Home Studio - Monitor Speakers - 07-24 UPDATE with purchase!

I have a pair of Yamaha HS8 speakers, for the music I make it allows me to get away without having a subwoofer.

Yamaha also makes HS5 speakers that people seem to like, you can get a new pair for around like $400 or so.

Eta

Also ADAM Audio T5V, and for Best budget KRK Rokit 5 G3 Studio Monitors new for a little over $250.

quote:

---

told my wife these are essential to our happiness

---

My SO is familiar with studio gear and overall gear that she knows when I'm full of shite over things. ..try explaining how you need another 1990s Black Les Paul standard or custom, with an ebony fretboard & chrome hardware..then, how you are just going to put EMG 81 pickups in it anyways while paying extra for the chrome cover.

All because you are wanting to dedicate a whole guitar to 1 single tuning.

quote:

---

If you’re serious? Get the crappiest monitors you can; if you can make your mix sound good on those, it’ll sound amazing on something quality.

---

Id say you want your mix to sound more accurate above all else. Studio monitors are designed to make things sound flat, which is what you want for accuracy. Also being able to recognize and eliminate or reduce frequencies in EQ. Especially when mixing isolated mono tracks.

Things like stereo speakers are designed to enhance certain audio features. Which are horrible to mix on. Really makes no sense to mix on anything besides quality speakers that are made for exactly just that.

Also, I find that any monitors smaller than 8" ultimately need an accompanying sub for better low end response. But I play and record metal, and not all music has the same requirements. But, your monitors, the positioning and your room make a difference.

Mixing is different from a final mastered product too, worrying about an accurate mix is first priority. Second is let someone else who is reputable master your mix.

Someone mentioned using crappy speakers to monitor your mix. I think it was George Porter I heard in an interview say that the Meters would line-in to a little jam box with 2" speakers to monitor those old classic funk hits. The idea was that most people would be listening to the songs on a car stereo, which back in the 60s and 70s weren't very good. If it sounded good on the jam box it would sound good in the car. I guess these days most people listen to music on wireless ear buds. I've always heard that monitoring a mix on ear phones was a no no. So I don't know lol.

To get a better sound it’s a combination of room treatment, AD/DA conversion and a good pair of reference monitors. I have a pair of the Yamaha HS8’s and I’m very satisfied. But I also have a very nice AD/DA converter that makes a WORLD of difference.

I made some modular sound absorbing panels out of rigid foam that I can place around a room for tracking or monitoring as needed. Every little bit counts.

This could set you on your way to finding something you may like. LINK

quote:

---

Someone mentioned using crappy speakers to monitor your mix. I think it was George Porter I heard in an interview say that the Meters would line-in to a little jam box with 2" speakers to monitor those old classic funk hits. The idea was that most people would be listening to the songs on a car stereo, which back in the 60s and 70s weren't very good. If it sounded good on the jam box it would sound good in the car. I guess these days most people listen to music on wireless ear buds. I've always heard that monitoring a mix on ear phones was a no no. So I don't know lol.

---

Even high end studios keep crappy monitors around. They want to know that things sound good on all kinds of speakers.

quote:

---

Even high end studios keep crappy monitors around.

---

for after they've mixed with quality ones lol

Depending on the music you make, what you need is what you need. Its easier to get away with electronic and highly compressed samples, etc.

But if you're wanting to record distorted guitars, mic a drumkit, use DI amp sims, etc..you need to be able to EQ, by fitting the low end together with the drums and bass, reducing annoying guitar frequencies, and being able to fit the vocals in..but the key is being able to audibly recognize what you need.

I use HS8s for my home setup. Got them for a little over $300 each. Which isn't bad, as I've seen some going for $8000+ each.

quote:

---

Do you really need two or would one do for simple playback of my jams?

---

I just like the idea of listening in stereo.

quote:

---

The shed/room is only about 7' by 20'.

---

If you are not going to push the volume for playback, I'd just get a pair of HS5s, honestly.

quote:

---

Absolutely

And if I were you in that space,, I'd go with a pair of KRK Rokit 5 G3 speakers. And then work my way up if I wanted to later.

You can get a pair of those for less than $300 on reverb. Quality playback is a beneficial investment when recording at home.

---

Im going to look/listen at a pair of KRK ROKIT 5 G4 5" at Guitar Center tomorrow $358 for 2 but I usually can get 10% of if I call in to th online sales dept.

I have a set of these, they sound amazing for general music listening or when I record things like you suggest. Highly recommend them especially for under $300 price point!

Audioengine A2