|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,786
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,786 |
I have a new computer with no speakers and rather than get plain old computer speakers I figured I should get my first pair of studio monitors. And I'd appreciate any recommendations based on the following criteria, - They must be cheap! I am and the monitors need to be too! $300 for the pair is my top end. - Obviously I'd love the highest quality possible! - While I want to improve my mixing setup I am NOT planning to do ANY room treatments or special mounting of the monitors. I currently mostly use headphones and reference recordings. I view adding monitors as a slight improvement over that setup. I know you are supposed to position monitors a certain way and add treatments to the walls and all of that...but I am NOT going to do any of that!  - They need to double as regular computer speakers! I may just buy a pair of KRK Rokit 5 because they come highly recommended and the black and yellow kinda soothes me! Thanks in advance for any recommendations!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,262
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,262 |
Check out the Mackie MR5 speakers. That's what I bought for my monitoring system. I paid $300 for the pair many years ago. Sweetwater has them for $120 each. Mackie MR-5 LINK They sound good and when used with a sub, you even have a really fat low end. However, the sub isn't needed, but it does make a nice case of ear candy. Certainly worth a look.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 05/12/17 02:03 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
I love my Barry MS-40 Near Field Monitors. Under $200. They were recommended by our own Mac. Donny https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-MS40-BEHRINGER/dp/B000IKSIOM
Last edited by Don Gaynor; 05/12/17 02:57 AM. Reason: Added a link
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,092
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,092 |
I have an old version of M-audio's BX5 near field monitors and they are still working perfectly. They just fit in your budget. Note that I also use these for my computer speakers and are great for listening to music. M-audio also has a less expensive version but I have no experience with them. https://www.sweetwater.com/c405--M-Audio--Active_Monitors
Doc-take it easy John this is just a sharp scalpel. It will not cut deep so don't worry.
Me-I'm not John
Doc-I know, I am!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,400
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,400 |
I would say you cannot go wrong with the KRK 5's. Bud uses them (I believe) and has some of the cleanest, clearest mixes imaginable. Musician's Friend sometimes put the silver one on sale (for $99 each) - in the Stupid Deal... They are doing "Stupid Deal Of The HOUR" today - so you might watch all day (check each hour). http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupidThey have a good price on the Tannoy Reveal 502 (on sale) http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/tannoy-reveal-502?src=3XBACR(I do not know anything about them, personally, just pointing that out. Do your homework). Good luck with your search....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,777
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,777 |
The Behringer Studio 50USB are sold by the pair, accepts XLR, TRS AND USB (digital) inputs! Presently they are priced at about $150 (US) with free shipping through Sweetwater. 34 reviews and they have a 4.5 out of 5 rating. +++ Studio 50 USB +++
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
Why would you buy Behr when you can buy these? https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR305Where they actually publish their specs?  Total Power 82W Frequency Range 43Hz-24kHzCrossover Frequency 1725Hz Maximum Peak SPL 108 dB Regards, Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732 |
I love their speakers! I have the bigger, 8" speakers. Beautiful for monitoring!
 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
Why would you buy Behr when you can buy these? https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR305Where they actually publish their specs? Total Power 82W Frequency Range 43Hz-24kHzCrossover Frequency 1725Hz Maximum Peak SPL 108 dB Regards, Bob Bob, That's the PRICE EACH! Donny
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732 |
Yup, and they just squeak in with John's max price for the pair.
Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,320
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,320 |
Thanks for the shout out floyd and yes we do use Rokit 5's. https://www.amazon.com/KRK-RP5-G2-Powered-Monitors/dp/B001ANZTCKI remain impressed with their flat neutral response and FWIW if I get a mix to sound good on them it seems invariably to sound equally good on our much larger audio system. Guess that's the whole point Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221 |
I had a pair of Behringer MS40 monitors. Horrible. So I upgraded to the KRK 5s Floyd mentioned about 2 years ago. Infinitely better. You need good monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 28
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 28 |
- They must be cheap! I am and the monitors need to be too! $300 for the pair is my top end.
Highest reviewed monitor at Sweetwater (I need some myself). Rick
BIAB 2016/2017 Everything
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
" While I want to improve my mixing setup I am NOT planning to do ANY room treatments or special mounting of the monitors. I currently mostly use headphones and reference recordings. I view adding monitors as a slight improvement over that setup. I know you are supposed to position monitors a certain way and add treatments to the walls and all of that...but I am NOT going to do any of that! smile"
Well, I understand the sentiment, but please consider trying as much of the above as possible. Otherwise just continue mixing on your headphones - you will get more accurate frequency balance if your headphones are relatively flat response. Save yourself the money of spending anything on monitors if you outright refuse to do any of the above.
Your statement "I currently mostly use headphones and reference recordings. I view adding monitors as a slight improvement over that setup." is only true if you take the effort to remove room modes on the low end of things, and comb filtering on the high end, then your view will very likely end up wrong and headphones are very possibly a better option.
-Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,400
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,400 |
Otherwise just continue mixing on your headphones...
Just a different perspective... I disagree with this... I mix in headphones (ATH-M40fs) for most of a mix. Until everything "gets in place". BUT... once I am satisfied with that, I listen through monitors (Yorkville YSM-1 through an Alesis RA-100). The mix always gets better - generally, it is subtle - sometimes, "less than subtle". When I then go back to the headphones, it is improved enough to notice. I do not have a "treated" room. I have a 2-panel sliding glass door...a hardwood floor (with no covering). There is a wall hanging - a 3X5 rug, handmade by my wife (hooked yarn), which, no doubt absorbs something... and there is a whole bunch of crap... bookcases filled with books and CDs and old equipment and who-knows-what... I believe taking the time to mix using monitors is... time well spent...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,147
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,147 |
I agree; I couldn't even consider calling a mix done without my monitors. I can do a LOT of the mixing work in headphones (percentage/time wise) but I know it is not done without using the monitors. I will say, it may take a while (maybe even months) to really learn your new monitors. Once you get that one thing, it becomes a lot easier. Grab that favorite CD, the one that sounds good in your car and in your living room. Play it through your monitors a lot; listen. Get to know your monitors. Once they are your friend you will trust them. Headphones can get you really close, but I have learned to trust my monitors. If it sounds 'off' using my monitors (a well known reference), it will sound 'off' elsewhere as well. if I get a mix to sound good on them it seems invariably to sound equally good on our much larger audio system.
(Bud) Yep, that's exactly the point; once you can trust your monitors things become much easier.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
It all depends on the acoustics of the room. Some of what you listed is actually quite good acoustic treatment; particularly the books-a time honored way to disperse reflections. Unless the books are all the same size, the various sizes reflect high frequencies in different directions and can kill off flutter echos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
We use these to deal with flutter echos:  Regards, Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,786
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,786 |
" While I want to improve my mixing setup I am NOT planning to do ANY room treatments or special mounting of the monitors. I currently mostly use headphones and reference recordings. I view adding monitors as a slight improvement over that setup. I know you are supposed to position monitors a certain way and add treatments to the walls and all of that...but I am NOT going to do any of that! smile"
Well, I understand the sentiment, but please consider trying as much of the above as possible. Otherwise just continue mixing on your headphones - you will get more accurate frequency balance if your headphones are relatively flat response. Save yourself the money of spending anything on monitors if you outright refuse to do any of the above.
Your statement "I currently mostly use headphones and reference recordings. I view adding monitors as a slight improvement over that setup." is only true if you take the effort to remove room modes on the low end of things, and comb filtering on the high end, then your view will very likely end up wrong and headphones are very possibly a better option.
-Scott Thanks, but as I said, I will NOT be doing any room treatments! I have been very satisfied with headphone mixing using known references of music/artists/productions I enjoy. After I "finish" a mix I then test it on several systems including my car and home stereo and sometimes I'll stop in the Best Buy to demo it on their systems! I also send it to a few trusted music friends who tend to be VERY critical...er...honest with me! Adding monitors will provide me with another reference point and hopefully help me improve my mixes further. This is a hobby for me and the room I use will always need to be very multi-purpose and shared with other family members. If I hit the lottery maybe I'll build a sound booth!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,786
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,786 |
HUGE THANKS to everyone who offered their advice! It is so nice to be able to pop in here and get such great information and informed opinions! I think I am going to choose between the JBL LSR305s and the KRK Rokit RP5 G2s. Based on the comments here and the reviews everywhere I think I cannot go wrong with either of those. I am tempted to get the Behringers because I am cheap but I worry about the quality and consistency of their products. I own a couple of their products and had lots of problems until I got one replaced and then it was great but still worries me it will fail. So thanks again and I'll report what I get and whether or not it improves my mixes! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano
Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!
Bonjour à tous,
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation
Voilà, enjoy!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Stay up to date—get the latest update now!
Update to RealBand® 2025 Build 5 Windows Today!
Already using RealBand® 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 5 now from our Support Page to ensure you have the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Get the latest update today!
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 is here! This new version introduces many features, including VST3 support, the ability to load or import a .FLAC file, a reset option for track height in the Tracks window, a taller Timeline on the Notation window toolbar, new freeze buttons in the Tracks window, three toolbar modes (two rows, single row, and none), the improved Select Patch dialog with text-based search and numeric patch display, a new button in the DirectX/VST window to copy an effects group, and more!
First-time packages start at only $49. Already a PowerTracks Pro Audio user? Upgrade for as little as $29!
www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm
Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.
Band-in-a-Box® for iOS® :Summary video.
Check out the forum post for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,093
Posts775,338
Members39,582
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean