Are Studio monitor speakers completely necessary?

[sn0wday]

I have a pair of Audiotechnica ATH-M50 studio headphones that I love. They say studio monitor on them.

I keep hearing that in order to REALLY get a feel for what your tunes will really sound like you need Studio monitor speakers, i.e. krks, etc.

I finally got a job, and the first thing on the list is my own laptop, then purchasing software. How necessary is it for me to get good studio monitors? They're pretty expensive. And if these studio headphones will do the trick, i'll just stick with them.

So far in production i've been using my studio headphones, i feel like they make anything I create sound way better than it really does. they're good headphones, but I'm not sure if they are really giving me an accurate idea of what my track is sounding like.

I'm sure a million threads about monitors have been posted, but this is a little different than what kind should i buy.

thanks!

[Electric_Head]

Headphones will be fine if they are good quality.

[Attila]

No, but they help. I usually a/b constantly between headphones and my monitors. Im sure a lot of touring producers just use headphones or earbuds. I know koan sound and feed me both do (granted jon uses 1500 dollar ones).

[Depone]

I think your doing the right thing and getting your own computer and software first as you already have some decent headphones.

I would say get monitors eventually, but make sure you save up for a decent 8" cone pair. The extra $£$ is well worth it.

[evilize]

If you're headphones have a flat frequency response you should be alright just using those but IMO, monitors are a must for home studios. They don't tire your ears as quickly as well

[_v_]

Breakage uses old Hi-fi speakers, and Skrillex used to use some old crap headphones ( theres a little bit more to that story but cant remember )...

though Id say yes a flat response is preferable.

[sn0wday]

How do I know if my headphones are flat response?

[RvCKvs]

necessary? no. Nice? oh yes, has to be one of my favorite investments. a lot more comfortable than headphones, I also like the sound better, its always nice to be able to feel the bass instead of just hear it.

[_v_]

id say if your headphones say studio monitor, then they should be flat...

[Electric_Head]

My Beyerdynamics have the softest velour pads.
I can wear them all day very comfortably.
Every argument to be made for Monitors can be made for headphones.

[samurai]

I do most of my mixing on my headphones but it's always handy to have the monitors there. they don't wear the ear as much. you can walk around the room and listen to them and hear the sound change. the sound is being channelled into your room and not directly into your ear canal. some stuff about a stereo image. I don't know. there are loads of advantages to monitors. but headphones are fine if that's all you got.

[sn0wday]

^The only reason i keep thinking I need monitor speakers is that whole room and bass feel.

With headphones I feel like (especially with this sort of music) I can't get a good feel for what it will sound like on a stereo system.

[Fauster]

Using a decent pair of headphones to produce isn't that big of a deal. But as soon as you go to mix down your track, headphones aren't really going to cut it no matter how good they are or how flat the frequency response is. As soon as you can afford it, drop some dough on a decent pair of monitors.


Edit:

^The only reason i keep thinking I need monitor speakers is that whole room and bass feel.

With headphones I feel like (especially with this sort of music) I can't get a good feel for what it will sound like on a stereo system.

Exactly. Once you get the monitors, your next investment is learning how to properly position them and how to treat your room.

[ljk32]

Every argument to be made for Monitors can be made for headphones.

Yeah?? Can you hear the signal from the right speaker in your left ear on headphones?

OT: Headphones are great, and monitors are not necessary if you know what you are doing, but it all depends how good you are at producing. If you can make a good track in headphones, you will be able to make a good track in monitors. If you make poor tracks in headphones, monitors won't suddenly boost your production skills and quality. So to answer your question, you do not need them. Work on improving the quality of your productions before moving to monitors, it saves money. However, if you feel that you are making some nice quality tracks, it would be a good option to think about purchasing some monitors. But I will repeat again, they are not necessary.

[AxeD]

More and more music is mixed down keeping headphones in mind, because people
listen to music on portable devices these days.

[OfficialDAPT]

The question is... necessary for what???

[wormcode]

Breakage uses old Hi-fi speakers

They were his dad's old speakers as I recall. Just wanted to point out this was years ago, around 2000-2004 era. He's now mixing down tunes in some major studios, and no doubt has proper monitors these days. His tunes from back then do sound good however so yeah it's possible to make good mixes on shit speakers, it just all comes down to knowing them inside and out, and cross referencing everywhere you can (proper mastering helps obviously).

[OfficialDAPT]

Breakage uses old Hi-fi speakers

They were his dad's old speakers as I recall. Just wanted to point out this was years ago, around 2000-2004 era. He's now mixing down tunes in some major studios, and no doubt has proper monitors these days. His tunes from back then do sound good however so yeah it's possible to make good mixes on shit speakers, it just all comes down to knowing them inside and out, and cross referencing everywhere you can (proper mastering helps obviously).

*slow clap*

[elyhess]

Personally i think that speakers are nice for bumpin, but when im working on a tune i almost always use my headphones, get yourself a nice pair of monitoring headphones

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ZG9TMA/ref ... ptwo&hvqmt

^
amazing headphones. I dont have them, but my buddy does, i've only heard great things

[motox2121]

I would def get other more important things first like your computer / software as that will make a way bigger difference. Buy monitors when you have the extra $ and you KNOW that owning them will improve your mixing on your low end ( Keep in mind if your room isn't treated that your low end monitoring still won't be so accurate as you lose massive low-end energy through untreated walls.)