Do a 2nd pair of smaller monitors confuse your mix decisions?

[Tube World]

If you mix on monitors you know well, and they usually translate well on other sources, is getting a pair of smaller monitors from another company going to be helpful?

I was thinking of getting a 2nd pair of monitors that would give more of a persepctive of car speakers to use with my beloved PMC's. Adam A5X or smaller Tannoy or Yamaha. My concern is what happens when music is played through them and the music sounds too bright or bass heavy while they sound fine on the PMC's. Then you make the change and your like oh, it now sounds worse in my car stereo and on the PMC's.

Is just using some headphones for a different perspective better?

[icecubeman]

Second monitoring pair is Godsend. If you choose right combination you can very clearly hear whats going on in your mix. Multimonitoring mixing is very effective IMO.

[Tube World]

I guess as long as I learn the character of the 2nd monitors as well on some good CD's.

[The dman]

I use a pair of small boom box type speakers as my second pair and I wouldn't be without them.

[Thefife]

I just bought a pair of Behritones. I've been very happy with them. They tell me a lot more about how things will translate than my regular near fields. Setting a proper vocal level is much easier now. An added bonus is that I have been able to pick up some details that I miss with my regular speakers. For instance, while double tracking guitars, on my regular speakers I would overlook some inconsistencies between parts that would later show up on headphones when panned hard left and right. With the little speakers, I hear those problems. It's probably due to the lack of bass masking things.

All that being said, you need a switcher to get the most from two sets of speakers. I'm using the Pro Co Switch Witch. Costs $200 and can switch 4 sets of speakers.

[BudgetMC]

It works for me.

[jimmymio]

Auratones here. I just consider it a different perspective. I also check mixes thru phones- ATH-M50.
JP

[jonathan jetter]

smaller pair helps a lot for micromanaging vocal levels, ensuring translation, and judging transients.

[mixerguy]

Originally Posted by jonathan jetter

smaller pair helps a lot for micromanaging vocal levels, ensuring translation, and judging transients.

+1

gotta have it.

[duckoff]

Yes, smalls for tucking vocals in.

[nas]

Originally Posted by jonathan jetter

smaller pair helps a lot for micromanaging vocal levels, ensuring translation, and judging transients.

Agreed..

Also as OP has suggested, learning the character of the 2nd pair is key.

[Bob Ross]

I always appreciate a second (or third!) pair of speakers for comparison...but that's what they're for, comparison. Decisions are made on the reference pair, and then validated on the alternate pair(s).

[HomeProducer]

Originally Posted by BudgetMC

It works for me.

for me, too, but I would first listen to reference material before switching to the mix.

[Apollo Soul]

Confuse? No.

Complicate? Yes.

Improve? Definitely.


... and not just the second smaller monitors, but cans, computer speakers as well.

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by Tube World

If you mix on monitors you know well, and they usually translate well on other sources, is getting a pair of smaller monitors from another company going to be helpful?

I was thinking of getting a 2nd pair of monitors that would give more of a persepctive of car speakers to use with my beloved PMC's. Adam A5X or smaller Tannoy or Yamaha. My concern is what happens when music is played through them and the music sounds too bright or bass heavy while they sound fine on the PMC's. Then you make the change and your like oh, it now sounds worse in my car stereo and on the PMC's.

Is just using some headphones for a different perspective better?

I've found having a good second (or even third) pair of monitors can certainly help give a broader perspective. Even pretty good monitors can have weak spots. A lot of folks really like mixing on NS10's, but, as most folks know, the bottom octave+ is more or less missing and they don't have very flat response at all, so it's nice to have something with both some accurate bottom end and a flat response curve to refer to.

[Tube World]

The 2nd pair of monitors I have on my top list are the following

1. Adam A5X.
2. JBL 2325
3. Tannoy 601A's

Out of the three, and only out of the three which would you choose for 2nd monitors and why?

Thanks

[O.F.F.]

I use Auratones and Rogers DB101s alongside my mains.
Works for me.

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

I always appreciate a second (or third!) pair of speakers for comparison...but that's what they're for, comparison. Decisions are made on the reference pair, and then validated on the alternate pair(s).

Yes I agree although sometimes it's useful in long sessions to break up your prospective by switch monitors. I have 3 pair of speakers Twin 6's NS10, and RS minumus 7's for the crap factor.