REAL WORLD SPEAKERS FOR MIXING - help please

[kedbear]

Hi,

I have genelec 1029a and sub and whilst they're great and all they make stuff sound too good sometimes.

I've been looking to get some 'real world' cheap computer speakers. In the Charles Dye mix tutorial DVD he talks about mostly using sony SRS-88 which aren't around anymore. They're 20 watt 60-20khz cheap speakers.

Could someone please recommend some cheap speakers that would be right for the job, or that they've found usefull?

I'd really appreciate it.

thanks

[recall]

it doesn't particularly matter that you get the exact same model. What you are after is the same effect that Chaz is getting.

I use a logitech ipod dock about 15ft away....the speakers are so close together any panning is irrelevant, the treble is dissipated due to the distance so what you are really getting is the overall balance and low mid relationship.

I am really happy with it.

I have used some harmonn/kardon/dell computer speakers in the past which were similar to Chaz's sony's.

So I would recommend the logitech (can't remember the model)...but just get something with smallish speakers.


Avantone mixcubes are good as well although I use them at close range next to my nearfields.

[kedbear]

it doesn't particularly matter that you get the exact same model. What you are after is the same effect that Chaz is getting.

I use a logitech ipod dock about 15ft away....the speakers are so close together any panning is irrelevant, the treble is dissipated due to the distance so what you are really getting is the overall balance and low mid relationship.

I am really happy with it.

I have used some harmonn/kardon/dell computer speakers in the past which were similar to Chaz's sony's.

So I would recommend the logitech (can't remember the model)...but just get something with smallish speakers.


Avantone mixcubes are good as well although I use them at close range next to my nearfields.

Thanks a lot for your help, this mixing issue has been bugging me!

[nharmonic]

Quote:

Recall:
Avantone mixcubes are good as well although I use them at close range next to my nearfields.


I have found these Avantone MixCubes to be very useful in my studio! With amp (they are passive), however, not as cheap as logitech option.

[AdamZuf]

Any computer piece of crap speaker is a good reference. It's ironic that a $5 sh1tbox can teach so much about mixing, I just love it.

I'll try the Mixcubes sometime too. A trick I do with my 1029A is to use shallow slopes of LC and HC to check how things change in tone and balance as well, and I automate faders in that mode. But still there's the need for sh1t. I actually do lots of the balance with that crap, then the automation still maintains the instruments relations well. It's magic (-:

[AdamZuf]

Originally Posted by kedbear

I have genelec 1029a and sub and whilst they're great and all they make stuff sound too good sometimes.

I don't know how you can say that. They are the most brutally revealing monitors I've heard. If it sounds good on them, it is good! Perhaps they sound too good when compared to a sh1tbox, but hey, all monitors are like that, and to me, relying only on a (close to) full range monitoring for mixing is quite hard, that's why I really like my sh1tbox. Team narrow-band!

[De chromium cob]

Originally Posted by kedbear

I've been looking to get some 'real world' cheap computer speakers. In the Charles Dye mix tutorial DVD he talks about mostly using sony SRS-88 which aren't around anymore.

He also says that the model number isn't important. Its just that they are generic small speakers for a real world reference.

[recall]

This is the dock I use. I figure since everyone seems to be using ipods and docks these days it makes sense.

Amazon.co.uk: Logitech - Audiostation Express iPod Speakers: Electronics & Photo

One good thing about it is that it comes with a remote control, it also automatically turns itself on if an audio signal is running to it.

[kedbear]

I'll try the Mixcubes sometime too. A trick I do with my 1029A is to use shallow slopes of LC and HC to check how things change in tone and balance as well, and I automate faders in that mode. But still there's the need for sh1t. I actually do lots of the balance with that crap, then the automation still maintains the instruments relations well. It's magic (-:

Thanks a lot for the advice but could you explain this in a little more detail with an example of what you mean? Where do you set the low and hi cut etc?

I don't know how you can say that. They are the most brutally revealing monitors I've heard. If it sounds good on them, it is good! Perhaps they sound too good when compared to a sh1tbox, but hey, all monitors are like that, and to me, relying only on a (close to) full range monitoring for mixing is quite hard, that's why I really like my sh1tbox. Team narrow-band!

Well, i just made a track with some beats at the end. They sounded pretty good to me but a couple of people have said they sounded weak in their car/cheaper stereo etc. Also, i find the top end can be a little too nice/flattering and then on another system it is a little dull. Not all systems though.

I've been trying to upload the track but i keep getting fatal error exceeded bytes message even though the track is under the maximum requirement?

[kedbear]

This is the dock I use. I figure since everyone seems to be using ipods and docks these days it makes sense.

Amazon.co.uk: Logitech - Audiostation Express iPod Speakers: Electronics & Photo

One good thing about it is that it comes with a remote control, it also automatically turns itself on if an audio signal is running to it.

Thanks. I just bought some yamaha YST - M40 computer speakers for £20/$40. they're 25 watt 70-20khz so they should cover me fine. I'm actually quite looking forward to hearing them!! Though they might make me really depressed!

[AdamZuf]

Originally Posted by kedbear

Thanks a lot for the advice but could you explain this in a little more detail with an example of what you mean? Where do you set the low and hi cut etc?

Yes, and I appologize, these are shelfs, but very wide Q ones. I do it with my DEQ2496 and I guess it will work differently in every EQ, but the low shelf starts at about 630Hz and by 40Hz it's about -11dB. The high shelf starts at about 7kHz and is down by about -8dB @ 20kHz.

I enable this EQ in order to check on how instruments are affected by this narrow bandwidth. I'm still learning the right amount of which every instrument's tone and level should change when I enable the EQ. When the sweet point is reached, the mix should do fine on more stereos. I also automate my faders with this EQ on. Again, it's something to learn how to do in the right way, but switching it on and off a few times with soloed instruments, a whole mix or reference music will show you the right way.

It is still not a replacement for a $5 shitbox, it's a midway.

It's a bit hard for me to set the right balance in fullrange mode, as you said, things easily sound satisfying, if not good. I think that having the minimum essential frequency range to focus on when I set the balance helps me to focus better on what I'm really doing.
Even if I'm a bit wrong with the final balance, the automations are still valid, I'll just use a volume control in my channel strip or something to do the final adjustment (as long as there's no compressor after it!)

Well, i just made a track with some beats at the end. They sounded pretty good to me but a couple of people have said they sounded weak in their car/cheaper stereo etc.

Yes, the more resolute the system is, the easier it is to hear stuff and be satisfied with them. That's why you need to have at least 3 different monitor sets (for me it's the 1029A, 1029A with cuts, computer shitbox, the Sony V6 and my car). it will give you some very invaluable insights about each of the sets and your work, and in what way you should improve your mixing technique.

Also, i find the top end can be a little too nice/flattering and then on another system it is a little dull. Not all systems though.

I didn't run into this problem, but I don't mix electronic stuff. Anyway, never underestimate how better you can get with knowing your monitors and how they tell you only a part of the story.