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Posted by: TKNO1 Fri 12 Mar 2004, 07:32

Want to know what other people are using for speakers with their Powerbook. Now I am meaning quality monitors. Not "Soundsticks " or anything in that range. Please let me know.. thanks

Posted by: PristineRec Fri 12 Mar 2004, 17:36

My Powerbook runs my Digi002r, which monitors to a pair of Tannoy Reveal Actives. They are quality monitors and are self-amped, which keeps my rig a little simpler by not needing a separate amplifier for the monitors. They run about $700-$800.

There are lots of good monitors out there in that price range or even cheaper. I have heard good things about the Edirol monitors, or even Sony. I hope nobody out there is using the $20 speakers that came with their computer.

Posted by: editbrain Sat 13 Mar 2004, 11:08

hahahaha.... you guys/gals will get a kick out of this. i am using right now to master a nu-jazz cd a pair of technics 10" 2way SB-C33, an Onkyo TX-8210, a Tascam US-122, and a homemade 1970 something 5 inch Magnavox TV speaker ran mono, and my 12" powerbook.

set the stereo mix up with the techniques.. check the compression, vocals, and bass in the mono 5 inch speaker. go straight to the lounge and drop fresh beats.

hope you get a laugh out of that one, but it works.

Posted by: ernene Sat 13 Mar 2004, 14:22

check ESI, and his nEAr 05 active monitors... good q, and price...

Posted by: Riverdog Sun 14 Mar 2004, 02:54

- PowerBook 12" Gigahertz
- USB Quattro Audio interface
- Event PS-5's...

Jammin...

Posted by: editbrain Sun 14 Mar 2004, 06:17

i would just getting at you can make it with what you have if you learn how your monitors and room lies. what i mean by that is if you listen and check on several systems you will get a feel for how your current setup sounds. if you can make a hot mix on what you got. then you got it, and when you get those hot monitors you will have a real tight grip on sound mixing.

as far as monitors go i like the mackies. they have serious bass presence but lack on the highs some IMO. you could get some of Industry Standard Yamaha's, but i would only recomend those for rock producers.

happy recording,
editbrain

Posted by: rickenbacker Mon 15 Mar 2004, 12:47

I have a pair of Yamaha MSP5s. They're pretty good.

Posted by: td3k Mon 15 Mar 2004, 15:13

I have a pair of Edirol MA-10D, They sound very good esp for the price. They have two inputs and two vol knobs so I am able to monitor Mbox or built in output from the mac at the same time w/ out swapping cables, (very convenient) also has optical and S/PDIF input. High end frequencies sound great on the Edirols, if you want to bump out the bass really hard you will need a sub, but for near field they are quite nice. I think it is safe to say that if I get a track sounding good on the Edirol's it usually sounds good on other systems.

Hope that helps,
TD

... did I mention, $150.00.

Posted by: kaboombahchuck Mon 15 Mar 2004, 23:02

I've been using Alesis M1 Active Mk2 near field monitors. For the price they can't be beet. ($400 Pair). Superb frequency responce. I have found if you get them to thump, the final mix will have insane bass. Just get the sounds exactly the way their suposed to sound and the mix will be perfect.

Posted by: visualmusic Wed 17 Mar 2004, 17:55

I'll have second what kaboombahchuck said. The Alesis M1 Mk2's are good. I have a friend that uses them. Extremely flat response and a great price. I checked his out and liked them so much that I ordered my own. I'm going the passive route and buying a separated amp, but the actives are the same as the passive....just the amp is built in.

Posted by: simon l Thu 24 Jun 2004, 13:08

Hi, I am new to this forum and also relatively new to music production. I am looking to purchase some studio monitors to go with my powerbook and oxygen ozone set up. I have heard great things about the Alesis monitors however I was wondering how suitable they would be for a very small space. My 'music room' is approx 3metres by 5metres. Can anyone recommend some monitors for this sized space? I can't really afford to pay anymore than £400.

Thanks,
Simon

Posted by: Riverdog Thu 24 Jun 2004, 16:39

Since my last post I just moved up to the Alesis M1 MkII Monitors...

My suggestion is that if you have a small space / Any monitor would work...
However, In my travels searching for a new set of monitors I've heard that if you're mixing in a small space you won't need a large speaker for the bass... 6.5" woofer or less should do the trick for your space...

I still love the PS5's they were great for me...
But, I find that I get a better bass response from the M1's (The speaker is larger)...

One last suggestion - I'm an old schooler and suggest that you get a pair of monitors that have as flat a repsonse as possible... The M1's ARE a great choice... And if you want a true representation of your mix - don't bother with monitors that have all the bass and treble controls on them... That kind of stuff only colors the mix so that it sounds nice in your studio... You'll find if you're not keen on how that affects your mix - Your tunes will sound great in the studio but terrible on regular radios and systems in "the real world"...

You may as well go purchase a nice pretty set of speakers from the local stereo store then... I think using a pair of "true" monitors (ie: no "Spacial" controls), and "teaching yourself" the feel of your system will utlimately serve you better in the end...

Good Luck...

Posted by: visualmusic Thu 24 Jun 2004, 16:40

Hey S1,

As you've already read I have the Alesis speakers. They go for $350 (US), which is well within your budget. My space is just a bit larger than yours, and I think they would work for what you have. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of experience with other brands so continue to ask around.

I went with the passive monitors, but I suggest getting the active ones if you are limited on space. And you save some money that way.

Good luck.

VM

Posted by: simon l Thu 24 Jun 2004, 18:28

Thanks for your help, I will give them a listen once I have the ££ together

Posted by: Jaysee Fri 25 Jun 2004, 21:53

Hi there, re choice of monitors.I've read good things about the Tapco S.8's and S.5's, Tapco is the original name of the company Mackie before it became er.......Mackie, something like that anyway! So they have a good quality pedigree. The S.8 would probably be a better choice than the S.5 if you produce hip hop and dance music as they're meant to be very loud and reputedly have a great bass end, but they're pretty large imposing weighty objects to qualify as 'nearfields'! I've got a similar budget to lay out on monitors myself soon and I'm probably going for a pair of the Tapco S.5's.Their strongest competition for my hard earned is the M-Audio studiophile SP Bx8 or SP Bx5, again an 8" and a 5" version but a tad cheaper. They've had great reviews but do offer some degree of being able to "adapt" their performance to suit the room shape of your studio space; which as you point out isnt always a good thing unless you really know your stuff.
You might try downloading the owners manuals from various manufacturers to get some idea of the specs. regards John

Posted by: simon l Fri 25 Jun 2004, 23:18

Posted by: flybydaybry Mon 26 Jul 2004, 20:16

I would put a word in for the Genelec 1029's. You should find second hand for less than £400. You can add the Subwoofer when you can afford it, and when you get a bigger room...

Posted by: scoutdavis Thu 4 Nov 2004, 17:35

Rookie - are those the Alesis Monitor One MK2 Studio monitors that you just upgraded to? If it makes any difference - I'm recording with MBox and doing vocal over recorded CD (karaoke) for my demo cd and trying to buy a set of studio monitors to work with my powerbook. Also, stupid question - do I have to buy some sort of sound card to hook the monitors up to the recording system/Powerbook? Or do they get hooked up to the MBox?

Posted by: scoutdavis Thu 4 Nov 2004, 21:38

oops that last post was for Riverdog. I'm new to this forum and saw the word Rookie on the left. Hence the goofoff. Please forgive.

Posted by: visualmusic Fri 5 Nov 2004, 16:44

Hey SD,

i have the M1 Mk2's and I'm using a Mbox as well. If you get the active monitors (amp built in to speakers) you hook them up to your Mbox via the left and right outputs on the rear of the box. I'm running off a G4 Tit PowerBook. I don't know of any way to output directly from my computer to the monitors, however someone on the list may know how. I'm pretty sure you'll need another piece of hardware though.

VM

Posted by: ourmanflinty Tue 9 Nov 2004, 18:18

I love my Genelec 1029's, I just wish I had the sub bass to go with them...they're just so tough, and shielded, and they just wont blow up...

Posted by: scoutdavis Tue 9 Nov 2004, 18:31

Well, after reading a posting on another forum about a guy who loved Mackie's HR 824 and went in search of monitors that sounded like them, I bought the Event TR8's. ZZounds had them for $450/pair or something like that. Then I went to Sam Ash where I got 12 months same as cash and they met the price. They're on backorder. I'll let you know what I think when I get them.

Posted by: Riverdog Tue 9 Nov 2004, 21:00

Sorry Scout! I didn't realize you'd asked me a question!

I think the model of PB you have does not allow you to output directly to your speakers...

I am using the FW410 with a 32 Channel mixer...
And i have the outs of the console going to the MKII's...

Hope this helps...

Riverdg

Posted by: Kreesurgeon Sun 28 Nov 2004, 12:24

I get a very clean sound, really good response from an old ROTEL Amp and a pair of "Sprit Absolute - 2"s

Posted by: CanadaRAM Mon 29 Nov 2004, 08:27

I'm using ESI nEar 05's (active) and am very happy with them, especially considering the price (price will vary by country) I have the ESI subwoofer as well but haven't unboxed it because it would wake up the rest of the house when I'm Maccing at night...

For Powerbooks, if you don't already have a more elaborate Firewire or USB solution, I have customers who like the stereo I/O with the Echo Indigo I/O PCMCIA card.

Thanks
Trevor
www.CanadaRAM.com
Digi002R, Tascam TM-D1000, G4 DP1.25 ProTools, P4-2.6 Cubase SX

Posted by: dave-g Fri 10 Dec 2004, 20:47

I'm using a pair of Legacy Audio "Studio." They were originally designed for a recording studio but the home audio reviews loved them so now most of the units are used in hi-end home audio setups.
They aren't powered, but these little guys sure are accurate. Nice clear highs without being bright and tight bass that isn't too loose (slow), so when you're done working on your tracks you can connect them to your stereo and enjoy them.
You must have high-mass stands for these as they won't perform if they are just mounted on shelves or on top of a mixing console.
They are pretty efficient so any high quality amp will drive them, I was using a Carver CM1090 with good results.

Here's the link to the site:
http://nav.440network.com/out.php?mmsc=forums&url=http://www.legacy-audio.com/2003/studio.html

Posted by: scoutdavis Sat 11 Dec 2004, 02:00

Update on buying monitors. The event tr8s were on back order for so long, I gave up. I ordered a pair of Rokit RP8s but I just didn't feel right about them so I cancelled the order. After more listening and research I fell across a pair of Hafler trm6.1 for like $600 for the pair - I am so psyched. I should get them in the mail I'll let you all know what I think.

P.s. On listening to the Event TR8s - at Guitar Center, they just didn't seem to have a clean sound to them. There was like a constant subtle hiss. I'm a newbie to this. the salespersn didn't say anything - does anyone know if that's how they are or if maybe there was something wrong with them? It was very very subtle. But compared to the Rokit's, the latter seemed much cleaner.

Posted by: scoutdavis Sat 11 Dec 2004, 02:02

Oops, missed your reply to me Riverdog. I have the MBOX to get the wires out to the speakers. Am waiting on my second monitor to finish setting up. I still need a couple of incidentals - monitor stands, mic stand oh and maybe sooner than later a vocal condenser mic. If anyone has any suggestions on these for price and usability, let me know!

Posted by: lepetitmartien Sat 11 Dec 2004, 16:03

The coming ADAM Artists should be worth listening

A similiar thread has been held in the French forum a few days ago and the winners were Yamaha MSP5 and the Event TR series. Note that Alesis is badly distributed here and people are focused on the HR824 flagship (I own them too) for Mackie/Tapco so it's difficult to hear about the Tapco's or the HR626. The new Genelec 80XX are really good, the smallest one are ok by themselves, but to get the most of them you need the sub. The 2 bigger models are ok alone.

Lot's of good stuff in the middle range ! There are other low price options sill but I don't remember the names on the spot.

Also, there's really a question of portablilty. So you'll have to cut some corners anyway.

Posted by: iShawn Sat 11 Dec 2004, 23:14

I'm looking for the same sort of setup for my powebook as well, but I'll be dealing with mostly live jazz recordings and other combo setups, is there a specific that you'd recommend, passive or active?

Posted by: lepetitmartien Sun 12 Dec 2004, 18:01

You want to hear "real life" audio out (like a consumer system, be it good or bad = flattering) or a truly analytic one, pinpointing every single transient all other the spectrum, or something in between?

The whole thread is oriented to portable systems so as I said, there won't be absolute contenders in the real flat and analytic ones (i mean real flat: mesured, not audibly flat which is something changing of meaning according to the person talking about it)

If you know already monitors you like/dislike to listen/work with it's worth mentioning.

Posted by: Botaferro Tue 28 Dec 2004, 18:38

No Monitors for me!!!
I'll stick to my B&W's DM303. I bet they beat any monitor in their price range (300 Euros the pair) and even above.
I think mixing it's in your ears, nothing more than that. If you know how a sound that you mix in some louzy speakers will transpose to another kind of speakers, your in the way...

Posted by: editbrain Tue 28 Dec 2004, 22:12

I just purchased a pair of Mackie HR824's. WOW!!! Now there is a speaker for ya. I have never had so much fun mixing. It just seems to me that this is what i have been missing for a long time. got to love these monitors. round bass, no need for a sub. great highs and mids.

Posted by: nate d Wed 29 Dec 2004, 01:30

I have a pair of M-Audio BX-5s. They're pretty good. If I had a bigger control room I would have gone for BX-8s, but they're overkill for the room I'm in.

Botaferro I'd have to disagree with you! That sounds like having someone cover your eyes while you're driving, and then having them tell you when to brake and which way to turn. Even if you're good at it, you're bound to run into a guardrail or two! There will probably be frequencies in there that will be completely buried or nonexistant in other speakers. Since every system is different, your mix is bound to sound way off on some sets. (hence the point of monitors - you hear exactly what you mix) But if it works for you, more power to you!

Posted by: Botaferro Thu 30 Dec 2004, 17:17

Posted by: editbrain Thu 30 Dec 2004, 18:36

the way that i see it. you have a choice. you can use hi-fi or monitors. either way.

Posted by: Mr.Dave Fri 31 Dec 2004, 12:24

With reference as to what monitors to use for mixing I would like to add a bit of advice that may be useful. In my career I have had the pleasure of working with Mark (Spike) Stent in his studio based in Olympic studios in London. While there I noticed that he had the main output of his desk patchable to several different types of monitors and hi-fi systems. The monitors he had are out of reach to most of us mere mortals on account of cost, but the hi-fi he seemed to trust was a run-of-the-mill-all-in-one sony system.
My point being that I trust no one set of monitors to tell me everything I need to know about a mix and I have created a cut down version of what I observed. I would urge anyone to try it.
My studio is setup in a very small room but I have taken the time to link my desk to every other hi-fi and boom box in the house. Apart from allowing quick access to different systems it has the added benefit of helping you to change your listening environment, (small rooms get to you after a few hours).
I'm not saying that you can't create a good mix without doing this, only that it has improved the quality and consistency of my work far beyond what I would have thought possible.

All the best and a happy new year to all.

Posted by: dixiechicken Sun 2 Jan 2005, 11:24

The Mackie HR-824 or the smaller HR624 are very good powered studiomonitors.
They both have wide flat frequency responses, with a very detailed sound reproduction.
Especially the bigger monitor HR-824 have been given very good reviews.

Cheers: Dixiechicken

Posted by: lepetitmartien Sun 9 Jan 2005, 16:16

I have 824, but in the same league you have the Dynaudio BM6A, the Genelec 8040… all close but different. And I have a soft spot for ADAM speakers (monitoring and mastering) but they have a stratospheric high that is not suited for everyone (you are not used to hear what's going on that fast on transients up to 37 KHz).

M-audios sound really hi-fi , they are rather computer/hifi speakers sold as monitors. the Samson resolv, or the Tannoy reveal A for example are more serious.

If abbey road have Nautilus, it's because they are common on high end mastering if I remember correctly. But here we are a little over the edge don't we

Note there are lot of cool monitors, the point is to find one not too flattering you relate to and KNOW it (and compatible with your wallet Check the Event or the Yamaha for example too…

Posted by: Botaferro Wed 12 Jan 2005, 05:16

Let me show you I'm not the only one...

http://nav.440network.com/out.php?mmsc=forums&url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Jul02/articles/monitors2.asp?session=16aec9e0026f4b419b2388148a0ef337



And btw, I'm not against monitors (i also have Samsons), I'm only saying that i prefer to mix in the B&Ws. It's everything about knowing how the sound will transpose to other systems, and also a matter of taste... What i can't understand is why there are people against Hi-Fi speakers. Obviously not every speaker will do the job, but there are some that will.