external EQ settings for studio monitors??

[Ibanez_shredder]

I think this should be the right forum... I have a 10 band Left, 10 band Right, BSR stereophonic frequency anylizer, and The chain goes, PC/Notebook->BSR EQ->sony reciever -> "Acoustics" studio monitor speakers. I am just wondering if anyone could give me some basic advice on the BSR eq settings to optimize my monitoring while testing tones and testing effects during the recording process? any help would be awesome. I've attempted to search the subject but it's difficult since I'm not all that knowledgeable on the topic.

Mostly recording Heavy distortion/high gain tones, and clean acoustic tones both ends of the spectrum i guess) using sonar 6 and podxt live on the floor..

Regards,
Ibanez_shredder

[String7th]

More often than not, you don't need any EQ for you studio monitors. The point of studio monitors is to show you how your mix sounds. If you color your monitor sound, your mixdown cd, in every other stereo, will not sound anything like what you heard on your speakers.

Also, most home theater stereos and receivers are wrong for recording. They are built to make the sound impressive and loud, they add color and compression sometimes. Your monitors need to be as flat as possible, so that what you hear, is what you recorded.

Someone could call shennanigans on me but I think your best bet is to mix and record with a nice pair of closed-back headphones untill you can afford true studio monitors.

[SWADE23]

Now Ppl May Call Me Crazy But I Definitely Tweak My Highs & Bass On My Monitors. Reason Being:

The Music I Record/mix (reggae & Hip Hop) Is Almost Guaranteed To Be Played Back On Systems That Are Also Tweaked To Favor The Bass & Highs. So My Thing Is Why Would I Wanna Hear A Flat Sound? I Wanna Hear What My Final Mix Sounds Like Tweaked (or Colored) Just Like Or As Close To What I Think It Would Sound Like In A Club Or A Car With A Decent System.

If I Listen To A Flat Mix And Feel That I Need More Bass Or Treble Imma Add To It, But Then It May Be Overpowering When That Mix Is Played In Clubs Or Cars. It Works For Me 9 Outta 10 Times Im Right And The Mix Is On Point

[brandondrury]

The Music I Record/mix (reggae & Hip Hop) Is Almost Guaranteed To Be Played Back On Systems That Are Also Tweaked To Favor The Bass & Highs

It doesn't really work that way necessarily overall. (It's possible that it's working for you in this one instance).

This is what I call "2 Dimension Studio Monitor" theory in my upcoming recording book. There is much more to audio than bass and highs. There are about 20,000 frequencies between 20-20,000Hz. It really isn't about what the other stereos are going to sound like because if we actually strike it rich, our mixes will be heard in all stereos by a zillion people. It's more about placing yourself in an environment that can allow you to get the most out of your music and make decisions that allow the listeners (on whatever system they are using) to get the most out of that music.

If we use "the rules" strictly, never use EQ on your studio monitors. The biggest reason for this is the settings you place on your EQ are not going to be consistent around the room. This is why it is preferred to use acoustic treatment.

With that said, I like to know the rules and gently break them. So, here's what I would do if I were you. If you find that you are consistently having trouble with a given aspect of your mix. Let's say the drums are always boxy. I think it's possible that bumping up 400-600Hz 1 or 2dB on your EQ would make those areas more obvious to you while mixing and motivate you to cut them.

I would be VERY careful about the EQ I'm using and use it sparingly.

Brandon

[Ibanez_shredder]

Very well said Brandon. I feel that string7th provided me with sound advice... sometimes as a musician playing as many instruments fluently as i do, I tend to lose some perspective.. this is where the forum, local shops, and buddies come in handy. as it makes perfect sense to me from a musical stand point to capture the feeling and sound, and the million other phenomina associated with music that we seem to find so moving, and do this without all the BS that goes between my raw recordings, and the waves hitting the listeners ears. because if the "it" factor can be achieved without the "bs" factor (by bs i mean the infinate ways people listen to music, i.e. ear pods to the best mobile audio system, to an acoustic performance) I feel that the mixing should shape and colour the music, not the equipment being used to listen... so if that is a little un clear..... it is past my bed time..

P.S> string7th i killed the eq (it has a button for use with recording and i made sure by unplugging it) and monitor the spectrum with the anylizer and no shaping... this was extremely useful as my mixes now sound far better after mixdown and playback with the eq back on... it gave the "it" factor to my latest recording.... thanks.

[brandondrury]

I feel that the mixing should shape and colour the music, not the equipment being used to listen

This is the idea. And with that said, the only time EQing studio monitors is acceptable is when the listening equipment is coloring the music.

[roysboy]

I 've just purchased my first set of 2 way passive studio monitors. The sound from them is quite foreign to my ears being used to mixing on a pretty good set of 2 way home stereo speakers. It seems the studio monitors lack highs and the lows are not defined . In fact the lows boom . Is this a characteristic of reference monitors ? I am also wondering how to set my tone to flat as there are no tone adjustments available on the monitor . What is considered "flat" tone on a home stereo ?

Thanks for any input , folks

[brandondrury]

It seems the studio monitors lack highs and the lows are not defined . In fact the lows boom . Is this a characteristic of reference monitors ?

No, not really. In fact, I think it's safe to say "no" in general. With that said, maybe you have tastes that are way brighter than mine.

Brandon

[mindundermatter]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

This is the idea. And with that said, the only time EQing studio monitors is acceptable is when the listening equipment is coloring the music.

I believe that's why some monitors come with built in 2-4dB boost and cut switches for set frequencies or shelves. It's great, for example, if you have a tendency to have bright mixes, you can just boost the highs on the monitors so it will already sound bright and you won't EQ the highs the same way you did before. The same goes for lows.