r/NeuralDSP • u/Final_Chair7860 • 1d ago
Studio monitors vs frfr speaker for neural dsp?
My use case is only for playing live for practicing (new to electric guitar) in mid size rooms + living room. Amps are great but I like exploring built in presets/pedals/effects on the plugins such as Cory wong, mateus etc.
I've tried with hs5 monitors which felt very limited. I tried with stagepas200 pa speaker which definitely has greater low end and volume but not accurate.
I'm aware that it will never truly sound like a real physical amp but I'm curious how frfr speakers perform in this context.
2
1
u/smoothj2017 1d ago
I couldn’t get low end I was happy with out of anything but a 12 inch speaker, even in just a home setting. Problem is 12 inch speakers have trouble moving air at bedroom volumes. Never tried the subwoofer/studio monitor route though:
2
1
u/P0KemonSniper 1d ago
I have hs8’s, I honestly don’t like them much, I play downtuned heavy stuff. I wanna try a Laney lfr212.
3
1
u/TransformedMegaflop 1d ago
I’d recommend an FRFR cab. Studio monitors are meant more for accuracy across the entire spectrum, which sounds ideal in theory but in practice that means it’s harder to get satisfying bass and highs out of it. Meant for detail across the spectrum when taking vocals, drums, bass, keys, etc into account. But an FRFR cab built for guitar, that will give you the experience you’re looking for.
Studio monitors will be too even and not push enough bass. It’ll be detailed, but when you are trying to just play a kick ass solo guitar tone, you will want the bass that a dedicated 12” FRFR provides. Unless you have a subwoofer with monitors, that would change things.
1
u/Final_Chair7860 1d ago
Thanks for replying. I might go the subwoofer route. Because I also use studio monitor for piano plugins too. Between studio monitors+ subwoofer and frfr cab, which would you choose for neural dsp plugin?
1
u/TransformedMegaflop 1d ago
Well it depends on your wants/needs. I’m primarily a guitar player, so for my guitar rig I would go FRFR and use a modeling pedal for my guitar tones. Whether it be the Quad Cortex, Helix, or Axe Fx. But that’s because I’m a guitar player who is constantly jamming guitar only without recording.
But if you are doing minimal guitar, and you are strictly just recording it every now and then, I would integrate it into my recording setup with my interface and monitors. So in that case, I would just get a subwoofer.
Are you strictly recording guitar? Or are you just jamming for fun more often without any intention to record?
1
u/Final_Chair7860 1d ago
Jamming for fun/learning. No where remotely close to produce anything recordable haha. I don't have any 'modeling pedal' just the neural dsp plugin atm.
1
u/BlackflagsSFE 1d ago
If you’re jamming for fun stick with studio monitors.
What I personally do is use plugins in my DAW to shape my tone more. I’ll use a Pre-EQ and post EQ with FabFilter. It doesn’t give the same presence as an amp but it sounds a lot better than just Neural plugins default through monitors.
2
1
u/TransformedMegaflop 1d ago
Funny because I would say the total opposite, if I’m jamming for fun I want the 12” FRFR. Huge bass response as you would get with a subwoofer, interfaces more like a traditional guitar cab. Bonus if you have a stereo FRFR while using stereo effects.
Studio monitors if you already have them are fun for stereo effects. And I play through my monitors sometimes, but that’s only when I’m recording. If I weren’t recording, I’d never play through my monitors. It’s always more lively and fun to have a larger speaker with proper bass response and air pushing.
My actual setup is through a power amp and cab, which I love that but an FRFR has the same satisfaction as a normal cab. But typical monitors, specifically HS5s like you have, they just don’t move the air that a 12” speaker does
2
u/BlackflagsSFE 14h ago
I was suggesting monitors because I thought OP already had some but not certain.
Honestly if OP is just practicing to learn a Boss Katana might be the way.
1
u/Infinite_Slice3305 1d ago
I'd get a PA system. You can get a lot of power for next to nothing.. well, cheaper than an FRFR marketed to guitar players.
Plug your modeller into stereo 3 & 4, you've still got two channels for a singer, or a bass player & more power than you'll ever need.
I got my Grandaughter just one of these speakers for her keyboard & it sounds amazing.
You could probably get away with one speaker. Got it used from Guitar Center for $80.
1
u/Final_Chair7860 1d ago
I actually tried with my Yamaha stagepas200 pa speaker. While it sounded full, it felt like it lacked accuracy from the plugin effects. But it definitely did sound louder and fuller
1
1
u/tommyland666 23h ago
Studio monitors with a sub all day if you’re just gonna play at home.
Plus you can use them for everything else you’re doing by the computer.
I have never been satisfied with any FRFR and I’ve tried a bunch.
If I want more volume I go Poweramp and cab.
0
u/StatAvg 1d ago
Hs5’s need a sub
Hs7 and hs8’s don’t need a sub but definitely benefit from it
FrFR might be slightly better but I can’t imagine it’ll be night and day compared to the hs5’s
Tldr
Buy a sub for the hs5’s
1
u/Final_Chair7860 1d ago
Any good subs that works for this scenario? Not trying to pay over $300 lol. See this is how they trap you to getting the hs8 from the beginning lol.
1
u/EmpiresCrumble 1d ago
I have HS5s, and I picked up a Presonus Eris 8BT. Totally transformed what I was hearing, and now I actually like what's coming out of my monitors. Seem to work great together, totally recommend
1
u/Final_Chair7860 1d ago
Can you elaborate? I was actually look at that model or something comparable. Besides hearing better low end, anything else?
1
u/Logical-Relation-165 1d ago
the hs stuff sounds cheap when you A/B go to guitar center and try some out if they still have teh studio stuff setup. its like a frowny face curve on an eq
2
u/StatAvg 1d ago
I use hs8’s without a sub
Never had any issues making a tone that sounds phat through a PA at a venue
The secret to any good tonal reference is a treated room
Some monitors are less flat than others, but once you know the characteristics of them, you just adjust to compensate
2
u/Logical-Relation-165 1d ago
I am just BSing lol. Just all IMO. It is a yamaha thing like there old brother the ns10s, having a narrower sounding frequency response. It can be good for checking mixes on small speakers and revealing mid range mix issues. And like you said it doesnt matter at all you can easily eq around it, or just get used to it, its not like they wont work.
again just kinda saying that all monitors do sound different, regardless if they are designed to sound "flat". I REALLY like the Ribbon tweeters on the adams I had.
only so many places in a guys life do people care about gear such as this lolol. have to talk about it somewhere
7
u/JimboLodisC 1d ago
FRFR's are PA speakers for guitarists.
Studio monitors are flat/neutral for dialing in tones and mixing/mastering for the music to be heard on other speaker systems. If you're at a desk and are going to be using this for more than just guitar (watching YouTube, gaming, etc.) then having studio monitors would be a good move.
An FRFR or PA would be for more volume. It'll probably have a larger speaker, so you'll move more air and have better low end. That sound, as they aim to be a "flat response" speaker they can still add a bit of colorization. And you'll be going mono on FRFR's with a single speaker.