Remember the first time you saw the price tag on a set of studio monitors? Your eyes probably widened, and your jaw hit the floor. Studio monitors can be expensive, and you probably won’t just buy one. But can’t your home speakers do the trick? Do you really need studio monitors to mix music? In this post, I will go over the difference between these two types of speakers, give you my recommendations for some quality monitors, and offer an alternative to both.
Do you need studio monitors to produce music? You should use studio monitors to mix because they will give you the cleanest sound possible. Home speakers hide noise and imperfections. If you use them to mix, your final mix will sound inconsistent from one device to the next. However, you don’t need to use them if you don’t want to (though you should).
What are home speakers?
Home speakers are the conventional speakers you might find on most boomboxes or wired home audio systems. They don’t usually provide a power amplifier. Instead, they have two terminals in the back for power and sound, so they rely entirely on a separate power source. Home speakers usually come in pairs and are relatively inexpensive compared to studio monitors.
AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3
AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3
What are studio monitors?
Studio monitors give you the flattest and most accurate representation of your playback. They have a separate terminal for connecting power and typically have an XLR audio input terminal. They are sold in single units as well as in pairs.
The difference between home speakers and studio monitors
The most significant difference between home speakers and studio monitors is sound quality. Studio monitors are designed to sound flat, while home speakers are designed to enhance the listening experience.
The speakers are also technically different. Most home speakers are “passive,” meaning they require external power. If you take a look behind a conventional home speaker, you will see only two connection terminals. These are for providing both power and sound to the speaker. Studio monitors are active or powered, meaning the power amplifier is built into the speaker so you can plug them right into the wall.
Why you shouldn’t mix with regular speakers
Home speakers are designed to be heard how the manufacturer wants you to listen to music, which is usually as pleasant as possible. The intent is to mask away any imperfections. I listed below some of the main reasons why you shouldn’t mix with regular speakers.
- Mixing with regular speakers means relying on someone else’s pre-designed sound instead of making your own tweaks.
- The mix you hear on home speakers is not the real mix but the manufacturer’s EQ version.
- Mixing with home speakers can result in a radically different sound when played on other speaker systems.
- It is not advisable to mix for lower-end devices just because people might listen to them.
- Aim for the best mix possible, starting with good quality, flat, and natural playback.
When should use home speakers over monitors?
Audio professionals need studio monitors to mix and hear what is going on in the track to address any imperfections. However, most music enthusiasts are passive listeners. They want to enjoy the music. A pair of conventional Hi-Fi home speakers do a great job by boosting the sounds, making the flattest mixes punchy and rich.
After all, most music consumers prefer speakers
that will enhance their listening experience.
Whether you are a music professional or a music lover, there’s nothing wrong with listening to your favorite music through a good pair of conventional home speakers. After all, most music consumers prefer speakers that will enhance their listening experience.
5-inch vs. 8-inch studio monitors?
Monitors are measured by their largest speaker cone. Most typical sizes are 5 to 8-inch speakers. The most significant difference between an 8-inch and a 5-inch speaker is that a 5-inch speaker does not produce as many low-ends as an 8-inch. The drawback of using smaller speakers is that you won’t get much lower ends, and you will be chasing a good base tone because the speakers can’t produce any more base.
If you are just starting, starting with a 5-inch speaker is better. Thir less expensive, more compact, and they won’t be too bassy, so you won’t drive your neighbors crazy.
Tips for choosing studio monitors
Your studio monitor speakers need to provide the most accurate, uncolored representation of your music possible. And because there is also more to consider than accuracy when selecting studio monitors, we’ve put together this guide to help you find the best options for your studio space.
- Avoid having a consumer mindset when shopping for studio monitors: Demo the monitors with rawer materials to reveal imperfections rather than polished music. Familiarize yourself with a song or playlist and have the music store demo and different monitors. Create a dedicated tester mix with deliberately messed up tracks and make a checklist of things to look for.
- Choose monitors that reveal imperfections and help you in the mixing process: Remember those studio monitors are meant for mixing, not just for personal enjoyment. Your music will sound good on most speakers if mixed on a revealing speaker system.
- Power: The power management of a studio monitoring system will significantly impact the entire sound, not only in terms of volume. It also impacts your dynamic range or how much headroom you have before the signal’s peak. Increased wattage allows you to hear more transient detail and make exact adjustments to compressors, limiters, and gates.
- The right size of studio monitors: In most circumstances, depending on the size of your room, five or 6-inch studio monitors should be enough. They will suffice if you want to turn one of your house’s bedrooms into a studio. If you have extra room, try acquiring 8-inch ones.
- Bass response: We all prefer a robust low-end response, but too much or too little results in EQ decisions that translate poorly to other sound systems.
Remember, you are buying studio monitors to mix, not just for your listening pleasure. Your music will only sound good on most speakers if mixed on the most revealing speaker system.
If you want even more tips and insights, watch this video called “Do You Need Studio Monitors to Produce? (Studio Monitors Explained)” from the Show Your Genius // Adriel Rivera YouTube channel.
If you want even more tips and insights, watch this video called “Do You Need Studio Monitors to Produce? (Studio Monitors Explained)” from the Show Your Genius // Adriel Rivera YouTube channel.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you still have questions? Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about studio monitors.
Can you mix it with studio monitors?
If studio monitors are just a little out of your budget, studio headphones are the next best option. Studio headphones, sometimes called monitoring headphones, are mainly used for mixing and editing, much like studio monitors, but with the additional benefits of having sound isolation and (usually) a lower price tag.
Can you use regular speakers as studio monitors?
While normal speakers will work, the sound will be distorted when used as studio monitors. To ensure that the recorded sound is accurately reproduced, studio monitors contribute very little to the signal being played back. Contrarily, standard speakers alter the sound to fit the “coloring” specifications of the brand.
Are studio monitors necessary for mixing?
When mixing, it is crucial to hear all frequency ranges clearly and precisely; therefore, studio monitors take on a great role in the mixing process. However studio monitors are a must-have for any professional recording setup, but they’re not required for a basic home recording setup.
Conclusion
So, do you need studio monitors to mix? Yes, but ultimately, the decision is yours. However, your goal should be to mix in a balanced natural unenhanced state. You can not properly mix on a set of home stereo speakers. There’s just no way around it. Simply put, consumer speakers mask extended highs, lows, or imperfections. Professional studio monitors let you hear everything. But if you want to use those Bose speakers for your listening pleasure, by all means, go for it.
So, do you use studio monitors? And did I cover everything you wanted to know? Let me know in the comments section below (I read and reply to every comment). If you found this article helpful, share it with a friend, and check out my full blog for more tips and tricks on music production. Thanks for reading, and never stop making music.
Key takeaways
This article covered studio monitors and what you need to use them to produce music. Here are some key takeaways:
- Home speakers are the conventional speakers you might find on most boomboxes or wired home audio systems
- Studio monitors give you the most accurate representation of your playback.
- The difference between home speakers and studio monitors is the sound quality.
- Studio monitors are designed to sound flat, while home speakers are designed to enhance the listening experience.
- You should use studio monitors to mix.
- You can also use studio headphones.
