Sound monitor setup

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4tlomusic
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2012/01/25 23:16:41 (permalink)

Sound monitor setup

I recently purchased a Focusrite USB 6 interface for my DAW and it has the following options for line outputs:
a) 2 x TRS jack sockets (outputs 1-2) - output level @ +4dBV
b) 4 x RCA phono jack sockets (outputs 1-4) - output level @ -10dBV
 
I have a set of almost new surround sound speakers from what was a home theater system and am trying to figure out how to use these as monitors so that I don't have to use my headphones all of the time. The wires coming out of the speakers are just the "raw" wire. Is this at all possible? Do I need an amplifier or something to go in between? Or is it as simply as going to Radio Shack and getting the connector kits to convert the raw wire into the appropriate sockets (and which option above should I choose)? What do I need or how can I achieve what I'm after (on a budget as with all my quests...)
 
Cheers!

I am using: Yamaha CP-50 stage piano, Novation Impulse49 MIDI controller, Focusrite Saffire 6 USB interface, MXL V63M Mic, SONAR X1 Studio, and unfortunately am using an HP Laptop with the following specs: Intel processor - T2060 @ 1.60 GHz, 1.50 GB RAM, and 32-bit operating system.
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    Beagle
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    Re:Sound monitor setup 2012/01/26 07:08:04 (permalink)
    you should not hook them up directly to the focusrite because the focusrite puts out line levels and if your speakers have only wire connections then they are not line level, they will need an amplifier between them and the focusrite. 

    for surround type setup you'd probably want to get a home theater type amp (or receiver/amp), then you'd take the RCA outputs to the receiver and the speakers hooked up to the receiver outputs.

    however I want to warn you against some things you're going to be faced with in doing this:

    1) just because you hook up 4 speakers does not mean that the soundcard is putting surround output.  the receiver might be decoding that for you, but you also have to have surround source.  what are you planning to listen to in surround on your DAW?  if DVD movies, ok, this would probably work because the decoder is in the DVD player, if music - that's not going to work unless you have a music player that will simullate surround for you (actually my home theater type receiver does similuation, too, if that's what you're looking for).  but that's simulation, not real surround.

    2)  if you're planning on trying to create surround mixes from your DAW then you have the wrong software.  MC will not do surround.  you need X1 producer for that (not even Essentials or Studio - you need the top dawg producer version)

    3) receivers and any home theater type amps will color your sound and you will have problems getting good mixes which translate well to other systems.  receivers are designed to be colored so that you get the best enjoyment out of your living room when you are playing that concerto or the latest action or science fiction movie.  but you don't want added color on your speakers when you're trying to mix a song, you want as flat as possible so that it will work on other systems without you losing low end or without you scooping out the mids because you hear mid heavy mix on the home theater amp/speakers.

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    Guitarhacker
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    Re:Sound monitor setup 2012/01/26 07:59:06 (permalink)
    For the time being.... you are probably better off using the headphones to mix and monitor with until you get the money and time to buy what are called Flat response near field studio monitors. 

    The studio monitors come in all price ranges and you can get a fairly decent starting set for around $300 with 5" speakers and built in power amps. 

    These are designed to be flatter then stereo speakers and give you a more accurate representation of the sound in your mix. 

    Using stereo speakers will not generally give you the accuracy you seek, and this will result in you mixing a song in you studio that sounds really good. However, when you play it in the car or on a different studio, the sound will be totally different and there will be little consistency between various music player sources. 



    edit: I would not connect the surround sound speakers as a main source for monitoring. Generally the speakers in most SS units are really cheap and flimsy speakers.  The one thing I might consider, since I did that here.... is use the second set of outputs to send the signal to a stereo amp so you can "check the mix" on something different after it's mixed on Studio Monitors. 
    post edited by Guitarhacker - 2012/01/26 08:01:35

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    #3
    Tap
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    Re:Sound monitor setup 2012/01/26 14:12:08 (permalink)
    The interface will do you well, but you really want to start to investigate in the purchase of a set of decent near field monitors. When mixing your music, you really want to hear your music uncolored so that your levels are represented accurately over the frequency spectrum. You don't want to ( mistakenly ) hype up or lower certain frequencies  due to the non linear nature of your choice of speakers.  Typically, stereo speakers will do this and surround sound speakers are usually even worse.

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    Kalle Rantaaho
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    Re:Sound monitor setup 2012/01/26 15:13:23 (permalink)
    You're not telling what kind of a surround system it is the loudspeakers are from.
    Many inexpensive surround speaker systems have a subwoofer which contains the amplifier and all loudspeaker outputs.
    If that's the case here, you can most likely connect there.

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    Beagle
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    Re:Sound monitor setup 2012/01/26 15:20:37 (permalink)
    The wires coming out of the speakers are just the "raw" wire.

    to me, this implies it's not a line level speaker input and therefore would NOT be able to hook up directly to the focusrite.

    if it's "just raw wire" then he's just got speaker wire connected to the speakers, i.e. home stereo speakers at (probably) 4 or 8 ohm.

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    4tlomusic
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    Re:Sound monitor setup 2012/01/26 22:21:08 (permalink)
    Thanks all - yes, my speakers are just home stereo speakers at 8 ohms and no line level speaker input. And no, I'm not looking to create a 'surround sound' monitoring experience (or a surround sound mix) - just happen to have these speakers from a surround sound home theater system that I was thinking I might be able to use. I appreciate everyone's advice and I'll rethink this for the time being. I didn't realize that these speakers coloured the sound (but I guess that totally makes sense and also why you'd buy specific monitors for this).

    Does anyone know if they make headphones that are flat response? Maybe that's the cheapest route for now?

    Thanks again - this forum is always extremelly helpful!

    I am using: Yamaha CP-50 stage piano, Novation Impulse49 MIDI controller, Focusrite Saffire 6 USB interface, MXL V63M Mic, SONAR X1 Studio, and unfortunately am using an HP Laptop with the following specs: Intel processor - T2060 @ 1.60 GHz, 1.50 GB RAM, and 32-bit operating system.
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    Guitarhacker
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    Re:Sound monitor setup 2012/01/27 08:09:23 (permalink)
    There are "mixing" headphones IIRC..... but they are more expensive than the cheaper studio monitors. 

    I have a $30 pair of Yamaha headphones..... el-cheapo's .....and I will use them to work on music from time to time when the family is home and trying to work  or sleep in the adjoining rooms. 

    Use what you have until you can afford to get some decent monitors. 

    My website & music: www.herbhartley.com

    MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW   
    Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface


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    #8
    Beagle
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    Re:Sound monitor setup 2012/01/27 09:37:19 (permalink)
    Guitarhacker


     

    Use what you have until you can afford to get some decent monitors. 
    agreed.
     
    and when I started buying studio monitors, I started small and worked my way up.  I originally bought some used m-audio 4" woofer near fields for about $100 for the pair, then sold those and bought the ones I have now for about $300 - I currently have Behringer Truth 2031's.


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