Home use: Studio Monitors or Loudspeaker/PA?

Started by Codeseven, December 05, 2016, 09:50:03 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Codeseven

'Tis' the season to buy new gear :)............

Generally speaking, using amp modeling software at home would it be better to buy a pair of studio monitors or a loudspeaker/PA?

There are many, many reviews over on the Amplifier Forum, enough to make your head swim. Some great speakers out there but confusing none the less. Do studio monitors reproduce the sounds of amp software as well as a loudspeakers/PA, just at a lower volume. Is a loudspeaker/PA as capable of reproducing amp software sounds but at louder outdoor venue volumes?

I've been gravitating to the newer Alto TS210's but I see that some guys prefer studio monitors for home use. I want great sound reproduction so I'd rather avoid anything that does just 'a good enough job for the money', so to speak.   

Suggestions?

Thanks!


Brak(E)man

Quote from: Codeseven on December 05, 2016, 09:50:03 AM
'Tis' the season to buy new gear :)............

Generally speaking, using amp modeling software at home would it be better to buy a pair of studio monitors or a loudspeaker/PA?

There are many, many reviews over on the Amplifier Forum, enough to make your head swim. Some great speakers out there but confusing none the less. Do studio monitors reproduce the sounds of amp software as well as a loudspeakers/PA, just at a lower volume. Is a loudspeaker/PA as capable of reproducing amp software sounds but at louder outdoor venue volumes?

I've been gravitating to the newer Alto TS210's but I see that some guys prefer studio monitors for home use. I want great sound reproduction so I'd rather avoid anything that does just 'a good enough job for the money', so to speak.   

Suggestions?

Thanks!

For home use and studio use
Genelec close field monitors with a sub
Everything that you'd program
and if you record and mix
will be as close to neutral as possible IMO
swimming with a hole in my body

I play Country music too, I'm just not sure which country it's from...

"The only thing worse than a guitar is a guitarist!"
- Lydia Lunch

Elantric

#3
True  - Genelecs are fantastic  (Bill Ruppert uses those)  - but $$$
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/8330TripBun

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/manufacturer/Genelec
There are lots of options.
Ask 10 people their opinion you will get 30 answers
I own an array of different types  - while it might seem why own so many type of Speakers ?

Its like why have different types of shoes: Sneakers, Boots, formal occasions - each address different goals 


https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3078.msg81475#msg81475

Quote
QuoteFor home use and studio use
Genelec close field monitors with a sub

but observe these are not ideal for use at  live gigs to perform to 200 people 

Brak(E)man

#4
Quote from: Elantric on December 05, 2016, 10:36:28 AM
True  - Genelecs are fantastic  (Bill Ruppert uses those)  - but $$$

There are lots of options.

I own an array of different types  - while it might seem why own so many type of Speakers ?

Its like why have different types of shoes: Sneakers, Boots, formal occasions - each address different goals 


https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3078.msg81475#msg81475


but observe these are not ideal for use at  live gigs to perform to 200 people

For that kind of quality sound I think they're cheap.
In USA it's half price compared to Scandinavia
Which is weird since they're made in Finland ( next door )
That's without sales tax so I wonder why really

I have two pairs different sizes
Small and smaller both with subs

The huge advantage is that the sound you'll get through those speakers
will be as close to neutral as possible.
I've tried most speakers for mix , mastering and programming.
They're simply the best IMO

For live I use 2 DB Opera 15" monitors/PA unless there's a PA in house

https://www.thomann.de/gb/db_technologies_opera_15.htm

swimming with a hole in my body

I play Country music too, I'm just not sure which country it's from...

"The only thing worse than a guitar is a guitarist!"
- Lydia Lunch

GuitarBuilder

I've been using a pair of Behringer Truth B2031A active studio monitors for several years.  Despite the low cost they sound very neutral and have enough power to hold impromptu band sessions if necessary.
"There's no-one left alive, it must be a draw"  Peter Gabriel 1973

Codeseven

Thanks guys.

Sounds like the lean is toward studio monitors.

Brak(E)man

For rehearsels in a small setting I still use these

roland micro monitor ma-20

Great sound for that size and price
Going on 20 years
swimming with a hole in my body

I play Country music too, I'm just not sure which country it's from...

"The only thing worse than a guitar is a guitarist!"
- Lydia Lunch

Codeseven

#8
Believe it or not, for the past few years I've been using a single Jawbone Jambox Mini on my desktop with a MBP loaded with different amp modeling software. Unbelievable sound from such a little box, especially for it being used as a guitar amp! Been fun to use for awhile but beginning to show its age and it's time for something that's 'actually' used by guitar players and I'm anxious to use something that can actually reproduce great guitar tones.

https://www.amazon.com/Jawbone-Bluetooth-Speaker-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B004E10KI8

The only other actual guitar amp I have is a Fender Mustang III, which is fine when using the built in presets but it's been horrible when used with external amp modeling software and I'd rather be back at my desktop.

stratrat

I've got both and use the studio monitors at home and the powered PA speakers for live. In fact, the only difference between my live and home rig is the speakers used and the settings on the programmable EQ (to "tune" the live system for different venues). I've learned the sound of each well enough that I know how sounds will translate to the other and take it into account when programming sounds. Everything goes through both sets of speakers - guitar modelling, vocals, vocal harmonies, modelled bass sounds, guitar synth and electronic drum pedals.

My "mixer" is my interface (Focusrite Liquid 56), so as an added bonus I can just add in a Firewire cable to a computer with DAW and do multitrack recording live or at home too.

gumtown

Quote from: Brak(E)man on December 05, 2016, 12:27:00 PM
For rehearsels in a small setting I still use these

roland micro monitor ma-20

Great sound for that size and price
Going on 20 years

Ha Ha !! I have a pair of those, brought them used from an eAuction some years ago, and have never tried them yet.
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

Brak(E)man

Quote from: gumtown on December 05, 2016, 10:58:30 PM
Ha Ha !! I have a pair of those, brought them used from an eAuction some years ago, and have never tried them yet.

You should try them , I wasn't joking.
In a studio session FI I use them as close up monitors
and they works just fine in a small band for rehearsels
especially if there's Acoustic instruments as well.
and they sit fine placed on a micstand
swimming with a hole in my body

I play Country music too, I'm just not sure which country it's from...

"The only thing worse than a guitar is a guitarist!"
- Lydia Lunch

jem7sk

What size monitors are the perfect size for the bedroom?  Would the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Speaker System w/ Subwoofer that Elantric posted in the Deal Alert thread be better than monitors?



Still one of the best deals going for a FR/FR Speaker system for a home DSP Modeler player

$110

https://slickdeals.net/f/9471299-klipsch-promedia-2-1-speaker-system-w-subwoofer-110-free-shipping
BuyDig has Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Speaker System w/ Subwoofer (KLIPSCH PRO) on sale for $149.99 - $40 w/ coupon code PROMEDIA = $109.99. Shipping is free.

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product/KLPPROMEDIA21/Klipsch-ProMedia-21-THX-Certified-Computer-Speaker-System-Black?sdtid=9471299&omid=200&ref=cj&utm_source=CJ&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_content=4485850

Elantric

#13
The Klipsch are THX approved and deliver decent sound for $140 for a complete 2.1 system with sub
http://www.thx.com/consumer/home-entertainment/audio/thx-certified-speakers/

I might use them to spot check a mix, or use them if nothing else was available because funds were tight - , but for serious studio mixing duties - Id use another   higher grade monitor speaker with a better crossover.

or no crossover at all

many old timers still use Auratone 5C cubes



because with one speaker there is zero chance for mid EQ phase errors to occur , typical with all 2 way speakers.

http://therecordingrevolution.com/why-derek-ali-kendrick-lamar-mixes-in-mono-for-80-of-the-mix/

http://therecordingrevolution.com/the-best-99-you-could-spend-to-instantly-get-better-mixes/



Genelecs are very good - but thats due to the higher grade controlled components and supurb internal crossover 
http://www.genelec.com/key-technologies/active-crossovers

     

For further reading - Find an old book store and order Howard Tremaine's Audio -Cyclopedia




or

http://sound.whsites.net/ptd.htm

Codeseven


slooky

Quote from: Brak(E)man on December 05, 2016, 12:27:00 PM
For rehearsels in a small setting I still use these

roland micro monitor ma-20

Great sound for that size and price
Going on 20 years
I have the MC-12C made by Roland and I use mine as a monitor on stage. They do have great sound

Codeseven

Seen allot of great reviews for the Adam Audio AX Series while researching the Internet, however there doesn't seem to much mention of them here. Are they not that great for use with guitar amp modelers?

admin

I'm sure they are good - just priced out of reach for many here

vtgearhead

Quote from: Elantric on December 07, 2016, 09:50:12 AM
many old timers still use Auratone 5C cubes

Heh.  When I had my pro-audio retail business in the 80s we referred to them as "Horror Tones".  If you couldn't afford to have the passenger compartment of a '63 Ford Galaxy in your studio for reference listening they were the best way to see what your mix sounded like on a car radio.


Elantric

#19

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1194385-REG/auratone_5c_black_single_5c_super_sound_cube.html
QuoteWhen I had my pro-audio retail business in the 80s we referred to them as "Horror Tones".


Same on West coast -



and we called this the "Shure Vocal Disaster"


Codeseven

Went to Guitar Center and used they're recording room to A/B all they're studio monitors using the same song/volume while switching back and forth between different monitor sets.

Well, I picked the Yammi HS5's. For one, I didn't realize the physical size of the 6,7,8" speaker cabinets were bigger than I had anticipated and much larger than what I pictured in my practice space. Those sound great and are much louder, but I found the smaller 5" can hold they're own, even in the much larger room (compared to my practice space) at GC.

Of the 5" monitors, to my ears, the Yammi's sounded best. Crisp, clear highs, good mids and much better bass than I expected to hear out of a 5" speaker. Being on sale for $50 off each speaker didn't hurt either  B)

I've got 30 days to check'em out so we'll see.

Thanks again.

vtgearhead

#21
Quote from: Elantric on December 07, 2016, 04:07:25 PM

and we called this the "Shure Vocal Disaster"

And, for those of us who could not afford Crown amplifiers there was the famous "Flame Linear" (Phase Linear Amps) series (apologies to the great Bob Carver - these were never designed for commercial use).  For the golden eared sound system designers there was always SAE (Smoke And Explode). 

Elantric

#22
QuoteWell, I picked the Yammi HS5's.

A few folks here have those HS5/HS8 series  - consider mounting on rubber iso pads to decouple the bass.
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=10279.msg74043#msg74043
Some report the low freq drivers can get over extended when tracking Bass  guitar overdubs  - but thats true for most small monitors.

Codeseven

Well, after using the HS5's for awhile now I have mixed feelings about them. First of all, they're great speakers, no doubt. Well constructed and more importantly, sound great. However, for what Im trying to accomplish, which is great sounding Amp modeled guitar, at low volume, the 5's are lacking. The bass response is ok, but there is no punch. Sure, turn them up (they get plenty loud) and all is well, but again, low volume practice and playing (in a relatively small space) is what I primarily do.

Questions, Am I asking too much from a small speaker? Would simply moving up to the HS8's cure my low volume punch problem? Perhaps the rearward facing bass opening on this Yamaha is too dependent on where it is place in relation to walls? Is this where an attenuator comes into play when playing at low volumes? Would simply adding a subwoofer add to the punch or only add bass?

Can't say I'm going to return them yet but not sure if I'll keep them either.

Elantric

for me the best solution for low volume practice is original IK iLoud Monitor


just feed your favorite DSP Amp modeler's headphone output into  iLoud 3.5mm TRS Input on rear labeled "INPUT"


http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/iloud/