G
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I'm looking at a pair of KRK Rockit 8's and a pair of M-Audio 8 inch powered speakers for my editing station. Whats you guys thoughts ?
MattC
Veteran
Re: Monitor for Editing
I don't have much experience with the Rockits so I can't comment on them really. As far as the M-Audios go I assume you're talking about the BX8s? There are others I like better, but it's a somewhat subjective thing. I would recommend bringing a reference CD that you know really well and listen to it over various monitors - be sure to include one classical piece with a large dynamic range. Also be aware that for near-field monitoring they shouldn't sound as "good" as your stereo speakers - they should sound flat.
Matt
I don't have much experience with the Rockits so I can't comment on them really. As far as the M-Audios go I assume you're talking about the BX8s? There are others I like better, but it's a somewhat subjective thing. I would recommend bringing a reference CD that you know really well and listen to it over various monitors - be sure to include one classical piece with a large dynamic range. Also be aware that for near-field monitoring they shouldn't sound as "good" as your stereo speakers - they should sound flat.
Matt
Re: Monitor for Editing
I auditioned both the KRK RP-8's and the M-Audio 8" monitors, and I didn't like either speaker. The more expensive KRK line sounds a lot better, and I haven't liked any of the M-Audio speakers (great sound cards, though). Someone turned me on to Event monitors and I think they're a great value. I have a pair of Event TR-6's that have worked out really well for me, and the TR-8's are the same price as the KRK RP-8's. But by all means go and listen before you buy. And Matt is right, a good pair of monitors will sound flat (and even a bit harsh) and easily reveal the flaws in a recording. Typical home speakers have a richer, warmer signature that make up for marginal recordings.
I auditioned both the KRK RP-8's and the M-Audio 8" monitors, and I didn't like either speaker. The more expensive KRK line sounds a lot better, and I haven't liked any of the M-Audio speakers (great sound cards, though). Someone turned me on to Event monitors and I think they're a great value. I have a pair of Event TR-6's that have worked out really well for me, and the TR-8's are the same price as the KRK RP-8's. But by all means go and listen before you buy. And Matt is right, a good pair of monitors will sound flat (and even a bit harsh) and easily reveal the flaws in a recording. Typical home speakers have a richer, warmer signature that make up for marginal recordings.
MattC
Veteran
Re: Monitor for Editing
I'm a big fan of the Event line, especially the Studio Precision line but they're bucks... I also like Mackies a lot but they are also more money. Of course, like anything else in the audio/video world you get what you pay for - but you CAN find some deals.
I think the Fostex PM line are one of the best "DEALS" in near-field monitors. For the money they are damn good. Are they great? No. But they are pretty darn good and a great value. I'm testing a pair at the house and so far, for what they are, I'm impressed. The Event TR-6s are also a very good value. I would audition both and see what you like best.
Here's part of the problem with doing that though. For monitors to really do their job they need to be carefully placed in a tuned room. This is almost never how you get to hear them when shopping for them... When I've purchased more expensive monitors, I've narrowed my list through research and rough listening, then I made arrangements with the store to have them put in the studio room (if they have one) so that I can hear them in there. If they don't have that capability, and you have the ability to float some money for a few days, make arrangements to buy two pairs and return whichever one you don't like the best.
Also don't forget to budget in some stands and some Auralex mopads - their cheap and make a world of difference.
Matt
EDIT: I don't really like anything that M-Audio makes other than their PCI audio interfaces for PCs. Everything else I've ever used of theirs has been crap compared to what else is out there and comparably priced.
I'm a big fan of the Event line, especially the Studio Precision line but they're bucks... I also like Mackies a lot but they are also more money. Of course, like anything else in the audio/video world you get what you pay for - but you CAN find some deals.
I think the Fostex PM line are one of the best "DEALS" in near-field monitors. For the money they are damn good. Are they great? No. But they are pretty darn good and a great value. I'm testing a pair at the house and so far, for what they are, I'm impressed. The Event TR-6s are also a very good value. I would audition both and see what you like best.
Here's part of the problem with doing that though. For monitors to really do their job they need to be carefully placed in a tuned room. This is almost never how you get to hear them when shopping for them... When I've purchased more expensive monitors, I've narrowed my list through research and rough listening, then I made arrangements with the store to have them put in the studio room (if they have one) so that I can hear them in there. If they don't have that capability, and you have the ability to float some money for a few days, make arrangements to buy two pairs and return whichever one you don't like the best.
Also don't forget to budget in some stands and some Auralex mopads - their cheap and make a world of difference.
Matt
EDIT: I don't really like anything that M-Audio makes other than their PCI audio interfaces for PCs. Everything else I've ever used of theirs has been crap compared to what else is out there and comparably priced.
Re: Monitor for Editing
I like some of the Mackies, too. The Mackie HR824 monitors ($1200/pair) are amazing, so don't make the mistake I made by auditioning them against what you can really afford. :'( I didn't like the HR624's at all, though. If you're buying at Guitar Center wait for one of their big sales if possible and also find out about their used stock. They get bands coming in everyday to sell off the stuff they bought last week.
I like some of the Mackies, too. The Mackie HR824 monitors ($1200/pair) are amazing, so don't make the mistake I made by auditioning them against what you can really afford. :'( I didn't like the HR624's at all, though. If you're buying at Guitar Center wait for one of their big sales if possible and also find out about their used stock. They get bands coming in everyday to sell off the stuff they bought last week.
Re: Monitor for Editing
i have a couple different sets of reference quality speakers but i have found it better to use a pair of sony 9503 i think is the model #
it seems to me that they play the sound the way it was recorded vs. making it sound better.
i have a couple of pairs of sennheiser 600's and those make things sound better, but with the sony's i truly feel that i am getting a more accurate version of what the tape has on it.
plus i have been told that the sony's are tuned for voices and not neccesarily music only.
matthew
i have a couple different sets of reference quality speakers but i have found it better to use a pair of sony 9503 i think is the model #
it seems to me that they play the sound the way it was recorded vs. making it sound better.
i have a couple of pairs of sennheiser 600's and those make things sound better, but with the sony's i truly feel that i am getting a more accurate version of what the tape has on it.
plus i have been told that the sony's are tuned for voices and not neccesarily music only.
matthew
Re: Monitor for Editing
As a matter of interest is it better to use a pair of monitors instead headphones? I currently use headphones and maybe I sould not do this. I do have a pair of monitors, not true monitors (Boston A40s) but I find that I can hear the sound track better when using headphones.
Thanks
Warren
As a matter of interest is it better to use a pair of monitors instead headphones? I currently use headphones and maybe I sould not do this. I do have a pair of monitors, not true monitors (Boston A40s) but I find that I can hear the sound track better when using headphones.
Thanks
Warren
Re: Monitor for Editing
Unless you're editing the audio specifically for headphone listening, then monitors are a much better choice. I'm sure you can hear things very well with your headphones, but that can be a problem. A track that sounds very forward and present in your headphones may sound buried in the mix when listened to on speakers.
Unless you're editing the audio specifically for headphone listening, then monitors are a much better choice. I'm sure you can hear things very well with your headphones, but that can be a problem. A track that sounds very forward and present in your headphones may sound buried in the mix when listened to on speakers.
Michael_Capulli
Active member
Re: Monitor for Editing
Never mix on headphones. There is very little air in between your headphone and your ear for the sound wave to pass through. This is partly why we have near field and main monitors - aside from mixing for cinema. Headphones may be good for editing, but are horrible for mixing.
Im surprised nobody mentioned Genelec? Glipso what is your budget? Personally Im looking at the Mackie HR series or Genelec because of their 5.1 surround options. But for some reason alot of Mackie stuff just seems too good to be true.
Never mix on headphones. There is very little air in between your headphone and your ear for the sound wave to pass through. This is partly why we have near field and main monitors - aside from mixing for cinema. Headphones may be good for editing, but are horrible for mixing.
Im surprised nobody mentioned Genelec? Glipso what is your budget? Personally Im looking at the Mackie HR series or Genelec because of their 5.1 surround options. But for some reason alot of Mackie stuff just seems too good to be true.