DIY Studio Monitors

[Seafroggys]

I've been pretty interested in possibly building my own speaker units. I've Googled for different thinks, am currently browsing different forums, but I am wondering if anybody has any good general guides on what to do and also where to get the components.

I have basic knowledge of speaker mechanics; the cabinet, the speaker, tweeters, cross-overs, etc.

[Motleyguy]

Good idea, but I can't help you there man. Good luck though.

[Seafroggys]

Okay, I got another question, concerning monitor specs.

Most of the monitors I've been browsing on the internet seem to have somewhere in the range of a 50-20k hz range. Is it necessary for me to monitor everything in the 20-50 range, or should I get/build a seperate subwoofer?

[Motleyguy]

Hmmmm, good question. I know I when I listen a pure sine wave tone at 40Hz, I can clearly hear it. I don't know if it would make a huge difference, and I don't think it's very likely that anything under 50Hz would end up being a problem frequency. You also have to take into account, Fletcher Munson phenomena, and the fact that a frequency that low is felt more than heard, and really only heard at a higher SPL level. I doubt that if you're mixing at the proper level of 85 - 90 dBSPL, you wouldn't even really hear frequencies that low, so I wouldn't really see it as a big issue. But, it's always beneficial to have speakers that produce the full frequency range of the human ear 20Hz - 20Khz.
I suppose look into the capabilities of your EQ's and gear aswell (I don't think many console EQ's go below 60 HZ) But if you're planning on keeping the monitors and investing in more gear, for example a 1/3rd octave EQ. It could be beneficial. You really just need to weigh out the benefits with the cost of adding the subwoofer. That's all I've got on that particular topic.

[Seafroggys]

Makes sense. I mean, a low E on a bass guitar is about 41 hz, which you can hear on practically every half decent speaker (granted the harmonics and all that jazz, which is where your sine wave came in).

Upon reading some of the technical stats for some of these monitors, despite saying 50 hz, it says drop off begins at 40 hz. Which probably means it can reproduce down to 50 hz as accurately as the other frequencies, but begins rolling off a bit down to 40, where it then just crashes down.

Even monitor pairs that cost $1000 only go down to like 45. So I think it really shouldn't be an issue.

[Motleyguy]

No, it probably won't. You're right, with musical sounds (rather than sine waves) at frequencies that low, the average consumer isn't going to be listening on a kicked up sound system anyways, therefore they'll be hearing the harmonics and overtones of the note instead of the fundamental (just like you said). I'd say you're in the clear, as long as your two monitors are able to produce down to around 50Hz. When it comes to mixing, I don't like to mix on big speakers anyways. I'd rather mix on a pair of NS - 10's (if you could find them anywhere) or some small Auratones, or something of that nature. Just reference my mixes on the big boys.

[Seafroggys]

Haha my recording instructor had NS-10s in his studios that he used to monitor high ends. Pretty fun times.

I'm actually looking into either the KRK RP-5 or the MAudio BX5a. Both the same price range, and my local store carries both.

[Moseph]

Upon reading some of the technical stats for some of these monitors, despite saying 50 hz, it says drop off begins at 40 hz. Which probably means it can reproduce down to 50 hz as accurately as the other frequencies, but begins rolling off a bit down to 40, where it then just crashes down.

Even monitor pairs that cost $1000 only go down to like 45. So I think it really shouldn't be an issue.

Frequency ranges are generally reported based on "cut-off" frequencies. Cut-off frequencies don't represent the limit of sound reproduction, they represent the point at which the system is outing at -3dB of the input (the half power point). For low end in particular, most systems are capable of generating down to 30 Hz or lower, but they're just incredibly inefficient at it, meaning you'll think you're hearing less of the extreme lows than you should be (which will have an effect on the mix). However, when you consider how narrow the actual range is below 50 Hz, I don't think you'll have any particular issue with mixing once you learn the sound of the speakers.

Think of it this way: You play the low E on a bass, which we'll call 40 Hz for easy calculations. A vibrating string is a little bit like a triangle wave, meaning the first harmonic will be the lowest odd harmonic: 3*f or 120 Hz. That's well within the range of the string. Since most of the audible energy of strings are in the harmonics, not the fundamentals, you probably don't need to care too much.

[The Chemist]

http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=297

[Seafroggys]

Thanks Chemist, but I'm thinking of buying monitors as opposed to building some. I'll probably end up building something later down the road (such as subs or some other recording device).

Rep this thread.

[Motleyguy]

Haha my recording instructor had NS-10s in his studios that he used to monitor high ends. Pretty fun times.

I'm actually looking into either the KRK RP-5 or the MAudio BX5a. Both the same price range, and my local store carries both.

NS - 10's, seriously, some shitty monitors. They're only huge because they were in every single studio ever for awhile. Anybody ever use the tissue paper technique? And did anybody know Yamaha actually made their own tissue paper for the NS - 10's, lol. I've heard stories about engineers going off because the studio didn't have the "right type of tissue" or the type they preferred. So remarkably stupid.

[The Chemist]

Careful of the M-Audio: Sound like Plastic Tubs. So do the Rokit-5s. Try the yamaha HS-50 or, yes, the NS-10.

If not, then go Tannoy.

[Motleyguy]

lawl at NS - 10's. Tannoy makes some good speakers.

[The Chemist]

How many Grammys have been won with NS-10s?

I think the count is around 20.

Try 2 of these, you won't be disappointed.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-HS80M-8-Powered-Studio-Monitor-Each?sku=601418

[Seafroggys]

Ooooo now that's a nice monitor, but I'm too poor. I could buy one however!

[Moseph]

How many Grammys have been won with NS-10s?

I think the count is around 20.

Try 2 of these, you won't be disappointed.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-HS80M-8-Powered-Studio-Monitor-Each?sku=601418


Yeah, but how many of those Grammys were won using NS-10s as the primary monitor? Smart money says they were used as references for enhanced mid-range.

[naut]

does Yamaha even still make NS-10's?

[The Chemist]

Yeah, but how many of those Grammys were won using NS-10s as the primary monitor? Smart money says they were used as references for enhanced mid-range.

I know that Bruce Swedien has used them as mains since his Thriller run at the Grammys.

[Motleyguy]

No Yamaha does not make NS - 10's anymore. And alot people did use them as mains. I'm fairly sure Bob Rock did. They're great monitors to mix on. Provided you reference something bigger, fairly often.