MacMusic  |  PcMusic  |  440 Software  |  440 Forums  |  440TV  |  Zicos
nbsp
Search

How to Choose Monitors for Your Home Studio

Monday January 30, 2023. 02:00 PM , from Sweetwater inSync
When it’s time to choose a new pair of studio monitors, you can have many questions and might spend hours conducting research. In this article, Sweetwater will walk you through the selection process for picking studio monitors, the monitors’ ins and outs, and how specific features impact the monitors’ performances.

Of course, the easiest way to decide which speakers are truly best for you is by hearing them in your space. We can’t do that in this article, but we will help you narrow down your options. Whether you’re an experienced home recordist or a newcomer to music making, this article will equip you with the knowledge to find the best studio monitors for your needs.

Consider Your ApplicationTracking, Mixing, and MasteringCasual ListeningHybrid ListeningConsider Your RoomSizeLevel of TreatmentSpeaker PlacementThe Tech TalkDoes Speaker Cone Diameter Really Matter?Active vs. PassivePower Rating Determines PerformancePorted vs. Non-portedIs a Subwoofer Necessary?When Should You Upgrade?

Consider Your Application

When choosing new studio monitors, it’s important to consider how you’ll use them. Are you using them as tools that are exclusively for crafting music, or are you listening to your favorite records when not working on your band’s demo? Your application will help steer you in the direction of your ideal monitors.

Tracking, Mixing, and Mastering

Accuracy is the primary concern when choosing monitors exclusively for tracking, mixing, or mastering. In this application, studio monitors are your tools; they are intended to tell you the truth and not flatter you. And you want the most accurate tools available.

Add to cart Add to listLearn More

Add to cart Add to listLearn More

Add to cart Add to listLearn More

Casual Listening

The casual listener records or produces music occasionally but regularly fires up their studio monitors to listen to tunes. If you intend to use your monitors for casual listening, then you’ll want to look for a pair of speakers that flatters your source material.

Add to cart Add to listLearn More

Add to cart Add to listLearn More

Add to cart Add to listLearn More

Hybrid Listening

Not many people have the luxury of owning a fully featured studio, a nice TV setup, and a separate room dedicated to hi-fi listening. If your living quarters dictate that your music rig and TV setup use the same speakers, then your monitors are used for hybrid listening. Hybrid listening setups should strike a balance between accuracy and enjoyment.

Add to cart Add to listLearn More

Add to cart Add to listLearn More

Add to cart Add to listLearn More

Consider Your Room

The size of your room impacts your studio monitor choice. Selecting monitors is determined by the physical characteristics of your room and speaker positioning.

Size

First, think about the room your studio occupies. Is it small and cramped, mid-sized with low ceilings, or large and spacious? The size of your room determines how big your monitors can be. Smaller speakers are ideal for cramped spaces since they don’t produce as much low-frequency information that can linger in the room and muddy up the mixes. Meanwhile, large speakers are most at home in bigger home studios.

Level of Treatment

Another thing to consider is if your home studio features acoustic treatment — and if it does, how much? Housing your home studio in a well-treated room will solve multiple acoustic issues, enabling you to expand your range of monitoring options. You have lots more options if you’re operating in a treated room. So long as your monitors are the right size for your space, you’re good to go.

Don’t have a treated room? No worries. Some models from Genelec and ADAM Audio feature onboard DSP to help compensate for the sonic deficiencies in your room, thus giving you more accurate sound without any added acoustic treatment. 

Speaker Placement

The final thing to consider is the positioning of your speakers in your studio. It may not seem as big of an issue, but it can become one. Rear-ported speakers struggle when placed too close to the wall. However, if you’re in a cramped environment and have to play your speakers close to the wall, a front-ported or sealed speaker cab will likely perform better for you. To learn more about critical speaker placement, check out this article: “Studio Monitor Placement — 5 Tips for Optimal Sound.”

Studio Monitor Placement – 5 Tips for Optimal SoundMany of us who record or mix these days don’t have the luxury of working in purpose-built control rooms. Here’s how to make the most of what you have!

The Tech Talk

Does Speaker Cone Diameter Really Matter?

Speaker size actually matters just as much as the characteristics of your room. At Sweetwater, we offer studio monitors with low-frequency drivers measuring between 3 and 15 inches! But why are there so many different speaker sizes to choose from? Because a speaker’s woofer diameter has a significant impact on its sound.

The best way to understand speaker diameters is to view speaker size as a spectrum. On the smaller side, you get vivid imaging that’s perfect for listening at close range but with less bass. As the speakers get larger, they reproduce lower and lower frequencies. Generally, larger woofers offer a wider dynamic range before distortion, feature extended bass response, and can easily fill large control rooms. That’s because larger speakers have bigger voice coils that, when paired with a powerful amplifier, can move a lot of air.

Smaller speakers have distinct advantages over their larger counterparts. If you stick a pair of 10-inch 3-way monitors in a small room, then you’re much more likely to encounter bass buildup that wreaks havoc on your room’s acoustics and may plague you with ear fatigue. By contrast, a 2-way monitor with a 4-inch to 6-inch woofer likely won’t overload your room with bass, thanks to its limited low-end response. Smaller speakers in smaller rooms give you better performance and greater accuracy.

Active vs. Passive

There are two basic types of studio monitors to choose from: active and passive. Each design offers unique benefits.

Active (also known as powered) studio monitors are the most popular among Sweetwater customers. Active speakers feature integrated amplifiers, eliminating the need for an external amp. Many active designs feature advanced DSP, room correction, and surgically precise crossovers. Today, most musicians and studio engineers go with active studio monitors for their convenience and streamlined form factor.

While not as popular or ubiquitous as they once were, passive studio monitors are still kicking! Passive monitors require a separate power amplifier for operation. Beyond that, they’re essentially the same as an active monitor. Passive monitors, like the legendary Yamaha NS-10 and the Auratone 5C Super Sound Cubes, are still a staple in many high-end studios today. The Amphion One12 passive studio monitors or ATC SCM12 Pro passive studio monitors offer high-grade, professional sound in a passive format. Meanwhile, the Avantone Pro CLA10 passive studio monitor gives you that coveted NS-10 sound with modern build quality.

Add to cart Add to listLearn More

Add to cart Add to listLearn More

Add to cart Add to listLearn More

Power Rating Determines Performance

Whether you choose a pair of active or passive monitors, you’ll want to check out their power rating. Initially, that may seem insignificant, but power rating determines how well a speaker will perform when you’re working. Having more power at your disposal means that you get greater dynamic range, more headroom, and a decreased risk of distortion. Conversely, an underpowered speaker won’t be able to move as much air, leading to an increased risk of distortion.

Ported vs. Non-ported

Shopping for monitors inevitably means deciding between a ported or non-ported cabinet design. Essentially, ported monitors have an opening that allows air to travel into your studio. The port allows the monitor to deliver a more robust bass response, which can help offset the frequency limitations of the driver and provide that “thump” you feel in your chest. 

Monitors without bass ports feature a sealed cabinet that doesn’t let air out. Due to the absence of a port, they pump out slightly less bass. But to make up for it, non-ported cabinets have a somewhat tighter and more articulate response than their ported counterparts.

Is a Subwoofer Necessary?

Do you need to invest in a subwoofer for your home studio? The short answer is “Yes.” But a longer explanation ends in a “Maybe.”

A subwoofer supplies the crucial bass and sub-bass frequencies of your source audio. If your studio monitors are bass deficient, then you may not feel the chest-thumping punch of an 808 and may overcompensate for it, leading to bass-heavy mixes that sound muddy and indistinct on a proper playback system. 

In a perfect world, all home studio setups would include a subwoofer. However, Sweetwater knows that that’s not always practical for every living space. Home studios, by their very name, are commonly located in a spare bedroom, basement, or garage. So, it’s probable that others are living close to your new studio monitors. That’s where things start to get tricky. Because bass and sub-bass frequencies are omnidirectional, they easily travel through floors and walls, potentially disturbing your housemates, family, or neighbors. So, use caution when adding a subwoofer to your setup.

When Should You Upgrade?

If you make intelligent choices, then your studio monitors should last for many years. So, when is it time to upgrade? Remember: Studio monitors are tools. And having tools that do what you need is better than fighting with tools that don’t. Most studio people, including the home recording engineers here at Sweetwater, upgrade their monitors for a reason. Those reasons may include a desire for improved detail, a want for more stereo separation, or a wish for greater low-end extension. Regardless of your skill level, you should upgrade your monitors for a reason — not just because you can.                                            

Upgrade Your Home Studio Setup

Choosing new studio monitors is an incredibly personal choice that you shouldn’t take lightly. A guide like this can give you options, but the best way to choose studio monitors is to hear them in your own space. If you want to talk to someone who is equally as passionate about monitoring as you are, then please call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer. They’ll help you decide which monitor is best for you. Call (800) 222-4700 and we’ll connect you with one of our industry experts who will listen to your needs and help you find your next studio monitors.

Shop All Studio MonitorsWith so many studio monitors to choose from, it can take time to decide which is best for you. Luckily, Sweetwater has detailed filters that can help you find the right studio monitors based on type, size, brand, series, price point, style, and much more.
The post How to Choose Monitors for Your Home Studio appeared first on inSync.
https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/how-to-choose-monitors-for-your-home-studio/
News copyright owned by their original publishers | Copyright © 2004 - 2024 Zicos / 440Network
115 sources
Current Date
Mar, Thu 28 - 21:44 CET