Even though I often caution people about using subs, I do use one myself and am glad I have it. Not, however, because I actually need it - I don't - but because it just sounds good when I play a well-mastered record through it. Plus I do occasionally play video games and watch movies on this computer, and the sub makes for great explosions.

And I'll probably sound snooty as an Audiophile with a $40,000 turntable in my room, but the truth is, I've never heard a good subwoofer that costs less than $600. There's several of these manufacturers who make awesome subs, but until your sub cannot be identified in your room by any directional or vibrational means, it's not a subwoofer, it's a bass driver.
 
If you can ever hear a set of Polk SRS SDA 1.2 or 2.3TL speakers, you'll see what I mean. These speakers were the flagship of Polk in the late 80's and it's rightfully obvious as to why. These speakers will have smooth bass all the way down below 30Hz (advertised to 12Hz), so I've never needed a sub. I have had subs before I bought the Polk SRS-SDA's, and loved them, but I've heard some lower-end subs that are just thumpy and rumbly. They didn't really articulate the deep, bellowing bass you should hear. 
 
With that said, and I'll be fair about this, a Sub is still quite useful. When I'm dialing in a kick-drum, and want to see how well it's glued to the bass guitar, I do rely on the subwoofer in my car ('06 Acura TL with an ELS surround system co-designed by Elliot Sheiner). The sub is not all that, but I can quickly "feel" specific frequencies on the back of my neck that tell me when the kick is just right.
 
So, I won't discount the usefulness of a sub of any degree, but I will say that to have a sub or two that are going to keep your frequency response very flat, you'll need one that can really move some air to get low frequencies to come through, or you'll miss finding rumble in the background of a mix.
 

Thanks all for the responses...
 
I'm actually using some Event monitors (PS5s).. but have the JBL MSC1. But it's been acting wierd lately.. so I have my monitors plugged into the outputs of my interface (Focusrite Saffire Pro 40).  I'm debating getting new monitors AND a sub.. but these current monitors sound fine and have served me well over the years..  I probably need to test the MSC1 again.. It might be driver related.. seems to crash (Win8 x64).
 
Thanks
 

spacey

studio343
Hey all.. I'm thinking of adding a subwoofer to my existing setup and wonder what type of setup (if any) do I need to do in X2 to get it to work right. I don't do any surround mixes.. mostly instrumental rock but would like to have all my bases (pun not intended) covered.
 
I also have a JBL monitor control center that also has a sub output on it.. but it's been acting funky lately and I am probably not going to use it.
 
I would appreciate your thoughts.. thanks
 

I assume you're using JBL moitors - mentioning what series would have helped-
HERE are the answers and updates I think you're looking for. (firmware and software)
 
As far as getting X2 to work right...the sub is not controlled by X2. If you use the same
interface that feeds your monitors now you'll hear the sub when you put it in-line. Control
will be with the Control Center.
 
And you don't need ARC if you're using what I think you are. JBL has that taken care of.
 
 

Thanks for the suggestion. I do have sound treatment on the walls (might want to get more)... and when I built this house (last year).. I had the studio built in a "shell" so it's soundproofed from construction, electrical is isolated from the rest of the house, etc... I DID run a Room Test with the MSC1 when I first moved it in.... I don't recall the settings.. but I think another test might be in order.. if I can get it running again. =)
 Where can I get Sine Waves for testing? Just play them into a channel in X2 and watch the SPAN meter?
 
Thanks man!
 

bitflipper
I'd start by asking the question: do I need a subwoofer at all?
 
Do some experiments with sine waves or white noise and a microphone in front of your current speakers. You don't have to record anything, just turn on Input Echo and insert an instance of SPAN so you can see the levels objectively. Set the microphone where your ears would normally be and put it into omni mode if the mic has that feature.
 
Make note of where the output falls below about 3 to 6db below the average. If that's 40Hz then forget the sub and spend that money on something else, like bass traps. If it's 60Hz or higher, then you're definitely missing stuff down there and the sub will help. Just don't feel that you need significant amplitude below 40Hz, because you don't. 
 
Adding a subwoofer will often cause more problems than it solves. If you have a small, untreated room, the sub is probably a mistake. And the kinds of problems it'll introduce are NOT the kinds of problems ARC can help you with.

Let me follow up with this question.. if I treat my room and run the room analysis/correction software.. shouldn't the need for a subwoofer become moot at that point? The correction will adjust as necessary to compensate.. I just don't know if lower frequencies would translate as well on my monitors. They are some older Event PS5's. Similar to the Event 20/20s from a few years back (but lower price point)...
 
Thanks

There are test files in DimPro but I prefer to use the MeldaProduction Free Bundle tool MOscillator

It's been a little while since I've really done much of this...the last time really being December 2011.  I got better results on my nearfields without the sub and checking the low bass on headphones, which took room modes out of the picture.  Room treatment is important, but placement should come first, and it's free.
http://www.genelec.com/documents/catalogues/Genelec_Monitor_Setup_Guide_2011.pdf

+1.
 

konradh
I am prepared to be mocked, but I have always been afraid to add a subwoofer unless I had an acoustic specialist measure the room--similar to the drill bitflipper mentioned.  I have always been afraid that adding a subwoofer would confuse me as to what is really going down in the mix.
 
I know people use them but I don't feel qualified to add one.

So, for me, I'm using the sub to hear what I otherwise can't so I know what's there and can fix it. I suppose I could just apply an EQ Boost. Like, for example, a player who lightly bumps his mic stand with his foot once while he's playing might send a little thump (sooo soft) if the mic isn't in a shock-mount. If I can hear it, I can do a little EQ adjustment to compensate. If I can't hear it... well, I hear it when listening on some other stereo with bass boost pressed :-) and have to go re-bounce the mix.
 
For me, when I'm adjusting the position of the sub in the room, I'm trying to find out if I CAN make it sound bad. I have a steady set up (position of the sub, level, and cross-over point) for normal listening that I've been using for long enough to get used to it.
 
I think to some degree your ears habituate to your set up. I find that sometimes I have trouble mixing on better set-ups just because I'm used to responding to my own.
 
BitFlipper: "just turn on Input Echo and insert an instance of SPAN so you can see the levels objectively."
Bit, I would like to try this, but I don't know what 'Insert and instance of SPAN' means.

I have a cheap sub in a room with no acoustic treatment.  Speakers are not optimally placed.
 
I do the best I can with what I have. I also have ARC which I have run and set up.
 
I have taken the time to experiment and learn the speakers I have,  in the room I have them in, so the mixes are coming out fairly consistent and playable on most systems. That's what matters in the end.
 
If anything..... that ^^^^^... learning your gear and room ... is the key.  With or without a sub.