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PJHawke
Contributore Level V
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 160
Location: St. Louis
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 Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 12:17 pm Post subject: Monitors vs. Monitor |
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I need to make monitors my next purchase. Question: If you're doing only raw voice files and not full audio production, can you get by with one monitor instead of a pair? It's a mono recording of a point-source sound; do I really need stereo playback? I'm on a really tight budget, and would prefer one good one instead of a pair of kinda-OK ones if I can get away with it.
Any suggestions? My ceiling's about 200 bucks right now.
Pat |
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VO-Guy
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 1:44 pm Post subject: |
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I don't see why not. I used one speaker for a long time when I first started out. But if you actually start to mix some stuff you'll really need two. Plus if you use one speaker too long you'll start to walk in circles. |
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Hart
Assistant Asylum Chief
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 2107
Location: Foley, AL
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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That would drive me nuts. I think I'd rather have a pair of cheap or "decent" monitors instead of one good one.
My 2 cents. |
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Deirdre
Czarina Emeritus
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 13016
Location: East Jesus, Maine
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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I used plain old stereo speakers until I blew 'em up.
Nah-- I didn't blow 'em up. They just got tired over time.
I upgraded to better stereo speakers.
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DBCooperVO.com |
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nick reed
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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Pat,
The cheap fix for you is to run your sound into the auxillary input of a stereo or boom box that you already have, well... if you already have one.
This is something that I do know something about. I used to design and build stereo speakers as a hobby. I know good sound when I hear it.
Here are my top recommendations for budget studio monitors...
$500/pr. Yamaha MSP5 http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMSP5
$300/pr. Yamaha http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMSP3
$250/pr. Wharfdale Diamond http://www.zzounds.com/item--WHADP81A
The Yamaha MSP5's are very good. It has been so long since I have heard the Wharfdale's that I can't really remember how they sounded compared to the MSP5's. Both use 5" woofers. The little Yamahas are quite good though, and perfect for a really small spaces. On the tightest budget, I would go for the Warfdales. They may actually be as good or better than the MSP5's. One thing I like about the Yamaha monitors is the metal grille over the drivers.
Nick |
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donrandall
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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Everybody has their own ideas about what to do and how to do it, and the funny thing is that what works is what works, regardless of anyone else's opinion.
I believe is spending money where it is necessary and being frugal where it poses no problem.
I had the use of some very nice - and very pricey - really super duper honest to gosh voiceover guy high dollar monitor speakers, courtesy of an agency I have done some work for. Then, one day at Radio Shack, I spotted a couple of RCA speakers on a closeout deal. Not large, the heavy metal box is about that tall and maybe just about so wide. I think I got a pair for around forty dollars - then I took 'em home and did an A/B comparison with the honest to gosh, genuine, official, real deal production studio voiceover guy big boy speakers....and.....Yeeehaaaaa.......! I spent forty dollars for speakers that are every bit as suitable for the job as the three hundred dollar (maybe more?) jobs that I was worried that I might have to replace if I managed to damage 'em.
It ain't about how much you spend - it's about whether they do the job or not. |
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Charlie Channel
Club 300
Joined: 08 Feb 2005
Posts: 356
Location: East Palo Alto, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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I had a conversation with a 14 year old a couple of months ago who was complaining about his boom box and lack of having an iPod. So, I said to him: "Do you know how we had to get stereo back in . . ."
Ha! Who of you remember Stereo Simulcast where one channel was your AM radio and the other was FM? Either one, alone, was mono.
Whew! I'm getting old.
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kgenus
Seriously Devoted
Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 889
Location: Greater NYC Area
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| Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:59 am Post subject: |
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Generally, when purchasing monitors, you buy for a specific reason - surround mixing, surround monitoring, stereo mixing, stereo monitoring. There's no reason to spend essential funds on monitoring for raw voice tracks, unless you're attempting to satisfy the most recent case of gear lust.
Fostex 6301BEAV is a small active speakers. That page (BSW) also has "similar" items from $60 up.
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nick reed
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| Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:55 am Post subject: |
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| donrandall wrote: | Everybody has their own ideas about what to do and how to do it, and the funny thing is that what works is what works, regardless of anyone else's opinion.
I believe is spending money where it is necessary and being frugal where it poses no problem.
I spent forty dollars for speakers that are every bit as suitable for the job as the three hundred dollar (maybe more?) jobs that I was worried that I might have to replace if I managed to damage 'em.
It ain't about how much you spend - it's about whether they do the job or not. |
True Don. Interestingly, Radio Shack occasionally has some real standout products. I know the speakers of which you speak... and they were one of those items. Those speakers were known by audiophiles to perform insanely well for their size and price. Many audiophiles had them in their second stereo system, like in an office or bedroom.
Currently they have some audio cables with knurled gold connectors. These are known buy audiophiles to be a bargain interconnect. The electrical capacitance on these is lower than many much more expensive brands.
kgenus said | Quote: | | There's no reason to spend essential funds on monitoring for raw voice tracks, unless you're attempting to satisfy the most recent case of gear lust. |
Man, do I understand gear lust, as I think a number of us on vo-bb do.
I think that I need to clarify my statements and position on a couple of things.
First, headphones are not used for mixing because headphones will not give you a realistic representation of the mix. Headphones are used for laying down ONE track at a time. Then, monitors are used for mixing the final product.
It's true that you don't have to spend much money on vo speakers, or any other piece of vo gear for that matter but some people enjoy owning and using guality pieces of gear and they can actually hear the difference.
When I make gear recommendations, it is always within the wants & needs of the person seeking the advice. I don't recommend a U87 to someone who hints at an MXL nor do I recommend an MXL to someone who is considering mics in the range of $500 to $1000.
When Pat said that he had $200 to put toward ONE speaker, I took this as a hint that he was looking for something in the $400 range for whatever reason. So I am not going to recommend $50 speakers. He has his own reasons for purchasing in that price range.
Accuracy is the most important quality in audio monitors and headphones. Speakers with exaggerated bass may make you sound better but then you will adjust the bass and make the recording too lean. Likewise, if the monitors are too bright, you will reduce the high frequencies and then your recording will sound dull. If you have an accurate monitor, your mixes will be right.
Once your mix is done, it is a good idea to listen to it on your home stereo and boom box and maybe even in your car because that is how people will ultimately hear it. It will sound way different than it did on your monitors. However, you really don't want to mix on a boom box because it is not accurate and you won't be able to tell what is really being recorded.
So, you can buy $50 monitors if they are accurate... or it that is your budget for the moment... but I stand by my earlier recommendations. Yamaha NS10's are legendary in studios. Yamaha knows how to make monitors and the MSP series is excellent.
Here is a link to a short article about the NS10's and it raises an interesting question... what is the best volume to use for monitoring with any particular set of monitors. The author mentions that the NS10's work best at low volume.
Nick |
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VO-Guy
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PJHawke
Contributore Level V
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 160
Location: St. Louis
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| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 3:43 pm Post subject: Event TR5-N |
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Thanks for all the input, guys...I'm definitely going with a pair, not one...and as much as I'd like to save a few bucks by moving my stereo into the recordiong room, there's no space so, looks like I need the real thing.
I went to MacMurrays and the guy has one pair of Event TR5-N's left that he'll sell me for $300. I listened to them and they souned great...granted, he was playing a keyboard and not voice, but he said that you won't find much truer in the price range. I looked on Musiciansfriend and they go for the same price online, but at the shop I can put them on layaway to fit my cash trickle... eh, cash flow, I mean.
Whatcha think? Should I plunk down my 25% now or keep looking? |
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brianforrester
Backstage Pass
Joined: 30 Jul 2005
Posts: 492
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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For my money, you can't beat Event monitors! I have a pair of 20/20 bas and I can't say enough good things about them.
Before I purchased the 20's I was almost ready to plunk down the cash for the TR5's, but then found an awesome deal on the 20's (actually cheaper than the TR5's!).
My opinion... go for it, you won't be let down!
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Brian Forrester Voice Overs
www.brianforrester.com
brian@brianforrester.com
778.668.5715 |
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nick reed
Guest
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| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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The Events should serve you well. You can always add a subwoofer some time in the future if you feel that the bass is not sufficient. I actually prefer small satellite speakers with a subwoofer, as opposed to larger speakers.
I would say to go for it. You have to start somewhere. |
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PJHawke
Contributore Level V
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 160
Location: St. Louis
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:14 am Post subject: |
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2 votes is better than none...sold (hopefully someone hasn't snatched them up today while I was at my jobs). It'll be nice having at least one piece of equipment that isn't total bargain-basement and will last me awhile.
Thanks folks...all of ya!
PJ |
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marko
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:23 am Post subject: |
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PJ, mine aren't the most cost conscious of them all, ($650), but they sure sound amazing. They are the KRK V6's and I have been extremely happy with them. I really like the auto shut-off feature since I have about 27 peripherals that I have to turn off  |
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