Tuning the monitors

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 2:12 pm

I apologize if I am asking a question that has been done before... or if innapropriate.
I just switched my monitors from Event PS6's to BM6A's. I purchased the BM6A's well broken in as they were demos at Tidepool Audio and well cared for in his possession. I recorded and processed a piece of spoken word. It sounded pretty trebly and I wondered if there is some ritual of "tuning one's monitors" to the room when switching monitors like this.
Any thoughts?
Thank you.
SG

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 2:39 pm

There is always going to be an adjustment period when changing monitors but the general idea is to tune the room, not the monitors.

Does the recording sound too "trebly" on other speaker systems or just your monitors?

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:08 pm

If you didn't change anything in your signal path from before, then the sound should more or less be the same as before (as long as you were the VO)

With the ribbon mic and your signal path that I remember, I doubt that it has too much treble without EQ.

You're probably just not used to them, but I'm making a highly uneducated guess. It could also be placement. Check to see where the manufacturer recommends you place the monitors before you start tearing walls down.

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 5:38 pm

There could be several issues here. The only way to do it right is to start eliminating things what could be wrong.
How does these speakers sound in general with your setup, is it only when you play your material that they sound like this?
Did they sound very good at the location where you purchased them?

If there is something wrong with the response then there is no workable method to adjust speakers electronically to a room, only speaker placement and room treatment can do the trick IMO.

lucidwaves have already said this, I just hope that I where able to fill in a little more.

Best Regards

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:44 pm

Great words of wisdom... thank you all. Yes, I think you are correct that it is a matter of my adjustment. Nothing changed but the monitors, and I think that I am now hearing the ribbon mic more accurately. That is, the new monitors don't have as much presence or treble on the new monitors. So that when I made adjustments to hear what I heard before or what I was used to hearing; when I go to other speakers in other places there is too much treble. I'll bet with the new monitors I am compensating by increasing some presence or cutting some lower frequencies to hear what I heard on the Event monitors, and now when I play the recording on other speakers (boombox, car, stereo system, etc) it sounds like too much presence range. Does that make sense?
Thank you again.
SG

Moderator Joined: Sep 12, 2002 Posts: 1881 Location: NYC

Yes it makes sense. It's a common mistake to work the same with different monitors. I would listen to a lot of different material through the new monitors to get a sense of how they sound and try and train you brain. Placement and room treatment will help too. If the room is too dead, you will get a reduced high end and you will overcompensate. It's always tricky to switch monitors in the middle of a project.

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:26 pm

Michael, I think you nailed this one for me. Not only are the monitors a change... but the room is so totally dead that a crash cymbal would sound like a gong or thud. And I think the combination is what through me. I need to play with this room for the editing and listening.
You and the others really helped me understand this so much better. Thank you and each of the responders. I am grateful.
SG

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 8:15 am

You are very welcome Steven.

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