Monitor Operation: Do's and Dont's

[Mr. June]

Active monitors - shouldn't have to touch volume (if they even have volume controls).
Passive monitors - same thing, volume is on amp.
Power conditioners are a great investment!
"Breaking in" monitors...I've read/heard arguments about this - safe bet would be to follow the manufacturers manual. Personally, I'd just get to making music!
Have fun!

[dubmunkey]

Originally Posted by DillaSirens

Hi all,

I will be receiving my first pair of monitors in a couple of days and have several questions. First of all, I know it is important that monitors be the last thing to be powered on in the chain (computer-interface-monitors), but what about volume levels during powering on? Is it okay to leave the volume on the monitors at a fixed volume, or should the volume be lowered all the way when they are turned on? What about the volume coming out of the computer or interface?

Also, are power conditioners necessary for monitor use? What is the easiest possible way to avoid a grounding loop?

How long should I let the speakers "break in" before really pumping some air through them? I know monitoring levels should be around 80db, should I also break them in at this level?

Like I said, this will be my first pair of monitors, they are not used and I want them to last as long as possible and I want to avoid making stupid beginner's mistakes that could end up costing me and hurting my equipment.

Thank you to all who contribute and if there is another thread with this information already posted that I can be directed to then that would be sufficient as well.

If they have bass ports block em up

[ears2thesky]

If they have bass ports block em up

WTF?

You know you can always count on GS for advice like this.

[dubmunkey]

And you can rely on similarly uninformative rebuttals and as always best thing to do us try it yourself and make up your own mind...

[dubmunkey]

So to qualify my statement

If you have bass ports try blocking them, if your sound improves leave em blocked

Got this from the excellent Mike Senior book

[x_25]

Originally Posted by dubmunkey

So to qualify my statement

If you have bass ports try blocking them, if your sound improves leave em blocked

Got this from the excellent Mike Senior book

That was not the intention of what he said in the book (I just finished reading it a few days ago). With cheaper ported monitors and speakers, the bass freqnecies effected by the port can "ring" since the ports act as a sprung mass to add resonance (and therefore volume) at those lower freqnecies. The idea of blocking the ports is to stop this ringing, though the tradeoff is a far reducedbass responce (the F3 of the speaker will likely double, or more). The point to stopping the ringing is that it can cause short bass notes and such to decay more slowly (time to 60db down on the order of a quarter second on some of the worse offenders!).

So while it is a reasonable thing to try, the speakers will likely sound subjectivly worse.

[dubmunkey]

Originally Posted by x_25

That was not the intention of what he said in the book (I just finished reading it a few days ago). With cheaper ported monitors and speakers, the bass freqnecies effected by the port can "ring" since the ports act as a sprung mass to add resonance (and therefore volume) at those lower freqnecies. The idea of blocking the ports is to stop this ringing, though the tradeoff is a far reducedbass responce (the F3 of the speaker will likely double, or more). The point to stopping the ringing is that it can cause short bass notes and such to decay more slowly (time to 60db down on the order of a quarter second on some of the worse offenders!).

So while it is a reasonable thing to try, the speakers will likely sound subjectivly worse.

Ah a more informative rebuttal, ill have to reread as his first mention doesn't discuss blocking them but later on im pretty sure he suggests trying it if you are having trouble taming bass in project studio whilst also mentioning the reduced bass response - the overall message i got was dont buy ported speakers

[DillaSirens]

Okay guys, let's please not make this a thread about whether or not to plug a ported speaker. Nowhere in my original post did I even mention plugging ports.

I am using Yamaha HS80m monitors. Now I have heard many mixed things about plugging ports. I will most likely not be plugging ports, because, while making bass 'tighter' it could be deceiving for several reasons. I plan on using these speakers as the manufacturer intends.

My questions relate to safely operating monitors in order to ensure maximum life span and consistency of sound.

Modifications and alterations to the speakers may be covered in this thread, but I prefer to have the original questions answered first.

[Bill Way]

Back to your original question of breaking in - the speakers don't care if they're broken in or not, so rock out if that's what you want. They'll just sound better after a while.

WW

[moneyrollbeats]

interesting...

[smoke]

Oh HS80Ms.

Don't worry, they are built like tanks. I couldn't bust them up if I tried, and I had had the odd loud clip, or surprise frequency burst through without a limiter... no issues. If you have the level all the way, there may be a slight low level hum, so I left some headroom, of which in my circumstance, there was plenty.

You might get some very small bubbling on the surface around the corners after a couple of years... just let it be. It is normal.

Honestly at this price point, these are the perfect set it and forget it monitors, I wouldn't worry too much about babysitting them.

[x_25]

Right, sorry about that. Anyway, on to your actual questions.

Unplug them durring thunderstorms, no you don't need a power conditooner (unless you have really nast mains power) and for break in, just run them. As far as long term reliability, don't run them flat out all the time? Really, speakers and amps are generally very reliable things. My monitoring system is all used equiptment from the mid 90's. My main stereo system is even older than that!

Long story short, don't be a stupid idiot with them and they will seve you well for many years.

[DillaSirens]

Great answers. This is exactly what I was hoping to hear.

I will be maintaining them regularly, and should be using them every single day (unless I am out of the state). Eventually I will buy another pair of monitors to compliment them, but for right now I have a cheapo, $60 pair of radioshack speakers that I can also A/B on.

Now I can stop worrying about babysitting the monitors and finally get around to buying some room treatment (GIK) and some nice studio headphones (still researching that one).

Thanks again guys!