Hi,
I'm planning to order new gear for my bedroom studio so I need some thoughts on it.
Basically, I was thinking about:
KRK Rokit RP6 G2 with stands: http://www.thomann.de/gb/krk_rp6_rokit_ ... bundle.htm
M-Audio Fast Track C400: http://www.thomann.de/gb/maudio_fast_track_c400.htm
2 isolation pads: http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_takustik_isopad_7.htm
One thing I'm not sure about is if the pads are necessary if I'm going to buy monitor stands.
So, any thoughts about my choices? Should it do well? Maybe a different USB audio interface?
Buying new bedroom studio setup, need some opinions.
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- KVRist
- 405 posts since 14 Jul, 2005 from Germany
For a bedroom studio, take small speakers and a good headphone:
Adam A3X (4,5")
http://www.thomann.de/gb/adam_a3x.htm
http://www.thomann.de/gb/adam_a3x_b_stock_2.htm
or
Tannoy Reveal 501A (5")
http://www.thomann.de/gb/tannoy_reveal_501a.htm
I bought the Tannoy Reveal 601P (6", passiv version of Reveal 601A), because I already had a good power amp.
Great sounding speakers, linear frequency response, strong bass (no need for a sub) and dirt-cheap.
Frequency response of Tannoy Reveal 601P, KRK R6 and some other monitors:
http://pagemac.com/azure/speaker_measure.php
Of course, the best is, go to a store and listen by yourself:
Adam A3X (4,5")
http://www.thomann.de/gb/adam_a3x.htm
http://www.thomann.de/gb/adam_a3x_b_stock_2.htm
or
Tannoy Reveal 501A (5")
http://www.thomann.de/gb/tannoy_reveal_501a.htm
I bought the Tannoy Reveal 601P (6", passiv version of Reveal 601A), because I already had a good power amp.
Great sounding speakers, linear frequency response, strong bass (no need for a sub) and dirt-cheap.
Frequency response of Tannoy Reveal 601P, KRK R6 and some other monitors:
http://pagemac.com/azure/speaker_measure.php
Of course, the best is, go to a store and listen by yourself:
It`s not a bug... it`s a feature!
-
- KVRAF
- 8684 posts since 24 May, 2002 from Tutukaka, New Zealand
All the speakers mentioned are a good choice and have quality; it's down to personal preference and which ones you're going to be most comfortable listening to for long sessions. Personally I've used Tannoys for years and liked them, although they do tend to be a little higher-mid heavy, but that may well have changed with recent models, but they certainly let you hear the tiniest of detail. The Adams always seem to be well spoken of, and I quite liked all KRK ones I heard, although this side of the world they are way over-priced. It seems they're more competitively priced in Europe, and NZ is notoriously pricey for studio gear (but KRK even more so than others). Last time I listened to a set of KRK 8-series-something, they were superb, but I thought they were taking the p*ss at $2500.
I dunno enough about M-Audio, but they seem to be well used around here. Lexicon is another thought - sounds like they do decent quality converters etc, but personally, I'd be a little bothered by support - Lexicon sold in-out boxes before and then pulled out of the market. Dunno if this time around they'll stick the distance either. But they were doing some good deals recently.
Basically your original choice is fine. I'd be happy with it.
As for the pads - yes. I've got reasonably flash stands on mine - always have done, but I still use gel pads to isolate them even more. From the picture of those stands you linked to - I don't see any spikes on them? You often get silly arguments at KvR about what decoupling is, but basically spikes are there to minimise the transferrence of vibrations through the floor. They're not just there for carpeted floors either - I have wooden floors, so I put down either wooden frames under the stands so I can spike into them (so as not to put holes in my nice floor!), or I simply use paving flags and let the spikes rest on them. You want the smallest contact with the floor. Especially if the stands don't have spikes, then pads are another way of reducing vibration.
I used to use BluTac - anything like that will help - the standard 4 blobs, one under each corner of each speaker. Nowadays I use those little silicone or rubber mats that you get to stop scalding dinner tables or the non-stick ones that stop plates sliding around. Anything rubbery/gel-like. It lessens the speakers vibrating on the stands and helps decouple them. Personally, I prefer to do that than those fancy studio mats - you pay for the "studio" tag, and the cheapo rubber/silicone mats will save you some cash - IMO they work superbly. And - BluTac tends to harden over time, and it sticks too much to the speaker surface. If you leave it on too long, it pulls off the finish of your speakers - a little thing, but won't help you resell later if there's bits of laminate ripped off the corners. So yes, mats will help, but go for the cheap option.
I dunno enough about M-Audio, but they seem to be well used around here. Lexicon is another thought - sounds like they do decent quality converters etc, but personally, I'd be a little bothered by support - Lexicon sold in-out boxes before and then pulled out of the market. Dunno if this time around they'll stick the distance either. But they were doing some good deals recently.
Basically your original choice is fine. I'd be happy with it.
As for the pads - yes. I've got reasonably flash stands on mine - always have done, but I still use gel pads to isolate them even more. From the picture of those stands you linked to - I don't see any spikes on them? You often get silly arguments at KvR about what decoupling is, but basically spikes are there to minimise the transferrence of vibrations through the floor. They're not just there for carpeted floors either - I have wooden floors, so I put down either wooden frames under the stands so I can spike into them (so as not to put holes in my nice floor!), or I simply use paving flags and let the spikes rest on them. You want the smallest contact with the floor. Especially if the stands don't have spikes, then pads are another way of reducing vibration.
I used to use BluTac - anything like that will help - the standard 4 blobs, one under each corner of each speaker. Nowadays I use those little silicone or rubber mats that you get to stop scalding dinner tables or the non-stick ones that stop plates sliding around. Anything rubbery/gel-like. It lessens the speakers vibrating on the stands and helps decouple them. Personally, I prefer to do that than those fancy studio mats - you pay for the "studio" tag, and the cheapo rubber/silicone mats will save you some cash - IMO they work superbly. And - BluTac tends to harden over time, and it sticks too much to the speaker surface. If you leave it on too long, it pulls off the finish of your speakers - a little thing, but won't help you resell later if there's bits of laminate ripped off the corners. So yes, mats will help, but go for the cheap option.