Yamaha HS5 - Single

Sometimes the end is the beginning. When it comes to your audio signal chain, it all ends at your studio monitors, which are then the beginning of your interaction with the sound that they relay. At this key juncture, you want the best product your budget can afford. When building a new studio or upgrading an existing one, the monitors should be at the top of your priority list. For many of us, that means specifically nearfield reference monitors. Why nearfield? What makes the “nearfield” so important for listening is that the closer the speaker (aka the driver) is to the ear, the less room reflection is involved in the sonic waves. This allows the listener to hear more of the captured signal and less of the room, with all its inherent distortions. Big wall and soffit-mounted monitors are great to have, but the real detail is found in the nearfield. Continue reading →

We all have different approaches to our craft, whether it be our gear preferences or unique techniques for tracking, mixing, and mastering. In our new series, Vintage King Workflow, we're celebrating the beauty of how our favorite engineers and producers create art and asking them to show us their methods. Maxton Waller was playing in rock bands when he first moved to California in 2007, but quickly transitioned full-time into composing for film and television. Since becoming a Los Angeles resident, he's racked up an incredible resume including scoring the Hulu Original Series RocketJump: The Show, Stan Lee’s Cosmic Crusaders, and SpacePOP. Continue reading →

It's no secret that Billie Eilish has taken over the world of pop music. She's everywhere! One of the most endearing elements of Billie's ascension to stardom is the bedroom studio production process she shares with her brother and producer, Finneas. The fact that two twenty-somethings can create global smashes with a minimal set-up is inspiring for a whole new generation of music makers. In the newly released documentary The World’s A Little Blurry, we get a look at Billie's career so far and a window into her creative process. Showing scenes from the recording environment as well as stadium level tour stops, we hit pause whenever gear came up on our screen and took notes of what Billie and Finneas are utilizing. Check it out below! Continue reading →

Your mixes are only as good as your listening environment, which is why it’s so important to make sure you’re using a high-quality set of studio monitors. But with so many options to choose from, it can be hard to pick the right pair for your studio. In this blog, we’ll break down the most popular studio monitors of 2021 to help you find the perfect set of speakers for your needs. Continue reading →