Hi, I make some music with various software and a midi-keyboard.. and I want to buy a new set of speakers for my little "studio". Do you think I should go for a PC-speaker set like one of those Creative Inspire 5.1, or should I get a pair of studio monitors wired to the PC?
My current setup is I have a pair of old PC-speakers wired to a small Samson S-amp, which in turn is wired to my Audiophile 2496.
I'd say my budget for the speakers is (give or take)
260 USD or
215 Euro
(converted from 2000 SEK)
PC-speakers or Studio monitors?
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
I think everyone here will agree that you should get a set of active nearfield monitors, rather than PC speakers, including the Creative stuff.
Monitors are intended to give as flat a response as possible, so that you can have an honest picture of how your mix is going. Consumer equipment, not so much... and in fact, consumer stuff is usually engineered to NOT be flat.
Even a pair of budget nearfields will do you better than PC speakers.
That said, I have to admit that I'm still using PC speakers, but fairly humble ones (ie. not "gaming" ones). They'll be the next things to go in my piece-by-piece acquisition of a hobby studio.
Greg
Monitors are intended to give as flat a response as possible, so that you can have an honest picture of how your mix is going. Consumer equipment, not so much... and in fact, consumer stuff is usually engineered to NOT be flat.
Even a pair of budget nearfields will do you better than PC speakers.
That said, I have to admit that I'm still using PC speakers, but fairly humble ones (ie. not "gaming" ones). They'll be the next things to go in my piece-by-piece acquisition of a hobby studio.
Greg
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- KVRian
- 679 posts since 6 Aug, 2004 from Cyberspace
Listen to what Lunch Money said
If you are only going to play your music from your computer through your speakers then get whatever you like. If however you want to make music so that other people will hear it get monitors.
Having said that the best way to get a good mix is to compare hix mix between your monitors and a crappy pair of speakers (the type most peeps who dont live, breathe and dream music have) That way you wont suffer from the "where's half my song gone" syndrome when you bring your music around to your friends. I have a pair of Alesis M1 MK2 Actives and a pair of Missions. I have had the missions for a long time and bought the Actives 6 months ago. I was fed up with explaining what was missing when I went around to my friends. Now it does not happen because when I mix I compare it with them both. Listening to your music in your car (if you have one) is also a trick Ive seen people do. Your avererage car is probably the harshest enviroment you music will be played in but its likely to be the most common if you are sucessful. The same goes for PC speakers if your making music for the net.
Your music set up is only as good as its weakist component so you owe it to your music to get a good pair of speakers.
If you are only going to play your music from your computer through your speakers then get whatever you like. If however you want to make music so that other people will hear it get monitors.
Having said that the best way to get a good mix is to compare hix mix between your monitors and a crappy pair of speakers (the type most peeps who dont live, breathe and dream music have) That way you wont suffer from the "where's half my song gone" syndrome when you bring your music around to your friends. I have a pair of Alesis M1 MK2 Actives and a pair of Missions. I have had the missions for a long time and bought the Actives 6 months ago. I was fed up with explaining what was missing when I went around to my friends. Now it does not happen because when I mix I compare it with them both. Listening to your music in your car (if you have one) is also a trick Ive seen people do. Your avererage car is probably the harshest enviroment you music will be played in but its likely to be the most common if you are sucessful. The same goes for PC speakers if your making music for the net.
Your music set up is only as good as its weakist component so you owe it to your music to get a good pair of speakers.
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It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed,
The hands acquire shaking, the shaking becomes a warning,
It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.
It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed,
The hands acquire shaking, the shaking becomes a warning,
It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.
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- KVRAF
- 7886 posts since 24 Feb, 2003 from Earth, USA
You really need to add at least $100 to your budget, then you'll have several options. $260 is a bit low to expect to get anything. If you open yourself up to $350-$400, you get quite a few more options to pick from.
Devon
Devon
Simple music philosophy - Those who can, make music. Those who can't, make excuses.
Read my VST reviews at Traxmusic!
Read my VST reviews at Traxmusic!
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- KVRist
- 58 posts since 26 Aug, 2004
Monitors are the preferred of the two, as long as you have a decent amp to run them out of. Personally, I chose stereo speakers which are running through a 100W per channel JVC amp with USB cable. I like stereo speakers over monitors because you hear what it's going to sound like on a regular stereo without having to burn a CD and playback on one. I still plan to get a set of monitors of which I can switch back and forth between the stereo speakers and the monitors. It should be stated that a decent pair of monitor headphones are also a good asset. I bought a pair of AKG (german made) for $150.00. They do the job.
Last edited by wavemeister on Sat Aug 28, 2004 2:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- KVRist
- 135 posts since 27 Sep, 2003 from Reston, VA.
My setup is an Alesis RA-100 power amp feeding the audio to two Alesis Monitor One monitor speakers. Not the best monitors out there, but I was able to find the power amp and monitor speakers used for less than $200.00.
With your budget, see what you can find used in your area. Ebay will also have used equipment on sale as well.
With your budget, see what you can find used in your area. Ebay will also have used equipment on sale as well.
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- KVRAF
- 7886 posts since 24 Feb, 2003 from Earth, USA
I've had that combo since about 1997. I paid about $700ish though... I get great results with 'em to this day. It's a nice setup.DrakeBP wrote:My setup is an Alesis RA-100 power amp feeding the audio to two Alesis Monitor One monitor speakers. Not the best monitors out there, but I was able to find the power amp and monitor speakers used for less than $200.00.
With your budget, see what you can find used in your area. Ebay will also have used equipment on sale as well.
Devon
Simple music philosophy - Those who can, make music. Those who can't, make excuses.
Read my VST reviews at Traxmusic!
Read my VST reviews at Traxmusic!