buy a subwoofer?

[tenbucc2]

my neighbors are gonna hate me after this... i need a sub
got some event 20/20s but i need something to complete the circle.
I'm wondering how big i should go. is a 100w sub good? 200W? 1000W? this would be strictly for mixdown... i don't need to power a house party with the fucker.
Any brand or model recommendations?
what works for you?

[jolly wailer]

well u shouldn't need a sub for mixdown


post mixdown previewing perhaps.. to see how hard it goes once you got your levels


I mean.. this is a 400$ sub ---> Yamaha HS10W 8" ----> http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=601419


100 - 200 watts I'd say... you could try to make your own little cabinet on the cheap..

[gadders]

I built this monster for about 250 lol... 600W RMS, rattles next doors windows!

[upstateface]

250? dollars or pounds?

[FSTZ]

I too use event 20/20's and I want a sub for when I am dj'ing (not mixing down)

I dont need too much bass, just that low low

[tezifon]

i just use some creative 5.1 that go down to 26hz

someday i will buy some monitors... someday

[levitate]

surely a lot of producers use subwoofers in the mix?

i'm thinking about getting some yamaha hs50s and saving for a sub (don't have hte space for the bigger yamahas). love the sound of the 50s but there's practically nothing below 60hz.

likewise on the lookout for a basic sub, just wanna hear the lows, not shake the house

[mikey1985]

Why would you not use a sub in the mixdown? It makes perfect sense to me as you want to hear what's going on in the low frequency range and change your mix accordingly. I dont understand why alot of people think normal studio monitors can be used for an entire mixdown, like they obviously can because people do it all the time, even big artists do, but i dont know how they do it.
Its all well and good using an analysis but what does a correct sub level even look like? Surely you want it to be loud but doesnt a sub woofer boost the level of the low frequencies, so do you overcompensate for that and keep the sub levels low, or at a normal level? These questions have been on my mind for months now. Like what db level do people have there subs peaking at?
Countless are the times I have got a mix that sounds mint on my monitors, then jumped in a car with a sub in it, stuck in my C.D only to have the speakers prolapse over the back shelf and everyone on board spontaneously fudge there calvins.
As is probably obvious I need some guidance, just like the dude who posted this thread I guess.

Cheers.

[beatchewup]

I just bought a Behringer sub for mixdown and for mixing on the 1's and 2's. It only took us 3 weeks to blow the sub. It made a huge difference though. I could hear not only the lows better but since the speakers on the monitors weren't trying to push the highs, mids, and lows I could also hear the mids and highs alot better. Get the sub!!!

[kinggraham]

I built this monster for about 250 lol... 600W RMS, rattles next doors windows!

man your carpet is trippy as fuck.

[macc]

If you're in the US and you are buying a sub, there is only one option worth considering IMHO.

http://www.rythmikaudio.com

Unbelievable value for money going by the specs and all the reviews, the design is an astounding stroke of 'why doesn't everyone do that?' genius. Due to a supremely efficient design a 375W amp will push it as loud as about a 900/1000W amp on a normal sub. Phenomenal freq response, low group delay (ie it is 'tight'), untold sound shaping and interface options, option of an onboard PEQ.

I am absolutely gutted these aren't available here, and shipping/import costs make it pretty much unworkable, especially for a pair. Heartbreak.

[Big MD]

think 400 w RMS are ok.... if it's for mastering, build it your self, its way cheaper and you can build it as how ever you need it (bassreflex holes for more push or whitout for a better sound feeling - or cloable bassreflex holes) i build my in my car these days, and if you calculate the volume u need for the box right you'l have a great thing.

[Sentinels]

you make dubstep. Ideally you want a sub to help your mix. Don't leave it to guessing or fluke what is going on down there. If a pop or rock producer has advised you that you don't need one then yeah its fine. If you make pop and rock, genres that normally ignore under 100hz.

But don't just buy any subwoofer!!! Get a monitor specified one, ideally that is matched to your nearfield monitors. Ideally you want one that is punchy and true. And placement and volume will be just as important. If you have bass traps in your work room or it is phasing on certain notes then you have to sort it out.

Get a simple sine wave and move it down the scale to test for problems, or better still get hold of a BBC sound test CD.

[Depone]

I would use a subwoofer for reference, but probably not to work with unless its levels have been set EXACTLY right, and im adjusted to its level by auditioning other tracks. Nothing worse than thinking your mix sounds amazing, take it to a friends house only to realise you have undercooked/overcooked the bass

[Sentinels]

get to know your room, and speaker set up, find a level that works. This could take up to six months! I have exact dials that I use to get a consise mix between my nearfields and sub, and I don't change them. Definately reference other tracks, especially ones you thought stood out in other clubs. Mine tend to be Chase and Status and Rustie tunes that I heard in Fabric/ Matter, or new MJ Cole for the soulful stuff.

[levitate]

some helpful words here, cheers