Re: [microsound] studio monitors

[bruce tovsky <bruce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

if you're mixing something that's only for headphones, then use  
headphones
to mix. if you're mixing for listening on speakers then mix on  
speakers. basic.
i generally mix on speakers, a pair of yamaha ns-10m's that i've had  
for 20
years. but any medium size decent pair of speakers will do the job.  
as you
know, there are many, many brands of speakers out there at a wide  
range of
prices, so choosing a set of speakers can be daunting. the nice thing  
about
the yamaha's (which sadly are discontinued) is that they emulate well  
what
a good "home stereo" speaker will sound like. most pro mixers will  
tell you
that it is dangerous to mix at high levels on huge studio monitors -  
when you
take the mix and listen to it in a car you might have some nasty  
surprises.
there's nothing more satisfying that listening to a hard-wrought mix  
on a pair
of great studio monitors at hair-parting volume. for a few minutes.  
then go back
to your medium size near-fields and keep working. i have four event  
20/20
passives at my studio/installation gallery in a quad setup and they  
sound great.
a nice deal at $200/pair. i also love powered meyer hd1's, for $3500/ 
pair.
lots of choices. i always tell people to go and listen at a pro audio  
showroom,
take your own cds to play, and take a LOT of time (and notes.) then  
go home
and do some research about the speakers that appeal to you the most.  
forget
about prices at this point, narrow it down and then think about how  
much you
can afford. then pay a little more, you'll be glad you did.
of course you should check your mixes in a number of settings: on  
'phones, in
the car, at a friends house, in a club (if you're doing club/dance  
stuff.) soon you
will know how your new speakers will translate to these various  
settings.
developing a relationship with your speakers is the most important  
part of the
equation, that's why i'd be lost without my yamahas - i know them  
like the back
of my hand and how a mix will sound just about anywhere.
cheers
bruce

On Mar 29, 2006, at 11:36 AM, phoenSND wrote:

> Does anyone have a preference on mixing down on monitors or  
> headphones?
> If so what's the difference between the two.

bruce tovsky
www.skeletonhome.com

"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."
Philip K. Dick