How do you monitor?

risenwithhim wrote on 4/12/2004, 9:39 AM
I just wanted to get a glimpse into other people's rigs.

For mixing stereo, I send from Vegas master via MOTU 2408mkii interface, S/PDIF as 48kHz/24bit to the Tascam DM-24 console's S/PDIF input, and out to a Behringer Truth matched pair.

I've been passively researchign 5.1 monitoring options for low-budget. Alesis makes a "THX certified" set-up for $400, but I've seen an identical system by some other brand for like $250. Even claims the same THX cert. Are they the same system?

How do you monitor? If you mix 5.1, list that out as well.

Comments

David_Kuznicki wrote on 4/12/2004, 10:20 AM
Although I do video work (so my needs aren't as extravagent as other people's, I imagine!)...

I simply go from Vegas to powered Event 5"-ers, via an M-audio Firewire 410. It works out perfectly!

David.
PipelineAudio wrote on 4/12/2004, 5:26 PM
Out of vages thru a DAC-1 from Benchmark, and a parallel chain out an Attrocious Masterlink, into a trident console for a volume knob, soon to be replaced by either a Mackie Big Knob or some switcher I make myself , into yamaha ns-10's mackie 824's and some sort of old urei 15's
tmrpro wrote on 4/13/2004, 11:46 PM
I'm using the Blue Sky System One 5.1 monitoring setup with their bass management controller in my 5.1 surround sound mix, mastering, authoring suite for DVD-Audio & SACD.

Very good!

I listened to everything out there before choosing this solution and it won hands down.
PipelineAudio wrote on 4/14/2004, 12:33 AM
we were checking out the blue sky at EAR. I was just paranoid about having a sub, but that system sounded AWESOME
RichMacDonald wrote on 4/14/2004, 7:50 AM
>I've been passively researchign 5.1 monitoring options for low-budget. Alesis makes a "THX certified" set-up for $400, but I've seen an identical system by some other brand for like $250. Even claims the same THX cert. Are they the same system?

That Alesis is a POS, IMHO. *Way* too much bass. Its for gamers, not for monitoring.

I researched the heck out of this back in Jan. My conclusion is that there is nothing in the sub-$400 range that does a good job. Thanks to some suggestions here, I found the M-audio LX4 system for $405. Its a wonderful system. Best you'll find in that price range. Of course, you can spend more. But if you're serious about really hearing what you're mixing, you cannot spend less.

Some threads for you:
Link 1
Link 2
Photo of my workspace
cosmo wrote on 4/14/2004, 8:44 AM
Go Blue Sky! That system is amaaaazing. Since I cannot afford one of those(!) I use two different home surround systems. I don't think you can get any cheaper than that...using existing equipment! Granted you must be very familiar with what stuff sounds like on your system and over time you can get your mixes in pretty good shape. I'm not interested in a low cost 5.1 system cause it seems I have one already. I'll be saving for something like the BlueSky system.
tmrpro wrote on 4/14/2004, 7:19 PM
Yeah the Blue Sky monitors are amazing.

I actually mix and master all of my stuff now in my 5.1 room. The system flawlessly reproduces 2.1 as well & you can tune the lo-freq according to your room and placement with the bass management controller.

My 5.1 room has no mixer at all.... it is purely application based and I control my master volume using the bass management controller. It is really very cool.

My 5.1 Room

My main control room has the O2R console and an array of near field and mid fields and I just can't wait to get finished tracking and open the projects up in my 5.1 room and start mixing with the Blue Sky's...

I agree ....save your money and get the right thing. You will not be dissapointed.