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July 22, 2009

By Robert Renman - www.dolphinstreet.com

Cheap Studio Monitors

I have been putting off buying studio monitors for way too long. Instead of using some real studio monitors, I've been using headphones when mixing and recording. Not so smart. It is tiring for the ears with headphones, and it doesn't sound the same as through monitors.

So, what studio monitors to get? There are a lot of options out there, and depending on your budget, you can spend thousands or under a hundred on decent, good or professional monitors. I did some research and found interesting studio monitors by M-Audio, Yamaha, Edirol, Alesis, Behringer and others. Some are cheap, some cost a fair bit, but as always, you get what you pay for. A higher end studio monitor is necessary for those who want really good sound for mixing, recording, etc.

So, I talked to my local music store, Music Centre Canada, and they had just gotten some Eden EM-3 in. I hadn't heard of these before, so I headed over there and had a listen. You can see more details about these monitors at www.eden-electronics.com/products/monitors/index.asp. Recently, they had a sale on their website, and then a pair of EM-3 monitors were sold for $69.99! Incredible. Well, the price has now gone up.

The Eden EM-3 studio monitors are really small, but they are quite powerful. The sound is clear and they sound "flat", which means they don't boost the bass or other frequencies - a neutral sound, so to speak. This is just what I wanted. Even though they are only 10 watts, it's more than adequate for my needs, which is record and mix at low volumes at night.

These Eden studio monitors are really cheap, but for they money, the do the job well. I am frankly quite impressed. The sound very clear and crisp, and there is enough volume for guys like me. The flat eq is good, I think, because it suits my style of music. If you are into techno and such things, you might want monitors with bigger bass response. They are also very small, kind of cute actually (!), and don't weigh much.

If you can't find Eden speakers close to you, here are some other good studio monitors, available from Musician's Friend. I do recommend you test before you buy, especially if you are investing serious coin into this. The ones I have listed below have received good reviews and are all excellent choices.

Edirol MA-7A Stereo Micro Monitors

The MA-7A Reference Speakers are the ideal solution for musicians and computer users who must have the best audio quality possible in a very confined space. They are extraordinarily small reference speakers, yet are capable of producing incredible sound. ÿThe MA-7A has a built-in bass enhancer that operates on psychoacoustic principles. It converts low frequencies into a series of overtones that the human ear cannot distinguish from the original low frequencies. Thus you don't overdrive the speaker yet hear bass frequencies that are outside its normal range. If you need more low end, the MA-7A offers a sub-out jack for connection to a subwoofer.The MA-7A offers conveniently placed volume and tone controls on the speaker's front panel. You can also connect 2 different sources directly into the MA-7A, such as your computer and your stereo, so can hear either source without switching cables. You can also plug headphones directly into the MA-7A. Plugging in headphones automatically defeats the speakers, allowing you to monitor without disturbing anyone.The MA-7As are magnetically shielded for close proximity to your computer monitor.

Fostex PM0.4 Powered Studio Monitors - Pair

Diminutive in size, but with a sound that has to be heard to be believed, the PM0.4 is naturally recommended for desk-top use but its superb audio performance in a compact physical size expands its applications to professional console top studio monitoring, audio installation and portable audio monitoring. Features 36 watts of bi-amped power, UFLC 16mm soft dome HF unit, 100mm LF woofer and overall volume control. Electrics: The PM0-4 monitor features internal bi-amplification employing two state-of-the-art amplifiers which are precisely calibrated to match the performance of the drive units and utilize high quality discrete bipolar output devices:HF 18w, LF 18w. High-capacity power supply units are used for excellent transient response. PM0.4 offers TRS and Line inputs High Frequency Unit: The soft dome tweeters employ Fostex's UFLC technology (Poly Urethane Film Laminated Cloth) to achieve light weight and high stability performance. Low Frequency Unit: Uses a mixture of cut and milled fibres made from aromatic polyamide impregnated with resins to simultaneously achieve high rigidity and optimum damping. An olefin film is thermally adhered to its surface to control frequency response and ensure reliability. Distortion is minimized by the use of an ultra-pure copper voice coil.

M-Audio DSM1 Active Studio Monitors - Pair

M-Audio Studiophile DSM1's are reference studio monitors engineered to provide superior monitoring for discerning audio professionals. The DSM1 active studio monitor's design results from a collaboration between 2 powerhouse music technology companies: M-Audio and Digidesign. The DSM1 monitor features DSP-based crossover management, an assortment of onboard digital EQ controls, proprietary high-grade driver designs, and analog and digital inputs for high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. With stunning accuracy, clarity, and dynamic range, the Studiophile DSM1 monitor makes world-class reference technology accessible to a broad array of creative and professional environments.Redefining the World-Class Near-Field Monitor Over the last 20 years, M-Audio has achieved critical acclaim across diverse lines of music production tools. They attribute much of this success to the fact that each product group operates like a small boutique shop within the organization. The Los Angeles-based engineering team that designed the Studiophile speaker line applied their expertise to the DSM drivers, power amps, cabinetry, and electronics. Along the way, they worked with top recording engineers and producers to refine the Studiophile DSM monitors for optimal performance.Powerful DSP M-Audio engineers worked closely with their counterparts at Digidesign to bring their experience to the Studiophile DSM1 monitor. The powerful onboard DSP engine controls a complex 4th-order digital crossover. It also provides clear and accurate audio imaging by compensating for phase differences between the two drivers at the crossover point. This makes the DSM1 deliver perfect acoustic alignment and exceptional imaging.

Alesis M1Active 520 USB Studio Monitors

M1Active 520 USB is a studio monitoring system designed for professional studio use with an internal digital-audio interface. M1Active 520 USB is a pair of active, bi-amplified, two-way reference monitors that play from 20,000 Hz all the way down to 56 Hz to cover nearly all frequencies audible to human ears. You can take digital signal out of your computer via USB and input it to M1Active 520 USB thanks to their digital input. Priced attractively for any studio's budget, M1Active 520 USB perform with linearity, clarity, and neutrality typically reserved for monitors that cost much more. Reference Monitoring>Br> Alesis has built M1Active 520USB around their popular five-inch polypropylene low-frequency driver for full, smooth response in the low end and a one-inch silk dome high-frequency driver for absolute clarity in the highs. A custom crossover avoids the crucial vocal midrange, ensuring that your mixes sound the way you recorded them. The low-resonance bass reflex cabinet features radiussed edges to reduce edge diffraction and a tuned port for bass extension. A bass boost switch offers low-frequency enhancement to further accommodate for room conditions requiring a little more output in the low end.

By Robert Renman - www.dolphinstreet.com

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Posted by Robert Renman on July 22, 2009

Great Deals at Musician's Friend

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