PAs as Studio Monitors

[Mez326]

I'm running on a budget now, how do you feel about using PAs as studio monitors? Or do you think that a straight up set of logictech with two small L and R speakers, center, and Bass computer speakers are better?

[brandondrury]

Studio monitors are designed so that you can make decisions that work on as many stereos as possible in the outside world. That is the aim anyway.

I come from the school that you MUST know the speaker you are dealing with. If you don't know exactly what to expect out of a speaker, it's impossible to make decisions.

The studio monitor thing is further complicated by the fact that you must have an accurate room. Poor room acoustics also completely destroy the sound of what would otherwise be a great studio monitor.

So, if you don't have a great room and you don't know the studio monitor, there is no point.

Now, you may know a PA speaker (only of you listen to it on a daily basis) but they are DEFINITELY NOT designed for accuracy. They are designed to play loud without blowing up.

Brandon

[garageband]

They are designed to play loud without blowing up.

True. Moreover, they are designed to play loudly outdoors or in huge rooms without blowing up. PA speakers is weird. I compared a set of Mackie SRM450s that didn't open up and balance out until they were nearly deafening at 30 ft. PA speakers/systems are not designed to be used in small rooms.

[lolzgreg]

I would recommend a very good pair of headphones: Sony MDR-7509HD's are nice, I have a pair and don't mix with monitors as of now. I would say I do some pretty decent work. You need to get to know them. The best way to do this is A/B your mixes with other famous songs in the genre you're mixing for.

-Greg

[Odla]

Yeah, try a good pair of headphones (I swear by the Grado SR-60, they are cheap but sound great). I do 80% of my mixing on these headphones (I have little children), checking regularly on my Yorkvilles to be sure, and it works for me. But, I know my headphones and Ï allways compare to other CD's. I once worked on an album with Tom Holkenborg (aka Junkie XL) and he used to mix on a pair of tiny Sony walkman speakers, BUT he knew exactly how they translated...


Aldo