I've been wondering for a long time, how loud can you turn up your monitors? Right now I have the volume on my monitors set to 50% and barely ever go over the 50% mark on my interface's master volume. That's plenty loud for me, but there are time's I'd like to crank it up a bit more for the bands. In theory I'd think everything should be able to be turned up to a 100% and be fine, but I sure don't feel safe doing that. This may be a stupid question, but I'd sure appreciate knowing the answer.
How loud?
- Thread starter crosstalk
- Start date
xFkx
gain induction
abt
BT
I'm pretty sure manufactures aren't going to release a product that blows up when it's cranked to 100%.
John_C
formerly Skeksis268
BLUElightCory
Member
It's a good idea to not monitor at too high a volume; generally 70-75 dB is a good range. Louder volumes will actually distort your perception of the true frequency balance of what you're listening to (people generally perceive less mids and more bass at high volumes), as well as your perception of pitch (not to mention that it fatigues the ear and can be damaging in the long run).
It doesn't hurt to crank up a mix every now and then to get some different perspective; it's common practice to check a mix at different volumes. Just don't monitor at high volumes for too long/too often if you can help it.
It doesn't hurt to crank up a mix every now and then to get some different perspective; it's common practice to check a mix at different volumes. Just don't monitor at high volumes for too long/too often if you can help it.
Harry Hughes
âââ¬â¬
- Apr 25, 2009
- 4,353
- 0
- 36
I'm not looking to mix with monitors blasting, I prefer to have them at conservative levels. I'm more meaning in a situation like "hey, we just finished the bass on this song, everyone get in here and check it out." Or even possibly while tracking bass and the guy wants it nice and loud. While I'm sitting in the ideal location, all the other guys aren't and they want to hear it cranked up a bit. I just don't want to be rocking too hard and crank the volume up and blow a speaker.
Also, on a similar note, I've read about guys "burning in" monitors and headphones with loud music. How loud would this be?
Also, on a similar note, I've read about guys "burning in" monitors and headphones with loud music. How loud would this be?
abt
BT
Well, I don't think you need to burn them in, it will happen over time. If you really want to do it face the monitors straight at each other a few inches apart. Then flip the phase on one of them, this way you should be able to turn them up pretty loud without hearing too much, then you can just let them run for as long as you think it needs.
Ermz
¯\(°_o)/¯
Odd question.
Once the volume gets unpleasant just turn it down. If you find your hearing is getting fatigued in a matter of minutes it usually means you're monitoring too loud or your monitors have a high distortion spec. If at any point the output of the monitors physically hurts your ears it means you've let the drummer set your volume control.
Once the volume gets unpleasant just turn it down. If you find your hearing is getting fatigued in a matter of minutes it usually means you're monitoring too loud or your monitors have a high distortion spec. If at any point the output of the monitors physically hurts your ears it means you've let the drummer set your volume control.
abt
BT
I don't think he's really asking about monitoring. I think he wants to blast the bands in a la party mode at the end of the day without blowing up his gear. lol
