Apple Logic Pro /LogicExpress Discussion

Again I also agree.  But I, personally, like to use monitors as I personally
get a little more tired using can’s.. 

But I always listen on monitors  (6”) and on crap speakers, and old
gettoblaster and in the car.  I also always listen on my cans as well as I
often pick stuff up there that I missed elsewhere - but I do have a rather
good pair of AKG’s for that.

I prefer open backed headphones as it adds less “head sound” and feels more
natural and airey than closed back..   But would never use open back in a
live room as too much bleed.   I prefer not to use in ears.  Hate them
personally, just don’t like teh feel of them but I do think using them can
also give an idea of what music l sounds like for the punters that buy the
music as so many people use these with iPODS etc. 

 

Totally agree on the quiet listening..  But occasionally like to blast the
track as well just to blow the cobwebs out and see what it is like belting
out the beats.

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

From: Logic_Cafe@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Logic_Cafe@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of manparrish
Sent: Monday, 30 November 2009 05:11
To: Logic_Cafe@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Logic_Cafe] Re: Speaker Monitors / Mixing Tips Primer (from Man
Parrish)

 

  



Hey

Man Parrish here. I've mixed and produced over 80 released records in my 25+
year career. A few even hit the top of the charts. I ONLY mix and Dj on
headphones ( currently Sony MDR series). Any one that tells you that you
need to spend major money on monitors, doesn't know what they are saying,
flat out wrong. 

Mixing is an artform, like composing. Do you need an orchestra to write a
symphony? Not at all. You can look at it this way for simplicity. If
composing is a relationship of notes, then mixing is a relationship of
levels, frequencies and stereo imaging. If you know your mixing craft, you
can mix on a huge system or tiny speakers. We used to do that back in the
80's. I've mixed many a commercial release record on AuraTone speakers (5
inch populat speaker cubes). I can tell you honestly, I had better mixes on
the small speakers that the huge ones. 

Yeah it's great to blast away on a big rig. I LOVE it, but mixing on the
small set forced me to be more aware of what's going on. Here's a great tip
I learned from a famous engineer.... Turn you mix way down in volume, I mean
way down. Now listen to you track. Are the levels and relationships where
you want them? You may be suprised. Tweak it and turn it back up. 8 out of
10 times it's better. Why? Psychologically as humans, we hear differently at
different frequencies and differently volumes. 

For instance evolution has made us more sensitive to frequencies in the
human speech range. You know, that annoying harsh mid-range that can drive
you nuts. Ever heard of shreaking bass? No.. 

Bigger louder systems can fatigue your ears quickly. We used to take breaks
every hour or two to "refresh" our ears while mixing in the studio.

So, basically what I'm saying is that it is WAY more importiant to learn
your craft then rely on fancy stuff to fix it for you. I own fancy stuff,
but that's after years of learning my craft and making some great choices.
Look at it this way.. If it sounds like sh*t in the first place, a bigger
system will only put lipstick on that pig. You're the one who has to fix it,
not the speakers. 

How do you know what works? Do a few test mixes. Listen on your iPod, in
your car, on your home computer import it into iTunes, etc.. You'll get an
idea of what's going on. Also give it a rest! I do a few test mixes and give
it 24 hours till I listen again. My ears and brain are refreshed. You'd be
shocked what you missed. That's an absolute rule on anything serious I mix.

Mixing is all about POINT OF REFERENCE and once you learn the limits of your
system, headphones or huge concert rig, then you're good to go. I too get
hung up in the "gear thing" so you're not alone...

This has been a long post, but hopefully it can help.

Thanks!

Man Parrish

www.ManParrish.com

--- In Logic_Cafe@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Logic_Cafe%40yahoogroups.com> ,
Andy Brook <bbgrove@...> wrote:
>
> Sorry, this isn't a strictly Logic query, but I am looking for 
> monitors to use with logic, which I am running on my imac:
> 
> Model Name: iMac
> Model Identifier: iMac9,1
> Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
> Processor Speed: 2.93 GHz
> Number Of Processors: 1
> Total Number Of Cores: 2
> L2 Cache: 6 MB
> Memory: 4 GB
> Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
> Boot ROM Version: IM91.008D.B00
> SMC Version (system): 1.37f3
> 
> I was told by an audio engineer that you need to spend £400 a speaker 
> or its money down the drain, which rather made me gulp (I guess that's 
> about $400) so I did some research and got totally and utterly 
> confused. In the end the speakers that I guessed might be best are these
> 
> http://store.solutions-inc.co.uk/product/krk-rp8-g2-monitors-pair
> 
> The KRK RP8 from Rokit
> 
> I would anticipate having them about three feet away from me, in a 
> room that is about 12' x 20'. I don't have a studio to work in, and 
> the room has wooden floors and lots of windows. That, I know, is far 
> from ideal but there's not much I can do about it.
> 
> Given that, does anyone have any advice as to what speakers I should 
> get. I don't even know if the ones above are right for using with an 
> imac, so any help would as always be much appreciated
> 
> thanks in advance
> 
> Andy
>





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