Want to integrate recording setup with home theater gear
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Posted on Apr 23, 2002 11:13 pm
RockDawg
Member Since: Apr 23, 2002
I'm struggling with the myriad configuration options available to hopefully get some multi-use out of my system.
Here's what I'm trying to do...
1. Live multi-inputs for jamming (Guitar, mics, cd, whatever)
2. PC recording
3. Home Theater 5 channel digital/DTS
Rather than have isolated systems, I'm convinced I can leverage my gear across all three environments. What I'm thinking about doing is this:
Unpowered mixing board (12-16 channels, 4-6 busses, aux outputs): I'd run pre-amp outputs from my digital receiver into the mixer with a channel used for each to balance left/right, center, or surround depending on the output speaker(s). I'd also run guitars, mics, and keyboards into the mixer.
Power amp(s) - prefer to use unpowered speakers for greater flexibility down the road.
Speakers - Could use some help here. I don't need to use these speakers for mixing as I have a set of monitors directly out of the PC. So these speakers are for playback of all home theater audio as well as playing live music. I am planning to use PA spekers here.
Any comments or recommendations for doing this? Has anyone else done anything similar?
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Apr 24, 2002 07:01 am I wouldn't take your apprroach personally, but, since you want to, here is my only real suggestion, don't use PA speakers. Assuming these are in an average size livingroom (or some similar room) PA speakers are generally too large to get a decent sound from at close range in a small room, sure you can get 'em lous, but it will make a poor mixing environment and a terrible theater sound. Instead I would opt for some good studio reference monitors. I use JBL 4206's which are great (see them at service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear ) but for your need front ported might be best. Event 20/20's are awesome, service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear KRK's also make some good studio monitors service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear and Alesis makes a kit of buying the amplifier with two Monitor Two speakers service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear don't get the Alesis Monitor One's, they really sound tinny, but the Monitor Two's are pretty nice.
Any that's my only real comment on your plans, PA speakers would not lend itself to your over-all needs if your environemnt is as I have assumed it is.
Apr 25, 2002 03:54 am Thnks...I've been hearing the same thing elsewhere and don't plan to go the PA route. I think for now I'll get the best HT speakers I can afford, follow up on some near field monitors in 6-9 months and then maybe add the PA if the power is really needed.
Thanks for the advice.
Apr 25, 2002 05:33 am I think I personally would go for the nearfields, many HT speakers are made to slightly minimize the midrange in order to emphasize the highs and lows, thereby making them sound more dramatic. You would get the best most accurate sound by getting some nearfields, but I stand behind you, because anything would be better than big ol' PA speakers.
MSHARCMember
Since: Apr 05, 2002
Apr 25, 2002 04:34 pm I agree whole heartedly with dB on this about the HT speakers. Theya re colored a LOT!! I haven't found a pair of HT speakers yet that give a true accurate representation of quality audio. You can go into almost any electronics store and most have a home audio center. Listen to all the speakers, some are better than others, but most often the ones that sound the best for HT sound lacking in music quality and its for the same reasons that dB just stated. I tihnk getting a pair of quality near-fields are better simply because you can adjust the eq on the amp to get a better "home theater" sound but still have accurate sound for you studio work. I liked the KRK's a lot when I listened to them but there are some great studio monitor speakers that are larger and offer a litle more sound if you are in a large room. They cost, but you get what you pay for. That's only my humble opinion though.
Marc (da Sharc)
