy a "do it all" piece of junk. For a couple of reasons.

1. You do, quite often, get what you pay for.
2. If one part goes bad, the whole system is down.
3. Upgrades (to one part of it)  are impossible.


If you're in a cash crunch and just want some good speakers, then I would suggest a good set of headphones to start with. I don't like mixing on cans, BUT.... given a choice between computer speakers, stereo speakers, or a decent set of headphones, I would choose the headphones. I use a $30 (on sale for 50%off) set of Yamaha cans to work quietly and to check my mix, when I'm not able to run the MR5's.

I'd purchase: If I was in your shoes getting started, and short on discretionary income. And probably in this order...

Headphones, gets you going with fairly good quality sound to mix, play with, and learn your system. You're not trying to mix the next Billboard hit right now, so cans will work fine to get you started.

Audio/midi interface (USB), this allows the audio & midi in and out of the DAW...and with the next item.....

Powered monitors, allow you to plug directly into the interface and hear the tracks you are recording and working on.

When you get ready to buy the gear that will comprise your recording studio, buy good gear, not the gimmicky stuff that's out there. Gear that will last many years and do all that you ask of it, and do it reliably and solidly. It might seem to be a bit more costly going this route, but trust me when I say, you will not regret buying good gear 6 months, a year, two years later.

My Saffire interface ($300 new) has been with me for 3+ years now and has migrated to a new custom built DAW and is just as sweet as the day I brought it home. Same goes for the MR5's. They were $300 for the pair, a bit higher now in some stores, but also worth the expense.


I hope this helps you.

BTW: you might also find a good deal on a used set of powered monitors on Ebay from someone who just upgraded their monitors.  It can't hurt to look.

I have gotten and given some outstanding deals on used gear on Ebay.