Accurate speakers for mastering - A good or bad thing ?

[john67elliott]

Good.... This is good advice for me. I've been thinking about the different playback media and how each would sound different... "Know thy monitor!" Play on anything available, then tailor the adjustments to your mix? After a while you get used to hearing what is "best all around." Man, that is perhaps the best advice I've found here. This just saved me $500. (yep, I'm new to it.... GREAT SITE, GUYS!

[Darrell G]

What i'm doing is using 5 different sets of speakers with two home stereo power amps I switch them in and out and compare sounds . I also play the wave and mp3s thru the line out on the PC . I use the cans- headphones while I'm tracking so I can hear the same mix and sound that the artist is hearing thru an identical set . I use the 35.00 sonys they are light wt. and the sound is very good overall .

[john67elliott]

Sounds like you cover it all... Very cool. Thanks

[brandondrury]

What i'm doing is using 5 different sets of speakers with two home stereo power amps I switch them in and out and compare sounds

How do you like that? It seems like it could get to be too much. Do you generally focus on one set of speakers and then switch over to others to check certain issues?

Brandon

[garww]

Five sets does seem like a lot, but even in one MFG's line, the sound may be significantly different - mids. Most people can do some easy playback eq on the top and bottom.

In the older rock world, I always thought the Rush recordings translated to different speakers very well.

[tiberius]

I've heard the car thing before and it makes sense.
I think a lot of studios have more than one set of monitors.
Good or reference ones and cheap and nasty ones (car stereo).

[.tom]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

Here's a fun analogy for you.

Let's say we are short on gasoline in our state. The governor is too stupid to think on his own. They bring in three people to help.

One is a Nazi. He refused to give any gas to Jews, Blacks, and you may have a hard time if you don't look Aryan. Oh yeah, and he wants to throw all of these mentioned people into furnaces.

One is a Black Panther member. He only wants to give gas to black people. If you are white, he wants to kill you. (I guess. I'm not up on the Black Panther thing yet).

Our last guy is just some regular dude in 2008 with a high IQ. He is so neutral on the race issue that the issue of race won't come up. He wants to come up with a plan that is good for everyone.

Who do you think the governor should listen to?

The neutral route is almost always the best. If you aren't comfortable with your studio monitors, it's a good idea to check the problem areas in systems that may exaggerate those. Monitors that show "prejudice" will make it tough to make a mix that sounds good for everyone.

In the end, it comes down to your ability to know your monitors. We are all looking for monitors that help illustrate what is going on. This is different things to different people and is ultimately the reason that there are so many monitors to choose from.

Brandon

jesus-shit, brandon you fucking kill me!! I'd forgotten how funny you can be!! LOLkillin' it!!

[Geissler]

Hey Brandon, those ath-m50 of yours have the George Massenburg seal of approval! They've gotta be decent. How is the build quality? I heard horror stories about tons of them breaking after 2 years..

I eventually settled on a pair of beyerdynamic dt150, built like a tank and a little more neutral than the legendary dt770. I don't think you can get a good mix from just one source, even if it's the most neutral and detailed monitor in the universe. Like others have said, the key is checking on many different sources..

[garww]

It's a highly subjective thing and people are tempted to suggest you just trust your ears, but i CAN'T TRUST MY EARS ANYMORE : )

Get you ears tested or do your own testing.

[brandondrury]

t. How is the build quality? I heard horror stories about tons of them breaking after 2 years..

Mine are in perfect condition after about one year. I don't let anyone use them but me and I'm positive this will improve their life. Singers are notoriously retarded when it comes to killing headphones.

Brandon