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Monitors that can handle....

WarBeer

WarBeer

Dec 29, 2015
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#1
So, I've been keeping amps/cabs separate from myself and monitoring with my speakers as opposed to headphones.(I really don't like wearing them...hate recording with them)
My last DI bass recording was definitely popping the speakers. (JBL...5.5" sub...2300 series?) Anyway, I was wondering if there might be either some recommendations as to speakers that can handle bass better...or maybe a better approach on my part.

I had been thinking about the ADAM Audio A7X (ribbon tweeter). My Sweetwater rep seemed to think they were really fantastic and worth saving up for. ($1,500 for the pair)

Any thoughts?
 
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#3
Nick Danger said:
I've started using a HeadRush powered FRFR speaker. It's advertised as a guitar cabinet but works very well for bass. Under $300 too.
Click to expand...

Aren’t those a little large to use as studio monitors - like sitting on the desk?

OP, looks like the Adam is 3x the power of the JBL but otherwise the specs are similar (although the Adams high end goes to 50kHz - for the dogs i suppose). I expect the extra power gives you extra headroom before the bass farts out.

I’d also think about a larger speaker - perhaps the JBL 8”?
 
#4
The Adams have ribbon tweeters which I'm sure are amazing but also I'd imagine they would take some getting used to. I would recommend the focal alpha 65 as far as a reasonably priced pro quality studio monitor with more than enough low end to make any bassist feel good.

But also... when you say the bass was "popping the speakers" you mean audible distortion? Or just that you can see the woofers moving?

And really, what's the issue, you just can't get the bass loud enough in the monitors while tracking? Without changing speakers, you could put a high pass filter at 60hz on the OUTPUT of the bass track (don't record through the hpf, just monitor through it), and then you can turn up the bass track without taxing the speakers so much.
 
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#6
I've been primarily a guitar player...so, I think the Adams were recommended because they sound great (as I was told) and the ribbon tweeters would lessen ear fatigue?? (as I was told)

Yes, the "popping" is audible distortion. Especially the pick attack.

...this was causing me to track at a monitor level that was lower than I'd like.

It didn't "feel" like it was an eq problem...but I'll play around with it some more and see what happens.
 
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#7
It doesn't sound like a problem with your speakers. You would have to have playback super loud for the speakers themselves to be the culprit, and you would likely be feeling pain in your ears if you did that. But if it is that, then obviously just don't turn them up so loud for all of the very good reasons not to work at such a high volume.

Could you describe your whole setup for recording the bass? It sounds like something is clipping elsewhere in the signal path and you are unable to hear the clipping until you turn up your monitors.
 
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#8
Well, I don't know that I've got a specific process/setup...I've been noodling around with everything. Last night was better. The project/session where I got the clipping that had me post this question...was going into the Joe Meek OneQ only. It was DI in...front jack...compression was pre eq...I don't recall the clip meter(red led indicated) going off "that" much...but maybe it was enough. Maybe that indicator light isn't all that accurate and more was happening than I realized? Like I said, I wasn't getting it last night. I do get some buzz now and then...but I "think" that's my speakers vibrating something that I've not been able to locate yet. Maybe even the stands? I have those "On-Stage SMS 6000" stands. My speakers are even up on some stout foam...thick strips on either ends. However, those stands are "assembled"...with all kinds of opportunities for vibrating parts;) Though, the stands are definitely NOT what I was referring to as per my initial problem/question.
 
#10
WarBeer said:
I don't recall the clip meter(red led indicated) going off "that" much...but maybe it was enough.
Click to expand...

I think I may have found your problem. You don't want the clip indicator to turn on at all. You don't want to get anywhere near clipping. You generally want to leave yourself a minimum of 6dB or so of headroom above the loudest part of your signal, and that's at the very least.
 
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#11
@JulienP...well, recording/mixing is my goal. It's always going to be from my recording-computer though. (it's a dedicated system) As I mentioned, I'll be looking for better monitors soon anyways...I'm just getting the tracking squared away first.

@guts...I think you're correct. I didn't catch it at first...and only noticing it infrequently when I finally saw it. I must have been playing softer than normal when I set my levels.
 
#12
Sounds like you either need to figure out your gain staging, or something else....what is the signal path from bass to computer? What is your monitoring system? What you described above isn't really clear, and we can't be of much help if you're just dicking/noodling around. Remove anything that may vibrate from low frequencies, such as whatthefcukever stands you're using.

I'm just picturing in my head a bunch of factors you're not really taking into consideration, but that's because I do this for a living.
 
#13
cornfarmer said:
Sounds like you either need to figure out your gain staging, or something else....what is the signal path from bass to computer? What is your monitoring system? What you described above isn't really clear, and we can't be of much help if you're just dicking/noodling around. Remove anything that may vibrate from low frequencies, such as whatthefcukever stands you're using.

I'm just picturing in my head a bunch of factors you're not really taking into consideration, but that's because I do this for a living.
Click to expand...

In the post right before yours, I replied to guts's comment...that indeed, it was just a level issue. I didn't catch it...and this particular distortion/pop was a new sound to me...I had captured some string noise on a previous session and thought it might be related.

Ironically, the "noodling around"...was what led me to realize that guts's comment was correct;)

I took a lot of factors into consideration...the gain simply got overlooked because it was extremely similar to
the "attack noise" issue I had just previously been dealing with. That's why it through me off. Also, I'm not used to playing/tracking bass...so, I didn't realize that such minor clipping would do that. In hindsight however, it makes perfect sense.(low end frequencies storing much more energy)

It appears that the problem has been solved!

This forum has already been a HUGE help.

MUCH appreciation for all the contributions!!!
 

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