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Joined: Nov 2010
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Has anyone tried using a BOSE Wave Radio as a monitor for mixing?
Any pros and cons to this idea?
Carkins
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Pro: Portable Cons: 'Colored' frequency response with the built in smiley face EQ that is common to Bose consumer products, fixed separation of L/R speakers does not allow for accurate panning assessment - in other words - not an ideal solution for mixing. But if you don't have anything else, it wouldn't be the worst thing to use. Recently, I've seen the recommended logitech satellite systems on www.surpluscomputers.com for less than $50
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One of the problems with home audio components as monitor speakers is that home audio does its best to make the music sound better. It's designed for a good listening experience, not necessarily an accurate listening experience. The WaveRadio? Possibly the ultimate in "good" listening. (My best friend has one -- it's fantastic.) This is why dedicated audio monitors are important: Their purpose is to present the audio as "flat" as possible -- rather than, as rockstar_not says, to "color" it. You don't want glistening trebles, sumptuous basses, or incredible surround separation -- you want to hear what your baseline audio actually sounds like... including any unwanted noise, oddball artifacts, what-have-you. Monitors can be stupid expensive, but you can get decent ones that will certainly do the job for less than a couple hundred dollars. For economy monitors, I'm partial to M-Audio and Roland. The key words to look for are "active" (self-powered) and "near-field" (intended for listening from only a few feet away, e.g., sitting at your mixing desk). Here's some more info; there is, of course, way, way more on the net.
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I have never used one to mix with but I have used one as a spot monitor on a small venue gig or two and it worked out quite well.
Later,
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My BOSE Wave Radio sounds very nice in a small room but has a pronounced enhancement in the low and mid bass, as well as some boost in the highs, giving it somewhat of a "smiley face with a stroke". It would be completely unsuited to mix with because your mixes would have too little highs and far too little bass. Of course, if it were all that were available, one could learn to adjust in the mix, but mixing is hard enough; why fight it?
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The only Bose wave radio's I have seen are very small; too close together for any stereo separation .. plus the famous EQ tricks used do not give a good chance for an accurate mix. Maybe there are others out there I haven't seen (?)
As Matt alluded to; likely end up fighting with your mix unless one could really learn the process. I would think it would be difficult.
Agree with filkertom on brands suggested, although I don't consider them 'economy' brands. M-Audio BX series is pretty accurate to my ears. Logitech would be more of an economy solution IMO.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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I love my Bose. I don't mix with it for all the reasons mentioned. But when I am close to finishing a project, I will run it through a number of systems - ipod, the car, living room - and the Bose. Sometimes the bass or the vocalist that sounded great in the studio will be lost or buried when heard on one of the other systems.
The Bose is not my main monitor, but I do use it to test before mastering is done.
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Listen to Flatfoot. That's the right way: test your mixes on everything from the best high-end system you can find to the cheapest $8 pair of computer speakers or dime-store earphones.
Another technique that I use is to listen at the lowest volume. If I can hear every instrument, I know the mix will stand up at higher volumes.
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Quote:
Another technique that I use is to listen at the lowest volume. If I can hear every instrument, I know the mix will stand up at higher volumes.
This is one of the best pieces of advice there is and I've talked about it too. Put on a favorite CD with vocals, turn it down a lot and then leave the room but still listen to it. Everything else fades out and usually all you hear are the vocal and some high freq drums. Same if it's an instrumental with a sax, piano or whatever for the lead. Everything else is gone but you still hear the lead instrument. When you do this you'll also notice that around the halfway point the lead instrument or vocals are easily the same volume as the rest of the band combined. Do your mixes accordingly.
Bob
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