Studio Monitors, Headphones, and Acoustics – The Home Studio Setup (Part 2)
In the first part of our tutorial about the home recording studio, we analyzed the main elements needed to turn a computer into a digital audio workstation: the computer, the sound card, and the recording software (DAW). In this second part, you’ll learn about the most important features of studio monitors, types of headphones, and some tips to improve the acoustics of your recording studio.
Studio Monitors or Nearfield Monitors
When working with audio, we need to listen to the sound and analyze it to make creative decisions and apply corrections that will affect the final result when producing and composing songs. This process is known as “monitoring,” and the best way to do it is by using flat-response studio or nearfield monitors.
Studio monitors are optimized for close-range use, and their flat frequency response ensures minimal coloration of the sound, providing the most accurate and realistic result possible.
They avoid adding extra frequencies, unlike speakers designed for music enjoyment (Hi-Fi). This way, we can make mixing decisions that will translate well when our work is played on other systems.
Types of studio monitors:
- Passive monitors: do not include the power amplifier needed to convert a line signal to a power signal.
- Active monitors: also known as self-powered, these have a built-in amplifier in the speaker housing.
Our nearfield monitors will connect (just like headphones, microphones, etc.) to our sound card. Here’s information about the best external sound cards for home studio recording.
An important factor to consider is the size of the woofer or bass speaker. For a room of 10-12m², a woofer between 5″ and 7″ will suffice. However, if the room has been acoustically treated, larger sizes can be used without issues related to low-frequency reflections.
The quality/price range is quite broad, and you can find decent entry-level models starting at around €150 per unit, up to high-end professional monitors exceeding €2000. Remember that one of the best accessories for these monitors is foam pads placed underneath to prevent unwanted vibrations.
Headphones for Recording Studio
Headphones allow us to monitor audio while recording. Although they are not usually as precise as nearfield monitors, they can also serve as a reference for mixing tasks if your home studio isn’t soundproofed, you’re working with a laptop, or you’re in places without adequate acoustics.
Types of headphones:
- Closed-back: Isolate external noise, preventing sound from leaking into the microphone during vocal recording. They can also be useful for live performances (although in-ear monitors are generally better) as they block external noise. These headphones may cause more listening fatigue and provide less realistic stereo imaging during mixing processes.
- Open-back: Allow sound to escape outward, significantly reducing listening fatigue and offering better frequency response and stereo imaging balance. Commonly used for mixing but not ideal for recording.
- Semi-open: Offer a balance between isolation and sound quality. Useful for moderate-volume recording and deliver good performance for mixing tasks.
Here’s an article with some of the best studio headphones for professional music production or home studio setups.
Improve Your Home Studio Acoustics
Acoustic treatment is one of the most important aspects of any studio, both for the monitoring room (control room) and the recording room (booth or studio). In home studios, these are often the same room. Even without a budget for professional treatment, several factors should be considered to improve acoustics and get the best response from your studio monitors. It’s also important to differentiate between soundproofing (acoustic isolation) and acoustic treatment, as they are completely different aspects.
The primary goal of acoustically treating a room is to achieve an even frequency distribution. Standing waves generated in untreated spaces will be recorded along with the original sound source, leading to incorrect decisions during equalization processes. For example, if your room creates a “bass buildup,” any music producer will tend to reduce bass in your mix, which will then sound too thin on other systems.
You might also be interested in our article: best MIDI controller keyboards for music production.
Tips for improving your home studio acoustics:
- Placement: Try to ensure that the distance between the monitors and your listening position (hotspot) forms a triangle, and your ears are level with the tweeter (high-frequency speaker). Keep the monitors away from walls and ensure they are equidistant from both sides of the room. It’s also advisable to use foam pads under the monitors to avoid transferring vibrations to the desk.
- Diffusion: Avoid completely parallel walls; place items (furniture, amplifiers, etc.) symmetrically. At the far end of the room, opposite the monitors, you can place a diffuser or a well-stocked bookshelf. If possible, avoid setting up your studio in a room where the walls and ceiling form a perfect cube, as this will make it harder to avoid problems with standing waves.
- Absorption: You can buy several acoustic absorption panels (foam) and place them on the walls. The key areas to cover include the front wall behind the monitors, the side walls between the monitors and your listening position, and the corners (especially the upper ones behind the monitors). Thick curtains, rugs, and even a sofa can help. For treating low frequencies, bass traps are almost essential.
Tutorial created by Vicen Martínez (music producer, composer, and founder of GuitarRec.com). Follow on Instagram >
