Best Monitors for a

[kclements]

Another great place I have found for acoustic panels and such - and they offer great advice - is http://www.gikacoustics.com

John - Thanks for the info.

kc

[benjet]

Wow - I've been researching the Focals that were mentioned by Kayle and Mojo, they seem to have a religous following! My first inclination was to go with the Dynaudio's, especially after the endorsement from Mazz, but after reading about these, I'm actually hypnotized enough by the marketers to lean towards the Focal Twin6.

For those rare occassions I am working on Hip Hop or Dance - the KRK sub will continue to get the work.

Kayle, I like the packages on your link, is that the route you are thinking about?

[Dwayne Russell]

I would hate to see you spend all that money and still get 7's and 8's on your engineering from Taxi.

Does Taxi's opinion matter that much? Or do you just want to get some new monitors anyway?

[mazz]

One focal costs as much as a pair of the dynaudios I mentioned. Those focals are supposed to sound great but they're overkill for my room. Honestly new monitors are a nice to have for me, I've learned my events well enough to get stuff placed in libraries and on tv. I think one can mix on anything with practice. Our friend matto works exclusively with ns10s in a moderately treated living room studio (I've seen it in person) and I think we'd all like to be as successful as matto! I'm just saying.

So I support your search for new speakers but I would also point out that maybe there's other things you could do for less money that would yield the same or better results like room treatment, for instance.

[kclements]

Kayle, I like the packages on your link, is that the route you are thinking about?

Yes. I have had a number of emails back and forth with one of the designers there. I would recommend sending them a diagram of you studio and see what they recommend. Later this summer, I hope to have enough in the bank account to add some pieces, and I hope to go with the room package.

As for the monitors - I haven't ever heard the Focals and they are a bit spendy. I would recommend taking a good listen to them (in your room, if possible) and see if they are worth it. And, I have also heard great things about the Dynaudios.

I totally agree with Mazz - you can do great work with nearly any setup, if you take the time to learn your room and monitors really really well. I think it is kind of like how a really great piano player can make even a crappy piano sound pretty darn good.

Again, Mr. Mazz - It's not the Gear, it's the Ear. (unless your talking about LASS)

kc

[benjet]

Does Taxi's opinion matter that much? Or do you just want to get some new monitors anyway?

Dwayne, I'm not sure I understand your point here? The reason I reached out in this forum was because I don't have all of the answers, and hoped those with experience could offer information that would help me make a better decision.

There are many other (fun) things I would rather spend that money on. Many professionals that I respect have clearly stressed the importance of good monitors - and what I have needs upgrading. Equipment will never replace experience, but inadequate equipment is limiting. What I am asking from those with more knowledge than me, what is adequate.

I've learned my events well enough to get stuff placed in libraries and on tv. I think one can mix on anything with practice. Our friend matto works exclusively with ns10s in a moderately treated living room studio (I've seen it in person) and I think we'd all like to be as successful as matto!

Thanks Mazz, this is pretty much the type of information that I'm looking for. I'm completely on board with you and Kayle on the room treatment - that is budgeted and a part of the upgrade.

I think it is kind of like how a really great piano player can make even a crappy piano sound pretty darn good.

I completely agree with this Kayle - but then again, all piano players will sound better on a great piano than an average one!

I think most of us on this forum have the goal to create the best music that we are capable of, and to help others do the same. I appreciate the feedback from all of you.

Tony

[Dwayne Russell]

Dwayne, I'm not sure I understand your point here? The reason I reached out in this forum was because I don't have all of the answers, and hoped those with experience could offer information that would help me make a better decision.

I have 36 years of recording experience. I am saying you probably don't need new monitors. It depends on what you are doing. Even though I have a top professional room with great monitors, I still get TV placements from cues made and mixed on my cheap $150 monitors at my home.

Who are you making music for and where is the music going?

I think you mentioned that you were tiered of getting 7's and 8's on your engineering from your Taxi submissions. Right? Well, I am saying please don't buy expensive monitors because of that.

[mojobone]

I think it is kind of like how a really great piano player can make even a crappy piano sound pretty darn good.

I completely agree with this Kayle - but then again, all piano players will sound better on a great piano than an average one!

"all piano players will sound better on a great piano than [on] an average one" does not follow; the great piano players will still sound better than average, regardless of the instrument. The point, really, is that a marginal player will sound only marginally better on a great instrument, but a great player will have better leverage over the instrument, and likely sound far better.

[kclements]

I think it is kind of like how a really great piano player can make even a crappy piano sound pretty darn good.

I completely agree with this Kayle - but then again, all piano players will sound better on a great piano than an average one!

"all piano players will sound better on a great piano than [on] an average one" does not follow; the great piano players will still sound better than average, regardless of the instrument. The point, really, is that a marginal player will sound only marginally better on a great instrument, but a great player will have better leverage over the instrument, and likely sound far better.

Thanks Mojo -

You said exactly what I said, but better and more clear.

I guess my point is this - and know that I am a huge gear fan. My favorite subscription is my Sweetwater Catalog.
And, I will speak only for myself here. I have a very hard time remembering that a new piece of git - be it a pair of monitors, plug-ins, keyboards, treatments..... the list goes on - will magically fix something that I am not very good at yet.

Yes, it is nice to have great equipment and it does help to have nice monitors. But it isn't the magic bullet that will automatically make you a better mixer. Tony - I know you agree with this.

And yup - I agree most people here do want us all to improve. And it is great to have this forum to talk it all out and get advice, opinions and learn.

Thanks everyone!
kc

[t4mh]

In any discussion about listening, either about rooms or speakers, the main ingredient is ears and the quality of those. This is an area that I think I am sadly deficient in and may well be degrading daily. Unfortunately I don't think I can buy new hi fidelity ear drums nor is there a VI that will resolve the issue...

Good luck!