Affordable Monitors

[Adam84]

I currently use the Tascam VL-S21 studio monitors but are these the best affordable monitors? Meaning for the price are they the best? I don't have that much money so I could only afford monitors that were low priced.

[Adam84]

Heres a article about how these monitors are but what do you guys think?


http://www.creativemac.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=32305

[Adam84]

I would like to know if others think that the Tascam VL-S21 are the best affordable monitors. I really want to know if I got a good deal since I only paid $99 for them. But since I don't have money that's why I could only afford that but I would like to know if these are great affordable monitors. :)

[djui5]

you need to find something that sounds good to you, and translates your mixes well. That's all that matters.

Everything else is marketing hype.

[Adam84]

So are you saying that it doesn't matter what monitors I have? Whatever I like is the best monitors?

[5454stevef]

Sure it matters. Read the second half of what he said.

The objective is to create mixes that sound good in the car, at home, on headphones, etc. If you can do that with those monitors, then they're good monitors for you. Over time you can "learn" most monitors to the point where, even though they're not exactly accurate, you can do that.

I'd suggest spending time listening to very familiar material on your rig before, after, and sometimes even during your sessions in order to keep some point of reference, and to keep your ears fresh.

Also, it's equally important how the speakers are placed. You wouldn't believe how the frequency response of a speaker changes if you put it against a wall or, god forbid, near a corner. If the setup is asymmetrical it's even worse. Each speaker will exhibit some amount of comb filtering from nearby surfaces, and they'll be different, which makes it almost impossible to get a transferrable stereo image.

And, if your monitors don't sound "good" to you, how are you supposed to enjoy your work?

Sorry if this sounds like a rant. Just trying to help.

SF

[djui5]

Monitor are one of the most important pieces of gear when mixing. The others are the monitoring environment (you can have amazing speakers that sound like crap if the room isn't treated properly), and lastly your own frame of mind. You can't do good mixes if your in the pisser....

What I mean by what I said is that the monitors have to sound good to you. I personally HATE the sound of Genelec 1031's, and would rather mix on Mackie HR824's. Other people will tell me I've lost my f'n mind.

I mix now with a pair of Adam audio S3A's. They sound good to my ears, translate like nothing I've ever heard (save to Ns-10's), and are quite pleasant to mix on.

If you don't like the sound of the speakers your using..then all bets are off, and every person has different ears. What works for me won't always work for you...capiche?