Setting up dual monitoring

doc-phil

I've read quite a few articles recently describing the benefits of having more than one monitoring source when mixing and recording, and to have a 'grot box' set up, usually some sort of Hi-Fi speaker not necessarily placed in any particular fashion to give an indication of how your mix would sound when not played on reference monitors, and when you are not sitting in your listening sweet spot.

I have an old paid of Technics speakers from the 80s that my dad handed down, and I want to set them up in my small studio to run in conjunction with my reference monitors.

My audio interface only has one stereo output, so there needs to be some solution other than connecting to my audio interface. Could I possibly connect direct to my on-board sound card? That would present the hack of having to manually select between my audio interface and the on-board sound though. Also I would need to buy an amp.

I am aware there is gear available such as this: http://www.presonus.com/products/Monitor-Station but that seems a tad pricey for what I want to do.

Any suggestions?

AlanRatcliffe

A simple box with a two pole switch is all that's needed. Out from interface into switcher, two outs from switcher to two sets of monitors.

I'd also consider using desktop PC speakers for your Grotty monitors - that's what you can safely expect many of your end users to actually be using for playback of your music. Certainly far, far more than will be using old stereo hi-fi speakers.

doc-phil

Cool, thanks. I'll investigate that. I have some R100 creative desktop speakers at work that I also use, they are awful.

AlanRatcliffe

...there's a reason we call 'em "grotty" monitors... ?