Another Question

anonymous 27 September 2005

I have a quick question about mixing through speakers since I probably won't be getting studio monitors till christmas.

Currently I have been mixing through:

Yes I know go ahead and laugh...but actually I have learned to use those speakers and the sound that they give off to be able to actually create mixes that people have complimented. i know monitors are gonna be way better but at the moment I dont have any

Now my question is. my parents are giving me their JVC HX-Z30

I was wondering if I will be better off mixing through those JVC speakers then those monsoon ones. Also will I be able to run some sort of cord right from my digi 002 rack monitor output into the main of that JVC system or how would I do that. because right now I just run a cable from my monsoon speaker subwolfer into the HEADPHONE part of the digi 002 rack and have the sound go through their

So to sum it up...Am I better off using the JVC speakers instead of the monsoon ones and how should i go about doing it.

thank you very much

Comments

27 views and no one has any input lol

anonymous Tue, 09/27/2005 - 19:55

27 views and no one has any input lol

what can one say use what you have and improve when you can

Kev Tue, 09/27/2005 - 22:24

what can one say

use what you have and improve when you can

Kev wrote: what can one say use what you have and improve when

Cucco Wed, 09/28/2005 - 04:25

Kev wrote: what can one say

use what you have and improve when you can

Yup!

I can't stress how important monitors are to the chain though. Until about 4.5 years ago, I didn't have an ideal monitoring situation. Up to that point, I was using a Technics receiver and a pair of Boston Acoustic bookshelf speakers setting on the desk. I couldn't figure out why it was that my mixes never sounded *exactly* the way I wanted them to - afterall, they sounded fine, or even great, on this set up.

It wasn't until I dropped a little cash on some KRK ST6s and a Hafler Amp (a VERY modest monitoring chain) that I started to notice immediate improvement in my mixes. I will say that this minor change made more improvement to my studio up to that point than any preamp or mic purchase - EVER.

Now just imagine how happy I am with a well treated room and over $20 devoted to monitoring equipment.

The funny thing is - the biggest difference that I found in my workflow with good monitoring was that:

1. I usually set things up right to begin with, given the assistance of clean, accurate monitoring
2. I found that I actually used to tweak stuff too much to get it to sound the way I wanted.

Once my monitoring chain was good, I realized I didn't need stereo enhancers or BBE processors or EQ on every channel and so on.

So, I know I didn't really answer your question, instead, I just tried to provide some insight into the monitoring chain in general.

My advice is similar to Kev's (a brilliant guy, BTW) - stick with what you got for the moment and upgrade when you can. Moving from one system of compromise (the Monsoon) to another (the JVC) is not an upgrade though. Don't be tempted by flashy lights and so on.

If you really need an inexpensive set of monitors that are good, there are several options available nowadays - it shouldn't be too hard to find.