about:blank Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I recently read that another monitor will make mixing music or almost any other task much easier. I've been considering buying another monitor, but is it really worth it? What are the pros/cons of an extra monitor? Would my money be better spent on other gear (i.e. some decent headphones/a better audio interface)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OverCoat Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 You might like having some windows on one side, and some other windows on the other side. It's definitely not necessary. I've never tried using dual [or triple] monitors but it doesn't seem like something I'd want, as I'd need to manage 3x the screen area, but everyone works a little differently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanthos Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Dual monitors is great for more than just remixing. No, it's definitely not necessary, but as a programmer as well as a (hopeful) remixer, it's something I wouldn't do without. Being able to have my programming environment in one window and the software I'm working on running in the other is a huge timesaver. That's all you'll get out of remixing on multiple monitors though. It's a timesaver, just like how you're usually better off using a keyboard instead of mouse to enter notes on the piano roll if you can play piano. You can do without it, and if you're not convinced and have a list of other gear you want, you probably want to get that first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xerol Oplan Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 With my setup, it's not exactly possible to be within reach of the keyboard and the laptop at the same time. So I set up my largescreen as a second monitor, and use it for various things. Here's FL in use: It's good for sheet music and stuff too. Really, it's entirely situational. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
about:blank Posted October 4, 2006 Author Share Posted October 4, 2006 You might like having some windows on one side, and some other windows on the other side. I know what they're used for, lol. It's definitely not necessary. I've never tried using dual [or triple] monitors but it doesn't seem like something I'd want, as I'd need to manage 3x the screen area, but everyone works a little differently. Yeah, I could certainly do without a second (or third) monitor for the time being, and space for the extra monitor(s) could also potentially be an issue. You can do without it, and if you're not convinced and have a list of other gear you want, you probably want to get that first. That sounds like the most sensible thing to do. Whoa.. we have the same keyboard! Thanks everybody for all of your help, I still don't know if I even want to purchase a second (or third) monitor, but if I eventually do, I think I'll take Kanthos' advice and wait until I already have some other gear purchased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Souliarc Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Mix window on one, Edit window on the other. Entirely sensible, but definitely not necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnappleMan Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Oh, wrong monitors... I had a huge stereo flame ready Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Vagrance Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Necesarry? No, but is Absynth necessary? Is Reaktor necessary? Is a $1000 guitar necessary? Is a samplepack necessary? Its not necessary but it sure helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgfoo Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I have a second monitor. I personally could not function very well without a second monitor because I've gotten so used to it. For music I'll often have my arrange window on my main monitor and my instruments and effects open up on my second monitor so it doesn't clutter up the screen. It also has non-musical benefits. I can have my internet browser open in one window, itunes and my IM stuff in another window so I don't have to keep minimizing screens to see what's going on. So, it's not necessary at all (it certainly won't help you make better music, but it would probably help with your work flow). So if you have the space, money and means to add a second monitor, it certainly wouldn't hurt to have some extra screen real estate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoozer Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Would my money be better spent on other gear (i.e. some decent headphones/a better audio interface)? Get a better audio interface first . Otherwise, if you're not using your PC to do graphic design on, get a cheap (possibly second-hand) TFT monitor. Who cares if 3 pixels are dead? Lots of 'm for sale, too. Won't take up much room on your desk, will however add convenience. I can't do without my dual monitor setup anymore nowadays, but I also do graphic design so I'd prefer it if the screens are equal and new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Souliarc Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 Necesarry? No, but is Absynth necessary? Is Reaktor necessary? Is a $1000 guitar necessary? Is a samplepack necessary? Its not necessary but it sure helps "Necessary" is in the eye of the beholder, yes, but i'd say there are plenty more things necessary to the common musician than dual monitors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnappleMan Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 Is a $1000 guitar necessary? Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k u n g f u c h i c k e n Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 Is a $1000 guitar necessary? Yes. I don't even think your guitar is 1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnappleMan Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 DC127 - 2 pickup guitar $ 729.00 BC - black hardware $ 15.00 SS - graphite saddles $ 20.00 RB - Rounded Body $ 30.00 36 - Pickups $ 10.00 AC - Pickups $ 50.00 35 - pickup option $ 5.00 43 - M22N $ 5.00 BPH - black painted headstock $ 20.00 6100 - jumbo frets $ 15.00 PW - instrument color $ 0.00 ASH - Swamp Ash Body $ 40.00 HC11 - Guitar Case $ 49.00 Subtotal $ 988.00 Shipping $ 19.99 Total $ 1007.99 Bitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Souliarc Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Hahaha. I read Swamp Ash as Swamp Ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgfoo Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Shipping? Shipping doesn't count... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnappleMan Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Hell yes it counts! If you were to buy this guitar retail you'd be paying an extra $1200 for the shipping, packing, handling, the box it came in, the store space it takes up, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgx Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 I love having dual monitors. However, it helps even more if your software can take advantage, like different pieces of the UI being detatchable and moveable. Reason, ACID, Project5 all do this awesomely. Arrange in one monitor, maybe pattern editor, or mixing controls on the other. Unfortunately Ableton Live can't do that so its UI is all on one screen. The only way it takes advantage is by letting your vst's pop up and move to the other monitor. Still nice though, and since I usually have Reason rewired into it, Reason will go on the second monitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analoq Posted October 7, 2006 Share Posted October 7, 2006 hi About:Blank. my name is analoq and i have an opinion. having dual-displays is not only unnecessary, it's not useful most of the time. and my studio used to look like this 5 years ago. and 5 years ago it was great. but by now applications have drifted away from those awful MDI guis and we have more efficient ways of making use of screen real-estate. for example, Logic's screensets feature is more useful to me than dual-monitors ever was. now there are situations when having an extra screen can make a difference, but that's not going to be the majority of the time. as cool as having dual-monitors seems, you'll be happier having one nice monitor than you would with two less-nice monitors. cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Vagrance Posted October 7, 2006 Share Posted October 7, 2006 hi About:Blank. my name is analoq and i have an opinion.having dual-displays is not only unnecessary, it's not useful most of the time. and my studio used to look like this 5 years ago. and 5 years ago it was great. but by now applications have drifted away from those awful MDI guis and we have more efficient ways of making use of screen real-estate. for example, Logic's screensets feature is more useful to me than dual-monitors ever was. now there are situations when having an extra screen can make a difference, but that's not going to be the majority of the time. as cool as having dual-monitors seems, you'll be happier having one nice monitor than you would with two less-nice monitors. cheers. Not necesarrily true, and if I had dual monitors there'd be countless ways that I could use them. In the end, it depends on what you're using and if you find yourself struggling to have enough space. Whenever I use FLStudio, an extra monitor would be very useful as that way I can view the pattern arranger as well as edit individual patterns, all while still having VST windows and whatnot. In Reason it would be less useful as it was made to work on just monitor and have everything in an all-in-one view, but whenever I use Sonar it would be infinitely helpful. From editing the MIDI patterns while tweaking a synth, to using both the console and the track view at the same time, to many other things. In the end it depends on if you feel as if you don't have enough space in your DAW and you need more room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
about:blank Posted October 7, 2006 Author Share Posted October 7, 2006 hi About:Blank. my name is analoq and i have an opinion. having dual-displays is not only unnecessary, it's not useful most of the time. and my studio used to look like this 5 years ago. and 5 years ago it was great. but by now applications have drifted away from those awful MDI guis and we have more efficient ways of making use of screen real-estate. for example, Logic's screensets feature is more useful to me than dual-monitors ever was. now there are situations when having an extra screen can make a difference, but that's not going to be the majority of the time. as cool as having dual-monitors seems, you'll be happier having one nice monitor than you would with two less-nice monitors. cheers. I think you have a good point here. At first, I wanted to get an extra monitor after reading that it could prove useful. While I still think that they could potentially prove useful, I think that at the same time, they are also not really necessary either. Not necesarrily true, and if I had dual monitors there'd be countless ways that I could use them. In the end, it depends on what you're using and if you find yourself struggling to have enough space. Whenever I use FLStudio, an extra monitor would be very useful as that way I can view the pattern arranger as well as edit individual patterns, all while still having VST windows and whatnot. In Reason it would be less useful as it was made to work on just monitor and have everything in an all-in-one view, but whenever I use Sonar it would be infinitely helpful. From editing the MIDI patterns while tweaking a synth, to using both the console and the track view at the same time, to many other things. In the end it depends on if you feel as if you don't have enough space in your DAW and you need more room. You also have a good point, it seems like such a hard decision whether or not I should purchase another monitor, but at the end of the day, I think that there are other things I could purchase that would prove much more useful than a secondary monitor. I still think that I may purchase one though, but just not right off. Thanks for all of the advice everybody! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Unsung Plumber Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 Whoa.. we have the same keyboard! Double Whoa. So do I! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OverCoat Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 I weep for the three of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xerol Oplan Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 I weep for the three of you. Hey, look, without it, we wouldn't have such hits as: Fuck introb "Look I'm John Cage" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
about:blank Posted October 8, 2006 Author Share Posted October 8, 2006 I weep for the three of you. Hey, look, without it, we wouldn't have such hits as: Fuck introb "Look I'm John Cage" I wept when I heard the trumpet/guitar solo in "Fuck". Beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.