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Chapter 7 Monitor Speakers and Studio Accessories

A greater concern with monitor speaker placement, especially in studios that employ near-field monitoring, has to do with the increased use of computer equipment in the studio. Unless the monitor speakers are magnetically shielded, they must be positioned far enough away from computer screens to avoid distorting their pictures. Headphones are necessary in broadcast situations where, for example, studio monitor speakers are muted when a microphone is turned on, and the operator must be able to hear audio sources. Headphones are also portable, so sounds can be monitored when a standard monitor speaker might not be available. Like regular monitor speakers, headphones come in a variety of designs and styles. On-ear headphones are also less likely to leak sound into the studio, however they can be heavier and more cumbersome than other styles.

7.3 Basic Speaker System Components

Woofer, Midrange and Tweeter Speakers

7.5 Speaker Sound Qualities

Audible Frequencies

Monitor speakers should have good frequency response. This recording plays sounds between 20 hertz and 20 kilohertz, the range of human hearing. See how many of the frequencies are adequately reproduced by your speakers, keeping in mind that most of us don't hear quite that as low or high as 20Hz and 20KHz.

Speaker Frequency Response

Another quality important for monitor speakers is flat frequency response. The speaker should be able to reproduce low, midrange, and high frequencies equally well to produce a natural sound. The speaker itself shouldn't add anything to the audio signal, such as a boosting of the highs or lows.

Flat Speaker Response

Speaker with Extra Bass

7.7 Phase and Channel Orientation

Speaker Wire Mismatch: Stereo Phasing

Each speaker is fed its signal by a positive and negative wire. If the positive and negative wires are reversed on one speaker in a stereo set, the two speakers will be out of phase. As the cone of one speaker moves in and out, the other speaker moves out and in, so some sounds are cancelled out, diminishing overall sound quality.

In Phase Speakers

In Phase Speakers

Out of Phase Speakers

Out of Phase Speakers

7.14 Balanced and Unbalanced Lines

Unbalanced Interference

Professional cables are balanced: consisting of three wires encased in a single cable: positive, negative and ground. Consumer cables are often unbalanced, with only two wires: positive and negative/ground. Unbalanced cables are susceptible interference, such as that created by a nearby electric motor, as in this example.

Projects

Project 1: Compare Speaker/Listener Placement

Download the music project files Download the sound effect project files

Click above to navigate to the Music folder, where you will find various music files you can use for this project.

Please note: The music and sound effect project files only need to be downloaded once and used for all projects.

Quiz

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Podcasting and Digital Audio Recording
Chapter 8
Signal Processing and Audio Processors