Diki: Who said anything about mixing like the Pro's, for me it's about being able to produce a half descent recording without breaking the bank.

No disrespect to anyone here but how many, myself included, fully understands the way to use the raft of Plug-in's available on the modern DAW.

You can spend as much as you like on Monitors but it doesn't mean you will produce quality recording.

Hearing a problem within a mix is one thing sorting it is another story.

Col

Col,

wow... the differences are really impressive and do exist; I would say that I liked the Adam more than the Yamaha, but I am not sure when each exactly begins.
Do you remember (more or less) when you switched settings?
Also, did you go trough the entire series for both songs?
Thanks (I don't want to give you much trouble, so now I am going to listen again, trying to detect the timing of the transitions).

OK. I detect the following transitions:
30"
1' 39"
2' 15"
2' 44"
2'56"
3' 05"
3'22" End of the first song
3' 41" Second song begins
4' 02"
4' 31"
5' 00"
5' 14"
5' 28"?
5' 48"
6' 10"
6' 30" Second song ends

Hi Andrea

I used the same sequence on both songs.

I'll re-do the recording tomorrow and stop between changes to give you a better idea.

Col

So the sequence could be:

0-28" no VRM
29" Japanese white (Yamaha NS 10)
53" Adam S 2.5
1' 39" KRK 06
2' 15" No VRM
2'44" Budget Micro
2' 56" LCD flat screen
3' 05" KRK 8
3'22" End of the first song
3' 41" Second song begins > no VRM
4' 02" Yamaha NS 10
4' 31" Adam S 2.5
5' 00" KRK 06
5' 14" no VRM
5' 28"? Budget Micro
5' 48" LCD flat screen
6' 10" KRK 8
6' 30" Second song ends

Thank you Col.
You are too kind, really!

Hi Andrea

Tried a simpler approach, three speakers , Adam, Yamaha, Genelec, I then switch the VRM in and out as the playback progressed starting with the VRM off.


https://app.box.com/s/z2qmf5knxe3h5hfh2ub7

Hope this helps

Col

I record quite a lot and I use monitors and headphones. I have passive Quad 22L speakers and 909 amp plus an REL Sub that I sometimes use for monitoring to check low end. I also use an AKG k601 headphone that I drive from a dedicated headphone amp. I believe using the headphone as well is critical because so many people today listen with headphones via Ipods, Smart phones, etc. I also find that I can identify balance and panning issues easier with headphones ( of course you need good ones ). I find the AKGs to be very neutral and open.

So as an alternative you can also consider passive quality speakers such as Quad, Spendor, KEF, etc. and supply your own amplification. That may be more expensive but gives you more flexibility and I believe better quality.

Col,

many thanks again for your kindness and patience.
What I have found incredibly useful from these two audio clips are the differences between the different speakers. Given that Focusrite has quite a reputation for making great products, used in the best recording studios (like Abbey Road), one can trust them for being able to reproduce the sonic features of these different monitors.
Actually, after listening to your two recordings, I have included the KRK RP5 in my final selection, together with the Adam AX7.

KRK RP5




And, speaking of Focusrite, I will most likely buy one of their sound interfaces: either the Scarlett 18i8 or the Scarlett 18i20






As always, the key is not finding the best product of all, but the one that best satisfies our needs.

Joe,

you are a real audiophile! And you bring back a lot of memories... In the past I used to have a Quad 33 and a 303 (later replaced with a 405) and my dream was always to add to them a pair of Quad ESL.
Right now I have in my living room two Magneplanar SMGa, but for my recording and mixing purposes I need a couple of small, near field speakers, to place at ear level and that don't take up much space or weigh too much.
What you wrote about the usefulness of listening also through headphones is very interesting and I have taken note of the AKG: it seems that the 601 have been replaced by the 701: they are no doubt expensive, but I will check them as soon as possible.