Good music soothes the soul! I
f you have been a lover of music for a while now, you will agree with this statement.
You are just starting out as a music producer.
Besides, your studio room and other necessary audio equipment are all set.
However, you are torn between getting other ordinary speakers and studio monitors.
You carry out in-depth market research but still can’t arrive on a decision.
This is because you are not quite sure whether studio monitors perform better than ordinary speakers.
Are studio monitors necessary? You ask yourself still in confusion.
The good news:
You don’t have to crack your head any longer.
I understand that quality music is your cup of tea and you don’t want to compromise on that.
In this article, you shall discover why studio monitors beat other speakers and why they are a must-have in every studio.
So, let’s get started!
A Glimpse into Studio Monitors
Quality music does not just happen.
It calls for top-notch skills in sound mixing.
But what good do your skills do you if you don’t have the right speakers designed for studio production?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Definitely, the recording quality will be compromised.
Sound mixing using other speakers will give you a totally different experience outside the studio environment.
So, what’s the solution for this?
This is where studio monitors come in.
Since they are designed for this purpose.
You are assured of quality sound mixing.
Even if you are to use the recording in a real-world environment, it will steel sound natural like it’s in the studio.
But you are probably asking, “how does this happen?” let’s find out!
Compared to other speakers, studio monitors are tuned differently.
This is to say, they have a completely different kind of configuration when it comes to frequency response.
Simply put, studio monitors have a flat frequency response while the normal speakers have a rugged frequency response.
But what does that even mean?
Let me explain!
If you are to analyze the frequency response graph of an ordinary speaker, you will notice that it is designed to boost low frequencies.
Also, its mid-range and treble response is not steady and is evidenced by a dip and a spike respectively.
On the contrary, studio monitors have a flat line that signifies a flat frequency response.
This is to mean: it does not adjust to pick frequencies that it’s not intended to pick.
Therefore, it can only focus on the right quality frequencies.
For the best recording quality, this is what you need.
Ordinary speakers are not enough for quality recording.
And because of this, you will be glad you had studio monitors in the mix.
Clearly, they are a good fit where a flat frequency response is needed.
What is Transparent Frequency?
This is another term you can use to refer to a flat response.
In other words, studio monitors perform better because they are designed to offer you a transparent and precise rendition of music quality.
But again, why is transparency such an important factor?
Here’s why: the music you produce in the studios is meant for use in the real world–outside the studio set up.
Moreover, users will play this kind of music over various media which include other speakers.
To avoid disappointing your listeners, you need to ensure the music will still sound awesome even when used on other speakers.
Is there another way to achieve this other than mixing using studio speakers?
There is none.
Since studio monitors operate on flat frequency response, you are guaranteed that the sound that comes out of them is neutral.
What this means is that you can easily adjust bass, treble, and mids without internal influence.
This is something you can’t achieve with ordinary speakers since they exaggerate frequencies.
What else Sets Studio Monitors Apart?
Studio monitors are a must-have for every studio set up.
They are the best so far in the market when it comes to delivering a clear and accurate sound of top quality.
What’s more: studio monitors are less costly compared to other speakers.
And even if you are still new in the game, this won’t leave a hole in your pockets.
First, you will need to assess the size of your studio so that you only get what fits properly.
And the good part: you can start with just a pair if you have a small-sized studio.
Another thing:
Probably, you are comparing studio monitors and studio headsets.
While the two perform the same role, you are guaranteed excellent results with studio monitors.
Unlike monitoring headphones, you have no limits with a studio monitor.
Therefore, you can get the right impression of how the sound is blending with the room.
On the other hand, you can’t get this with monitoring headphones as they are confined to your ears.
Besides, you will love studio monitors since most of them have inbuilt power amplifiers.
This saves on cost and all you have to do is plug them to a power source and your computer.
Only do that and you are good to go.
Final Thoughts
So, are studio monitors necessary?
Definitely yes.
Unlike other speakers, you are assured of quality audio output.
What’s more, this audio remains top-notch even when on other speakers.
Thus, studio monitors are ideal for mixing and recording as they are designed to operate on flat frequency response.
Besides, they are less expensive and you can find a good fit for your studio even when you’re just starting out.
