Topic : Studio Monitor Setup

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            Replies : 9 - Pages : 1 - Last Post : Jul 6, 2008 4:28 PM by: Zak Ray
Zak Ray


Posts: 2,912
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jun 5, 2007
Studio Monitor Setup
Posted: Jul 4, 2008 7:39 PM
 

I'm in the market for some studio monitors, and have my eyes on the Mackie MR5s. I'm also looking at a 402-VLZ3 mixer, primarily so I can switch between the two channels I have set up-- one coming directly from the Mac for everyday use, and one going from the Mac to the deck to avoid latency while using the broadcast monitor-- but also to provide a balanced output signal. Rather than attempt to describe the setup I envision, I've drawn it up:
Setup

So I'm looking for advice on two points; firstly, the equipment I'm looking to buy, and secondly on the setup thereof. Thanks!

2.4GHz iMac C2D   Mac OS X (10.5.4)   FCS 2.0.4, 3GB RAM, 320GB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro  
Zebulun


Posts: 4,335
From: Chicago
Registered: May 17, 2003
Re: Studio Monitor Setup
Posted: Jul 4, 2008 8:25 PM   in response to: Zak Ray
 

This is how I've got my rig configured at home, but I also have a Kona LHe occupying two input channels of my mixer.

Can't comment on your choice of equipment, I don't have those particular pieces.

MacPro 2.66, X1900; 3 PowerMacs, Kona LHe, Kona Lava Dome, 2 Waterfords   Mac OS X (10.5.2)   Sony PVM-14M4U. Whole lotta stuff. In a handbasket traveling towards.......  
Zak Ray


Posts: 2,912
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jun 5, 2007
Re: Studio Monitor Setup
Posted: Jul 5, 2008 8:15 PM   in response to: Zebulun
 

What equipment are you using? Would you recommend it?

2.4GHz iMac C2D   Mac OS X (10.5.4)   FCS 2.0.4, 3GB RAM, 320GB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro  
Zebulun


Posts: 4,335
From: Chicago
Registered: May 17, 2003
Re: Studio Monitor Setup
Posted: Jul 6, 2008 4:57 AM   in response to: Zak Ray
Helpful

I can't recommend anything as my opinions on this may not be right for what you're doing. There a gazillion mixers out there and another gazillion ways to integrate all your equipment with them and each other. I use a cheap 12 input Behringer monitoring mixer that has been fantastic for 7 years now. I have a pair of Alesis near field monitors. They sound okay to me although they ain't the set of Genelec's that I'd like to have.

I should also note that all my connections are BNC, XLR, RCA or 1/4" TRS. There's only one 1/8 mini in my scheme and that is out of the MacPro.

MacPro 2.66, X1900; 3 PowerMacs, Kona LHe, Kona Lava Dome, 2 Waterfords   Mac OS X (10.5.2)   Sony PVM-14M4U. Whole lotta stuff. In a handbasket traveling towards.......  
Brian Conner


Posts: 5,439
From: Bartlesville, Oklahoma, USA
Registered: Mar 25, 2002
Re: Studio Monitor Setup
Posted: Jul 6, 2008 6:58 AM   in response to: Zak Ray
Solved

The Beringer knockoffs (Truth 2030A or 2031A) are nearly as good as the Mackies. My ears are too old to know for certain, but they might be as good. The Alesis are good, as are the KRK RP8s. All of those will save you a boatload of cash.

As for cabling, use a pair of RCA to 1/4" mono cables between your deck and the 1402 mixer. And a special cable between the Mac's Audio Out and the mixer. It has a 3.5mm (1/8") stereo on the Mac end and two 1/4" mono connectors on the mixer end. Have a professional cable company make this up unless you're sure you know how to do it.

Octo 3GHz MacPro, 8GB RAM, 4 X 500GB drives, X1900, Aja IoHD, FCS2   Mac OS X (10.5.2)   Also have a black MacBook w/ 2GB RAM  
Zak Ray


Posts: 2,912
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jun 5, 2007
Re: Studio Monitor Setup
Posted: Jul 6, 2008 12:30 PM   in response to: Brian Conner
 

Why not stereo 1/8" to stereo 1/4"?

2.4GHz iMac C2D   Mac OS X (10.5.4)   FCS 2.0.4, 3GB RAM, 320GB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro  
Brian Conner


Posts: 5,439
From: Bartlesville, Oklahoma, USA
Registered: Mar 25, 2002
Re: Studio Monitor Setup
Posted: Jul 6, 2008 1:15 PM   in response to: Zak Ray
 

What make & model is the VCR? Your diagram seems to show it having RCA connectors for the audio. Unless you connect the RCA outs to an impedance matching transformer, then go from the transformer to the mixer, you aren't really gaining anything to add the third wire for a short run. The Mackie will handle the unbalanced 1/4" connector just fine.

Octo 3GHz MacPro, 8GB RAM, 4 X 500GB drives, X1900, Aja IoHD, FCS2   Mac OS X (10.5.2)   Also have a black MacBook w/ 2GB RAM  
Zak Ray


Posts: 2,912
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jun 5, 2007
Re: Studio Monitor Setup
Posted: Jul 6, 2008 1:42 PM   in response to: Brian Conner
 

I was referring to your point about the stereo 1/8" from the Mac into dual mono 1/4". Why not just have it stereo from the Mac to the Mackie?

2.4GHz iMac C2D   Mac OS X (10.5.4)   FCS 2.0.4, 3GB RAM, 320GB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro  
Brian Conner


Posts: 5,439
From: Bartlesville, Oklahoma, USA
Registered: Mar 25, 2002
Re: Studio Monitor Setup
Posted: Jul 6, 2008 4:05 PM   in response to: Zak Ray
 

It gives you separate monitoring control over the left and right channels. Having discrete signals from each channel is a carry over from my days in linear suites.

Octo 3GHz MacPro, 8GB RAM, 4 X 500GB drives, X1900, Aja IoHD, FCS2   Mac OS X (10.5.2)   Also have a black MacBook w/ 2GB RAM  
Zak Ray


Posts: 2,912
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jun 5, 2007
Re: Studio Monitor Setup
Posted: Jul 6, 2008 4:28 PM   in response to: Brian Conner
 

Hm, makes sense.

2.4GHz iMac C2D   Mac OS X (10.5.4)   FCS 2.0.4, 3GB RAM, 320GB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro