Ask Bart Anything

[sean92008]

I need some small monitors for mixing - something like the old Auratones. What do you recommend?
@KSM and @sean92008 may have some ideas, too.

Mixing for vinyl, CD, video, streaming or download?

I couldn't tell you any more.  Yamaha SM-10s (if they were even called that) used to be the standard. I remember recording at a studio where they had everything from a stock Ford stereo system to a headphone distribution amp with a bunch of Walkman headphones hanging around it...

I did find one thing that I liked, it was an amplifier that I picked up from the manufacturer ages ago. They have since gone under and I believe that they're still using the original chips that they made in various products available on Amazon.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Class-T_amplifier

[Bart Ell]

I need some small monitors for mixing - something like the old Auratones. What do you recommend?
@KSM and @sean92008 may have some ideas, too.

https://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-BX5-D3-Production-Recording/dp/B08KXTJX16?th=1

[KSM]

I need some small monitors for mixing - something like the old Auratones. What do you recommend?
@KSM and @sean92008 may have some ideas, too.

@JUAN Truthfully I have never used "studio monitors" They are a waste of money IMO and are not true to the way your recordings sound in the real world. Seriously, it's a fucking racket.

I have always used quality bookshelf speakers that do a fabulous job and my stuff sounds great - and when it doesn't, it's on me because I didn't spend the necessary time capturing quality sounds from the beginning (rushing the recording phase)

I use a slightly earlier version of these..
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-i1eehOelitN/p_760ALPP5B/PSB-Alpha-P5-Black-Ash.html?awcr=77103332742727&awdv=c&awkw=psb%20bookshelf%20speakers&awmt=e&awnw=o&awat=&awug=&msclkid=ca8dee3720ba1f2f44038cd46673c5c1

If your sources sound good, good true sounding speakers will reflect that.

I'm right.

[JUAN]

I agree.  The old Auratones sounded like the radio speakers in a car.  I watched engineers mix everything on big JBL studio monitors, then switch to Auratones and change everything.  I’ll be mixing for streaming and download.  Audiobooks with some music and foley stuff.  A Texas story from 1851.  Maybe I can sneak in a little Bob Wills.

[Bart Ell]

I watched engineers mix everything on big JBL studio monitors, then switch to Auratones and change everything.

They must have been train engineers who lost their hearing in 'nam.

[JUAN]

Engineers who once played with the predecessor Allman Brothers bands and lost their hearing in small clubs with the amps up to 15.

[KSM]

Engineers who once played with the predecessor Allman Brothers bands and lost their hearing in small clubs with the amps up to 15.

I wonder how any of our hearing is holding up. Depending on what side of the stage I was on I would always stuff a hearing protector in the ear closest to the drums, no matter how big the stage was. Those hats in my right ear or the ride cymbal in my left was deafening.  All in all I'd say my overall hearing is almost perfect by taking precautions like this.

[Bart Ell]

I wonder how any of our hearing is holding up. Depending on what side of the stage I was on I would always stuff a hearing protector in the ear closest to the drums, no matter how big the stage was. Those hats in my right ear or the ride cymbal in my left was deafening.  All in all I'd say my overall hearing is almost perfect by taking precautions like this.

A lot of bands are using cymbal shields now.
I wish they had them when I was a stupid kid.
Brent Fitz is using them here -

[PolkaDot]

Yes.

@PolkaDot I would.  But don't ask me to slip them on your feet.  Nope.  You two handle that.

That’s not exactly full service. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed @ShayP .

[Walks_At_Night]

Bart,

I have a deep hatred for the individual below. I don't know why. I have never met the man. I have never really watched any of his performances. I don't know anything about him really. Yet I would not mind in the least if I learned that he died in a Zepplin accident or whatever. Am I phsycotic?
Are there any people you hate for no good reason?

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[Bart Ell]

Bart,

I have a deep hatred for the individual below. I don't know why. I have never met the man. I have never really watched any of his performances. I don't know anything about him really. Yet I would not mind in the least if I learned that he died in a Zepplin accident or whatever. Am I phsycotic?
Are there any people you hate for no good reason?

I have bad news for you, @Walks_At_Night .
I believe there are 2 of them!
I remember hearing something about a brother who does the same act.
I could be confusing him with another annoying prick, though.

[KSM]

Bart,

I have a deep hatred for the individual below. I don't know why. I have never met the man. I have never really watched any of his performances. I don't know anything about him really. Yet I would not mind in the least if I learned that he died in a Zepplin accident or whatever. Am I phsycotic?
Are there any people you hate for no good reason?

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I'm with you @Walks_At_Night that guy is a source of legendary cringe. Enough with the fucking melons already. 

I have bad news for you, @Walks_At_Night .
I believe there are 2 of them!
I remember hearing something about a brother who does the same act.
I could be confusing him with another annoying prick, though.

Wasn't he, the brother, on Sterns show a bunch of years ago talking about building his own little community? @Bart Ell

[Bart Ell]

Wasn't he, the brother, on Sterns show a bunch of years ago talking about building his own little community? @Bart Ell

Yes!
That's where I heard the story.
He had them both on...

[KSM]

Yes!
That's where I heard the story.
He had them both on...

AHH

What about Doug Henning? He was annoying. "It's an illusion"   
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[Walks_At_Night]

Bart,

How is your Mandarin?  This is purpoted to show a Chinese Army truck being stopped and ticketed. Apparently the Army dude driving it, didn't dig the scene so he gathered up some friends and they cruised over to the police station for a little pay back.  I have my doubts though........

https://twitter.com/wanjunxie/status/1556852987662041090