Studio Monitors instead of amp

eggfart1 · #1 12-23-2011, 12:27 PM

Does anyone use for home practice: studio monitors through a computer and interface instead of a regular amplification system?

It seems that Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd bassist) does this and I would like to be able to record a lot of music and be able to have monitors that can be practiced through. I don't really need something to gig with, just record - so I don't see the point of buying an amp. The guys at recording.org said this was a bad idea as the speakers would blow (not sure why or how if they're supposed to be able to playback a mix at loud volumes)...

Thank you kindly,

JimmyM · #2 12-23-2011, 12:50 PM

As long as you don't crank louder than the monitors can take, it's fine.

eggfart1 · #3 12-23-2011, 01:00 PM

That's what I thought. Thanks.

drewfunk · #4 12-23-2011, 01:04 PM

I do it often with my M-Audio monitors for quiet practicing or playing along with tunes. Works like a charm and actually sounds pretty good!

audiomitch · #5 12-23-2011, 01:11 PM

I play mostly through Genelecs, but that's because most of my playing is recording

To get an idea of the bottom end I'll switch between different monitors and headphones.

sad_katz · #6 12-23-2011, 01:11 PM

Yes, yes you can. Might sound pretty good too.

Just don't expect anything loud (or basss-y)

babebambi · #7 12-23-2011, 03:41 PM

usually the dynamic is a lot more compressed in a final mix, than say live or tracking ...

silky smoove · #8 12-23-2011, 04:02 PM

What information are you trying to get that wasn't covered in 4 pages of an almost identical thread you started earlier this week?

eggfart1 · #9 12-23-2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silky smoove

What information are you trying to get that wasn't covered in 4 pages of an almost identical thread you started earlier this week?

Well, I want to know just HOW bassy it will sound and what size monitors I will require. The guys at recording.org said 8" drivers are too big but if anything wouldn't they be the bare minimum to hear a bass or double bass playback?

will33 · #10 12-23-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggfart1

Well, I want to know just HOW bassy it will sound and what size monitors I will require. The guys at recording.org said 8" drivers are too big but if anything wouldn't they be the bare minimum to hear a bass or double bass playback?

1. The speakers size has absolutely nothing to do with frequency response.

2. Everybody knows the pink floyd's bass player is Roger Waters.

But really, the speakers size has nothing to do with it's frequency response.

ksandvik · #11 12-23-2011, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggfart1

Well, I want to know just HOW bassy it will sound and what size monitors I will require. The guys at recording.org said 8" drivers are too big but if anything wouldn't they be the bare minimum to hear a bass or double bass playback?

??? Huh? Did they say that? I guess they are experts, indeed.

You could hear a bass through my MacBookPro speakers.

I also wondering why you make two threads when one is enough...

will33 · #12 12-23-2011, 04:49 PM

Apparently this is the second go-round?......stop listening with your eyes.

MarTONEbass · #13 12-23-2011, 04:50 PM

I frequently practice with my computer through headphones and a Firewire 410. When I play through my Yamaha Ns-10m's, it doesn't sound great despite the fact that they have been the industry standard for decades. The response is too flat, they are not made to sound good with those frequencies.

will33 · #14 12-23-2011, 04:57 PM

Ironically, (or not), you don't see those monitors everywhere because they're dead flat, it's more because they mimick what the end user will be listening to the playback on. Various stereo speakers, boomboxes, car radios, cheap headphones, etc.....ie: not flat. We've tried to mix stuff on various different, said to be high-end or flat monitors only to have it sound like crap when listening on stuff most people will be hearing it on. Those monitors eliminate some of that guesswork.

You can't mix on crap speakers or you'll never get a good sound but mixing on something like those that's the right kind of "less than perfect" is what's needed.

D.A.R.K. · #15 12-23-2011, 04:59 PM

I practice and have even rehearsed with a small ensemble (electronic kit, dj, laptop electroncs guy, bass) through krk v8's.
Plenty of bass, plenty of reasonable volume.
(the room has acoustic treatment, which helps keep the lows even and clear).

eggfart1 · #16 12-23-2011, 05:16 PM

Thanks for the responses, guys. I guess that two 8" monitors will be more than fine for home practice at reasonably quiet levels. I appreciate it!

eggfart1 · #17 12-23-2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksandvik

??? Huh? Did they say that? I guess they are experts, indeed.

You could hear a bass through my MacBookPro speakers.

I also wondering why you make two threads when one is enough...

If you don't like it, don't respond...It's pretty simple. Thanks to those that actually provided useful info. Cheers.

ksandvik · #18 12-23-2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggfart1

If you don't like it, don't respond...It's pretty simple. Thanks to those that actually provided useful info. Cheers.

You could even use a 6", does not really matter.

DukeLeJeune · #19 12-23-2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggfart1

The guys at recording.org said this was a bad idea as the speakers would blow (not sure why or how if they're supposed to be able to playback a mix at loud volumes)...

There are different types of "studio monitors" for different tasks: Tracking, mixing, and mastering:

"Tracking is totally interactive with the performers. You need enough accuracy to not get you in trouble but you MUST have the ability to play a take back every bit as loud as what the performers just heard while it was being performed. You also don't want to slow down the session or lose the performers' confidence with monitoring that is constantly revealing minor flaws that will be trivial to fix.

"Mixing is about musical balance translation. Some speakers do this really well while others don't. I honestly don't think anybody knows why some speakers work better than others.

"Mastering is the last chance to catch tiny glitches that only a few people are very likely to notice. High resolution is important because one can't assume music reviewers, promoters and others critical to an artist's future won't have top of the line gear. It's all about the presentation of the mix as the artist's calling card to the rest of the industry. Again some audiophile speakers work really well for this and plenty don't.

- Bob Olhsson (third post in this thread)

Thus a good tracking monitor, by definition, can handle the live, uncompressed output of your bass. A big mastering monitor is also probably able to. A mixing monitor, probably not.

eggfart1 · #20 12-23-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DukeLeJeune

There are different types of "studio monitors" for different tasks: Tracking, mixing, and mastering:

"Tracking is totally interactive with the performers. You need enough accuracy to not get you in trouble but you MUST have the ability to play a take back every bit as loud as what the performers just heard while it was being performed. You also don't want to slow down the session or lose the performers' confidence with monitoring that is constantly revealing minor flaws that will be trivial to fix.

"Mixing is about musical balance translation. Some speakers do this really well while others don't. I honestly don't think anybody knows why some speakers work better than others.

"Mastering is the last chance to catch tiny glitches that only a few people are very likely to notice. High resolution is important because one can't assume music reviewers, promoters and others critical to an artist's future won't have top of the line gear. It's all about the presentation of the mix as the artist's calling card to the rest of the industry. Again some audiophile speakers work really well for this and plenty don't.

- Bob Olhsson (third post in this thread)

Thus a good tracking monitor, by definition, can handle the live, uncompressed output of your bass. A big mastering monitor is also probably able to. A mixing monitor, probably not.

Now that is a fantastic response. Thank you!!! Would you recommend any good tracking monitor that will handle the output of a bass?