Producing without a sub?

Maxadax · Post by **Maxadax** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:29 pm

Ok, so I have recently bought some KRK Rokit 5's. And for 5 inch speakers, they pack a surprising amount of bass. However, for dubstep, this isn't enough a lot of the time.

So, I ask you this, is it worth buying a sub? And if you say yes could you make a suggestion that will play nice with my speakers? Also, I don't have much money, because I bought these nice expensive Rokit 5's.

I have been looking at the KRK 10s, but it is very pricey!

deafblindmusic · Post by **deafblindmusic** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:34 pm

The answer is "it depends". I don't have a sub, I have got attuned to the relative weight of sub frequencies from my monitors and they have solid response down to around ~37hz, I also have a very nice set of monitoring earphones that go down to 5hz, so if I want to reference check the serious bottom end I can.

Honestly, you can get away with it using a spectrographic analyser and some A/B testing on systems of varying capabilities. Once you know the sound of your monitors and how other things sound on them (and how you know them to sound on other systems) you can make a comparatively solid decision on your mix and levels without having to have a sub.

ehbes · Post by **ehbes** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:42 pm

I have headphones and my car stereo system and it suits me fine... But yeah it's all about become attuned to what you hve

Maxadax · Post by **Maxadax** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 5:03 pm

Thanks guys, I guess I just need to spend more time with these monitors then.

wormcode · Post by **wormcode** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 9:14 pm

Yeah, just learn them.

If you decide to add a sub, anything will work btw. Doesn't have to be a KRK sub. There's lots of good quality subs that are inexpensive, but look for ones with a sweepable filter.

JTreeZY · Post by **JTreeZY** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:18 am

Just dont over compensate by adding too much bass

Attila · Post by **Attila** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:21 am

Spectral analyzers are your best friend

dubesteppe · Post by **dubesteppe** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:43 am

deafblindmusic wrote:The answer is "it depends". I don't have a sub, I have got attuned to the relative weight of sub frequencies from my monitors and they have solid response down to around ~37hz, I also have a very nice set of monitoring earphones that go down to 5hz, so if I want to reference check the serious bottom end I can.

Honestly, you can get away with it using a spectrographic analyser and some A/B testing on systems of varying capabilities. Once you know the sound of your monitors and how other things sound on them (and how you know them to sound on other systems) you can make a comparatively solid decision on your mix and levels without having to have a sub.

wow those sound great! would you mind telling me the model and manufacturer of the headphones

LilWUB · Post by **LilWUB** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:08 am

wormcode wrote:
If you decide to add a sub, anything will work btw. Doesn't have to be a KRK sub. There's lots of good quality subs that are inexpensive, but look for ones with a sweepable filter.

I'd like to know which good quality, inexpensive subs you're talking about.

I ended up getting the KRK 10S and it is a pretty awesome addition to my monitor setup.

Immerse · Post by **Immerse** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:26 am

i use tr8s which begin rolling off (lightly) at about 40hz, but i can never tell if my mix sounds good until i listen on the system in my car. just because i know the system so well, if it sounds just loud enough not to hurt my ears on 30vol in my car and the sub is heavy then the mix is right. im really hit or miss at it right now i think i just need to spend more time listening to professional tunes on my monitors

Maxadax · Post by **Maxadax** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:15 pm

JTreeZY wrote:Just dont over compensate by adding too much bass

That's exactly my concerns.

JFK · Post by **JFK** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 6:42 am

deafblindmusic wrote: I also have a very nice set of monitoring earphones that go down to 5hz

No you dont.

Eridu · Post by **Eridu** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:20 pm

if you produce at a reasonably low level your ears tend to tell you to have more low end, but when you turn it up you can often realize that the bass is at an ok level, check the fletcher munson curve for that

ehbes · Post by **ehbes** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 2:29 pm

JFK wrote:
deafblindmusic wrote: I also have a very nice set of monitoring earphones that go down to 5hz
No you dont.

Don't you just love marketing

safeandsound · Post by **safeandsound** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 4:22 pm

Whilst we are speaking of a genre noted for it's sub content it can be as much of a hindrance as a help if you do not have a bass trapped room and/or set the sub up correctly. There is no doubt a full range system is optimal but I opted for my main monitors having enough information in this important region without the need for sub because I find them another step removed from 'real' listening situations.

cheers

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