UPGRADE!!!!!1!!!!1111!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!11!!!!!!

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Oh trust me. I've tried many, many things. She doesn't trust the supposedly temporary spray adhesive. It's not worth getting into, but so far I've lost all the battles...something something...but not lost the war.

You def. don't want too much bass going on in there even if you do treat. I work in a weird room too and since I downgraded to less bassy monitors I can really hear everything better.

True, true. Well, since the MOTU is firewire only, any recommendations that are USB capable, and still harness the quality that MOTU's do in the same price range?

I've never owned Focusrite, but I hear good things. I think most of theirs are USB. They way they list audio ins and outs is kind of tricky though. I think the big thing to think about is that if you are really serious about outboard gear you are going to want the audio ins and outs. So, do you pay for a better interface now with those ins and outs OR do you end up wanting to upgrade later?

Read magazine reviews, user reviews, ask around forums. Really most of us end up buying stuff pretty blind. Thankfully with most audio equipment price is a fair sign of over all quality, but there are some red herrings out there like the Equator Audio D5 monitors. You'll end up buying some gear you don't get along with, you'll end up finding a great deal on something you get on famously with. It's rough man, most of us don't have stores where we can audition gear. And even when we do you can't audition things like interfaces ;p

[Ledger]

Oh trust me. I've tried many, many things. She doesn't trust the supposedly temporary spray adhesive. It's not worth getting into, but so far I've lost all the battles...something something...but not lost the war.

You def. don't want too much bass going on in there even if you do treat. I work in a weird room too and since I downgraded to less bassy monitors I can really hear everything better.

True, true. Well, since the MOTU is firewire only, any recommendations that are USB capable, and still harness the quality that MOTU's do in the same price range?

I've never owned Focusrite, but I hear good things. I think most of theirs are USB. They way they list audio ins and outs is kind of tricky though. I think the big thing to think about is that if you are really serious about outboard gear you are going to want the audio ins and outs. So, do you pay for a better interface now with those ins and outs OR do you end up wanting to upgrade later?

Read magazine reviews, user reviews, ask around forums. Really most of us end up buying stuff pretty blind. Thankfully with most audio equipment price is a fair sign of over all quality, but there are some red herrings out there like the Equator Audio D5 monitors. You'll end up buying some gear you don't get along with, you'll end up finding a great deal on something you get on famously with. It's rough man, most of us don't have stores where we can audition gear. And even when we do you can't audition things like interfaces ;p

Well, the main thing I'd use the interface for, is the monitors themselves and I guess my friend that wants to start a band, but expects me to buy everything equipment and software wise, but he can go choke on his own if he expects that.

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Then probably whatever you are gonna buy is fine if its just for monitors.

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Then probably whatever you are gonna buy is fine if its just for monitors.

Supposedly just about anything by Focusrite is good, but I want something that will cause as few problems as possible, but I'll check into them. Once you get the D5's set up, record how they sound and upload. It'd help inform me on making a decision if any other monitors cross my wallet.

[Monosphere]

If you plan on using stuff for a band then you may want a mixer if you plan to record more than 1 thing at a time. An interface should be just fine for recording one instrument at a time though.

Like everyone has said though, stick with an interface, some monitors and a midi controller. If you just want knobs to link to parameters in your software you can pull that off rather cheap. For about 200 bucks you could easily grab up a midi keyboard with drum pads, faders and knobs on it. M-Audio Axiom 25 is about 200 bucks and I've heard good things there. I personally have the oxygen 25. Didn't really need anything more than that. Hell I don't even use it most of the time.

For room treatments if you're having a hard time selling on spray adhesive you should consider velcro. Not only is there no issues with getting that shit stuck to your wall but you can just take it down and put it back up whenever you want. So if you have company it's just a matter of pulling the stuff down until they leave.

[outbound]

A5X's are good..... Using them for this kind of music without a subwoofer? Useless.

I'd get a 2nd hand pair of A7's instead.

[Ledger]

Well, any recommendations for a budget subwoofer to go with the A5X's, or just a different pair of monitors (edit) w/ a built in sub in the $300-400 price range (as a pair)? Or should I just get D5's as recommended since they are great for the price?

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I don't know where you are getting this idea you are getting a pair of 5Xs for 300-400 dollars anyway. KRK Rokit 6s are about 400 bucks a pair. Yamaha HS 50 M are in that range probably. Recent auctions on eBay for 5Xs have sold between 700-800. For the money, I'd check out Equator Audio D5s and add a sub later if you find you need more bass response. For the money you can't beat what you are getting from the Equator D5s. Mine were 330 and change with shipping. Put my KRKs on eBay and never looked back.

[Ledger]

I don't know where you are getting this idea you are getting a pair of 5Xs for 300-400 dollars anyway. KRK Rokit 6s are about 400 bucks a pair. Yamaha HS 50 M are in that range probably. Recent auctions on eBay for 5Xs have sold between 700-800. For the money, I'd check out Equator Audio D5s and add a sub later if you find you need more bass response. For the money you can't beat what you are getting from the Equator D5s. Mine were 330 and change with shipping. Put my KRKs on eBay and never looked back.

I didn't necessarily mean that, just the fact that I'd have to save up for the Adams.

[Ledger]

I don't know where you are getting this idea you are getting a pair of 5Xs for 300-400 dollars anyway. KRK Rokit 6s are about 400 bucks a pair. Yamaha HS 50 M are in that range probably. Recent auctions on eBay for 5Xs have sold between 700-800. For the money, I'd check out Equator Audio D5s and add a sub later if you find you need more bass response. For the money you can't beat what you are getting from the Equator D5s. Mine were 330 and change with shipping. Put my KRKs on eBay and never looked back.

May seem like a complete airhead question, but I have been checking out the D5's and will more than likely settle with them, but, as common sense, I'd assume I'd need two of the TRS cables? Nevermind. Don't answer that.

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I don't know where you are getting this idea you are getting a pair of 5Xs for 300-400 dollars anyway. KRK Rokit 6s are about 400 bucks a pair. Yamaha HS 50 M are in that range probably. Recent auctions on eBay for 5Xs have sold between 700-800. For the money, I'd check out Equator Audio D5s and add a sub later if you find you need more bass response. For the money you can't beat what you are getting from the Equator D5s. Mine were 330 and change with shipping. Put my KRKs on eBay and never looked back.

May seem like a complete airhead question, but I have been checking out the D5's and will more than likely settle with them, but, as common sense, I'd assume I'd need two of the TRS cables? Nevermind. Don't answer that.

Haha. Yea. The cables are so not a big deal, man. You should be able to buy them at any music shop.

[Ledger]

I don't know where you are getting this idea you are getting a pair of 5Xs for 300-400 dollars anyway. KRK Rokit 6s are about 400 bucks a pair. Yamaha HS 50 M are in that range probably. Recent auctions on eBay for 5Xs have sold between 700-800. For the money, I'd check out Equator Audio D5s and add a sub later if you find you need more bass response. For the money you can't beat what you are getting from the Equator D5s. Mine were 330 and change with shipping. Put my KRKs on eBay and never looked back.

May seem like a complete airhead question, but I have been checking out the D5's and will more than likely settle with them, but, as common sense, I'd assume I'd need two of the TRS cables? Nevermind. Don't answer that.

Haha. Yea. The cables are so not a big deal, man. You should be able to buy them at any music shop.

The D5's are so extremely convincing. e.e How's the sound response on them? There's like, one video on Youtube about their review, but the guy doesn't do a sound test.

[Monosphere]

I don't know where you are getting this idea you are getting a pair of 5Xs for 300-400 dollars anyway. KRK Rokit 6s are about 400 bucks a pair. Yamaha HS 50 M are in that range probably. Recent auctions on eBay for 5Xs have sold between 700-800. For the money, I'd check out Equator Audio D5s and add a sub later if you find you need more bass response. For the money you can't beat what you are getting from the Equator D5s. Mine were 330 and change with shipping. Put my KRKs on eBay and never looked back.

May seem like a complete airhead question, but I have been checking out the D5's and will more than likely settle with them, but, as common sense, I'd assume I'd need two of the TRS cables? Nevermind. Don't answer that.

Haha. Yea. The cables are so not a big deal, man. You should be able to buy them at any music shop.

The D5's are so extremely convincing. e.e How's the sound response on them? There's like, one video on Youtube about their review, but the guy doesn't do a sound test.

If you happen to live near a music shop see if they have some there that you can go in and test yourself. Otherwise you're going to have to bite the bullet and hope written reviews are accurate enough and it works out.

[Ledger]

I don't know where you are getting this idea you are getting a pair of 5Xs for 300-400 dollars anyway. KRK Rokit 6s are about 400 bucks a pair. Yamaha HS 50 M are in that range probably. Recent auctions on eBay for 5Xs have sold between 700-800. For the money, I'd check out Equator Audio D5s and add a sub later if you find you need more bass response. For the money you can't beat what you are getting from the Equator D5s. Mine were 330 and change with shipping. Put my KRKs on eBay and never looked back.

May seem like a complete airhead question, but I have been checking out the D5's and will more than likely settle with them, but, as common sense, I'd assume I'd need two of the TRS cables? Nevermind. Don't answer that.

Haha. Yea. The cables are so not a big deal, man. You should be able to buy them at any music shop.

The D5's are so extremely convincing. e.e How's the sound response on them? There's like, one video on Youtube about their review, but the guy doesn't do a sound test.

If you happen to live near a music shop see if they have some there that you can go in and test yourself. Otherwise you're going to have to bite the bullet and hope written reviews are accurate enough and it works out.

There are tons of music shops here... But they are ALL smalltime. So, unless the Guitar Center an hour away may possibly carry them, I'm going Spetsnaz.

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Nobody is going to carry D5s, they are priced so low because you can only buy them direct from Equator Audio. Also, it'd be dumb to do a monitor sound test on YouTube, man. You'd be listening through a different set of speakers and through a compressed internet medium. What would the point of that be!

All the more I'll say is, I bought them on faith and research and wasn't disappointed (not got to really work on them yet, but they sound amazing). Compared to my KRKs they do have less bass, in comparison I think the KRKs were boomy in a bad way for mixing. Everybody is always on about you need tons of bass, you'll never mix bass music without a huge fucking sub kicking in your studio. While I see their point, I think its entirely possible to mix bass music on speakers with a low end response of 53hz, but maybe I'm a complete asshole and don't know what I'm on about.

[Ledger]

Nobody is going to carry D5s, they are priced so low because you can only buy them direct from Equator Audio. Also, it'd be dumb to do a monitor sound test on YouTube, man. You'd be listening through a different set of speakers and through a compressed internet medium. What would the point of that be!

All the more I'll say is, I bought them on faith and research and wasn't disappointed (not got to really work on them yet, but they sound amazing). Compared to my KRKs they do have less bass, in comparison I think the KRKs were boomy in a bad way for mixing. Everybody is always on about you need tons of bass, you'll never mix bass music without a huge fucking sub kicking in your studio. While I see their point, I think its entirely possible to mix bass music on speakers with a low end response of 53hz, but maybe I'm a complete asshole and don't know what I'm on about.

I don't really need monitors that go super low, since I'm getting new headphones that are going low enough to reach 20Hz-30Hz. So I could just mix in the sub from those when I get them, which will be really soon.

Edit: Sorry, meant 5Hz.

[Ledger]

Although, which would be better? Even though the Behringer's are about $100 more, their frequency response is a little better, by just a few Hz on the low end, and 1kHz on the high end. Any idea on the sound quality on them?

Edit: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... details&Q=

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I'm biased against Berhinger generally. But I'd say anything in the price range will be better, build quality wise. That's usually where Berhinger cuts corners in my experience.

[Ledger]

I'm biased against Berhinger generally. But I'd say anything in the price range will be better, build quality wise. That's usually where Berhinger cuts corners in my experience.

So, you're saying Berhinger monitors aren't that good, at least not in the $300-400 range? I really just want some flat monitors that won't fall apart or break within months or years. Like, ones that will have to last me at least the next 3-4 years.

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I'm biased against Berhinger generally. But I'd say anything in the price range will be better, build quality wise. That's usually where Berhinger cuts corners in my experience.

So, you're saying Berhinger monitors aren't that good, at least not in the $300-400 range? I really just want some flat monitors that won't fall apart or break within months or years. Like, ones that will have to last me at least the next 3-4 years.

I've never owned Berhinger monitors or speakers in general, but I've owned a mixer and some other little pieces of kit (Maybe a MIDI controller) and the build was shit. The mixer traveled a bit, but the FX bleed is so bad now it's collecting dust. Also, many of the I/Os have become unreliable.