Yes, sadly the radio (and therefore I suspect the satellite speaker) is ported, so the bottom end will have a bass hump:




Martin

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YewTreeMagic

Hi guys, after reading Mixing With Your Mind (where Stavrou often mentions the benefits of using one speaker to reference on) and the review of the cubes in SOS, i'm interested in buying one. But here's a question, those of you that use only one, where do you place it? Off to one side or firing at you straight down the middle? I ask because the latter would involve a bit of a re-shuffle of my current setup.

Thanks!

Hi Dr Venkman,

I’m not a pro and you are welcome to ignore my opinion
but in my opinion positioning of a single audio monitor with a single wide-range driver
is not at all critical. Just about anywhere will do.
This is because for our brains it is rather easy to ‘focus’ on this kind of sound source.
(‘this kind of sound source = single speaker based on a single wide-range driver in
a sealed enclosure. (Some may call it ‘point-source speaker’ but I don’t believe this is the
right term to use here. I personally never understood the concept of ‘point-source’.))

I would also recommend at least trying to use a high quality HPF to filter out low frequencies
which the driver in question cannot reproduce anyway. My Klein + Hummel M52D has
a built-in non-switchable so called ‘Infrasonic Filter’ with parameters 80 Hz; 12 dB/oct.

As for Martin Walker’s alternative suggestions, I was in the same camp a few years ago
looking for what seems to be a very basic and easy to execute idea
but now became rather skeptical. Sure it is possible that someone will find very good
and very useful yet inexpensive mass produced audio monitor which will do the job
just as good as purpose designed professional product but it is also possible
to spend a bunch of money on a bunch of useless junk.

I had a chance to hear Fostex 6301 and didn’t like it at all, it could’ve been broken or
something I don’t know. I remember I thought a similar but ported Yamaha speaker
was hands down superior.

I personally am a huge fan of now discontinued Klein + Hummel M52D - excellent design
and built quality as good as it gets.
+ Very convenient front panel volume control and power switch.
+ Very convenient and very useful input selector
Analog/Digital left/right/left+right
+Transformer balanced (and I bet it’s a good transformer) analog XLR input.
Do not underestimate how useful it can be.
+Can be battery powered if you need it, I don’t.
Also I think the D/A converter is sensitive to intersample peaks which I see as a feature.

One of Avantones is probably your best bet though.

Good luck.

Quote illegal colors:

---

I would also recommend at least trying to use a high quality HPF to filter out low frequencies
which the driver in question cannot reproduce anyway. My Klein + Hummel M52D has
a built-in non-switchable so called ‘Infrasonic Filter’ with parameters 80 Hz; 12 dB/oct.

---

Doesn't that rather depend what you're using this speaker for? A filter on the speaker will stop the LFs causing problems, but if there's LF stuff going on in the mix then you'll want to know if it's going to affect the way a smaller speaker responds. Following that logic, surely the filter needs to be on your mix buss rather than the speaker, such that you can switch between speakers and thus strike the right balance between impressive bass on full-range systems and an acceptable mix on crappy radios, TVs etc?

Quote illegal colors:

---

Hi Dr Venkman,
I’m not a pro and you are welcome to ignore my opinion
but in my opinion positioning of a single audio monitor with a single wide-range driver
is not at all critical. Just about anywhere will do.
This is because for our brains it is rather easy to ‘focus’ on this kind of sound source.

---

+1

That's one of the big advantages for small-studio operators, in my opinion.

Quote:

---

I personally am a huge fan of now discontinued Klein + Hummel M52D - excellent design

---

+1 -- if you can stomach the pricing, of course!

I'm also investigating a new option at the moment called the United Minorities Ginko -- looks very interesting, but only listening will confirm that.

--------------------
Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio
A complete mixing method based around the techniques of the world's most famous producers.

Quote Mike Senior:

---

I'm also investigating a new option at the moment called the United Minorities Ginko -- looks very interesting, but only listening will confirm that.

---

Now that does indeed look both interesting and aesthetically desirable Mike




Martin

--------------------
YewTreeMagic

Thanks for the comments guys , all duly noted, planning on investing in the summer.

So really, has no one tried a Behritone yet? C'mon.

A.

--------------------
Andi, www.thedustbowl.net Mixing, Mastering, Audio Editing at The Dustbowl Audio

Quote Andi:

---

So really, has no one tried a Behritone yet? C'mon.

---

Not available yet, as far as I'm aware. Don't worry, though -- I'm ready to pounce whenever I can get my hands on a pair of either model (ideally both).

--------------------
Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio
A complete mixing method based around the techniques of the world's most famous producers.

I am sure at some point I'd want to listen to my mix in stereo and would be bummed that I don't have another Mixcube to do so. Worst case scenario for you, I guess, is buy one, try it out and if you feel the need for another one, get another one later on?

--------------------
This signature has been removed by a moderator.

Hi again guys, I have another question about a mono mix cube and thought this was as good a place as any to put it.

For a number of reasons I'm using Arc software to compensate for the room i'm mixing in (the room doubles as sleeping quarters for both me and my girlfriend so space is extremely tight) I have used some acoustic foam and bass traps but am planning on using Arc to look after the rest. Having read your new book Mike i'm pretty sure I know what your feelings are on Arc but i dont really have much choice at the moment.

My question is, the procedure for setting up the software to deal with a 2 monitor stereo setup is very easy, but is there any way to do the same with one a mono block? And is the procedure even necessary?

Many thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

After some consultation with one of my lecturers it seems to un-necessary (and likely not possible) to go through a room correction software process with a mono monitor, just in case anyone else is reading this and wondering.

Incidentally since I installed a number of bass traps the performance of the room is much clearer, I still intend to use arc to create an optional method but I may not use it exclusively as i first thought

Quote Jack Is Sound:

---

After some consultation with one of my lecturers it seems to un-necessary (and likely not possible) to go through a room correction software process with a mono monitor, just in case anyone else is reading this and wondering.

---

Do us a favour and ask him or her why - do mono monitors not bounce sound off boundaries? The issue may be that the small, low powered single driver throws-out so little energy (especially in the bass) that it isn't so crucial but I don't think it's an issue of mono vs stereo.

Using ARC on a mono source is simple enough - I do it in Cubase via studio sends with different ARC profiles that switch automatically with the different monitors selected. Personally I think ARC is very good despite all the reason why it can't be - the sound is far more transferable with than without and is headphone listening supports the premise - just don't expect it to fix an untreated tiled bathroom.

It can also pay to stick ARC on your computer's media player if you can so you get calibrated to the sound (you can insert VSTs into Winamp if that helps).

Best of luck.

A.

--------------------
Andi, www.thedustbowl.net Mixing, Mastering, Audio Editing at The Dustbowl Audio

I'm having terrible difficulty trying to find somewhere in the UK that will sell me 1 mixcube and not 2. KMR audio claim that Avantone have stopped making them all together and that you cant get them anywhere, however Digital Village have told me that they can get them but i'll have to buy 2.

I should add, if anyone is in the same predicament as me I'd be happy to purchase 2 and sell 1 on to you. It would save both of us a few quid.

Update - HTFR have just informed me that they receive the monitors from Avantone boxed as a pair and therefore can only sell me them as such.

Edited by Jack Is Sound (04/07/11 12:21 PM)

I've thought about suggesting this myself seeing as a single is far more expensive than 1/2 a pair - I was a bit concerned that they might have shared PSU of some other shared component? Anyone know?

Still like to try the Behritone though.

A.

--------------------
Andi, www.thedustbowl.net Mixing, Mastering, Audio Editing at The Dustbowl Audio

Andi, I'm pretty sure it would've been mentioned in the thread so far and considering that some retailers have in the past offered the monitors as singles we can assume with a good degree of confidence that they have independent psu's.

Another stock update, Dale Pro Audio of NY have none, Avantone have told them they'll be receiving more in August, this is turning into a bit of a goose chase!

Quote Andi:

---

I was a bit concerned that they might have shared PSU of some other shared component? Anyone know?

---

When I reviewed the Mixcube Actives for SOS they were each packed into a separate box, with a further box around them. If they are still packed like this, then it should be a trivial matter for the retailer to separate them and sell them separately, simply by removing the out 'pairing' box. Each speaker of the review system had its own PSU (packed into each speaker's separate box), and the one speaker I subsequently bought of the pair runs happily on its own.

I think I might put in a call to Avantone. If they're the ones insisting on selling in pairs, then I think someone's cutting off their nose to spite their face...

--------------------
Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio
A complete mixing method based around the techniques of the world's most famous producers.

Boomerang Sounds is advertising monos for £228 inc VAT - not in stock but on 3-5 days delivery. A pair is £377 in DV so that is £40 per speaker cheaper!

A.

--------------------
Andi, www.thedustbowl.net Mixing, Mastering, Audio Editing at The Dustbowl Audio

To be honest at this point i don't mind spending the extra few pounds just to actually get one! Dale Pro Audio are saying that Avantone won't reply to them so I'm not holding out much hope. No-one seems to have any stock and no-one seems to be able to even speak to Avantone to find out if there's any more on the way.

Oh and by the way, Dale Pro Audio will take the money from your account without even having the product in stock, buggers.

Edited by Jack Is Sound (07/07/11 09:06 AM)

Just a quick update: I've pinged my contact at Avantone, and I'm going to try to get to the bottom of this once and for all. When I hear anything, I'll let you all know.

--------------------
Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio
A complete mixing method based around the techniques of the world's most famous producers.

Thanks Mike, appreciated. For what it's worth, HTFR say no stock til end of September

KMR Audio in London are receiving 3 pairs of Monitors this week and have promised to sell me a single unit. I'm sure if anyone else gets in touch they'll do the same.

£212 including delivery

The Tivoli PAL and iPAL radios don't have ports, though. And you can bring them to the beach afterwards

--------------------
All the best,
Knut Skaarberg

Hello all,

Just received an email from Dale Pro in NY. They informed me they've been unable to get any ETA from Avantone Audio, and have been told (by whom?) the company is being sold and that in the months ahead they would be able to order product again.
In light of this they have canceled my order and refunded my money.

Sad indeed as I placed the order in March! At this point I'm assuming any "stock" that vendors have to ship is vaporware, and the real question becomes Which one of these alternatives pass the SOS golden ear test?

...Although, if someone in the states has found a pair and want to split them - I'm up for a risk (after this frekn long!)

Quote Mike Senior:

---

Just a quick update: I've pinged my contact at Avantone, and I'm going to try to get to the bottom of this once and for all. When I hear anything, I'll let you all know.

---

Hey Mike, Any word on this? At this point I'm just curious what happened. And also what to get in place of them. Are the pyramids in the same league as the Avantones? They look a little funky.
Kinda bumming because I was geared up to finish some home projects with these many months ago.

Thanks.