STUDIO MONITORS SECTOR SPOTLIGHT CONTACTS
Cakewalk by Roland MA15 D £159.99
These monitors are ideal for computer-based recording artists seeking a high-quality, powerful set of reference monitor speakers to use in a relatively confined space. The fitted Bass Enhancer lets the user hear bass frequencies not normally audible through speakers this size. Even ignoring the price, this is a top product.
Mackie HR824 MkII £541
Top of the range Mackie monitor with ‘ultra-linear frequency response’ through 8.75-inch LF transducer and one-inch titanium dome, ferrofluid cooled tweeter. Optimised waveguide for wide, even zone, twin FR series amps (150W for LF and 100W for HF), cast aluminum Zero Edge Baffle for minimal diffraction, full internal damping.
Cakewalk (Roland) 01792 702701 Phonic (Shure) 01992 703058 Samson (Korg) 01908 857100 QTX 0845 270 2411 Tascam 0845 1302511 KRK (Focusrite) 01494 462246 Avid 01753 655999 Mackie (Loud) 01494 557398 Yamaha 01908 366700 Genelec (Source) 020 8962 5080 JBL (Sound Tech) 01462 480000 Alesis 01252 341400
Tascam VL-M3 £99
The Tascam VLM3 stereo pair is an affordable stereo monitor for home recording, computer use and mixing. A three-inch driver with a front-mounted bass port and built-in 24-Watt stereo amp makes for an ideal product for beginners and musicians on a budget.
QTX QM-80 passive £99
A very keenly priced pair of bookshelf monitors with a seven- inch low/mid driver and a one-inch tweeter, this is another entry-level monitor that fills an important niche in the ‘getting started’ category. A total of 160 Watts are available (peak) and with a simple, spring-loaded connection, this pair is new to QTX – and also has the QM-125 active sub to match.
makes pretty much anything it does immediately attractive. On the studio monitor front, the Rubicon series of ribbon monitors takes a lot of beating. In the Rubicon R8a, two- inch velocity ribbon high frequency transducers are fitted to complement a two-way active system. Ribbon drivers have no resonant colour and give an even dispersion, unlike a traditional diaphragm tweeter. The ribbon driver itself has no added sound characteristics. In technical terms, there is no addition or subtraction to the harmonics of the sound they are producing. If you haven’t already checked out
ribbon monitors, have a listen – and Samson is an excellent place to start. Another company more usually
associated with live, rather than studio, Phonic’s P series monitors are a great choice for the more serious pair of ears –
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
particularly the featured P8a. The other two in the series, the P5a and the P6a offer similar specs, although with reduced peak capabilities and respective speaker measurements correlating to the code numbers. These are functional, quality and multi-purpose speakers well worth checking out.
A PIECE OF CAKE
As well as the MA-15D model, Cakewalk also offers the MA-7A stereo reference speakers, touting them as the ‘ideal solution for musicians and computer users who demand the best audio quality possible in a very confined space’. The MA-7As are very small units, but are capable of producing a sound much bigger than their size would imply. The impressive bass enhancer is also used on the MA-7As, although there is also an output for a subwoofer unit.
Formerly under the Edirol brand,
Cakewalk makes these products easily identifiable for the MI market. Another company renowned for its
digital contributions, Alesis has a good selection of studio monitors covering a wide range of uses. With the introduction of the M1 active 320 USB, 520 and 620 monitors, the American giant has improved further its performance and value, delivering sonic clarity that, the company says, ‘must be experienced to be fully appreciated’.
The M1 active 520 is the third
generation of the Alesis M1 series, offering good bass and midrange definition and flat frequency response from its high-precision driver and pro- quality crossover. With a sleek look, a redesigned driver, bass density control and eq, this affordable monitor delivers excellent sonic clarity.
Last, but by no means least, we go
back to one of those companies that made its name in the live arena, but offers excellent technology and understanding of the studio. JBL’s LSR2325P bi-amped, two-way model is based on a five-inch excursion woofer and a one-inch soft dome tweeter. It includes balanced XLR, balanced ¼-inch TRS and RCA unbalanced input connectors and a detented level control for fine adjustment of individual speaker levels to balance each speaker. Low and high frequency trim controls let the user tailor the speaker’s response to preference or room acoustics. A neoprene rubber pad on the bottom of the speaker provides acoustic isolation and increases stability when the speaker is placed on a speaker stand or a console top. It’s impressive, but quite accessible for the most modest of budgets.
miPRO DECEMBER 2010 51
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