Best studio monitor speakers

I bought a MacBook Pro last month and have been enjoying Garageband very much! Can anyone recommend decent speakers for mixing? Mixing with headphones is soooo deceiving. I have a Line 6 UX1 interface to run the speakers through...are the M Audio AV 40s decent? I hear the KRK Rockit 5s are great but are they worth the $$$? And if so, are regular 1/4" cables sufficient to hook them up or do I need special cables? What about the Samson Resolv A5? Since I am a beginner at this process, I would like something easy to set up, affordable and portable. I am looking for something around the $200-$300 range.
Any suggestions are welcome..thank you very much!
SP

Hi and welcome to Discussions,
are the speakers magnetically shielded ?
If so, they won't do any damage to the display or any other part of the iMac.
If they are not shielded, then you probably would have noticed it right away, because of distortions showing on the display.
Then you should move them farther away from your Mac until the distortions are gone.
Regards
Stefan

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Studio Monitor Speakers fatal?

I was wondering if my studio monitors (speakers) are able to damage my iMAc. I have them positioned about 2 inches away from the computer on each side. I haven't run into problems but I am a little worried. I use the the computer in my pro tools setup for recording music. So this is why they are needed.
I appreciate any input.

Hi and welcome to Discussions,
are the speakers magnetically shielded ?
If so, they won't do any damage to the display or any other part of the iMac.
If they are not shielded, then you probably would have noticed it right away, because of distortions showing on the display.
Then you should move them farther away from your Mac until the distortions are gone.
Regards
Stefan

Digital Studio Monitors (speakers). Control?

I have a pair of Roland DS5 Digital Studio monitors.
Their are connected to the digital out connection of the G5.
I do not have control from the keyboard "volume keys".
I check the system preferences (audio),
I get a massage that stated that "The selected device has no output controls" ???
Well, why I can not have control over the speaker from the keyboard?
The way I have control is from the FCP audio mixer, which I forget to put the master back to "0" before I export a project. I dont think the audio mixer was made for that porpuse anyhow.
Any suggestions beside buying a external digital mixer?
Thanks.

Thanks for you reply.
I sent a feedback suggesting the addition of a very simple volume control. Digital volume control works with QuickTime, iTunes, iMovie, and so on, except FinalCut that does not have one. It's been done. Adding such a simple control improves overall usability and connectivity. More options.
I use a mixer and a capturing device when capturing. I do not see the point of having to route the audio through a mixer if I am just editing. I also do not use capturing boards since all my work is in DV and input/ouput is done with bi-directional converters (datavideo DAC-10). Can you suggest when is desirable to monitor through an external mixer? Thanks.

GB 10.0.2: No sound from studio monitors (speakers)

Not getting any sound through external speakers:
- settings in GB prefs. correct
- interface: Duet 2 (2 input lines)
- not sure how if I set "input" correctly (Smart Controls → Inspector → Input (I always set to 'mono') → Monitor 'on')
- Mr. H. Time suggested: possible that "the track was set to channel 1 (mono) and you were sending a signal on channel 2."
Thanks

GarageBand 10.0.2:
Can't hear anything on playback through external speakers (but I do hear it thru headphones). Settings in GB prefs. are correct. What am I missing? Thanks.

Studio Monitors - what to look for...

I'm going to say this right now - I'm NOT asking "hey, whats the best studio monitors I can get for x dollars." That's not what I'm interested in.
What I AM interested in is what TO look for, and what NOT to look for in buying a new set of stereo monitors.
I've decided I'd like to upgrade my studio monitors. I'm mixing on a pair of Event TR8 XL monitors - they're great, but i know there's better out there. I spent about $600 on the pair.
At this point, my limited knowledge of monitors only allow me to assume that more expensive means better, but I don't understand WHY, or what to look for. So, my question is this. What is more money buying me? Are there brands that are more or less reputable than others?
I'm really looking for general, or specific, advice on shopping for new monitors. Help me make an educated decision, there are too **** many monitors out there to choose from.
For what it's worth, I'd like to keep it under 1k. I'm interested in active near-fields, good for mixing, with decent clarity and few gimiks. Granted, nothing beats getting into a GC and listening to a few (which I intend to do in the next day or two), but I need a little more to go on when I take a look at these in person and listen to some of my mixes on them.
Thanks!
Chris

To add to the previous poster, I have a pair of old NS10's and I use them because I'm used to how they sound and how their sound translates to several other of my references, i.e. my SET/Bottlehead listening system, my car CD player, my table radio. One reason a studio owner would buy say Genelecs or Mackie HR 824's is because they have become somewhat of a standard and like the NS10's of 15 years ago, people know what they're getting once you're used the way mixes translate from them to other systems. That being said, get the Mackies, or Dynaudio BM5A's. Both those seem to be widely accepted and studio proven. That's a good place to start.

Multiple output using hi fi speakers and studio monitors???

Hello,
I just purchased a Samson C-control to work as a switcher between my hi-fi speakers [connected to my amplifier] and my studio monitors. I've got everything set up right...or so I think...but, am not getting any sound out of the hi-fi speakers. The meters on the C-control are lighting up but there is no sound coming from the hi-fi speakers...which leads me to believe that the problem lies with my setup within my Mac. There is sound coming out of the studio monitors though when I activate their switch on the C-control.
thanks!!!

Volf, that doesn't appear to be a US model, and this is the forums for Toshiba USA. You may want to contact Toshiba in your region. If it's a European model, you could check the Toshiba Europe forums.
jdw174, can you confirm your model number? I don't recognize the format. Check the label on the bottom for the full model and part numbers.
- Peter

Does anyone use Optical Audio out to connect studio monitors?

I am planning to snatch a Mac Mini as my studio upgrade. I am also planning on buying some studio monitors (as opposed to just regular speakers). I was wondering what people use to get great, accurate results for under $600. The Mini can achieve optical audio out, apparently. Are there studio monitors that use digital, optical audio as a means to connect? How do fellow Logic home studio users have their audio out set up?

Scroto Saggins wrote:
well, optical is digital (right?), so wouldnt it be the only way to get the best, uncolored sound out of a Mac? what other (better) options are there? I started this topic because I dont really notice studio monitors that use optical, and I am wondering why? Whats the downside?
Because the ones that do, are way over the budget of most people on this forum.
I have this pair :
http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/General/Product.aspx?PId=28&MId=5
They retail at around 1500 per pair. They are not the most expensive ones out there, rather the less expensive ones with digital inputs.
Cheers

Is there a industry standard studio monitor in 2009?

Hey, just wondering what monitors you guys use with your studio setup. Is there an actual industry standard monitor in 2009. I remember Yamaha and Mackie held the title at one point. For you guys that work and go into pro studios what are people using?
Thanks

Paco the Dancer wrote:
Hey, just wondering what monitors you guys use with your studio setup. Is there an actual industry standard monitor in 2009. I remember Yamaha and Mackie held the title at one point. For you guys that work and go into pro studios what are people using?
Thanks
There is no "industry standard" but there are several brands that you'll see over and over in the best studios.
Yamaha has NEVER been an industry standard for monitors, but the NS10s were an industry standard for "if it sounds good on these crappy speakers it will sound good anywhere."
I'm using JBL 4328. They list for $1700/pair. Genelec 8030A list for the same. You can't go wrong with either of those as they are found in professional studios worldwide. Those are both self-powered.
Then there are Westlake monitors, which are in major studios. And there's Blue Sky and ADAM.
It depends on your budget. If you spend $1300 - $1700 you can get monitors that any professional engineer would be happy with. For the stuff <$1,000, the lower priced Genelecs are good. Very accurate.
You can spend >$3,000 on a pair if you want. But I'd rather spend $1700 for monitors and another $1500 on room treatment than buy a $3200 pair of monitors for an untreated room. Makes a huge difference.
And if you do a lot of dance or club music or hip-hop, you might want a subwoofer. But if your room isn't treated, the subwoofer will only make your mixes worse.
Whatever you do, go to the store and listen to the monitors with a CD you know well. And most stores will let you take monitors back and exchange them if they don't work out in your room.
Have fun.

Why am I getting an intermittent buzz with preamp and studio monitors?

I've just gotten rid of my desktop computer speakers which plug into the mini-headphone audio out on my Macbook Pro (i7, 2.66, mid 2010). Instead, I've connected via firewire 800 to an older 8 ch Presonus Firestudio Project preamp, and have connected a new pair Fostex powered studio monitors to that for my audio (and scratch recording). When I first start playing music in iTunes it all sounds great. But after a while, I'l start to get these periodic loud electronic buzzes. It's not just in the background, it actually will cut off the song to make the loud sound for a brief second. Over time it will become more frequent, and at one point it got to the point that it was just a constant buzz, no audio at all. Unplugging firewire stops it. Since there are a number of components, I'm not sure what is causing the problem. Can anyone help?

The update didn't apply correctly, which will be typically due to an interuption within your setup. You will have to connect to iTunes via micro usb to restore.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4367?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Buzz/hum when connected to krk studio monitors

ok so i have an imac (3.06 ghz intel core duo). i had a klipshe 2.1 speaker system connected with no problems. then i bought a pair of krk rokit 6's studio monitors and just have a whole lot of humming now. so far ive connected headphones to my imac and no hum.... connected my ipod to the krk's and no hum..... connected my krk's to my macbook pro (while it was plugged into the same outlet as my imac) and no hum..... bought a m-audio fast track and connected the krk's through that to my imac and still it hums.... what gives? please help. thanks
shawn

Shawn, I am getting a 1 KHz whine through Behringer Truth monitors using M-Audio USB Fast Track Ultra audio/midi interface with an iMac i5 27-inch with LED monitor. The whine occurs continuously from the moment I open Logic Studio or iTunes, when the output is routed through the Fast Track Ultra. The whine does not occur when I use the imac output to imac's speakers. I also get an electronic scraping noise when I use the blue tooth connected magic mouse. I have installed ferrites on the monitor speaker wires with no reduction in the whining noise or electronic scraping noise. I have also ordered the USB with ferrite collar to see if the connection between audio/midi interface and the imac is the source of the noise. I am considering a Hum-X, as well, but I am getting into serious money taking stabs at a problem for which there ought to be plenty of competent technical support. The fact that this whine is at 1 KHz and not lower suggests that I am not suffering a typical ground loop. I am a former Pro Tools user who never had a hum or whine from my Digi and G4, which I am seriously considering recomissioning so I can make music again. I am spending way too much time and money making educated guesses and trying to diagnose a problem that all but kills the utility and purpose of this new system. I too am calling on all great engineers to step up with a diagnosis and solution.

Computer monitor affected by studio monitors?

Recently I have been trying to record some audio and I had to change the midi settings. Now whenever I turn on my studio monitors (m-audio av40) the computer monitor glitches or turns off for a moment. I never had this behavior before when turning on the studio monitors. What changed?
Those little icons on the right side (sound,mic,apple face). Is that what's doing it?

There is mganetic interference from some sources...speakers...etc Try moving your monitors. If you do some google you'll find that certain Mac Pros are more prone. Some have some have firmware updates to help harden them.
http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=search&src=support_site.home.search_sugge sted.search&locale=en_US&q=magnetic%20interference%20mac%20pro

Final cut pro nice professional sound monitor speakers

I would like some nice book shelf style nice looking sound monitor speakers for my mac pro, when you see people with edit suites in a edcit studio on TV they always have some sexy looking bookshelf speakers, any ideas where to buy these and which are very good at sound monitoring?
Daz

Best to visit a Pro Audio store - one that caters for musicians/pro audio engineers. Tell them you need "Near-field monitors", but your budget is limited. Seriously - audio engineers spend more on their near-fields than I spent on my plasma monitor. There are two types - self-powered, which have internal amplification, and those needing amplification, in which case a standard hi-fi amp should do you. There is a price differential, of course, and it is also brand dependent. I am still getting good service out of a pair of Spirit Absolute Zeros, which are around ten years old.
Another consideration is: how far can you separate them from your video monitors? If they are unshielded, their internal magnets will interfere with your picture or your screens if too close - shielded will cost more.
j0nn0

Do I need to have studio monitors?

Being one day in to logic (Oh man is it overwhelming), do I need studio monitors? My problem being is that I start to create a track and then when I go to playback, I get nothing from my speakers. Do I need to change a setting or am I a complete idiot? Like I said, I am BRAND FREAKING NEW to Logic. Please help!!!

There may be a few reasons for this. Check your audio settings and they are set to the right audio you are using, such as core audio or some other such as a sound card. Also check the settings for audio in and out on the mixer and make sure they match your set up. If you can post your set up it would be easier for us all to comment.

Studio Monitors

Ok, I know this is probably a really basic question, but here goes. I've been using these crappy little, no-name speakers for a while, and my audio has always been "Hit and Miss."
I'm ready to upgrade to some nice JBL studio monitors, but the inputs are RCA. I'm assuming I need some sort of soundcard but haven't had any luck looking around for suggestions.
What do I need to do to get the 1/8th out on my mac to RCA? Can I just use some adapters from RadioShack or do I need a new soundcard?
My set up:
G5 Processor 1.8GHz PowerPC G5
L2 Cache 512K 512K 512K per processor
Frontside bus 800MHz 900MHz 1GHz per processor
DDR SDRAM main memory 256MB PC2700 (2) (333MHz)
DDR SDRAM main memory 128MB PC2700 (2) (333MHz)
8X AGP Pro graphics NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra with 64MB DDR SDRAM
Hard drive(2) 250GB Serial ATA; 7200 rpm 160GB Serial ATA
PCI slots Three open full-length 33MHz, 64-bit PCI slots

These JBLs must be powered monitors, if they have a line level RCA input on them; you could just try a cable with 1/8" stereo out (tip/ring/sleeve) at one end and a stereo pair of RCAs at the other; it would have to be long enough, and you'd have to peel the RCA ends apart enough to reach your speakers.
You could also probably find a short y-adapter with the 1/8" stereo plug on one end, going to two female RCAs at the other. Then use individual RCA male cables from there to the speakers.
RCA isn't a professional, balanced audio connection, so a sound card wouldn't make much difference. Try the cables/adapters first, and see if you're satisfied with that.

Ipod hifi. can it be a home studio monitor?

your thoughts.
I know. There are already reputable monitor speakers out in the market.
But will an ipod hifi fulfill this task? It's advantage is that i can use it with my, yes, ipod. And it can be my multimedia speaker for my PB.
But for a home studio?

I wouldn't imagine it to be the most accurate set of speakers for monitoring with. For a start there is only one low frequency driver situated in the centre of the speakers so no stereo monitoring capabilities for low frequencies!
Plus all 3 speakers are mounted within the same enclosure, therefore the backwards throw of any cone would result in (probably small but...) a forward throw from one of maybe both other speakers. Kind of like a bass reflex speaker which features one cone and one passive radiator do kind of double up the output. So again not very good for the stereo imagining I wouldn't think.
For £250 you can get a pretty good set of studio monitors, I got a pair of yamaha MSP5's for £190. These are far more accurate than anything tagged "Hi-fi" in a similar price bracket. And they will improve the sound of your work, not only that but they pump it out, and I bet they go a darn site louder than the iPod Hi-fi.
At the end of the day it's hardly difficult to buy a cable to plug your iPod into a set of studio monitors and they will serve you far better AS studio monitors.

Best studio monitor speakers

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