Underestimating the influence of studio monitors?


Every recording gets its final sonic signature from a recording engineer who listens to the recording through a pair (or more in case of mutli-channel) of studio monitors. In the face of that reality, the recordings we listen to at home are shaped by those very studio monitor speakers.

So, if the monitors used are inherently bright, the result in our home systems will sound slightly dull assuming that the engineer is adjusting the mix to sound "real" based on the sound coming from the monitors. If the monitor's bass doesn't extend to the lowest octave, then the result at home is likely to sound overblown in the bottom octave for this same reason. Likewise, if the monitor has a bass hump, then the final result may sound a bit bass-shy. Therefore, unless the studio monitor is completely neutral in tonal balance and covers the entire audible spectrum from low to high, the final recording will have some inappropriate signature based on its defficiencies.

I suppose the skill and experience of the recording mixing engineer can come into play if they know the defficiencies of the monitors themselves and compernsate accordingly in the mixdown but can we really count on this? What do you think?
krisjan

Showing 2 responses by sthomas12321

I have a recording studio.

Everyone has different tastes in mastering. Some like to bump the bass. Some like bright crisp high's. Ive always liked weight and slight warmth to the sound. I dont want it to be thin. I basically like a fat full sound, with no hint of muddiness, and a airy top end.

check out love songs, by warren hill, or born 2 groove by Eugo Groove. Great albums.
No speakers sound the same. If you want to hear what the master heard, or wants you to hear, ask him what setup he used, and enjoy. Other then that, just hope he knows his monitors sound and how to adjust to a balance sound. You would hope it has been played on a full range rig, at least once before turning in the final mix.