EQing Studio Monitors
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Posted on Jan 02, 2004 04:49 pm
Karetaker
Member Since: Dec 23, 2003
This has probably been asked before, but I looked though 10 pages and didn't see anything.
I just recently bought a pair of Alesis Monitor One MK-2 studio monitors. I am powering them with an Alesis RS300 power amp. They sound great, but very thin. I popped in an REO Speedwagon cd some band left behind and it was very thin and bright. I took this into consderation when I was mixing for the first time with them. I mixed brighter than I normally would have. When I took it home it did sound a little too bright. I'm wondering if I should eq the monitors so that they sound good to me. The one thing I haven't done yet is isolate them from the stands that they are on. The other thing is that I am in a pretty narrow area. I can just sit up staight. (a roof line comes right down behind me). I'm thinking that this could be part of the problem as well. The speakers themselves are about two and a half feet from me. They just sound so bright and thin I'm afraid if I don't eq them a little I may end up mixing too much low end in my mixes. Or, could the problem be that I'm just not used to hearing these more accurate speakers? Should I just keep mixing with them and see if my mixes turn out ok before I go throwing an eq on them? Or should I try to tune them to my ears and the acousitcs of the room I'm mixing in. If I do eq them what would be the best way to do so... by ear?, pink noise with a real time analizer?, Parametric eq? graphic eq?
Help!!!
I was checking out an interesting unit by DBX designed for studio monitor systems. It is a DBX DriveRack Studio. Anyone have one of these or know anything about them? They are in the $500 to $600 price range... They look pretty interesting... but I'm think maybe uneccessary for a project studio.
Thanks
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Jan 02, 2004 05:18 pm Personally, I am a big fan of Alesis amps, but not their speakers. The origianl Alesis Monitor One's are horrible speakers, I haven't listened to the MK-2's tho. ARe they still two-way speakers? Two way speakers seem to be Alesis' downfall based on the models I have heard.
Two-way speakers are difficult to build well because of the crossover point necessary between the two speakers is typically in a very critical range.
I would almost suggest looking at a new pair of speakers, however, try ringing them out just like you would for a live show to try to flatten the response of the room (as the problem could be the room) and see if that helps.
Jan 02, 2004 06:02 pm Yeah dB they are still two speakers. They sound a whole lot better than what I was using to mix with.
If I were to buy a new set what would you suggest?
Thanks
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Jan 02, 2004 06:30 pm dont forget, you can mix on anything...its just knowing your monitors...
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Jan 02, 2004 07:00 pm Good question
I own a pair of tannoy reveal actives and the mids are very "in your face" compared to all the other hifi systems I have used (eg: in my car, the tv room, etc, etc) - I do bear this in mind whilst mixing on them, however, I will sometimes perform a mild eq cut before the signal hits them so they sound that little bit sweeter to me - this is probably more to do with the acoustics of my mixing enviroment than anything else, but even with the eq cut, they still sound detailed and pure.
personal preference at the end of the day, as long as your mixes sound cool and you are in control, just go for it.
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Jan 02, 2004 07:09 pm hey jues, happy year and 3 days anniversary at HRC!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 03, 2004 01:05 am Karetaker, the Alesis amp is awsome its what I use, very clean and clear. The Moniter ones are a bit bright as you said, but the space may have a bit to do with it as well. The speakers are rear ported still are they not? this can cause some low end problems if you dont have them postitioned correctly, and without anything to interfear with the low frequancies bouncing off the walls behind them. Rear ported near field moniters depend on some of the low end reflectin from behind them, so make sure there is nothing behind them except clean wall space. The other thing is the M1s are very directional, meaning if you arent sitting in the sweet spot you will not get a true picture from them, so keep that in mind as well.
I would suggest making a few test mixes, one without EQ on the moniters, one with EQ, another with a differant EQ. AS stated by most here, you definately need to let your ears learn the moniters, and this can take time. But then again, if you cant get comfortable with them fairly promptly you might want to try something else. I have found that front ported units work very well in tight and hard to listen in spaces. I finally after buying and selling more nearfeilds then I care to think about have settled in with a pair of KRK K-Roks. They work very well with the same amp you use, are front ported and have a very tight and clear sound. I use no EQ or boosting on them at all and get an absolute big bass out of them which is true to the mix. They are very in your face with dual front ports and are very flat all the way around. There are many models out there that will be simaler so have a look around and truly your best bet is to go take a listen around and let your ears decide.
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Jan 05, 2004 05:02 am ...my solution to rear ported monitors is to stuff a sock (or two) in it. The Bass frequencies suffer a good sized latency when the reflex tube is functioning properly. When it's blocked the low end that does appear is much clearer.
...and as to the origional question it's been suggested to me that you should never eq monitors...it's better to just treat the room and get used to the sound of the monitors
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 06, 2004 05:47 pm The reflex tube is also there to allow air to move as the driver cone moves in and out, allowing it to work better. Although, if the sock method works for ya, then its all good. I am never one to basha trick down.
Jan 06, 2004 06:55 pm Thanks for the input everyone.
Noize2u.... I have them about seven inches away from the wall. There aren't any obstructions. (I'm in a very tight space at the moment). I don't really have the room to move them anywhere, so I have to find a way to live with them one way or the other. I think I am going to try mixing with them for a little while anyway, and see if it works out without any EQing. I made the mistake of not thinking about the space I'm in now. If I had taken that more into consideration I probably would have bought a pair of front ported monitors. Hopefully I will only be there another year and I can get everything into my own building.
zekthedeadcow... does that have to be a clean sock or can I shove a pair in there that I've been wearing for a while.... That will keep the unwanteds out of the control room...LOL! Yup, nothin' like some low end air blowin' through a pair of smelly socks..LOL!!!... I am of course just kidding, I've never heard of that trick... Thanks.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 06, 2004 08:54 pm Indeed, 7" should be good enough. You just want to get them set up as close to an equal triangle as possible. That means you should have them with the woofers just below your ear level, or if they are higher up tilt them a bit so they point in that general vacinity. Next you should be sitting approximately the same distance from them as the distance is between them, this is called equallateral. I know it might not be possible, but you whould try and have them spread about 5' apart and again make sure they are pointing towared your head. This will make it so your are listening in the sweet spot. So just picture a triangle drawn out with you at one point and the speakers at the other two points. This will give you the best listening response. You may have to modify that a bit but try to stay as close to that as possible.
If you need a clearer discription let me know and I will try to explain it a bit better.
Noize
