Ok, so I've decided, after reading a few reviews, to get these monitors - http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flypage/product_id/6424 . My equipment is a laptop and an MPK49. Do I need an audio interface to use the monitors with my laptop or will they just plug in to the headphone socket like my current shitty speakers? If I do need an interface, any suggestions?
Quick question on monitors...
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Yeah man, your going to need to cop a interface. If your not trying to get something with a lot of I/O or top of the line converters then just a simple interface like this will be fine: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/0202USB/
You going to need cables too. (2) balanced 1/4 phono cables and your straight.
* If you can budge for FW instead of USB tho def make the move since FW is much faster and more appropriate for professional audio.
You going to need cables too. (2) balanced 1/4 phono cables and your straight.
* If you can budge for FW instead of USB tho def make the move since FW is much faster and more appropriate for professional audio.
T
The Arkitekt
Guest
Might wanna get something low end from m-audio so you'll have Pro Tools capabilities in the future.
Word. If your planning on getting into PT later on you might as well cop a MBox Mini for that matter. This way u get PT LE and a basic interface along with it.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MBox2Mini/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MBox2Mini/
T
The Arkitekt
Guest
Ya, that ones a bit pricey though steez. I'm pretty sure this peice right here will have Pro Tools support, only 100 bucks.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FastTrackUSB/
I could be wrong though. Just look for the list of Pro Tools supported interfaces, I can't find it. There was actually a recent thread about it, Kontents posted a link to DigiDesign or M-Audio with a whole list of the supported hardware.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FastTrackUSB/
I could be wrong though. Just look for the list of Pro Tools supported interfaces, I can't find it. There was actually a recent thread about it, Kontents posted a link to DigiDesign or M-Audio with a whole list of the supported hardware.
elementsrtyte
ILLIEN
ill o.g.
naw, man you definitely don't need the interface. you can just get a pair of trs balanced cables and get an adapter that will plug into the headphone jack on your laptop. you will definitely sacrifice some quality though. its like yor processing everything with a shitty stock soundcard not meant for professional grade mixing. so if you don't mind, then don't waste the 2-300 bucks, but in the long run, i'd definitely rec a fw interface.
You gotta still cop ProTools tho if u get the M-Audio interface. Just seems more cost effective to get the interface with the software, that is if you really want PT.
those monitors u linked to are passive - you'll need an amp to drive them as well as an interface.
I just copped this interface recently; http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flypage/product_id/13662
highly recomend it for its preamps if you're gonna be doing any vocal/instrument recording. It won't do protools though.
Protools and reason are completely different things; reason is a virtual instrument rack primarily for composition (it can't manipulate raw audio). Pro tools is for tracking out and mastering a mix.
Protools definitely isnt a 'must' either, theres other DAWs that will do a similar job; Cubase, Logic etc.
Just a matter of personal preference really, they all pretty much do the same thing, just got different ways of doing it.
I just copped this interface recently; http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flypage/product_id/13662
highly recomend it for its preamps if you're gonna be doing any vocal/instrument recording. It won't do protools though.
Protools and reason are completely different things; reason is a virtual instrument rack primarily for composition (it can't manipulate raw audio). Pro tools is for tracking out and mastering a mix.
Protools definitely isnt a 'must' either, theres other DAWs that will do a similar job; Cubase, Logic etc.
Just a matter of personal preference really, they all pretty much do the same thing, just got different ways of doing it.
I'd look at active monitors, they'll cost a bit more, but they've got amps built in and will plug straight into your interface. those would appear to be fairly equivalent to the monitors you linked to earlier http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flypage/product_id/6425
Protools is for music production, just completely different from what reason does. You can't record audio into reason, you cant chop audio in reason, you can't run VST plugins in reason etc. It is just a rack of (very good) virtual instruments with a relatively basic sequencer.
Protools, cubase etc are very powerful multitrack sequencers that u can chop and manipulate audio in, apply vst plugins to individual tracks, record audio into, route audio tracks etc.
Reason can also be 'rewired' into all the major DAW software, so it effectively runs as a plugin and can be controlled by your main sequencer.
Protools is for music production, just completely different from what reason does. You can't record audio into reason, you cant chop audio in reason, you can't run VST plugins in reason etc. It is just a rack of (very good) virtual instruments with a relatively basic sequencer.
Protools, cubase etc are very powerful multitrack sequencers that u can chop and manipulate audio in, apply vst plugins to individual tracks, record audio into, route audio tracks etc.
Reason can also be 'rewired' into all the major DAW software, so it effectively runs as a plugin and can be controlled by your main sequencer.
Thanks for the info and thanks for the link. Does it work out cheaper to get a pair of active monitors than it does to get passive and an amp? If so, is there any UK sellers that you know of that can supply a Monitor and Interface package/deal?
T
The Arkitekt
Guest
If you get one of the low end M-Audio interfaces, you don't have to buy Pro Tools, you can always download it. That might change with Pro Tools 8 though. They might use that little USB key thing to validate it.
DJ Redrum
Playin' For Keeps
ill o.g.
Ideally it would benefit you more if you was able to look into the £250-300 price range, as with buying anything below you'll most likely find it hard to get your mixes to translate as well on other systems - due to them not really being as accurate for mixing on.
Also with spending that extra money you will be able to buy a pair which are 8' than 6', as the smaller ones usually lack quite abit on the low-end and often need an additional sub to help them be more balanced. Choose a set which are Active seeing as they are your first. What size room would you be using them in anyway? It isn't a square one is it, as they are the worst have!
Whenever you decide to buy some though, the best time would be at the start of 09'.
Also with spending that extra money you will be able to buy a pair which are 8' than 6', as the smaller ones usually lack quite abit on the low-end and often need an additional sub to help them be more balanced. Choose a set which are Active seeing as they are your first. What size room would you be using them in anyway? It isn't a square one is it, as they are the worst have!
Whenever you decide to buy some though, the best time would be at the start of 09'.
I just ordered two krk powered 8's and a peavey 18 sub for my home studio. My studio room is so freakin' big I have to really step my game up. My equipment looks lost in my new house....lol, not enough gear....must order more gear.....
And I have to sound proof this monster........I'm about to be sooooooooo broke!
And I have to sound proof this monster........I'm about to be sooooooooo broke!
Cop some foam on eBay...I did that a while back and furnished my entire studio for 80 bucks. Made a huge difference with standing waves and flutter echoes. Im sure that Auralex shit is the goods but im not even about to spend 300 bucks on one little slab when i can do the whole studio for a fraction of that and it still improves your acoustics.
word....I'm checking out this place right now. http://www.foambymail.com/Eggcrate.html
If ebay has it cheaper I'll check that as well. My problem is that the room is as big as my living and a small dinning room combined. The good thing is that it's not totally square and it has a floating ceiling like you find in office buildings.
If ebay has it cheaper I'll check that as well. My problem is that the room is as big as my living and a small dinning room combined. The good thing is that it's not totally square and it has a floating ceiling like you find in office buildings.