PC vs. Mac, Headphones vs. monitors, monitors vs. DJ speake-

PC vs. Mac, Headphones vs. monitors, monitors vs. DJ speakers

basicly a few questions. im looking into getting a small home studio.

PC or mac, what do you guys prefer and why. apparently macs are more secure, and reliable, but there is more software for PC's and more help if needed... etc... your opinions?

im thinking of producting with strickly headphones. some people were telling me to buy studio monitor speakers. if i decide to go with head phones what kind? and if speakers what kind?

if i go ahead with the monitor speakers, should/can i use them for all around music playing?

i have a reciver right now, channeling to my speakers. i know i'll have to replace this with something, but with what? people are saying power amps, is there an alternative? could/should i just use my computer to replace all my sources?

i'll post more as they come to me. thanks in advance.

pc vs. mac: i'm not getting into that debate. It's a personal thing. I have both, and i tend to use the pc for music myself.

Mixing on headphones is not really an option. I would get monitors. A decent set of headphones for mixing is nice to have if you feel like making a beat in your bedroom while your girl's sleeping or something, but to get an idea of how your mixes will sound in a club/car/home you'll need monitors.

In your situation i would get a pair of active monitors. This means you won't need a separate amp. i don't know your budget, so i would go to a shop and have a listen to some different brands. For a beginner $300 (or less) should get you a decent set of monitors.

Agree w/ this dude as well. I have a Mac tho', only cus if you deal w/ any other major studio, you'll have to convert. But, now that's not an issue for you. If you got dough, a dual processor Mac is faster than ANY pc on the market by lightyears. Forget the chip speed, in Mac terms you can't compare cause they invented hyperthreading, which multiplies the speed in terms I don't really understand. But i do understand that my 4 year old 450mhz mac is faster for audio than any brand new 1.5 ghz PC, and that's a fact. I like the Mac Operating system, but like he said, it's all about your personal preferance when you are making music.
He's absolutely correct about that headphone issue. You can't really get an accurate mix on headphones. Check out the Event Powered Actives. I think they are Ps6's w/ 6 inch woofers, maybe 5, but they are dope. Very accurate, handle alot, already amped, and about $400 for the pair, tops. You can get them cheaper elsewhere. You do not want to buy monitors or microphones used, cus who knows what damage is waiting to show it's head!
Dj speakers are cool for djs, but when you have a studio, your mission is clarity, not volume. You don't want it to sound too good, to trick yourslef about what's really going on, so the clarity I refer to is about getting what's REALLY in the sound coming out. Home use, most audiophile, and DJ amps and speakers have eq settings and mild compression attributes built in that make up for audioacoustic anomalies in the cabinets, and in the music going thru them. You don't want that, so you want FLAT RESPONSE, which means no coloration. Get a good set of monitors, and don't mix too loud either. Then, later on, test out the mix in the car, on a boombox, on headphones, etc. Good luck!

what do you mean by not needing a separate amp? can someone explain this? wont it need to channel through something?

They have an "amp" built in to the speakers. You just plug the output of your mixer directly in to the back of the speakers.

yo
i gotta say one more time the m-audio bx-5s are perfect monitors IMO
like $300 and powered

is there a site i can view them on that you can refer me to?

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php

But you should really go and listen to some monitors before you decide. Take a cd with you that you're familiar with, and head for the shop.

word up, i really appreaciate everyones help

I would definately go with monitors. I had some dj speakers and when I got my monitors I put the dj speakers in the attic. It's amazing what a sound difference you'll hear. Dj speakers seem to wear your ears out. They're made for clubs/auditoriums. With studio monitors you'll be able to work alot longer without getting fatigue. A good pair of monitors believe it or not are the Samson Resolve 65a. They run about $299 a pair and they are active. Take care and good luck.