Sound cards, monitors and headphones...

I'm looking to upgrade some of my audio equipment in the near future (whee Christmas =D ), but given my limited experience with it, I'd like a few suggestions, recommendations and advice.

So, firstly, I'd be looking for some good headphones for no more than 150 CAD. Preferably, sound quality would be relatively uncoloured and adequate for producing music [and listening to it, too, of course] given the price range, and they should be comfortable enough to use for three or four hours consecutively. Any brands to recommend that produce good headphones in this price range, or specific models?

I'm also looking to get a sound card (my current one is an integrated one). I'm not really sure if I should go for low-end professional cards such as the M-Audio Audiophile 2496, or for mid-end consumer cards. I do know, though, that for now, all of my input or output devices use the 3.5mm stereo plug (and one uses a 6.2mm, but I use a 6.2-to-3.5mm plug adapter for it). Are there any particularly advantages or disadvantages I should know about for each? Any recommendations? Again, my budget would allow for no more than $150 CAD or so.

(Looking at some of M-Audio's, I see they have a MIDI input/output... that could be useful.)

My current 2.1 speaker set is way too bassy, and there's no way to change that short of third-party software... I'm not sure if I should go for cheap monitors ($200-250 CAD or less) or for good consumer speakers around the same range. Given that I mostly work on music through headphones, I'm not sure whether monitors are justified, or how they compare to like-priced consumer systems. Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot,

Laogeodritt

I'm also looking to get a sound card (my current one is an integrated one). I'm not really sure if I should go for low-end professional cards such as the M-Audio Audiophile 2496, or for mid-end consumer cards. I do know, though, that for now, all of my input or output devices use the 3.5mm stereo plug (and one uses a 6.2mm, but I use a 6.2-to-3.5mm plug adapter for it). Are there any particularly advantages or disadvantages I should know about for each? Any recommendations? Again, my budget would allow for no more than $150 CAD or so.

(Looking at some of M-Audio's, I see they have a MIDI input/output... that could be useful.)

My current 2.1 speaker set is way too bassy, and there's no way to change that short of third-party software... I'm not sure if I should go for cheap monitors ($200-250 CAD or less) or for good consumer speakers around the same range. Given that I mostly work on music through headphones, I'm not sure whether monitors are justified, or how they compare to like-priced consumer systems. Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot,

Laogeodritt

I think it all comes down to what you are doing. Are you using a sequencer or Finale/Sibelius, or do you just write tunes using a basic MIDI program? Do you use a sample library and need to create professional mixes? Sorry, don't know a lot about headphones...

As for sound cards, again it depends on what you are doing I think. If you are only using midi tracks then maybe you could get by with a consumer card. Professional cards are essential if you are recording directly using the inputs though (say guitar, vocals or a mic'ed instrument), because they have better quality analogue to digital converters. Also, if you are writing compositions which have dozens of tracks being played with sample libraries then a professional card may also help because I have a feeling they have bigger buffers so you can playback more complex audio without getting pops or clicks in the output sound. The following page has a good list of professional sound cards... Beagle Home Studio Recording - Audio Card Advice. Also perhaps check out the website of the software package you are using for recommendations.

For speakers, if you say your current speakers are too bassy then I would go for a set of monitors. Monitor speakers are supposed to have a more "flat" frequency response so that it is easier to mix tracks and get a good even mix. I myself am looking at buying some monitors soon in a similar price range. I have been considering the Behringer MS20 and MS40 models, but haven't actually made the purchase yet. Also considering the Samson Resolv 40a which are a tad more expensive. I have been told that monitors in this price range won't necessarily give a totally flat response, and it may be necessary to spend a bit more to get this. But monitors will still probably have much more clarity than consumer speakers which are in the same price range (although you may be able to buy more powerful / louder consumer speakers for the price).

I usually write in Sibelius, but I use GPO and SONAR for actually producing recordings. I'll probably look into EWQLSO Gold eventually.

I'll occasionally record myself, but it's pretty rare that I use it for an actual piece, as opposed to just sending friends samples of my playing. <.<

So, sounds like a professional card might be more advantageous to me... What kind of inputs do they use—RCA? Are these, unlike stereo plugs, one channel on each (e.g. left/right each on one wire/plug)?

What exactly is "balanced input/output"?

Well, that helps; thanks a lot.

For sound cards I use the M-Audio 192 and it's been great. Clean sound, no driver issues, and MIDI in/out. I use it with Sonar and have had no issues although I will say I'm using 32 bit XP> I've heard that there may be some issues with 64 bit, but I think that's just about everyone. I'm holding off on 64 bit till it's a bit more settled down, I just don't feel like spending a lot of time messing with drivers to get things working.

FYI quick search on the M-Audio 192 had it listed for US $179, but probably could find it cheaper with some searching.

if you're serious about recording and mixing, i suggest you forget about the 'cheap' solutions like m-audio (don't get me wrong, it's a good brand, but not at audiocards). you should go for an mbox (the first one, with focusrite pre-amps) which give you the option to run protools Le, 'the industry standard'. you can find these on ebay for like 200usd, which is a great investment imo. you could check around for an emu card or whatever, i don't really know what's playin these days.

check your microphones aswell, as good (or bad) as your mic pre-amps might be, they have a significant role in the overall sound which is plain logical.

as far monitors, the only way to decide which set you want is to listen to them at a store or whatever. do listen to your own music on them, listen to what suits you the best, this is the ONLY way!

everyone's after a set of monitors that have a flat freq response, but theoritically this is impossible, as much as the manufacturers claim this, the acoustics of your control room also play a vital role in the overal sound ofcourse.

yamaha makes 'decent' low budget (as far as this can be achieved :P), i don't really know what else is good, low-budget-wise.

This might be a weird advice but: Cheap monitors suck! It's hugely better to go for a REALLY GOOD headphones: sennheiser HD580, or 600, or 650. They are the TOP of the top, also for Sennheiser! 580 came first, then the 600 and then the 650. I have the HD600, for 3 years now. Never had a problem, I DON'T have any monitors (but now I'm planning on buying but I have a budget of $3000) and you can listen to my mixes if you like. They should be rather expensive (around 400 CAD) but you don't need the monitors so you CAN take it out from there.

As for soundcard... An excellent solution would be Lynx, but again is a bit pricey. 450$. If it wasn't for the inputs, then if you stick to only digital, any soundcard, including the one in your motherboard, you shouldn't have any problems in quality. GPO is 16-bit, so no problem in listening, and the only real issue is what you hear. If, however, you do record outside then the soundcard matters a lot. I don't have a lot of recomendations really, except that emu are not really good at soundcards. The pro series again go rather higher...

If you are serious about music, do attempt to go for 1 thing and let it be extra good. If you want to buy a soundcard for example, do spend the... 500$+ but this should last "a lifetime". Hardware does not vanish, like software does in a few years. You can keep a sound card for many years.

Linky for the headphones: Sennheiser Worldwide: HD 600 - Headsets / Headphones Professional - Equipment Manufacturer - Information,Test

Also, sweetwater and audiomidi seem to be at war and are on offers now. They could offer something like 10-20% off because of Xmas. So... Now it's the time to buy. ;)

I'm not "serious about music", in the sense that I want to make a living out of it; I have my sights set for a medical career. Music is especially a hobby for me; one I'm passionate about, yes, but nonetheless but a pastime.

@Nikolas: Yeah, I thought that might be the case, regarding monitors. Hence why I asked.

Online purchases won't be possible, since Mum distrusts online retailers. And I'm still a HS student. Definitely will try to take advantage of any local Christmas deals around, though.

Hmm, $600 CAD for HD600 ... that's... not a trivial amount.

Anyways, thanks for the advice, both of you.

EDIT: In that case, any suggestions for cheap-ish (~$100-200) 2.1 consumer speakers that would do nicely to replace these over-bassy ones?

Maybe have a friend buy it for you from the States and send it over?

Maybe make the buy over the phone (which I'm sure is possible, but prolly less safe actually)?

But 600 CAD? I got it...

You can pick up Sennheiser USA - HD600 Headphones : for 275 thru amazon.com

But nikolas, I don't have that kind of money. But circuit city has Sennheiser Headphones (HD280PRO) for 99$. What do you think?

Ron

It's 600 CAD at the only places I can think that might sell them and actually do. (Quite frankly, that describes only two local places.) And although the Canadian dollar is higher in value than the US dollar, our prices haven't changed (last I checked anyway). D=

Hmm, amazon.com accepts money orders; I think Mum wouldn't mind that...

$270 is more than reasonable for those headphones. And given current exchange rates, well... 8D;

How reliable are Amazon generally? (I'm well aware they're high-profile, but I still feel the need to ask. <.< )

And I plan on recording myself sometimes, but not really for any serious work. Besides, I don't even have any quality mics... just a 10-year-old desktop microphone. For now.

For what you are doing I wouldn't necessarily spend $400 on a professional sound card. I doubt you will be wanting to use Pro Tools if you are a happy Sonar user. I would say anything around $150-$200. As for sound cards having a built-in MIDI connection - I really think this is unecessary these days unless you are going to be connecting multiple midi devices to your computer. Nearly all new controller keyboards these days come with a USB connection cable, and if you have an older keyboard that uses a standard midi connection then you can buy a midi to usb cable for $20-$30. If you find a card which suits your needs and it has a midi in/out connection then fine, but I wouldn't base your decision on the need for a midi port alone.

I buy constantly from Amazon! Heck I bought a coffee maker from amazon for my wife! Imagine that! They have on hold for a month a book of mine, but I'm sure that this will be sorted uot. EVERYTHING else has been sent in time (and for Xmas if I may add).

Ron: Will get back to you, very soon.

ok, i say you go for a decent headphone (sennheiser indeed makes decent headphones although you might want to try out akg's aswell). as long as you know how your setup ( whether it be monitors or headphones) is coloring your sound, you're fine with 'less-budget' equipment. since you're using "just a 10-year-old desktop microphone" there's really no point in investing 100s of bucks into any audio interface. don't spend more than 250 bucks (i suggest you buy it off ebay) on an audio-interface. cause with all due respect, i think 'untrained ears' don't really know what to look for in sound.

and also, you shouldn't need expensive equipment to make beautiful things.

and when you check out headphones in a store, not only check the sound, also the wearing-comfort, since you'll be having that thing on your head a lot. i know akg have nice loose fits but they don't really suitme, sennheisers overall tend too be a bit tighter (ofcourse this differs from model to model). also make the decission if you're going for an open or closed headphone (you'd probably want to go for an open headphone though).

Nearly all new controller keyboards these days come with a USB connection cable, and if you have an older keyboard that uses a standard midi connection then you can buy a midi to usb cable for $20-$30.

Well, anyway, for a sound card, if I were to go with "professional" sound cards, I'd probably choose something in the $100-200 price range, quite frankly. They would be perfectly suitable to my budget.

And nevermind, even if I tell her Amazon's a high-profile site (and thus likely trustworthy, if using that argument alone), she doesn't trust it. =\ Locally, it costs $600, so that's out of the question. Ah well, I can always get something lower-end and save up and upgrade later on (probably once my computer's been upgraded, too—3/4 GB RAM and a 2.4 GHz P4 Prescott is lagging behind when it comes to Photoshop and sampling even from small libraries like GPO).

Any recommendations for sub-$200 phones? I'm looking at HD-555s, and of course they're not as good as HD600s, they seem quite decent for the price, based on various reviews online. Anyone have personal experience with them?

Why was it twice the price when I checked last? =\ And good point about the controllers, but right now I'm using an ordinary MIDI keyboard (whose sound I find lacking). Hence, no cable.

Try ebay for MIDI to USB adapters. I got mine cheap from there.

IMHO, I'm going to say that it is a mistake to only judge a recording with headphones. Typical speaker placement creates a 30 degree angle between the left and right speakers and the listener. But with headphones, the left and right stereo are too spatially spread apart. While headphones are great for catching detail in a recording it seems that you need to also evaluate your recording the way it will ultimately be listened to -- through speakers.