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monitor controller vs. preamp for volume regulation
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klippel
Stereofeld
Started Topics :
91
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1153
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 11:52:08
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hey guys,
so i bought new monitors and want their sound as clean as possible. so far i go out of my rme soundcard into an old bryston preamp to which my monitors are connected.
now i thought maybe the sound would be cleaner without the preamp just with a passive monitor controller??
any ideas, recommendations or thoughts on this? anybody made comparisons or is using monitor controllers like the ones here:
http://www.thomann.de/de/studio_monitorcontroller.html
cheers, tim
  http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/stereofeld-frequenzwechsel
"I've always been a believer in musical repetition to draw in the listener and make the music hypnotic. Another thing I believe in is repetition." Alan Parsons |
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Nectarios
Martian Arts
Started Topics :
187
Posts :
5292
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 12:10
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In theory, apms are designed to work absolutely fine at unity.
I use my Saffire's monitor knob as a volume regulator, although if I didn't have one, I wouldn't spend money on a Big Knob. Its a kind of studio "luxury" for me.
Peace out.
http://soundcloud.com/martianarts |
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orgytime
IsraTrance Full Member
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120
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1703
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 14:59
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klippel
Stereofeld
Started Topics :
91
Posts :
1153
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 15:12
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@dh: i want hands on control. if i have some erratic loud distortion coming from one of my plugs which happens from time to time i want to save my ears and my speakers! and my pci cards has no volume knob obviously..
@org: i only have one pair of speakers so the big knob seams a bit overkill feature wise. but more important have you a/b compared your speaker setup with and without the mackie in the signal path? is the audio REALLY not affected? whats are your speakers if i may ask? i spent a lot on my precious monitors and want the signal to be as unperturbed as possible.
http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/stereofeld-frequenzwechsel
"I've always been a believer in musical repetition to draw in the listener and make the music hypnotic. Another thing I believe in is repetition." Alan Parsons |
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Nectarios
Martian Arts
Started Topics :
187
Posts :
5292
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 15:22
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The safest way to go about it is to have the computer's output at unity and set the amp's input gain low enough to prevent such behaviour.
In any other case, IF the Big Knob colours the sound (it should be minute, if so), it will do so in any tune you listen through, so I guess if you get your mixes to sound like your reference tunes, it should be fine.
Peace out.
http://soundcloud.com/martianarts |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
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8087
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 17:08
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soundcard to the monitors is the cleanest path imo.i wouldn t use soemthing between unless it s high quality, maybe check the A-design atty or kush audio . (havent used these 2 but i guess it s good quality coming from these companies)
the problem with some volume controller is depending the gain the stereo balance is affected and maybe the frequency response too. |
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klippel
Stereofeld
Started Topics :
91
Posts :
1153
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 17:39
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cheers for your help mates.
i now did the first and most reasonable thing and removed the preamp from the signal path (DUH!).. it sounds a LOT cleaner now (even though preamps from bryston are really good, even the older ones, but not as clean as i thought..)
so there is no doubt it will stay out of my setup from now on (anybody needs one ?? ;-))
now are there any monitor controller users that one can recommend? one that meets higher demands in terms of clarity?
@dh: you are right about colouring and subtracting it after getting used to the change, however i still find any type of colourisation comes with a reduction in clarity, response timing and stereo imaging.. even though with plugins that is what you want most of the time here i want something ultraclean as i tend to mix "to my liking" in real time rather than "to what i would like after subtracting shit in my mind". i cannot get my head around doing that.. total fail
http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/stereofeld-frequenzwechsel
"I've always been a believer in musical repetition to draw in the listener and make the music hypnotic. Another thing I believe in is repetition." Alan Parsons |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 18:28
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mate what monitor did you buy btw ? for the controller check on gearslutz the 2 i mentionned or maybe just control the gain digitally.(but one day or the other you will get a big burst that will make you half deaf lol ,better to have a knob to turn down yes) |
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Nectarios
Martian Arts
Started Topics :
187
Posts :
5292
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 18:39
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Do some research on the big knob. Does it change the sound that much really? there would have been something about it on the net, although I must say that I have stopped keeping track of things now that I have a set up that suits my needs.
I doubt the guys at Mackie made something for this job that actually colours the sound so much...but I could be wrong.
And regarding of mixing things to your liking... that is fair enough, but you must always make sure you stay within the range of what mixes that you know sound great on a P.A. sound like in your mixing enviroment.
Peace out.
http://soundcloud.com/martianarts |
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klippel
Stereofeld
Started Topics :
91
Posts :
1153
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 18:51
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Nectarios
Martian Arts
Started Topics :
187
Posts :
5292
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 19:05
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klippel
Stereofeld
Started Topics :
91
Posts :
1153
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 19:15
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Quote:
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On 2011-07-01 19:05, disco hooligans wrote:
wtf?! �4,725.60!
If they sound as good as the cost, all I can say is nice one!
Peace out.
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mine were bought second hand and in pristine condition for 2,7k€ which is still a lot of money, but they are SO worth it!
http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/stereofeld-frequenzwechsel
"I've always been a believer in musical repetition to draw in the listener and make the music hypnotic. Another thing I believe in is repetition." Alan Parsons |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Jul 1, 2011 19:43
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man congrats ! that a nice present you made to yourself hehe  |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Jul 2, 2011 21:41
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klippel
Stereofeld
Started Topics :
91
Posts :
1153
Posted : Jul 3, 2011 10:55
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good read pom! cheers for the link.
i think i will get that tc thingy and see myself what it does to the sound. will report asap!
http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/stereofeld-frequenzwechsel
"I've always been a believer in musical repetition to draw in the listener and make the music hypnotic. Another thing I believe in is repetition." Alan Parsons |
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