Monitoring in a rabbit hole?

[drosophila]

Don't worry, I'm not digging for suggestions about particular monitors :p

Currently, my studio occupies a fairly small, awkward room in my apartment. Roughly measured, the space is about 12.5'W x 9.3'L

So far, i've managed to squeeze quite a bit in here, but until we're able to move into a larger place (which could be 6+ months), i'm stuck with it. True to form, i'm also stuck with a closet that we don't need taking up half of one wall, my girlfriend's desk and systems taking up the other half.

So i'm a little puzzled how to accomplish a couple things. Foremost, what size of monitor should I even be looking at? I've mostly tried to keep my focus on monitors with 5-6" woofers, if only due to space constraints

Are there any general specs (SPL, etc) that will help me narrow down choices to get at least a rough sense of what will work in here?

Obviously, listening in-person is the best way to choose a specific model; i'm trying to get a sense of how I can judge/predetermine how those monitors will translate here, even if it's just a very small indication.

Pics on request, if anyone would like (though don't expect to be impressed :p)

[Fletcher]

Look for monitors that lead your mixes in a positive direction. Nearfield monitors would probably be the way to do... you know, monitors that can sit on a desk or the meter bridge of a console. One of the moderators on R/E/P [ j.hall] mentioned to me yesterday that he was thinking of selling his "Wright WFM-II"s which are absolutely fantastic monitors [and I don't think he's looking for a fortune for them] so you might want to give him a shout.

FWIW they were my monitors of choice until I met ADAM S3-A's at which time I stopped using the Wrights.

The one other thing I'll mention is that in your quest for monitors, realize that they are a "production" tool, so evaluate them as a "production" tool and not like a "reproduction" tool. A "reproduction" tool is like stereo speakers. To pick those, you listend to CD's that were already finished and determine which set of speakers you like best.

With a "production" tool it's best to do several mixes on those speakers [without referencing any other speakers, monitors, etc.] and see how those mixes come out when you take them to the outside world. You are worried about how the product will sound on other systems, not how other product sounds on your system.

Best of luck with your search!!

[drosophila]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

Look for monitors that lead your mixes in a positive direction. Nearfield monitors would probably be the way to do... you know, monitors that can sit on a desk or the meter bridge of a console.

That's pretty much what I was aiming for. The only difference from what you've mentioned above is that i'm going to pull the desk a little further from the wall and use fillable stands.

Originally Posted by Fletcher

With a "production" tool it's best to do several mixes on those speakers [without referencing any other speakers, monitors, etc.] and see how those mixes come out when you take them to the outside world. You are worried about how the product will sound on other systems, not how other product sounds on your system.

Which is why I currently use, and will continue to use for playback comparison, a pair of Altec Lansing 220's and Sony MDR-V300 headphones. Cheap, easy-to-obtain, and exactly what most folks will probably be listening on - just really fatiguing to mix on.

You mentioned viewing them for production use, rather than reproduction. I understand this in theory, but how can I test mixes on them? Pick a few and try to take them home as demos, or..?? Tidepool Audio out here might do it, and I know M-A does, but i'm not sure about anyone else. Stuff like Adam and *most* Genelec's are out of my range (max $1200), so that makes things even more potentially difficult - unless I go to GC (hatehatehate).

[Telecastr]

What is your price range? i've got a couple friends who have KRK V8s and they both like them. One friend got them for $500 used. They are a smaller powered monitor and, although I've not listened to them much, the initial impression I got was good, especially for the money. Might be worth looking into as well.

[drosophila]

Originally Posted by Telecastr

What is your price range? i've got a couple friends who have KRK V8s and they both like them. One friend got them for $500 used. They are a smaller powered monitor and, although I've not listened to them much, the initial impression I got was good, especially for the money. Might be worth looking into as well.

I'm setting a maximum of $1200 for a pair. KRK's are some i've looked at, though it's a little odd that their detailed specs aren't immediately available on their website. In the end, i'll let my ears decide.

[lucey]

In a room that size you have to get the bass traped and some reflection absorbers and/or diffusors.

It would help a little to be oriented so you're throwing back into the long end of the room.

Setting a budget is good for almost everything except monitoring ... good monitoring is priceless and bad monitoring makes everything else useless. By 'monitoring' i'm including treating the room.

If I had an amp and $1200... and was firm about the budget I'd get some Audix 1As (used) for $300-$400 and spend the rest on Real Traps. 2 mondo traps, 2 Mini traps and 4 HF killers.