• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Studio monitors for bass practice?

S

Stations

Jul 31, 2023
1
0
#1
Hi all,

I am a big effects guy so I recently bought a quad cortex for the purpose of the multitude of effects. But since it provides a bunch of amp and cab sims I’m looking to get rid of my old rocket bass combo amp.

I have an audio interface and I’m considering either getting frfr cabs or studio monitors. The one I am looking at right now are the Genelec 8010As.

There’s a few requirements/preferences I have:

- Does not need to be loud (as I am using it in an apartment, which is also why I am avoiding larger cabs)

- Speakers need to avoid colouring the sound (frfr)

- I play bass almost exclusively and the speakers needs to be able to handle the bass (good sound quality) playing at a reasonable loudness that won’t annoy the neighbours…

Would the Genelec 8010As be suitable for me? Or are there other recommendations?

Another thing, it would be helpful if someone can double check all the connections, I am intending to connect it as such:

Bass -> QC -> Audio Interface -> Speakers (Genelec 8010A ?)

Im still relatively new to all this, so any responses will help!

Thanks in advance.
 
#2
hi and welcome to talkbass!

so, you're looking at 3" monitors rated down to 67Hz for playing a bass though them? you won't like it. likely you will need a subwoofer together with monitors, at least this was my experience (albeit I own 6.5", not 3", and they go lower).

if you're in apartment, get headphones and that's it. tiny "studio monitors" just won't do it. a small Phil Jones combo, albeit having small speakers, will likely also be heard by neighbors, if that's your concern with full-size amps. I had some nasty neighbors complain at Double Four, and others didn't mind a 250W/115 rig, this more depends on neighbors than on your gear. anyway, I'm glad, I live in my own house now.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: yuletide and ddnidd1
#3
The Genelec 8010a is a near field monitor - you need to be close to it to hear it correctly. Though it's response curve is pretty flat, it's low end spec is 67 hz with a roll-off of 6db (according to the website). I would expect it to sound a bit thin compared to a bass amp. I suggest you keep your rocket bass combo amp.

Yes, you just connect the speakers directly to the outputs of your interface (XLR cable).
 
#6
I play through my monitor setup a lot. I started with KRK 7" monitors (freq response 42Hz-40kHz) and it sounded decent. I bought a KRK 12" sub later (freq response 23Hz-130Hz) and BOOM! The lows and low-mids were much more pronounced and full. For practice only, I think you'll be fine with studio monitors...I'm not sure a minimum low-end freg response of 74Hz will fully capture all your bass signal.

Look into KRK for a more affordable, larger monitor. I suggest looking into at least 7" monitors.
 
  • Like
Reactions: yuletide
#7
You can use studio monitors but they need to reach down to ~60Hz with ease. The ones mentioned are 25W into 3.5"... that's a no but there are plenty at the same price that can do it. JBL, Yamaha, Dynaudio, Adam etc.
 
#9
I’ve noticed this as well. In my studio I use two bass signal paths, one is tube preamp>mixer channel>powered PA speaker and the other is straight into an Ampeg V-4B on a 15 cab.

I like both in different ways but the amp is definitely more complex sounding and sweeter. Both setups can and do run about the same volume, which matters for comparison, I.e. louder usually is perceived as better, Fletcher Munson curve, etc.
 
#10
So many less problems if you go the headphone route. You can play as loud as you want at any hour without worrying about those neighbors you mentioned. I often practice after my kids have gone to sleep for example.

studio monitors are really designed for mixing within a room that’s had some thought put into it. As in sound treated, you know where the bass traps are and so on. Even if you have super high end studio monitors and try to record if the room isn’t right the result will sound off. Also even when I’ve recorded in better studios it’s a common thing to burn a cd or send a file to a phone and go out to the car and listen to it through a car stereo to check the mix. Some people even bring a laptop out to the car and do the mix in the car.
 
#11
I need some budget studio monitor with frontal bass reflex (and possibile BT) I can use to practice with bass testing IR.

I think my ideal can be the Kali Audio LP-6 but they are out of budget.

I'm considering Edifier R1700BT, freq. seems me ok (52Hz-20KHz) but they are more multimedia speakers so I'm quite scared they will not be good for bass. Am I wrong?

Any suggestion?
 
#13
Just so you know, low bass frequencies travel through walls and across empty spaces and through other obstacles with ease.

Essentially, if you're playing your bass through speakers in your apartment loud enough to hear bass tones properly, then all of your neighbors within a 12 block radius will also be able to hear you.

That's not an exaggeration. Before I switched to headphones for home studio playing, I used to get complaints from neighbors, sometimes from great distances away.
 
  • Like
Reactions: yuletide
#14
Been using a 2.1 system by Adam Audio. Near field A4V pair and a Sub8 subwoofer. Great low end frequency response down to 28hz. The A4V has DSP processing with room correction software by Sonarworks. If you can use the QC as a USB audio interface, all you might need is a DA converter for the monitors.


Stations said:
Hi all,

I am a big effects guy so I recently bought a quad cortex for the purpose of the multitude of effects. But since it provides a bunch of amp and cab sims I’m looking to get rid of my old rocket bass combo amp.

I have an audio interface and I’m considering either getting frfr cabs or studio monitors. The one I am looking at right now are the Genelec 8010As.

There’s a few requirements/preferences I have:

- Does not need to be loud (as I am using it in an apartment, which is also why I am avoiding larger cabs)

- Speakers need to avoid colouring the sound (frfr)

- I play bass almost exclusively and the speakers needs to be able to handle the bass (good sound quality) playing at a reasonable loudness that won’t annoy the neighbours…

Would the Genelec 8010As be suitable for me? Or are there other recommendations?

Another thing, it would be helpful if someone can double check all the connections, I am intending to connect it as such:

Bass -> QC -> Audio Interface -> Speakers (Genelec 8010A ?)

Im still relatively new to all this, so any responses will help!

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back