Studio Monitor Question
What are some good studio monitors for around $150? Some suggestions
i am looking for a pair of them for that price. Also, I am going with an all digital set up with a VCI-100. I would just connect the speakers to my ext. soundcard correct?
Yes, they connect to your card outputs. Can’t offer any advice on brands as I use a hifi amp and bookshelf speakers, but have you considered how you’ll adjust volume on them.
If you have a soundcard with volume control then it’s easy otherwise you’ll have to adjust on the back of the monitors or in software which is kind of a pain.
That’s not enough to get a single “studio quality” monitor, let alone a pair. You might be able to find a used pair of KRK Rokit5s for that price. If you’re looking at new, look for the Behringer B2031P Passive Monitors and power them with an existing receiver or one from a pawn shop.
also keep in mind that you will eventually want a sub to go with them. it makes a real difference.
Why are you looking for studio monitors? Are you producing beats? Are you just spinning?
J
I need something so i can play out in my house and for some just small house partys. What do you recommend
I don’t think you want studio monitors for that. You want a PA system. Studio monitors are going to give you a much different sound, a lot colder and not as punchy because, well, they aren’t for general listening purposes. You can use an amp and some unpowered shelf speakers, or get a PA system that packs a punch based on size requirements. Another idea is to get something simple for your home and when you spin house parties rent some gear and just include it in the fee. That way you get an idea of what you need.
If you’re talking about playing out, for $150 you can get an okay used pair of Soundtech 2-ways, which are reliable workhorses. Maybe B-52s if you can find them. You’re still gonna want a sub, though. And you still need to amplify them with something.
I’ve used my home setup for small parties, but you’re still talking about a decent soundcard, two monitors (Event PS6 in my case) and a sub (M-Audio BX10s).
Even getting off cheap for a house party setup, you’re talking $400-500.
what you want is here…
i’ve been reading this guys stuff for awhile and he really has it down.
If it’s for your house you could always go with a nice 2.1 computer speaker setup. that way you get the full range for a very moderate price.
Studio monitors with subs? :eek:
The first time I heared that one.
You’d want an honest sound, not one that is tainted by having more bass, as that no balance can be achieved.
Yeah but hes going to mix with them, its not like hes producing.
OKay.. Then rephrase the topic title to “DJ booth speaker question”… 
LOlz.
But if he is going to produce on the side then the setup is handy to have, that way its dual very dual purpose 
All depends what hes going to actually be using the speakers for. If hes not doing production then i agree there is no real need to buy monitors and he should perhaps be looking at something else.
Than He should go for Mackie HR624.
They are ideal for both!
Say what? I’m trying to imagine hip hop producers listening to tracks in a studio without subs because it’s somehow more “honest.” The whole point of a monitoring setup is the accurate reproduction of the recorded sound. And almost all dance music relies heavily on subsonics heard only on a subwoofer. If you can’t hear the sub levels, how are you going to mix them? They won’t come through on your two-way (or at best, only the top end of the lower frequency will). The very thing that caused me to get a sub was being tired of being surprised when I listened to a mix in my car setup and having the next track’s sub slam in and overwhelm everything because I just couldn’t hear it and was mixing around what was audible through the two-ways.
Um… there are lots of electronic musicians who mix without subs. The issue you can run into is the subs providing TOO much bass in the mix and when you play it in the car there isn’t enough.
There are so many factors contributing to what you hear comnig out of your monitors (not speakers, of course) that it’s hard to say that a sub would help. Better placement in relation to your ears, better room acoustics, better monitors…
But a sub can color the sound in a bad way so keep that in mind.
if small house parties are in store then you need some speakers…and a sub. i cant say it enough around here, and nobody is putting me up to this, but if you have the means to pull it off the best bang for your buck is here…
he has the whole range from home theater to stuff specifically for more electronic to stuff for acoustic up to full concert level. i am working on some tlah line arrays for myself right now. after i finish those i am going to build a table tuba and then i will have the one of the best home systems anyone could ask for.
It’s actually pretty common practice to have a sub paired with your nearfields. If course they need to be properly calibrated, but it’s not crazy talk. LOTS of production facilities do this. This is especially true since many studios have pushed to get surround capability (which includes a sub).
But it seems we’re talking two different things.
It’s one thing for a studio to have a subwoofer in a properly built room designed for mixing in surround…
it’s another for me to put one in my bedroom with some acoustic pads…
That and I can’t really tell if he’s looking for studio monitors or a PA system