Speakers for A Video Editor Finishing Web Videos

[Ty Ford]

Hello Scott and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

This may help. https://www.community.genelec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=146

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Scott Clements]

Thanks, Ty.

Film Editor, London UK
http://www.scottclementseditor.com

[Trevor Dennis]

Scott, I found this thread after Ty linked to it on his Audio Bootcamp Facebook group page. I recently decided to get serious about how I monitor sound on my NLE system. Previously I’d been using a mid level Logitech 5.1 speaker system, but without the rear speakers, and plugged my phones into the system box using the mainboard audio.

After a lot of research, a USB DAC appeared to be the first step, and there are devices out there costing many thousands of dollars. I wanted to keep things under control, so opted for an Aune X1 DAC I paid NZ$277 for it, but I think they go for about US$150 (we tend to pay a premium for such items here). There is a lot of discussion on best way to feed these devices, but the consensus seems to be USB. You’ll find some deeply technical information about jitter etc. if you hunt for it.

https://darklordreviews.com/2011/10/09/aune-x1-dac-follow-up-review/

Using the phones (HD280) it took me a couple of days to train my ears to hear the difference, but with the right source material, there is now very obvious improvement. More clarity and a sort of openness to the sound.

I swapped my Logitech speakers for a pair of used Mackie S5 near-field monitors, but there is a lot of choice out there. I thought hard about the smaller KRK monitors like the Rokit 5, but decided on price with a good deal on the Mackies.

All of the better smaller monitors seem to be bi-amped, and with a choice of inputs. I couldn’t use the balanced inputs on the Mackies because I only had phono out from the DAC.

The combination of the DAC and Mackie monitors is little short of life changing. I had some clients here last night to preview a nearly finished video project, and they were giggling with excitement – and we are talking middle aged women here, and not teenagers.

Quite apart from a more meaningful editing experience, I’m rediscovering my collection of MP3 music getting more enjoyment out of it than I can ever remember in my 60 plus years. Something to do with the closeness of the speakers, with speakers designed to work just this way.

Of the NZ$700 I spent in total, the speakers would be far the most obvious improvement, but if I was offered my money back on the DAC, there is no way in hell I’d take it. Overall an investment I wish I’d made years ago, and not just from the point of view of video editing.

The other thing I’ve had to look at was ambient noise level, and while I have made significant inroads into reducing the noise from my big NLE system, I still have work to do there.

https://www.silentpcreview.com/

[Scott Clements]

Thanks for the great feedback, Trevor. I’m a total newbie to all this, but I’m starting to get an understanding of it. The Aune X1 DAC does sound promising.

Film Editor, London UK
http://www.scottclementseditor.com

[Bob Cole]

I was expecting a different kind of reply, given the title of the OP. Web videos are played back on very small speakers, right? Or perhaps headphones. Does that change the way we should be mixing and monitoring audio when creating them?

Bob C

[Ty Ford]

Bob,

EXCELLENT question! I had a music project recently in which the client came back wit the first test CD and said there was no low end in the mix. I asked what he was listening on. He said lap tops and cell phones.

The expected playback systems absolutely have to be considered and due to the huge variation of them, per above, you can’t expect to please all people or systems all the time.

So, as it relates to this thread, what’s the expected playback?

Regards,

Ty Ford

PS: I used a bit of “Ty Ford magic hooey®” to change the CD mix and the client was happy.

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Scott Clements]

Expected playback is computer speakers, tablets and smartphones, however I believe that all projects an editor produces should sound as good as he can possibly afford to make them. My budget for audio monitoring hardware at this point is £400 – 500.00 maximum ($770 US max). I’d like to know the best set up I can get for that price.

Film Editor, London UK
http://www.scottclementseditor.com

[Bob Cole]

[Scott Clements] “I believe that all projects an editor produces should sound as good as he can possibly afford to make them”

I agree with your sentiment, and with your word choice: “should”.

But they “must” be optimized for the speakers that the audience is using.

[Ty Ford]

Bob is correct, Scott.

The major restrictions of your intended playback systems dictate that, at some point you come to terms with the laws of physics and acoustics and modify your “studio quality” audio for best effect.

Using equipment with full spectrum sound at the final stages will only cause you pain, grief, and an unhappy ending. That, in no way, should prevent you from spending your hard earned dollars on monitoring which may be better than you have now. Just don’t use it to make judgements about your final product. What do you have now and what’s your room like?

To get more on this, head to the woodshop and read up on articles about “mastering for iTunes” and other info like this: https://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2012/02/24/147379760/what-mastered-for-itunes-really-means

Regards,

Ty Ford

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Scott Clements]

What I have now is pretty terrible. Simply, my Sennheiser HD 380 pro headphones and the built-in speakers on my macbook pro. One day, I’d love to have a proper mixing studio, but I’m currently editing in a medium-sized, non sound proofed room on the top floor of a home in a quiet residential area. I want to figure out what is the best set-up I can get for my current location and £500.00 budget.

I never paid too much attention to sound before, but I’ve really become excited by Adobe Audition CS6 and since I’m moving into Avid and using its RTAS plugins as well, I’d like to start familiarising myself with Protools.

Film Editor, London UK
http://www.scottclementseditor.com