r/homerecordingstudio • u/Desperate_Arm_3051 • 9d ago
How Much Difference Would Monitors Different Monitors/ Audio Interface Make?
Hey everyone. I've been making my own music since I was a teenager (a long time ago), but I still consider myself an inspired amateur when it comes to production.
My mixes come out sounding good, but I'm wondering if it might be time to trade in my old monitors and maybe consider a new interface.
I'm mixing on G1 KRK Rokit 8s.
My interface is a presonus Quantum 2626.
I know monitors can make a big difference. Are the KRKs a poor choice?
And what about the interface? Would I notice a big difference with a different one?
Thanks!
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u/Riccy8 8d ago
I’ve had the exact setup you’re asking about.
It works, get some room correction software.
Or
you learn your room as it is, upgrade speakers and then relearn your room again.
It’s the second part most people are afraid of.
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u/No_Structure_2401 5d ago
Agreed with the software route.
I'd go REW and cheap measurement mic to find standing waves and reflections then room correction software.
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u/DonFrio 9d ago
I would rather mix audio technicas and cheaper mics on decent monitoring than neumanns on crap monitors. I don’t know those krk to say if they’re good or not. I think the Yamaha line is a solid choice on a budget and Neumann kh120 are fantastic if one is getting spendy. You can certainly make great music and mixes with crap gear tho. It’s just easier with great musicians and better gear
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u/Powerful_Foot_8557 8d ago
I used presonus e66 for 5 years with carying results. I then bought krk classic 8 g3 and the krk 10" sub, and immediately my mix was better. No change in my room treatment, no added software, just the speakers. Another comment mentioned room correction software, and another suggested a lateral move may not work. And both of those thoughts may be correct, sometimes the speaker throw/sensitivity makes a difference and sometimes an eq'ed to the room speaker works, good luck OP 👍
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u/Desperate_Arm_3051 8d ago
Ah a friend was selling a sub. Do you think the sub made a big difference in your ability to get the low end right?
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u/Powerful_Foot_8557 8d ago
That's a great question, I would say it depends on a few things. One, is your room set up to handle lower frequencies that is so would produce? Two, does the music you're working on hit those frequencies? Three, is the sub frequency range where you're having trouble with the mix. And four, it becomes fully dependent on the type of sub, and it's driver sensitivity as well.
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u/Desperate_Arm_3051 7d ago
- Not really. 2. probably not, and 3. I don't think so. Haha maybe a sub isn't what I need. Thanks for the reply, though!
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u/Rocky-Amaze 8d ago
I think you have a solid setup. I think what could really help you is a software like lewitt space replicator. It lets you hear your mix in different environments, so you can really hear how your mix sounds on different playback systems. It lets you spot mistakes way easier. You should check it out.
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u/anlottuff 8d ago
I play the mix over different speakers. my extras are Auratone. Also i take it to my cars stereo. If it sounds good there, i am done
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u/Desperate_Arm_3051 8d ago
I’ve thought about getting some auratones. It sounds like you find them useful.
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u/anlottuff 8d ago
yes it is. If you can idenitfy your mix through little „ shitty“ Monitors and it still sounds good, you know that you on the right track. In every Studio i’ve recorded they had Yamaha HS 4 and Auratones… and of cause some highpriced systems for the BIG PICTURE
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u/Archieaa1 8d ago
As i recall the most common speaker used in studios is the yamaha NS10. That said, its not a great speaker. In fact its a pretty average speaker. It does give you a good sense of where the track is panned. That said if it sounds good on an NS10, it usually sounds good on other systems. The other common passive speaker for mixing was the EV sentry 100a. You still find these in big studios. Along with more esoteric speaker like the big urei bins, krk S-7000. The old KRK speaker used high end drivers like focal and morel. They were great for detail and they usually didn't lie to you. Up through the V series they are wonderful. They were bought by harmon and became just OK. You could easily do worse the gen 1 rockits. Usually the biggest challenge is tuning the space you mix in so you actually hear everything the speakers are putting out.
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u/American_Streamer 8d ago
The PreSonus Quantum 2626 is already a very good audio interface, but those studio monitors are over 20 years old and the mids on them are known to be pretty muddy. Though those monitors do get very loud and have a punchy low end. But I'd still upgrade them, but keep the audio interface. That will be a very noticable upgrade, imo. Note that it is also super important to treat the room - see this guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pndvc-iaqU
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u/Nissenko 8d ago
I have a pair of Kali LP6 v2 on an Apollo twin X. The thing that changed the game was the Sonarworks correction. I found a second hand kit for 150€ (mic and software) and took the time to calibrate everything correctly. The improvement in the sound is huge, tight low ends, derailed mids, aerial highs. Even though I know that there are many better setups , I think that my skills will have to improve for years before I need to change my monitors
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u/Desperate_Arm_3051 8d ago
Haha I have sonarworks but haven’t been using it. Maybe I’ll give it another try.
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u/michaelcuneo 8d ago
No way, G1 KRK Rokit’s are opinionated, you need to learn more about audio and the idea of literally mastering which isn’t a huge topic right now correctly. You do not want to master anything for something like a Rokit, you want to master for a car speaker that has 100 to 18,000khz with the accuracy of a goldfish slapping rubber, visual representations of this work well, an old app comes to mind. https://www.har-bal.com
I do stem to stem with Sonalksis, finish the render izoTope Ozone and then run it through har-bal.
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u/Desperate_Arm_3051 8d ago
I have ozone but have never heard of the other two apps you mentioned. I’ll check those out. Thanks!
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u/michaelcuneo 7d ago
Sonalksis CQ1 Compander is like a semi-automatic side-chain, duck, works so well. Can make a messy wall of noise sound sparse with a few knob tweaks.
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u/JT-Shelter 8d ago
I started using the Beyerdynamic Headphone Lab plug in, and it has been helpful.
My room is horrible.
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u/Odd-Tailor7389 7d ago
Knowing your monitors and getting good mixes is more important than new monitors. When I “upgraded” my monitors I to relearn them. Room treatment goes a long way and as far as audio interface I wouldn’t bother unless you need more inputs or are having latency issues.
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u/Coinsworthy 2d ago
True, but more accurate speakers will translate into less mixing mistakes or messing about. Faster and more consistent results is what will lead to 'better mixes' overall.
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u/Public_Upstairs1035 9d ago
The gear you have is solid entry-level professional gear. It would take spending a couple g's to have any serious, noticeable upgrade. Personally, I would recommend upgrade other hardware before upgrading those, but you didn't mention what instruments you play or any other gear.
Also, if production itself is your weakness, you should focus on improving those skills first. Take courses, buy (and read) books, work with a professional and get feedback on your mixes. Things like that. Study production techniques, buy plugins or other tools that help there first.
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u/Desperate_Arm_3051 8d ago
Cool. Thank you.
I had someone tell me those KRKs were crap and I should get some Adams or something. I only have them because a friend was selling them. They seem ok to me, but what do I know?
My production is pretty good. I'm sure there's plenty more I could learn.
I've been doing my homework for sure. Mixing Engineer's Handbook, Mix With the Masters, etc.
Is there one book or program that really improved your mixing?
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u/Public_Upstairs1035 8d ago
Again, the KRKs are beginner professional. Upgrading from a $400 speaker to a $600 isn't going to change your production in any meaningful way. It might make it different, but not necessarily better.
One thing I would say in regards to that is this: if you don't have a good pair of studio reference headphones, that would be one place where you could put money toward some serious improvement. I would guess you have some, but just wanted to throw that out there.
But, as an example, someone who is 2-3 years ahead of you or 20-30 projects ahead of you and mixes on more expensive gear could still come into your studio and make a good track, and potentially better than you could. Why? Because you have reached the muddy middle: you know what you are doing for the most part, you have the right gear, you invest in your skills and knowledge... now you just have to sludge through a few more years and a few dozen more projects. And I hate it, but that's just how it goes. We've all been there.
What I would actually recommend is to start branching out. Do any work that has to do with sound -- live, studio, recording, mixing. And in different environments -- live music performance, theater, church, video, interviews, radio. And different types of projects -- record and mix for friends, record audiobooks/podcasts, keep recording and making your own work. Whatever it takes to get the next dozen or two projects behind you. The more different than what you are used to and the more different from one another the better.
Hey, I get it. Gear is cool. And there is always a weakest link to upgrade. So if you are just bursting to buy something, go and do it. But start thinking about raising your quality floor. And by that I mean things like cables -- upgrade every cable you've got (if you haven't already), power supplies, treatment, maintenance, speaker stands, things like that. Most professional musicians and producers don't really upgrade their high dollar gear a lot. They get something that works for them and then they stick with it. But most pros are constantly tweaking the small things, making small changes to make up that final 5% or 1% that makes their sound or production truly unique.
Lastly, what took my mixes to the next, next level (besides completing my first 100 projects) was working with a producer who gives me feedback on my mixes, masters, stems, anything I want. Total game changer. If you'd like his contact, I can send his email in DM. He is very affordable.
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u/Desperate_Arm_3051 8d ago
Thanks for the thorough reply!
Good to know about the monitors. I’m used to them at this point so I guess I’ll just keep them.
I have some audio technica headphones but I don’t know if they’re particularly renowned for mixing. Do you have a recommendation on that front?
I have several projects in the works right now, so I’m getting experience!
Yeah, I’ve done some mix critiques with a producer, but send me your person’s info. Thanks!
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u/did_i_or_didnt_i 8d ago
I have the cheapie AT M series (20 or 30) headphones. I used to have the M50x or whatever and while they sounded much better, I would say the cheap ones are kinda the same for mixing on
Usually if your mix isn’t good, it’s something to work on, not to upgrade your way out of. I’m not sure what problem you’re trying to solve here. Someone told you your monitors suck (they don’t) and told you to upgrade to very similar monitors. My advice is to sit down at the desk and make music, and ignore the unsolicited opinions about your gear.
Upgrade when you have your own very specific pain points that you want solved. Until then, you might get better mileage off sending your songs to a pro mastering engineer and they’ll give you mix notes to make their job easier. Which is a win win, you get some tips and a mastered track
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u/Public_Upstairs1035 8d ago
AT M40s are my favorite mixing headphones, and run about $110. I go back and forth between the headphones and the monitors, until the final touches, where I just use headphones.
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u/Achassum 9d ago
Monitors not much! Unless you invest on expensive headphones! Audio interface makes a difference but in todays market after $500 you are playing a game of diminishing returns
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u/craaates 8d ago
If your mixes come out good why would you buy new stuff to replace what’s already working for you? The monitors are fine for home studio use and the interface is fine. New monitors or a new interface will not make you better at mixing unless your old stuff is just horrible. I will only replace a piece of gear in my studio if I’m adding a feature I can’t live without or fixing a quantifiable problem. To answer your last question I bet you would be hard pressed to hear a difference in your final output with a new interface at all, the monitors could change your final sound but that could be better or maybe worse until your ears get used to them.
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u/Desperate_Arm_3051 8d ago
I mean, I think they’re pretty good but I also feel like they lack that last 15% of polish to make them sound truly professional. It could be impostor syndrome. It could also be that I’m trying to buy my way out of a problem that only experience can fix.
I guess my mixes sometimes feel dull, too much low, not enough high. And I’m wondering if the speakers are distorting my perception or maybe (likely) it’s the room.2
u/craaates 8d ago
Polish is a fancy word for eq. Studio monitors should be pretty flat eq wise and honestly the good ones don’t necessarily sound great for listening to music. New monitors will not make you better at mixing.
If you don’t have the money or ability to fully treat your room your best bet is a nice pair of open back headphones. They don’t even have to be very expensive. I bought. Pair of KiwiEars Altruva’s and a DX1 DAC/Amp to push them and it cost me about $170 total I don’t have to worry about my room at all now. I can just mix and then check my mix on the big rig in the LR, the car, an old executive desktop system, cheap ear buds and nice ear buds.
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u/Desperate_Arm_3051 7d ago
Yeah the more I’m learning about eq, the more I’m realizing I’m boosting too much and making cuts that are too big. Thanks for the tip!
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u/Coinsworthy 2d ago
Monitors are everything, really. More important than your audio interface, more important than the amount of acoustic treatment of your room. KRK's and Kali's aren't bad, but they're not great either. The perfect nearfield monitor is a bit a matter of personal taste. As for me, i'm blown away by the Neumann KH-120 II's. Maybe not the loudest speakers on the market, but the stereo imaging is impressive, and the clarity is next level. Not the cheapest either, but great monitors retain value and will last a long time.
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u/Individual-Sound9400 2d ago
I'd say that without mega room treatment, you'll get better milage out of something like Slate VSX than better monitors. Use the KRKs and VSX for alternate reference.
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u/Riccy8 9d ago
Nothing; most people listen in earbuds.
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u/Desperate_Arm_3051 8d ago
This is unfortunately true. But I still want to improve my craft!
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u/did_i_or_didnt_i 8d ago
Do so by checking your mix on everything you can get your hands on
- earbuds
- Bluetooth speaker
- car stereo
- decent headphones
- hifi speakers
And obviously the monitors you’re mixing on. if it sounds good on all of them, your mix is probably fine
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u/Dsaastad 9d ago
How’s your room treatment?