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How to make music to sound good with bad speakers
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golem
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
109
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70
Posted : May 1, 2010 03:03:15
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I have been thinking a lot lately for ways to compose so that your tune will not sound good only on the high-end studio monitors, but in all possible environments (a good home hifi system, party sound system indoor, open air, a moving car, really bad laptop speakers, etc..).
I think there is the way of thinking that this should be master engineers problem, but I think that it is good to have knowledge about this even in composing and mixing.
I mean, lets say (just a hypothesis) that statistically all speakers (speaker pairs) in the price range of 0-200eur would have such a typical design that in the frequency range there would exists a dip of -8db in 200-300hz range. In such case it would make sense to choose such synth patches that don't get ruined by such dip, perhaps patches that have most of the harmonics in other frequency.
Then lets say that the hum of a car driving would be in 400-600hz. Then it would make sense to avoid using anything that has important stuff in this frequency range.
Then, how can you compose stuff that will sound good with bad impulse response speakers..? You could think that maybe the less sound and reverb you use in a mix, the more likely it won't get blurred by the impulse response "distortion".
 
http://www.soundcloud.com/dreaml4nd
http://www.mixcloud.com/aegonox-peter-pan |
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pr0fane
Multiphase
Started Topics :
418
Posts :
3816
Posted : May 1, 2010 08:13
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I think it's always a good start to use your ears and hear your music on regular speakers. The truth is that the majority of people listen to music on pretty bad speakers and headphones, so I think it's a good idea to have a set of cheap speakers (maybe also headphones) in your setup to have a quick reference.
Concerning theory concerning all possible kinds of listening situations, I think there's a possibility that you overdo it - there's a risk that you'll stop trusting your monitors and lose focus on the most important thing; the music.
My 5 cent 
DJ pr0fane (Iboga Records) | Multiphase
www.sunrisesupplies.com | www.iboga.dk | www.soundcloud.com/pr0fane |
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Remy [POF]
Principles Of Flight
Started Topics :
48
Posts :
509
Posted : May 1, 2010 11:40
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it's very simple, make a good mix of the track.
On 2011-03-08 23:13, moki wrote:
listening only to free music is like having the free possibility to satisfy yourself with thousends of different free sexual acts. |
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Chemogen
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
166
Posts :
713
Posted : May 1, 2010 12:33
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+1.
Repeatedly listen to the mix on different systems. Car, Hi-Fi, PA, iPod etc and understand how your speakers differ from others. You're then able to determine if your speakers boost/cut any frequencies and adjust for it.
Or you could always bring a favourite track of yours into your DAW, lower the levels (because it's been mastered) to match your track's and then compare the two. Try get your mix to sound similar (in terms of mix width, depth and height) to your reference track. |
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badajalash
badajalash
Started Topics :
71
Posts :
188
Posted : May 1, 2010 13:55
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+1
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On 2010-05-01 11:40, Remy [POF] wrote:
make a good mix of the track. |
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Quote:
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On 2010-05-01 12:33, Chemogen wrote:
Repeatedly listen to the mix on different systems. Car, Hi-Fi, PA, iPod etc and understand how your speakers differ from others. You're then able to determine if your speakers boost/cut any frequencies and adjust for it. |
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www.selknamrecords.com.ar | www.soundcloud.com/badajalash | www.facebook.com/badajalash.music |
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soulfood
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
875
Posted : May 1, 2010 17:06
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Yeah you just have to make it sound as good and clear as you can.
All bad speakers are bad in different ways, so if you're going to try compensate for every inacurracy known to all speakers... well it can't be done can it?
Aim for clarity, and then at least blurry tools will be pointing at a sharper picture. |
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Trip-
IsraTrance Team
Started Topics :
101
Posts :
3239
Posted : May 1, 2010 22:39
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How to draw a really nice picture when you're blind? You have to be very lucky...
Crackling universes dive into their own neverending crackle...
AgalactiA |
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makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : May 2, 2010 12:13
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Quote:
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On 2010-05-01 03:03:15, golem wrote:
I mean, lets say (just a hypothesis) that statistically all speakers (speaker pairs) in the price range of 0-200eur would have such a typical design that in the frequency range there would exists a dip of -8db in 200-300hz range. In such case it would make sense to choose such synth patches that don't get ruined by such dip, perhaps patches that have most of the harmonics in other frequency.
Then lets say that the hum of a car driving would be in 400-600hz. Then it would make sense to avoid using anything that has important stuff in this frequency range.
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if you try and recreate freqency these snapshots of different speakers and listening environments in one mix your track will probably sound VERY strange, especially when it will be played somewhere in normal env thru normal speakers.
now, if we elaborate on the idea of perfect mix, we may conclude that it doesn't really make sense. the thing is 80% of people listen to mp3 music (or youtube) on shitty speakers because they don't really need that top-notch quality. it is the idea, the music, the soul what counts. you don't need superduper audiophile system to hear the idea of the track and its mood, right? that's what most people need actually.
other 20% of people dig quality because they are either musicians/engineers or audiophiles. audiophiles listen to music only thru special systems
musicians listen to music everywhere else.
imo there is sense to make music for expensive sound systems. this mix will sound great for everyone, who actually dig what is a great mix while the idea/mood/rhythm/lyrics (music, in one word) of the track will be clear on any speakers.
www.overdreamstudio.com |
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pavaka
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
87
Posts :
805
Posted : May 3, 2010 10:13
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pr0fane
Multiphase
Started Topics :
418
Posts :
3816
Posted : May 3, 2010 10:45
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5meohd
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
55
Posted : May 3, 2010 11:00
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lol... neither started deaf!
what about having a situation where your monitors seem to make everything sound "good". then when you go to ANY other speaker set you realize you still suck. i'm wanting to buy new ones  |
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Upavas
Upavas
Started Topics :
150
Posts :
3315
Posted : May 3, 2010 11:10
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Quote:
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On 2010-05-01 22:39, Trip- wrote:
How to draw a really nice picture when you're blind? You have to be very lucky...
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Van Gogh was so shortsighted towards the end of his life, he was almost blind. But it is true, get some proper speakers and start to hear what you're doing!
Upavas - Here And Now (Sangoma Rec.) new EP out Oct.29th, get it here:
http://timecode.bandcamp.com
http://upavas.com
http://soundcloud.com/upavas-1/ |
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orgytime
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
120
Posts :
1703
Posted : May 3, 2010 11:29
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Quote:
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On 2010-05-03 11:00, 5meohd wrote:
lol... neither started deaf!
what about having a situation where your monitors seem to make everything sound "good". then when you go to ANY other speaker set you realize you still suck. i'm wanting to buy new ones
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hey, i suggest those http://www.thomann.de/de/yamaha_hs50m.htm
i was looking for a pair of speakers too, and i was told to get them.
im still happy with them, for 300€ they are just great! im thinking of the subwoofer upgrade now... http://www.thomann.de/de/yamaha_hs10w.htm
but this need better roomtreatment (basstraps)
check the internet for feedback, you wont find that cheap speakers with such a quality.
the difference to cheap fun-speakers is extreme.
cheers
www.soundcloud.com/orgytime |
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5meohd
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
55
Posted : May 4, 2010 05:08
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thanks man... but i'm already set on saving for some genelecs. i listened to the hs50 and hs80 and when no sound was going for there was a slight hiss........ gearslutz has many threads stating that it goes away when a signal is pushed through.. but I would rather just get the best I can afford. i'm also really into minimal and idolize Henke.. if he can get by with Genelec then so can I.
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orgytime
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
120
Posts :
1703
Posted : May 4, 2010 10:42
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hehe sure, and you are right! there is a small noise like you descriped. go for the Genelec if you can... subwoofer will also be a good upgrade on them.
cheers
www.soundcloud.com/orgytime |
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