Another great thing about these monitors is that if you have a bad room, you can use this in conjunction with some really great mixing headphones (such as the Sennheiser HD 600's) and you won't miss anything... plus your mixes will translate everywhere.
Michael Jackson's Thriller was mixer 80% on the older model of those same speakers though, and that new model is pretty close to the old one. I think it's worth mentioning.
Part 4 - when I listen on the Avantones. I then know I need to push more energy in the midrange frequencies of that instrument so it does not get lost on most consumer non-full range speakers. I will go back and forth between the Avantones and my main monitors adjusting, adjusting, adjusting. Again, they are also great for hearing and allowing me to focus on creating separation of instruments in those midrange frequencies. And they dont trash my ears fast like the original Auratones! lol!
THANK YOU for responding like this! Super cool of you. I am dissapointed that you didn't use the term "meat & potatoes" in any of them, but I'll live! See ya soon dude!
Part1 ---Hey everybody! Thanks for the replies and comments! And for putting up with my camera nervousness! lol! To answer a few posted questions. I actually listen to my Avantone Mixcubes off to the side. I do not have them set in front of me like I do my main monitors. The reason for this is to listen in mono (sort of) and to make sure elements of the mix are translating clearly while listening out of a "sweetspot". Read Part2
I mix on my M-Audios, then when I' think I have a good balance there and almost a final mix, I switch over to the Mixcubes for "final tweaks and checks". Get a good mix going there and then put them back up on the M-Audios for a final "polishing".
Part2----Most people do not sit directly in front of an evenly spaced pair of monitors when listening to music for enjoyment so it gives me more of a real world perspective with them off to the side. I also got used to listening this way at times in the studio where the monitor screen was off to the side because of the console and it became a useful habit. I do turn and face them at times to hear them full on in stereo as well. Read Part3
Part 3--Again, sometimes during mixing we can get lost in the details (which is great!) but these speakers help me focus back on the big picture and make sure everything is clear and translating well. In addition, as stated in the video, by not focusing on the extreme highs and lows (that a lot of consumer systems will not reproduce anyway), I can hear if I am relying to heavily on those extended frequencies to carry an instrument in the mix if it disappears or drops in volume a lot...Read Part4
Not the same as these, please don't miss the point here that these do a lot more than give you a reference for iPods an stuff. These help your mixes sound better on everything you can play them on, not only iPhones and stuff.
No no, not at all. I don't want to give your the impression that that is the reason to get these! My mixes started sounding dramatically better on everything after I started using these. I just used iPhones and such as an example because it's one of those common places that a "bad mix" can be extra rough so getting a good sound even through those is a testament to how focused and precise you can get your sounds.
Hi guys I am looking at investing in a pair of passive Avantone mixcubes, as I know someone selling them and will probably only end up selling one but can anybody recommend a good amplifier to match the passive set without breaking the bank, any help is very much appreciated
Another thing is because they are a close box and not ported they give an exact replication on finer details a like when a reverb ends. With ported speakers the decay time becomes a lot bigger and makes it harder to set the fine detailed you need. That's wha makes closed boxes great also
Kool video. Would you recommend one avantone or a pair. I've been studios and seen only one.im guessing that they've using it for mono mixing.whats you guys take?
They certainly look like they are trying to do the same thing, but honestly I never recommend behringer equipment. I have never had good luck with any of it.
Also in response to using regular computer monitors to do the same job....Most consumer computer speakers are hyped (low and high end eq boosts are added to compensate for the limited range of the driver). The Avantones are pretty full range while maintaining a relatively flat frequency response which is what you want from a reference monitor.
A few things. First off: By default, these are not full range monitors. They focus on the midrange, between 90 Hz-17 Khz. So, so much for that. If they were full range monitors they would go down below 40 Hz and lower, and up past 18 Hz. Second: Monitors for mixing are meant to be analytical and critical; not pleasant. Mix monitors that sound pleasant are an extra bonus if that is important to you. The Avantone MixCube sounds like an old transistor radio, and nothing like original (or new) Auratones. Regardless, it is an invaluable mix tool. I've tried two in stereo just for the sake of checking it out. Sounds really cool, but doesn't offer the benefit of using just one in mono.
To everyone considering using these as basic speakers: These are NOT for casual listening. They are intented to be used as a tool to detect errors and details in your mix. The ideal case would be to have your mix ready on a good pair of monitors, and then A/B the results between those and the Avantones. Don't even consider doing full mixing on these things alone. If you're looking for basic speakers, get a full-range ones. tl;dr these cubes are tools for critical mixing, not speakers for casual music listening
Informative video @GaragebandandBeyond. I'm really thinking these may help my mixes transfer and keep me from having to run to the car or other numerous sources to check mixes. I currently mix and monitor through my main reference speakers the Yamaha HS8. My question is do I really need two of these for what the intended purpose is used for? What advantages is there in using two? Are you still checking your mix in mono but with two speakers instead of one? Any thoughts or input would be great. Thanks
I saw the Avatone Mix Cube in the earlier video just sitting back there and was wondering about them. Thanks for having Ryan on your show and I enjoyed it as always. I like your VW Bus T-shirt. Are you an owner of a bus. Also which Tri-State area are you talking about? I use to live in the Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia Tri-State area. Thanks for the great video as always.
If the reason to buy this speaker is to check how the mix translate to small equipment (pc, little bluetooth device, phones, etc), why don't use directly one of those device? Their use is as one of main monitors, to mix on them (some engineers claim to use them on 70-80% of their mixing time).
Good question, the reason is because I can't easily switch to any of those other devices. These monitors are connected to my Presonus Monitor station and I can hear them at the push of a button. But they're also more than simply that. They deliver the sound in a very unique way which makes a lot easier to hear the problems in the mix. And I would say that I mix on them about 70% of the time. They're that good.
Why would you need these speakers, as you mentioned saying it helps with mixing in iphone speakers, and simple speakers, couldn't you just buy a set of cheap 100 dollar speakers and use those as reference monitors to compare it to your normal monitors?
I just picked up a pair of these, and noticed the rubber pad on the bottom. Would you recommend iso pads still? Or....am I ok with just sitting them on the desk as is? Thanks.
A way to make them speakers even better is to only use one in mono and then you can make sure that ur mix will translate great to mono and stereo and makes a better well rounded commercial mix. Another thing about these is they are only midrange driver and that is the only speaker that is in every system in the world.so it allows you to make a mix that translates beat to all.
Is it "good" to have a pair? For sure. Is it "necessary" to have a pair if you have a good set of reference monitors already? Not necessarily. One of my favorite use of this speaker is a mono mix through a single MixCube, placed dead center to my listening position. That said, I have three -- and I often sanity-check my final mixes through the stereo pair.
- Elektryx - it seemed like you were more concerned with the words he chose rather than what he was actually saying. You're talking about "professional terms" I'd say that any terms a Grammy winning engineer would use are in fact professional. And in reality, that is a very accurate description of how these sound and work. I'd recommend you just try to hear what he is saying and not get hung up on semantics.
Isn't it unnecessary to buy both since you can check the stereo image on your main monitors anyway? Wouldn't it instead make sense to have a reference in mono to make sure your mixes work on devices with only one speaker, such as cellphones?
Thank you for replying …. Ok , now I found some AVANTONE PASSIVE used for $199. But there are not powered, do you recommend buying this? if so that would I need to do to make them sound in my system… I am using a digidesign 003 firewire interface , and also a AKAI EIE usb interface… will appreciate your opinion
Great information this video made me think of this area of mixing.. Studio monitors are great but when you go to a car it’s totally different sound… Would like an opinion from you. I have been checking the behringer behritone C5A and there’s no information for this on youtube, would this be something similar to the avantone mixcube?
I've been thinking about adding these for over an year, I'm currently using Focal CMS 40's (main), ADAMS A3X's (2nd reference) and Dynaudio BM-5a's all routed through the Dangerous Music ST Monitor control. Ryan, I'd like your feedback on adding these.
Some video reviews of Avantone they only use one monitor why is this? If I want to get this kind of reference monitors using only one can do the work even thou I mix stereo?
nice review! why the hell would anyone want great speakers to mix on anyway? sometimes i listen to music on crappy in ear headphones and even great mixes (like siamese dream and in utero) sound bad because you can't hear the bass drum at all!
Love the fact that your talking about these, I just picked up the passive one's and love them, but still getting to know them..question have you or Ryan put any type of EQ on them or just use them as is?? Agree my mixes are sounding more balanced and fuller
Thank you both for this review! Do you think that the single would give a similar perspective as opposed to the pair, if you have a solid set of studio monitors already?
Pat ##### I bought the behringers - can't give you a vs. cause i haven't heard the Avantones but they do the job i bought them for - they sound kinda shitty to be honest but they do help tighten up the middle of your mix when you A>B the mix with your main monitors
Yeah,,, but I would recommend something more like the M-Audio BX-5 D2's instead. Overall they are better sounding for use as an average listening speaker. The Avantone's are AWESOME if you use them as a tool for refining your mixes, but would be awesome for general listening and watching videos/movies and stuff.
Adrian Consta It is most definitely not going to achieve the same results. These monitors our industry standards for a very good reason. There is no substitution for the real thing!
Adrian Consta it’s like asking “why are there more than 1 set of monitors if you can just eq them to sound like the others?” The mixcubes are very specific. A larger speaker cannot do what a smaller one does. They move less air, they are made with different materials. I always say they’re like microscopes for your mix’s. You would not want to look through a microscope when you’re driving, but if you want to see every detail in the road then you need a different tool! I hope this makes sense and is helpful. Please subscribe to channel and check out all the other videos!
GaragebandandBeyond Thank you for your time responding to my question. Guess it would be best to test them in order to get a feel of what they do. Subscribed. Cheers.
Cool review. Also this guy loves meat and potatoes
instablaster.
So does this come with the meat and potatas or do you have to buy those separately
hhahahaha
meatnpatatoes
just buy one and mix in mono !..
I just bought one only too
Yup i only bought 1 !
Came for the meatnpotatoes.. left with a great recipe for a better mix.
Thank you 👍🏼
We need a counter for how many times he said "meat n potatoes" lol
I wonder if it makes sense to just mix with iPhone earbuds directly.
true
Another great thing about these monitors is that if you have a bad room, you can use this in conjunction with some really great mixing headphones (such as the Sennheiser HD 600's) and you won't miss anything... plus your mixes will translate everywhere.
Michael Jackson's Thriller was mixer 80% on the older model of those same speakers though, and that new model is pretty close to the old one. I think it's worth mentioning.
Part 4 - when I listen on the Avantones. I then know I need to push more energy in the midrange frequencies of that instrument so it does not get lost on most consumer non-full range speakers. I will go back and forth between the Avantones and my main monitors adjusting, adjusting, adjusting. Again, they are also great for hearing and allowing me to focus on creating separation of instruments in those midrange frequencies. And they dont trash my ears fast like the original Auratones! lol!
great video! - any chance of you comparing these to the NS-10's? - maybe an audio demo if you can?
I just bought a single active one of these to mix in mono. Looking forward to a/b ing against the A7x s.
THANK YOU for responding like this! Super cool of you. I am dissapointed that you didn't use the term "meat & potatoes" in any of them, but I'll live!
See ya soon dude!
Part1 ---Hey everybody! Thanks for the replies and comments! And for putting up with my camera nervousness! lol! To answer a few posted questions. I actually listen to my Avantone Mixcubes off to the side. I do not have them set in front of me like I do my main monitors. The reason for this is to listen in mono (sort of) and to make sure elements of the mix are translating clearly while listening out of a "sweetspot". Read Part2
I have been looking for my first studio monitors, these will not be it. Maybe down the line when I get a solid pair first.
Thanks for the review.
How are these 7 - 8 years later? I'm thinking of using these for mixing in Atmos as they are very small. Any thoughts?
I mix on my M-Audios, then when I' think I have a good balance there and almost a final mix, I switch over to the Mixcubes for "final tweaks and checks". Get a good mix going there and then put them back up on the M-Audios for a final "polishing".
"Meat & Potatoes" = YES PLEASE
Part2----Most people do not sit directly in front of an evenly spaced pair of monitors when listening to music for enjoyment so it gives me more of a real world perspective with them off to the side. I also got used to listening this way at times in the studio where the monitor screen was off to the side because of the console and it became a useful habit. I do turn and face them at times to hear them full on in stereo as well. Read Part3
Part 3--Again, sometimes during mixing we can get lost in the details (which is great!) but these speakers help me focus back on the big picture and make sure everything is clear and translating well. In addition, as stated in the video, by not focusing on the extreme highs and lows (that a lot of consumer systems will not reproduce anyway), I can hear if I am relying to heavily on those extended frequencies to carry an instrument in the mix if it disappears or drops in volume a lot...Read Part4
Jill scott and common enough said! Just ordered the red version!
Not the same as these, please don't miss the point here that these do a lot more than give you a reference for iPods an stuff. These help your mixes sound better on everything you can play them on, not only iPhones and stuff.
No no, not at all. I don't want to give your the impression that that is the reason to get these! My mixes started sounding dramatically better on everything after I started using these.
I just used iPhones and such as an example because it's one of those common places that a "bad mix" can be extra rough so getting a good sound even through those is a testament to how focused and precise you can get your sounds.
Dude's like "That's my mixcube in your hand. Don't drop it!"
Everything sounds great, but, do they focus on the meat and potatoes?
Hi guys I am looking at investing in a pair of passive Avantone mixcubes, as I know someone selling them and will probably only end up selling one but can anybody recommend a good amplifier to match the passive set without breaking the bank, any help is very much appreciated
what cable do i need to hook them up whit my interface?
Another thing is because they are a close box and not ported they give an exact replication on finer details a like when a reverb ends. With ported speakers the decay time becomes a lot bigger and makes it harder to set the fine detailed you need. That's wha makes closed boxes great also
I'm a vegetarian, can I still use these speakers without meat? Maybe, just the potatoes?
I found four at a flea market I picked them up for 10 bucks lady said they were for nintendo game machines bargain buy for over priced gadgets
Kool video. Would you recommend one avantone or a pair. I've been studios and seen only one.im guessing that they've using it for mono mixing.whats you guys take?
just use 1 for mono
No they are not designed to be full-time main monitors. You would have a hard time hearing extended low end.
They certainly look like they are trying to do the same thing, but honestly I never recommend behringer equipment. I have never had good luck with any of it.
Jeez, you highjacked the guest man! Should have let him speak more!
Also in response to using regular computer monitors to do the same job....Most consumer computer speakers are hyped (low and high end eq boosts are added to compensate for the limited range of the driver). The Avantones are pretty full range while maintaining a relatively flat frequency response which is what you want from a reference monitor.
VERY HELPFUL, AND A VERY MODEST GUY FOR A GRAMMY WINNER
that was so useful thanks
Man. I'm ready for some meat n potatoes.
A few things.
First off: By default, these are not full range monitors. They focus on the midrange, between 90 Hz-17 Khz. So, so much for that. If they were full range monitors they would go down below 40 Hz and lower, and up past 18 Hz.
Second: Monitors for mixing are meant to be analytical and critical; not pleasant. Mix monitors that sound pleasant are an extra bonus if that is important to you.
The Avantone MixCube sounds like an old transistor radio, and nothing like original (or new) Auratones. Regardless, it is an invaluable mix tool. I've tried two in stereo just for the sake of checking it out. Sounds really cool, but doesn't offer the benefit of using just one in mono.
To everyone considering using these as basic speakers: These are NOT for casual listening. They are intented to be used as a tool to detect errors and details in your mix. The ideal case would be to have your mix ready on a good pair of monitors, and then A/B the results between those and the Avantones. Don't even consider doing full mixing on these things alone. If you're looking for basic speakers, get a full-range ones.
tl;dr these cubes are tools for critical mixing, not speakers for casual music listening
Ryan sounds like Jim from The Office. Just don't watch the video, and imagine Jim Halpert talking.
Lex Bravary Bears, Beats, Battlestar Galactica
Went out to buy a pair and ended up buying meat and potatoes.
Ryan's website is not coming up on my computer. Does he have a TH-cam channel. How can we learn more from Ryan?
Can I buy the meat and potatoes separately?
I have a hs 5 and im looking for another set of monitoring to work in conjunction but I dont know if i must buy this babies or hd600 headphones
Informative video @GaragebandandBeyond. I'm really thinking these may help my mixes transfer and keep me from having to run to the car or other numerous sources to check mixes. I currently mix and monitor through my main reference speakers the Yamaha HS8. My question is do I really need two of these for what the intended purpose is used for? What advantages is there in using two? Are you still checking your mix in mono but with two speakers instead of one? Any thoughts or input would be great. Thanks
Mmmmmm meat and potatoes
Great chat about the Avantones. They sound perfect for my needs.
This is a great video. I've been wanting to get a pair of these for my setup.
Could you do an interview with Ryan for a later video?
I saw the Avatone Mix Cube in the earlier video just sitting back there and was wondering about them. Thanks for having Ryan on your show and I enjoyed it as always.
I like your VW Bus T-shirt. Are you an owner of a bus. Also which Tri-State area are you talking about? I use to live in the Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia Tri-State area.
Thanks for the great video as always.
NOTTZ got the AVANTONE MIXTONE and the EVENTS 20/20 BAS Monitor Speakers
exactly what i need
If the reason to buy this speaker is to check how the mix translate to small equipment (pc, little bluetooth device, phones, etc), why don't use directly one of those device?
Their use is as one of main monitors, to mix on them (some engineers claim to use them on 70-80% of their mixing time).
Good question, the reason is because I can't easily switch to any of those other devices. These monitors are connected to my Presonus Monitor station and I can hear them at the push of a button. But they're also more than simply that. They deliver the sound in a very unique way which makes a lot easier to hear the problems in the mix.
And I would say that I mix on them about 70% of the time. They're that good.
so do you mix on your regular monitors and then go to these for added assurance? or do these completely erase the need for your m-audio monitors?
Great vid! Definitely think I need these on my desk.
Do I need two of these mixcubes or just one ? Thanks
You can use one, but make sure you have a way to send a Mono signal to it. I have and like the PResonus Monitor Station.
So these are design to sound bad to match all the other things that sound bad?
Reverse engineering?
I don't get any useful information about these cubes through this video
Why would you need these speakers, as you mentioned saying it helps with mixing in iphone speakers, and simple speakers, couldn't you just buy a set of cheap 100 dollar speakers and use those as reference monitors to compare it to your normal monitors?
I just picked up a pair of these, and noticed the rubber pad on the bottom. Would you recommend iso pads still? Or....am I ok with just sitting them on the desk as is? Thanks.
/they can go right on a desk. No need for iso pads.
A way to make them speakers even better is to only use one in mono and then you can make sure that ur mix will translate great to mono and stereo and makes a better well rounded commercial mix. Another thing about these is they are only midrange driver and that is the only speaker that is in every system in the world.so it allows you to make a mix that translates beat to all.
Is it "good" to have a pair? For sure. Is it "necessary" to have a pair if you have a good set of reference monitors already? Not necessarily. One of my favorite use of this speaker is a mono mix through a single MixCube, placed dead center to my listening position. That said, I have three -- and I often sanity-check my final mixes through the stereo pair.
Can hear the "meat and patatas". How about using some half professional descriptive words when giving a review on a studio product :P
+GaragebandandBeyond lol, having a "Grammy" doesn't quantify technical knowledge last time I checked?
+GaragebandandBeyond and I clicked this for a review of monitors, not to hear a review from whoever that guy is, haha...
- Elektryx - it seemed like you were more concerned with the words he chose rather than what he was actually saying.
You're talking about "professional terms" I'd say that any terms a Grammy winning engineer would use are in fact professional.
And in reality, that is a very accurate description of how these sound and work.
I'd recommend you just try to hear what he is saying and not get hung up on semantics.
+GaragebandandBeyond so what frequency range is meat and potato's for us non Grammy winning folks?
- Elektryx - It's not a specific range kind of thing. They're great monitors for hearing the problems in your mixes, I'm quite sure you need them.
Isn't it unnecessary to buy both since you can check the stereo image on your main monitors anyway? Wouldn't it instead make sense to have a reference in mono to make sure your mixes work on devices with only one speaker, such as cellphones?
EXACTLY
Thank you for replying ….
Ok , now I found some AVANTONE PASSIVE used for $199. But there are not powered, do you recommend buying this? if so that would I need to do to make them sound in my system… I am using a digidesign 003 firewire interface , and also a AKAI EIE usb interface… will appreciate your opinion
Great information this video made me think of this area of mixing..
Studio monitors are great but when you go to a car it’s totally different sound…
Would like an opinion from you.
I have been checking the behringer behritone C5A and there’s no information for this on youtube, would this be something similar to the avantone mixcube?
I've been thinking about adding these for over an year, I'm currently using Focal CMS 40's (main), ADAMS A3X's (2nd reference) and Dynaudio BM-5a's all routed through the Dangerous Music ST Monitor control. Ryan, I'd like your feedback on adding these.
Some video reviews of Avantone they only use one monitor why is this?
If I want to get this kind of reference monitors using only one can do the work even thou I mix stereo?
Meat and Potatoes.
This guy definitely loves his source of protein when it comes to sound design.
Can i use only this speakers for mixing in my home studio (sorry, my enghish is bad). Thanks for this video, and best regards
Hey Lewin!
Are these the Active or Passive Mixcubes?
Thanks!
Active
nice review! why the hell would anyone want great speakers to mix on anyway? sometimes i listen to music on crappy in ear headphones and even great mixes (like siamese dream and in utero) sound bad because you can't hear the bass drum at all!
Hey Lewin,
You had a video within the last few weeks about mixing/mastering software. could you mention it again? Thanx!
5:17 You were right. I'm just seeing this in 2020.
I need something to reference my mixes on and as i can't afford a pair of NS-10's these seem like a good cheaper option! Nice Video
This is very informative. I'm thinking about buying some of these.
dont yell
Do you generally use these as stereo monitors, or mono? I've read that these are very good to check your mix in mono on these.
Meat and potatoes.... damn now I'm hungry!
Love the fact that your talking about these, I just picked up the passive one's and love them, but still getting to know them..question have you or Ryan put any type of EQ on them or just use them as is?? Agree my mixes are sounding more balanced and fuller
Meat and potatoes is my go to term to explain anything so thank you Ryan
Thank you both for this review! Do you think that the single would give a similar perspective as opposed to the pair, if you have a solid set of studio monitors already?
Samson "Studio Docks" are amazing for referencing iphone and such recordings...
If like me you're on a budget - Behringer Behritone C50a are approx. half the price of the Avantones but do a very similar job...
I wish I could find a "vs" review of them both
Pat #####
I bought the behringers - can't give you a vs. cause i haven't heard the Avantones but they do the job i bought them for - they sound kinda shitty to be honest but they do help tighten up the middle of your mix when you A>B the mix with your main monitors
Do you really need two?
No
yes & no
Tell Ryan to start a channel! I love his personality on camera!
cool. i think i need one of these! mixcubes
No, you really need both since you'll most likely be dealing with a stereo mix and you would lose the Left/Right imaging with only 1.
Could u use them as basic speakers for your desktop computer?
Yeah,,, but I would recommend something more like the M-Audio BX-5 D2's instead. Overall they are better sounding for use as an average listening speaker. The Avantone's are AWESOME if you use them as a tool for refining your mixes, but would be awesome for general listening and watching videos/movies and stuff.
Meat and potatoes = midrange
Great video, a lot info I did not know!
I love meat and potatoes
LEWIN where did you buy that shirt?
Thanks Lewin, as always.
Bluetooth?
how do you connect these ?
Nice and useful review, thanks.
Can't you just activate a 90-17k filter to check your mix?
Adrian Consta It is most definitely not going to achieve the same results.
These monitors our industry standards for a very good reason. There is no substitution for the real thing!
Thank you for your response. But why wouldn't be the same thing?
Adrian Consta it’s like asking “why are there more than 1 set of monitors if you can just eq them to sound like the others?”
The mixcubes are very specific. A larger speaker cannot do what a smaller one does. They move less air, they are made with different materials.
I always say they’re like microscopes for your mix’s. You would not want to look through a microscope when you’re driving, but if you want to see every detail in the road then you need a different tool!
I hope this makes sense and is helpful.
Please subscribe to channel and check out all the other videos!
GaragebandandBeyond Thank you for your time responding to my question. Guess it would be best to test them in order to get a feel of what they do. Subscribed. Cheers.
*Moys