How (And Why) To Add A Subwoofer to Your Studio

Should you add a subwoofer to your studio for mixing or mastering? If you're going to do it, you should know what to expect (and what not to) as well as how to do it right. Charles Hoffman walks you through the 5 steps.
Big thanks to ADAM Audio for helping to make this one free to the public. Check out their super affordable T10S Sub Woofer here
www.adam-audio.com/en/t-serie...
See more from Charles Hoffman on SonicScoop:
• Charles Hoffman Videos...
Or at Black Ghost Audio:
/ blackghostaudio
For the pink noise file referenced in the vide, try here:
sonicscoop.com/wp-content/upl...
#subwoofer #mixingengineer #audioengineer #sub #adam #audio #charleshoffman #sonicscoop #blackghost #audiomastering #musicproducer #T10S

[@SonicScoop]

Do you have a sub? And has it helped you in the studio? Big thanks to ADAM Audio for helping to make this one free to the public. Check out their super affordable T10S Sub Woofer here: www.adam-audio.com/en/t-series/t10s/ See more from Charles Hoffman on SonicScoop: kzbin.info/aero/PL3yghKGBjggQOghGOU1MgBpVSZImVpSAL Or at Black Ghost Audio: kzbin.info

[@jeremymull6138]

I do have a Subwoofer, and I dialed it in almost exactly as you described in this video. Makes a real difference too. Good info here, that others will do well to use as a starting point.

[@christapher6437]

This covered every question I've had and explained it so nicely. Saving this video for when I get a sub. You're incredible dude, thank you!

[@OKFCPrez]

This was a HUGE help and vital information, thanks so much!

[@danieldejuan1831]

I love this video - come back to it every time I move my monitors because I just can't seem to remember 85 and 79

[@BillyEilish]

Great video. I watched it yesterday and had some trouble finding it again. I'd recommend adding the word "calibrate" or "calibration" something in the title to rank KZbin search. Thanks again for the great video!!

[@kingoimkenya]

Thank you for this clear and technically well explained guide.

[@rainquill_4772]

SONIC SCCOP IS LIFE !!!! thank u for vid

[@MikeandMandy]

This is an excellent tutorial on how to properly install and set a subwoofer. I do, however, have a concern that there is no mention of acoustic treatment (bass traps) for a room the size described in this video. Without treatment, the standing waves created by putting a subwoofer in a 10x12 room could cause more issues than the subwoofer is supposed to solve. Since many absolute beginners watch these videos (as I once was), I think they should know more about the need for acoustic treatment before investing in a admittedly affordable subwoofer. On another topic, I use Adam monitors and can vouch for their excellent response for their price point.

[@SonicScoop]

Absolutely true! We stress acoustic treatment a lot on this channel, and if the low end is compromised in your room, adding a sub may not be nearly as useful as it could be. In longer videos on this subject that’s definitely a point we stress. Here’s my personal take on it, where I go into further detail on that point: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZPSmml6rpiWpZI Of course, giving all that nuance and detail makes the videos longer, which I don’t mind, but some people complain about! :-) So we try to do a mix of both. This video, in an effort to be as targeted and concise as possible doesn’t speak to acoustic treatment. But you are right, it is crucially important, and the speakers and room are really a system that work together. Thanks for the great comment. -Justin

[@loveyourpitbull]

This is a great Levels introduction. Bass traps and treatment I would think as a secondary issue. This is a fantastic first step of the process. @@SonicScoop

[@mightymovesmountains]

I think you saved my life, homie. Thank you.

[@thaexception3406]

Informative!

[@sacredmachines]

Hi . great vid. im trying to do the SPL level correctly. one thing is that my monitors dont have a volume knob. obvisouly if i turn the knob on the interface it would be the same for both monitors anyway? i can set my woofer as it has a volume adjustment.

[@TrilliumRV]

Thank you

[@loveyourpitbull]

Thanks!!!

[@GillsOnMyNeck]

I have an Apollo twin - what would you recommend setting the interface at while tuning the monitors & sub?

[@sageprice7046]

when doing the pink noise spl test was the pink noise at 85db really loud? I’m currently setting up a yamaha hs8 sub with my jbl 305’s. in the video you had said to turn the speakers audio levels to 0db. mine don’t have a 0db mark so I just put mine halfway. I don’t know if that’s too loud and don’t want to rick damaging my speakers

[@MAverick1997]

Need help...my table(150cm wide) is facing the wall so T10S doesn't have space level vertical, should i twist rectangle 90 degree make it closer to same distance and back port is not toward wall ? or i should pull out beside my legs and turn the phase to 180. thanks for helping

[@amgray19]

@SonicScoop: what is the monitor controller you are using in this video where you plug in the inputs and outputs (starting at 3:22)? Thanks!

[@lucasjuniorproducer]

Hi , Please how do i connect a subwoofer to the audient Nero (Monitor Controler) i just bought? Just plug a TRS Jack from the SUB out on the back to the Audient Nero ( Monitor Controller) in the Left IN TRS of the Sub? Thank you if you can answer. I cant find anything about this metter on the web. How actually connect a Sub to the Audient Nero Sub connection out.

[@jproduction.1051]

Thanks

[@THESANX99]

Can we able connect Yamaha hs8 pair with krk 10s subwoofer.

[@TheJohnnyjean]

Hi, I'm using a Tannoy system with the Ellipse 8 and TS10 subwoofer, I tried your calibration settings , and at 79db the sub was way too loud YMMV, thanks for the video!

[@YT-Science]

is this subwoofer also calibrate with adam a7x? or would not be a good thing

[@cdauterive1]

I have theA7x and would like a sub but I’m not sure if it’s a good fit in a 11x11 with 8ft ceiling. Any advice?

[@KingfisherTalkingPictures]

How would I hook up the sub in a 5.1 studio system instead of a stereo studio?

[@natrick]

I followed all the steps toward setting up my new JBL LSR310S, but I can't get it's volume up to 79db for some reason. Even with the volume on the sub turned all way up, the highest reading I'm getting is around 71. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.

[@greenbunny13]

Can you please tell me what audio interface you're using. Thank you

[@user-bl9hx7cn4j]

What if I want to set up a 5.1 system? Do I just output the LFE channel to the left input on this sub?

[@BeeSlapper]

So I have 2 JBL MK2 series 3 monitors and a JBL Northridge E series E250P active subwoofer, along side a Scarlett Solo and a 5 channel mixer my buddy gave me with the sub, I can do the outputs to the monitors from the mixer fine but the sub only has 1 RCA input and cant figure out how to connect all 3 at the same time. got any tips?

[@JoseFlores-id1wk]

Hi Can you connect 2 subwoofers?

[@eltruheyo]

Hello, I'm not using a computer at all, just a mixer. So do I still need to get an audio interface to connect my studio monitors to the sub? Thanks

[@SonicScoop]

As long as you can get stereo audio out of your mixer you are good. Just substitute the word “mixer” for “interface” and you are all set :-) -Justin

[@K8richardcejas]

Después de aplicar estos sencillos pasos, en especial los pasos de setear los niveles con el medidor de SPL mi sistema de audio suena 10 veces mejor, no tanto en términos de calidad, pero si en balance. se siente la diferencia un montón.

What if m sub have only input? Thank you.

[@NathanBrown-dk5wh]

I have a question for this what is I can't move my sub around my space due to limited room. Is there anything I can input inbetween to help it align it?

[@SonicScoop]

With limited space, or difficulty getting it to where it should go for maximum phase coherence, one option is to move the sub around until its sounds its *worst* and then flip the polarity on the sub. (The ADAM T10S does have this option.) If you're still having trouble with phase alignment, moving the speaker setup as well, instead of just the sub could help too. The only thing I could think of putting "in between" the sub and the speakers would be something like the Little Labs phase tool, but that would be a bit of an expensive solution to run across two channels. Another potential option would be to handle this with software, and make the crossover and phase alignment happen there... But those last two options are a bit more complex, and in most cases, you should be able to get pretty good phase alignment, though it may require you moving things around a little bit. In a super small space, the greater issue may not be getting the speakers and sub into alignment at all, and could more be the influence of the room on the sub frequencies themselves. You could be hearing issues due to room modes and room nodes more than anything, and trying to mitigate these with acoustic treatment may be the key. Very small rooms do often have acoustic issues in the lows, and these are not always solved by getting a subwoofer. Hope that helps! -Justin

[@NathanBrown-dk5wh]

@@SonicScoop thank you that did help 🙏🏽 I will have to trying as I have been wanting to get a sub for a while now

[@patrickharber1770]

What does turning up the interface do? I had to turn mine all the way up to hit 85 and then what turn it back down? Should I adjust the monitor volume instead?

[@delarosemusic]

wondering the same

[@BillyEilish]

You're supposed to turn up your interface up to unity level (U) or 0 with your monitors and sub down to 0 and increase one and hit the target dB, then turn off the one that's proper and continue with the rest. Then turn everything on, and you don't need to keep the interface master volume set to that level. It's simply to have the same output for everything and adjust each knob. If you have more questions just reply and I'll help you out. My setup is working great thanks for the video. Take care!

[@linkimonlyhalfhuman2092]

@@BillyEilish unity or 0,…. meaning 100% max volume ? Correct?

[@Vt-gm3pz]

sub is must have for me

[@bloodqueenalice]

I got a subwoofer from vision al-3303 from a friend and I really don't know anything on how to use it especially making connections whatsoever. My question, can I use this as a normal speaker or what lol? And I don't think it has bluetooth but there's a usb port but how do I use it? 😢 Really a caveman here, please help. I wonder if I can connect it to my laptop or something so I can replace a Bluetooth one I had.

[@N91ural]

I have no control over the settings on this app. Any suggestions?

[@SonicScoop]

I would take that up with the company directly, they have great support! -Justin

[@shirakawamaseru]

HS8S, because, obviously, goes well with HS8

[@vishaladhikary]

5:27 where is the pink noise link below?

[@SonicScoop]

Hi Vishal, try here! sonicscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pure-Pink-Noise.wav I'll make sure this gets added to the description as well. Thanks, Justin

[@BennyParcher]

I don't have one because I can't afford one

[@SamiJumppanen]

I'm building one. Found a 12" subwoofer element for 8 bucks and free chipwood... Now some measures with a free speaker design software and let's see

[@DRJTUBECHANNEL]

$250…JBL subs used. Affordable.

[@BajaShouta]

A $30 subwoofer will do everything you need

[@spiritlevelstudios]

Thanks, this is quality balanced info. Here's the best settings I've found after 2 days of setup tinkering: Yamaha HS80M monitors + HS8 Sub Monitors: Vol 12 o'clock All other monitor settings neutral Sub: Vol 10 o'clock 100hz on both crossovers In line positioning with monitors As close to centre of room as possible. Phase switch normal Whatever available furniture thrown in for makeshift room treatment . The ideal to aim for: A flat, clear, natural and cohesive response over a broad range of reference material.

[@em8969]

Yes the low end is important but The power is in the mids, 70-90% of systems will never go that low so spend the equivalent and appropriate amount on getting your mids and highs correct, and then use a reliable way to get the low end in shape, don’t spend as much time on it (unless there is no deadline). It depends on the genre too.

[@newman2374]

people liten on headphone iphone :) not big poblem

[@ProducerGio]

I have 2 subs

[@SonicScoop]

Cool! Has it helped your setup?

[@ProducerGio]

@@SonicScoop yes my genelecs cut off at 60 so now i can mix my low end better

[@jbaranowski1990]

You delete comments? Very bad decision. Unsub, Justin :)

[@SonicScoop]

We don't delete comments! I believe you commented on an earlier version of this video that accidentally went live for about a half hour yesterday, before it was scheduled to be published today. Unfortunately, we had to upload a new version of the video with a correction in it before it went live officially today, so sadly none of the comments that came in during that brief accidental window were saved. My apologies for any inconvenience! If KZbin let us upload a new video to the same link we would have, but we can't. I'd encourage you to leave your comment again here and get a conversation going! We do not delete comments unless they contain pointed profanity or spam, or maybe if they are harassing other commenters. If the old version of the video isn't deleted yet, maybe I can find what you wrote and copy and paste it back to your so you can write it again more easily. Hope that helps! -Justin