|
 If
you’ve ever stepped inside a professional recording studio,
you probably saw big, booming speakers on the wall. They
look real impressive, but they aren’t what the top DJs,
remixers or producers use to judge their mix. Those big
speakers are usually used on “playback” once the mix is
right. Instead, judging critical levels of bass to drum
mixture, vocals to instrumental level and the like are left
to speakers called “near field” monitors.
These
monitors are the speakers you see on top of workstations,
mixing boards or on stands behind the board, but always
within a small distance to the listener, usually within
three feet. In fact, they are best spread apart no more
than three feet across as well. [Actual speaker spread and
distance from front-to-back, depends on the speaker manufacturer
and equipment set-up. Check your manuals for specifics.]
So
for the DJ who’s looking to get the best results from his
or her project studio, I’ll take you on a world tour of
monitors, most priced within every level of budget. We’ll
look at powered and non-powered systems and maybe throw
in a sub here and there, for good measure.
If they are called studio monitors, are they only for commercial
recording studios? No. Basement studios, production houses
and everyone in between – like a DJ creating mixes, remixes
or original productions – can benefit from them. You don’t
need a world-class studio to use studio monitors, but using
them can help change your mixes into world-class tracks
once you get familiar with what they can do for you. Whether
you are a beginner, or a pro, monitors are a must; let’s
jump in and take a look.
Non-Powered
Units
Starting
with the non-powered monitors, I wouldn’t be going out on
a limb to say that one of the most popular studio monitors
comes from Buena Park, Cal.-based Yamaha. The NS10MS is
on more consoles around the world than you could imagine.
A staple within the recording industry for decades, the
NS10MS offers a compact, tight sound through a 7-inch woofer
and a 1-3/8-inch, dome tweeter. You can pump about 60 watts
through it. For most applications, that’s not that much,
but for up-front mixing, it’s more than enough. Its trademark
has always been its reliable and true replication of your
mix. If you want some more information on it, check it out
at www.yamaha.com.
Another
set of monitors I had often recommended to my clients comes
from Santa Monica, Cal.-based Alesis Studio Electronics
(www.alesis.com). Alesis came out with the Monitor One series
a few years ago and has made a nice entry into the market.
It’s a two-way system (woofer/tweeter) and can handle at
least 120 watts. The 6.5-inch woofer is specially designed
to handle low frequencies. There is also a Monitor Two series,
which offers a three-way set-up (woofer/mid range/tweeter)
and extended low-end handling capability. These monsters
(34 pounds each) can take up to 150 watts of kick. Check
out their very informative website for more info on these
and other products.
Looking
into KRK Systems (www.krksys.com) is another excellent choice.
Based in Huntington Beach, Cal., KRK has been turning out
killer monitors for years. They are known for a thick, but
not muddy bottom end, and yet a sparkling high-end dynamic.
Though they make numerous models, the K-RoK (pronounced
“K ROCK”) is a sweet set for a decent price ($495/pr). It
packs a 7-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter. Nothing new
here, but you’ll be blown away by its sound. The K-RoK can
be powered with 100 watts continuously and has a cool-looking
texture and design. Check out your local retailer for more
on KRK Systems.
Also
in California, Northridge-based JBL Pro has numerous lines
for numerous budgets and tasks. Its 4200 Series includes
entry models into the world of reference, but offer great
sound at a terrific price. The 4206 and 4208 (6- and 8-inch
woofers respectively) can both handle around 75 watts. Moving
up in design and price, the 4400 Series is very popular
and has been around a while. I love the 4412A, which is
a three-way system with 12-inch woofer. These can often
be used as playbacks, not reference, but they kick ass in
any set-up. You might also want to check out the 4408 and
4410 units. JBL is known for high quality, though they can
often be more expensive than other similar units. But remember,
in pro audio you often get what you pay for. Check out more
at www.jblpro.com.
Kitchener,
Ont.-based Tannoy is another manufacturer that offers a
wide variety of models within different price ranges. The
Reveal System is comparable to the Yamaha NS10 and Alesis
Monitor One units in that it offers a 6.5-inch woofer with
a 1-inch soft dome tweeter. It can handle 50 watts cleanly
and is a professional monitor at a good price point. There
are also three units – the System 600, 800 and 1200 – that
can handle 80, 90 and 180 watts through 6-, 8- and 12-inch
woofers respectively. From my experience, I can tell you
that the design and overall sound of these units are excellent.
I
also am a big fan of Tannoy’s bigger series of monitors
called the System 15 DMT II. This two-way, main studio monitor
has a 15-inch woofer and power handling capability of 200
watts. Its big brother, the System 215 DMT II, is a behemoth
with two 15-inch woofers and it can handle bass frequencies
below 250 Hz. You can throw a whopping 250 watts at it.
It is usually used as a playback or main studio monitor
– though I have to admit, I know a client who uses them
as a second pair of near fields. Check out more from Tannoy
at www.tannoy.com. These are just a few of the companies
and models that make non-powered studio monitors. Now lets
take a look at powered monitors.
Powered
Units
You
may ask yourself, what is a powered studio monitor and why
would I want one? Hmm....a powered studio monitor is a near-field
monitor speaker with amplification built right in. Why would
you need one? In plain English, it eliminates the need for
an amplifier. What’s the catch? You are limited to the amplifier
that is built-in to the speaker. If you use non-powered
speakers, you can change amps if you want or need. But with
technology advancing each day, powered studio monitors have
become very popular products.
To
my ears, many of the products in this category are similar,
but there are a few key companies I’ll note. Starting with
the players you already know, JBL offers the 6208 bi-amplified
system. It contains two separate amps – one for the high
end, one for the woofer. (This is a common set up, though
some powered speakers contain one amp only.) Its dual 50-watt
amps throw a deep sounding output via an 8-inch woofer.
JBL also makes the LSR25P bi-amp system, which has 100 on
the bottom end, through a 5.25-inch woofer, and 50 for the
high, through a 1-inch tweeter.
Alesis
makes the biamped M1 Active Monitor. Its 75-watt low-end
amp combined with the 25-watt high-end amp make this a perfect
blend and the M1 still has a strong enough bottom to make
your beats kick. Tannoy also makes powered systems, just
as they do in non-powered. The Reveal System 600, 800 and
1200s, available in powered versions, all offer dual amplifiers
and the design of each cabinet is similar to the non-powered
units.
You might be familiar with Mackie (www.mackie.com) from
its mixers and/or amplifiers, but the Woodinville, Wash.-based
company also makes a serious powered studio monitor. That
unit, the HR824, is an affordable speaker with big budget
output and its 150-watt output – from an 8.75-inch woofer
with 1-inch dome tweeter – makes this a “wise-choice” purchase.
Another newer product that deserves some notice is the 20/20
monitor system from Santa Barbara, Cal.-based Event Electronics.
It’s a bi-amplified system, packed with an 8-inch woofer
and 1.5-inch tweeter. The low-end amp can kick a serious
130 watts, while the ultra-crisp highs can throw out as
much as 70 watts. Event makes different versions of the
20/20, so check them out at a retailer near you or visit
them on the web at www.event1.com.
Based Stateside in Natick, Mass., Finland’s Genelec has
been a major force in the powered monitor scene for the
better part of the last decade. They make a wide range of
products from small, desktop units (1029A) to main studio
playbacks (1036A). When it comes to powered monitors, it’s
my opinion that there’s not a better overall manufacturer.
Check out Genelec’s range of products for varied budgets
(www.genelec.com) and you’ll find that the superior sound
from each unit is hard to beat.
If you are worried that you need more bass or you desire
extended low-end frequencies, then check out some of the
subs that are available to go along with a fresh pair of
studio monitors. Which are the best? You know my answer
to that – whatever unit gives you the most performance for
the price you can afford. Check out sub systems that go
along with studio monitors from Genelec (1094A, 1092A and
1091A), Tannoy (PS 110-B), JBL (LSR12P), KRK (RoK Bottom)
and Alesis (S1 Active Subwoofer) to name a few.
Overall,
I really do not have a preference between non-powered or
powered monitors. But one thing to remember when buying
powered monitors is to check the input connection on the
speaker and make sure you buy the proper cables. Some units
will use ¼-inch and some will use XLR or Neutrik. Whatever
unit fits your budget and your system best is the one I
would go with. Remember to check out all the different models
and price ranges from the manufacturers. I guarantee there
will be something for you.
If
you have any question for Scott Rubin, please write to DJ
Times, 25 Willowdale Ave., Port Washington, N.Y., 11050,
fax 516-944-8372 or e-mail djtimes@testa.com.
Copyright
© 2000 DJ Times Magazine
TESTA
Communications Publishing
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