Reddit reviews Auralex Acoustics Monitor/Speaker Isolation Pads 12" x 8.75" x 2" MoPAD XL
We found 9 Reddit comments about Auralex Acoustics Monitor/Speaker Isolation Pads 12" x 8.75" x 2" MoPAD XL. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Yields a tighter, more precise bass response while un-masking otherwise obscured higher frequenciesEnhances sonic clarity of studio monitors by eliminating sympathetic resonance within the roomA pair includes (2) MoPAD-XL bases and (2) angled piecesBase pieces are 12″ long x 8. 75″ wide x 2″ tall thick and each base can support up to a 100lb. monitorSold in pairs so they can accommodate many different sizes of monitors, use two pairs for larger monitors placed horizontally
Very clean setup, especially up front. Nice.
Your a lot closer to a perfect layout than you might think. Cheap/free upgrades:
Something like this to raise the center channel to ear height-looks like yours is firing into the crotch region -> https://www.amazon.com/Auralex-Acoustics-MoPAD-XL-Acoustic-Isolation/dp/B00266HBSU
There are cheaper foams out there.
Point the surround speakers towards the MLP.
Some visual aids -> https://www.dolby.com/us/en/guide/surround-sound-speaker-setup/5-1-setup.html & https://www.crutchfield.com/S-I6gq98nrkm9/learn/learningcenter/home/speaker_placement.html
Lastly taller surround speaker stands will raise them 1-2 feet above ear level=ideal.
Good monitors are huge. Headphone sound is fine, but you want to mix using unbiased reference monitors so you know what things are going to sound like. Then you make sure it sounds good through headphones, in the car, etc. Even something like these will make a huge difference. If you've got some extra coin, go for something better. I found a pair of Mackie HR842 monitors on eBay for $250 (the old ones, not the new mk2 model). They're amazing.
You don't need more inputs than what you're actually using. If you're trying for a cheap home studio, your Apogee will work just fine. Just switch cables/inputs when you're recording something new.
But anyway. Here we go. What I would buy (of note, these are all Amazon affiliate links):
Mics:
Monitors:
Bass:
I've been out of the "assorted percussion" game for a while, so you'll have to use your best judgement for that.
All that I've listed is $744 off of Amazon. You can DEFINITELY find cheap used mics and the Bass DI. Look for Gear Talk: Classifieds on Facebook, for example. This is all stuff that you can use today to get your home studio off the ground and functional. You also have $256 to spend on other stuff that you might need (percussion, surdo, etc.)
Logic and Pro Tools are built from the ground up to be recording suites. Ableton, while certainly being a live-sound-first option, works just fine. Nothing wrong with getting your feet wet using Ableton, and switching over to a bigger/better suite later. I recorded my first EP using GarageBand before making the transition myself.
Start with the basics. Start with what you NEED to record, not what you want. While what you already have is basic and not feature packed, it works and will get you in the game. (Related: stay away from plugins until you know how to really mix well with the basic compressor and EQ your recording suite comes with.)
Hope that helps!
Definitely don't set them on the floor. If you moved them off the table, use stands. You'd want the speakers at ear level when you're sitting down and listening. But, yes, you can get those isolation pads off Amazon and they will work just fine
I have these that I paired with a couple stands for my JBLs. I can't say these are the very best for everyone's situation, but they have been perfectly fine for me.
Thanks! The foam is an acoustic wedge. A bit expensive but does the job.
Auralex Acoustics Monitor/Speaker Isolation Pads 12" x 8.75" x 2" MoPAD XL https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00266HBSU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NgT0CbM2DK2PS
I saw those, but I think for now im gonna go with Auralex. http://www.amazon.com/Auralex-MoPAD-XL-Acoustic-Isolation-Charcoal/dp/B00266HBSU
After that ill get into bass traps and everything. But for now, solid speaker stands should help a bit- hopefully.
Generally you want the tweeters at or slightly above ear level. This can be done with stands, or whatever else you have lying around the house like books. Since this might not look great, you can also angle them using something like this so they're at least pointing at your ear.
After that, mess around with toe in. That'll be how much you angle them inwards at your ears.
I got these. I love my Rokits and have zero muddiness. I wouldn’t listen to people that straight away tell you “get a sub” without seeing the room first or knowing anything else. My mixes POP and I mix without a sub.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00266HBSU?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
Sorbotane pads are useful to isolate the speakers, so while I do advise you get some(these would be fine), you'll want to add enough height underneath them so that the midpoint between the tweeter and woofer is at your ear's level. A lot of people are happy with these stands, which isolate as well, eliminating the need for pads.
An alternative is to tilt them upwards: https://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-Desktop-Speaker-Stands-Pair/dp/B005STCILC but it's not as good.