ALESIS M1 Active 520 USB Monitors another More indepth look.MP4

[rue2042]

What is this song? 6 : 01 min 

[pusthy4jc]

Hey guys. What`s the difference between these and the M1 520 with the blue light above the tweeter ? Thanks

[OtomoTenzi]

YEARGH!!! :  P

[shakeAbooty88]

I read on Gearslutz that a person who bought these complained of a noise as loud as cassette tape hiss on his speakers. How are yours? Cheers.

[davidlanham99]

People listen to that? Are you sure it's not broken?

[DMNBK]

Thx ! Excellent review ! I am going tomorrow to get them !

[jammyd33]

p.s what's the track at 9:40? it's sick

[Frequenetix]

@jammyd33 hazard and distorted minds - Ho Bass (Komplex VIP)

[jammyd33]

if I already have an interface, should I buy the usb version??

[Frequenetix]

@jammyd33 I would get the ones without one if your happy with your current interface.

[nightdoctor44]

Thanks for making this video. It has helped me to make a decision as to what to buy!!!

[PrinceyDj08]

i dont think there is going to be a major difference in either but i Cant guarantee you that as I've not used the none usb version. Its all down to self preference.

[leeches]

which would you say is better, the USB version or the standard 520?

[Frequenetix]

@leeches prob both very similar, apart from the fact USB has some extra little perks,

[PrinceyDj08]

novation i mean.

[PrinceyDj08]

no mate Thats my old temporary setup before i built my new pc. The thing you see under the laptop is just a metal tray which was from an old computer desk. It was their purely for the purpose of raising my laptop higher. Not sure about the midi kb you mentioned however mine is a notation sl compact 25. These speakers do plug straight into your usb port with mains power of course.

[Pootie88]

hey man did you take off the metal screen that covers the speakers?? is so why? i got the white version of these and they have those metal screens will it effect my sound or what?

[Pootie88]

@Pootie88 haha nvm this is the 520, i got the 320's my bad

[PrinceyDj08]

you would have to have two 1/4 inch jacks to XLR Cable....the XLR plugs into your mixer, and the L AND R Jacks go into the back of the speakers. Job done mate.

[PrinceyDj08]

@PrinceyDj08 Ok ill do a quick one soon and show you how they work in terms of recording, and how ive hooked them up !

[cwmfrocks]

@PrinceyDj08 yayayayayaya

[reyn1r]

@PrinceyDj08 That would be VERY appreciated :)

[PrinceyDj08]

Now for the recording side of things heres how it works.

You have two 1/4" jacks on the back...

My example is my DJ mixer; I use the record OUT on my mixer, plug that into the input on the back of these and set the record input on my PC to USB MIC on audacity ( or whatever your using). This will then record my DJ Mixes.

It will play what ever input you feed in, so you can hear my mixer out of them ans also you can record it. also If U turn the speakers OFF it will STILL record my mixer.

[Xenitic]

@PrinceyDj08 If you mix bassheavy music, do you want the bassboost switch on or off? I mean... the idea is to have accurate monitors; if i want to boost my bass id use an eq after the mix is complete. Why does alesis even include this switch?

[PrinceyDj08]

@Xenitic I agree with you to some degree mate, i have the switch off while doing a mix down and then switch it on and off when judging my final mix. It just gives you another angle to check the mix from as it adds a little more bass and mid With most speakers, you get to learn the response of the cone and tones when the mix is in the right regions.

Thing is you cant just go adding more EQ instead of using the switch cause you might over cook it, and make it sound " Too bassy" on another unit

[PrinceyDj08]

@PrinceyDj08 Ignore the last bit about EQ mate, i may have mis interpreted what you meant. I thought you meant add more bass on the EQ in the mix. sorry pal.

[Xenitic]

@PrinceyDj08 i ment the eqing more for personal listening. Imho it doesnt make any sense to have the bassboost since alesis should either supply the monitor with on or off and choose the setup which gives the most accurate response for mixing. Probably get those speakers tomorrow, cant argue they look pretty good for the price. Just a bit worried about the low freq response...

[PrinceyDj08]

@Xenitic Your choice, have it on or off m8. As i say. i mix down with it off and then check the mix out with it on too... just a bit of colour to the bottom end.

Its not a major boost, dont think it totally changes the response cause it doesnt. It just gives an extra bit at the low end. . Face it, some people have their music players bass EQ set to high, if you pop this switch on and ur mix stil sounds good then theres a good chance EQ happy Fred with his Bass OCD will be happy too :)

[PrinceyDj08]

Just gonna clear something up here....

This term USB audio isnt mystical in any way haha. It literally means the speakers connection to your PC is over USB rather than an audio cable (e.g 3.5mm jack).

They are active speakers, so amp themselves. So if you want a simple set of near field monitors for plugging into your PC - These will be great.

Literally, out the box, you put them on your desk, Plug them in by USB, power... etc and like magic, they play ANYTHING that comes out your PC.

[26psyside]

@PrinceyDj08

Does this mean i can use them with my Xonar STX? i mean how do i connect them? to my Sound card : / ?

[PrinceyDj08]

@westcoasthaze most definately. Anything you play ( off your computer ) while they're hooked up to your pc / laptop via usb.. wil come out of these speakers..... If your a dj like me and plug the record output of your mixer into the back of them... they can also be used as DJ monitors.... but then they record directly into your pc aswell....

[robertcordero1234]

will these be able to hook up to the M-BOX?

[todayistomorrow7]

@robertcordero1234 Yes sir. They have balanced inputs on the back

[PrinceyDj08]

@todayistomorrow7 oh, was you answering your own question there ..... ?

[todayistomorrow7]

@PrinceyDj08 Nope i was responding to the guy that asked.

[PrinceyDj08]

@todayistomorrow7 oh sorry mate, i get lost with the way names are displayed. haha.. For some reason i thought you was the same guy. My mistake.

[PrinceyDj08]

@robertcordero1234 Not sure as i dont have an M-Box mate. try google see if anyone else has any experience using that setup.

[ClubCityMusic]

so can i just buy these, stick the usb from it into my computer n off we go?

[PrinceyDj08]

@ClubCityMusic yes, they are a speaker and a sound card. :)

[ClubCityMusic]

@PrinceyDj08 Cheers man:P

[Xenitic]

if you run them over usb, do the speakers have a built in soundcard which handels that or does it still use your own soundcard?

[PrinceyDj08]

@Xenitic You will be utilizing the in built Sound card inside these mate. My new desktop PC has only an on board sound card inside for backup, which i dont use. I just use the USB and the in built sound card with these.

When you plug stuff into the back of them it will use the sound card inside the speaker aswell.

[Xenitic]

@PrinceyDj08 Well ye, but it will sound worse if it goes first thru your (bad) onboard soundcard and then into the speakers soundcard and then thru the speakers. Sounds pretty good, unfortunateley the 620s dont come with usb...

[PrinceyDj08]

@Xenitic think your mis understanding mate. Once the USB sound cards kicks in, these dont use your on board. What ever sound source you plug into them only uses the USB card. It automatically shuts of your on board.. As your using USB audio as your output. Hope that clears it up 4 u.

[lonel99]

@PrinceyDj08 Hi mate,wad if I already got a Focusrite Saffire 6 Audio Interface already, can I plug these speakers to the audio interface and expect better sound quality and reduced latency on my DAW?

Thanks for advice!

[PrinceyDj08]

@lonel99 Not sure pal, i know that i have very low latency with these and sound quality is nice... No fuzz or noise. But with the equipment you mentioned i can not say as i dont own it.

As for actually plugging into an interface... i think what youd have to do is (from your seperate interface) plug 2 quarter inch jacks into the back of the speaker. Set your output to your interface... and play... it will go INTO these USB speakers but they also play what you feed into them.

[danie7tekna]

pfff! good dubstep!! (y)

[djseanb]

Thanks for this review. I just ordered a pair today.

[alexxj220]

ARGHHH kettle lead ! :'( all technical till then :P lol IEC !!!! :')

[PrinceyDj08]

@alexxj220 LOL you knew what i meant. I think with reviews i like to keep it relatively simple.

[LtFluffelz]

can you connect a guitar to the these using an instrumental cable?

[PrinceyDj08]

@LtFluffelz Probably yes, However with microphones plugging in direct they may need amping.

[eduardo13rocha]

These speakers are sick. I can hear base and your recording with this really bad camera. Sick.

[PrinceyDj08]

@eduardo13rocha yeah it wasnt the best but i knew my phone would pickup great bass which is what i like about Sony ericssons. It was sufficient to show you what they were like :)

[wafflehousetape]

thanks for the review. cheers!

[PrinceyDj08]

@wafflehousetape if it helps then all is well :)

[wafflehousetape]

@PrinceyDj08 it did i have them now lol they definitely improved my mixes and i got them discounted too :D

[JohnSAitken]

You should have did a real time switch on and off with the bass whilst playing a bit of music.

Good audio reproduction considering you are using a phone.

[PrinceyDj08]

@JohnSAitken yeah true about the bass switch thing.

[djpmmac]

wat keyboard is tht mate?

[PrinceyDj08]

@djpmmac its a Novation ReMOTE 25 SL COMPACT

[ianjosephlaw]

I'm the kind of guy that makes a purchase and THEN researches a product (haha). Since I just ordered these about 30 minutes ago, I'm pretty stoked to see this video and the other good reviews out there for these. *phew!* Now I'm STOKED!

[PrinceyDj08]

@ianjosephlaw they take a few weeks to learn the sweet spot for bass mid and hi when producing. But on my initial impression i was well happy, Pounds well spent. OK Yeah, theres £300 - £3000 pound monitors out there, but these are great little monitors for their price and For me personally, the USB setup just works. If your a DJ aswell as a producer its really great to just be able to record into these speakers - Even when they are off lol !

[junejhunkie]

just being fuzzy but separate your power cord and your audio cord from each other and put your monitors on a soft surface. and a bit of acoustic treatment and you'll hear the dramatic difference on what your missing. on hindsight these speakers are "not" accurate per say but good enough to reveal some flaws on a mix. a good ADAC (analog-digital-analog converter) will really reveal how your speakers really sound. just saying.

[PrinceyDj08]

@junejhunkie as i stated on my vid, the setup was only temp, Until i got my new rig. Which is now 100 times better.... Yes and thats what i mean, these speakers are accurate enough with regarding the price range.

[lvs1]

Nice review. Helps me with my decision.

[PrinceyDj08]

@lvs1 good news mate.

[thejhexxproject]

I was thinking of getting these, one question tho. Do i actually need to use the usb connection to hear audio out of the m1 active 520 usbs, for example i have a audio interface, which i want to connect from 1/4 inch to 1/4 inch on the back of the speakers. can i just connect lets say a mobile pre usb to them, via 1/4 inch, to hear audio from the sound source without having to use the usb connection?

[SynthTuner]

Hey, i'll probably buy this speakers after watching this review but i have a few questions =)

1 - I don't need and audio interface to use those speakers right ? I just hooked them up to the pc and i'm reading do listen/produce music right ?

2 -When i'm not using them, do they do that weird interference sound ?

Thanks =)

[PrinceyDj08]

@SynthTuner In short, No and No.... The speakers have an audio interface inside them already, Yo get the USB cable and XLR bridge cable in the box. All good to go, Literally plug and play ( xp and 7 ive had these working with ). Also when your not using them they are totally silent mate, even if you turn volume up high, Nothing. No soundcard hiss or nothing.

[slaving300]

Hi, Should I take these or the Logitech Z2300?

thanks.

[PrinceyDj08]

@slaving300 I would say these.. If you dont produce then Just get pc Speakers. These are speficially designed for producers who want a TRUE representation of their music.

[slaving300]

@PrinceyDj08 Thanks, they sound better than the others that doesn't have the USB? M1Active 520 WITHOUT USB? thanks.

[PrinceyDj08]

@slaving300 i would probably say theres not going to be much difference,If there was it would be Minimal.

I like the idea of the USB setup so i could record my DJ Mixers input straight into my PC. Even if these monitors are switched off they still pick the sound up, which i thought was cool, So you dont have to listen to the Mixers sound while theyre recording it, You have the option)

Mainly for me, they are my DJ Set recording tool, and more often my near field monitors. Love them !

[slaving300]

@PrinceyDj08 Hi, these are the frequencies of both, With USB 50-20,000MHz, without USB 50MHz-20kHz. Which is the best.

[PrinceyDj08]

@slaving300 Sounds measured in HZ to KHZ ... So, i would imaging judging by what youve said theyre both the same, 50hz to 20khz I would think both speakers are the same, Same driver inside, So to be honest there would be no difference mate. Im not certain about this but the fact one is powered by usb and one isnt wouldnt make much noticable difference. as i say if there was it would be minimal.

[quickmantan]

ggggrrrrrrrrrrrrr real music PLEASE .. everyones making shit music with loops a 5 year old can do that

[PrinceyDj08]

@quickmantan Those tunes are fat bassy tunes, Which is the purpose of the tutorial, To show the low end performance of these monitors, yes some of them are older tunes, If you dont like it, Or have nothing constructive to say about the review, Its very easy, click the little box with an X in it on the top right of my page. Simples.

[andreas7portoleone]

are they doing any hissing sound??

[PrinceyDj08]

@andreas7portoleone No no hissing. They are basically silent when no input is being played through them.

[MyRoyalRock]

hi there, nice review, got a question:

would you recommend these speakers to produce/mix tech-house / house?

how's the frequency curb? are these speakers neutral?

finally, what'd you chose between Alesis M1 Active 520 and KRK Rokit G6 ??

thanks for answering, rly lookin forward :)

[PrinceyDj08]

@MyRoyalRock Yeah i would say these are good for a range of music styles., They dont exagerate your music , how you hear it on these monitors is how your mix will represent on a car stereo or Hi fi. They are very good value Near field Monitors. Flat, accurate, loud and enough bass so's that you niether over E.Q or Under E.Q your low frequency.... I can not possibly compare these to KRK monitors as i have no experience over time of using KRK's. So it would be unfair. These are gr8 though.

[djjaydee33]

Just Bought pair of these.... god they sound sweet even being recorded tru a phone... are they really as good as you say they are man?? been lookin at pics and they look quite small.... would they match up with the rokit 5s??

[wtfMaxT]

can I use them for mixing I mean like a normal speakers for a DJ set, can i connect them to my DJM-400??

[PrinceyDj08]

@wtfMaxT Yes you can... Just need a stereo Phono cable to a 2x 1/4" jack cable. So basically 2 phonos (RCA) one on end, Red and white, and two 1/4 inch Jack cables one the other. the 1/4 inch jacks will go into the speaker and then the phonos into your mixers record output..... They basically will then work like a normal speaker rig. but at the same time you can configure your pc to record USB audio, and it will record your mix straight into the pc too.

[PrinceyDj08]

@PrinceyDj08 sorry i meant.. ON THE OTHER not one the other, as i made that mistake twice.

[PrinceyDj08]

you need ( from your mixer ) a Phono cable (RCA) to 2 1/4 inch jacks..

Plug the phonos into record output of mixer, then the 2 1/4 inch jacks into the back of speakers. Then get some free programme like audacity ( excellent ) . Go to your settings on your pc make sure every record input is set to USB audio Codec, Also change the settings in audacity. Make sure record input is USB audio.... then you Should be good to go. It should pick up any sound from your mixer.

[Aaron281088]

do u know how to recored with these bcus ive tryed to recored my mixes but it seems u need recording software but i havent got a clue, msg me back

[PrinceyDj08]

@Aaron281088 get yourself a copy of audacity.. its totally free.... set it up to record USB AUDIO CODEC... from the preferences / setup menu... and it should pickup what ever input youve plugged into the back of the Right speaker.

[Keskusrikospoliisi]

how does it sound with the usb? and do you know if it works on windows 7 x64..

[PrinceyDj08]

@Keskusrikospoliisi im getting a new pc very shortly with 7 on, So ill let you know.

[PrinceyDj08]

@Keskusrikospoliisi Flawless with windows 7 all working fine... even better than with xp... i have more control over the recording level input.

[omarespinoza]

can you connect sub-woofer to the speakers

[PrinceyDj08]

@omarespinoza this is one thing im yet to attempt, I also would like to know how to connect a sub to these monitors myself.

[PrinceyDj08]

It was coming through USB mate.

[dazwadjones]

was the sound coming through usb or line in

[RealRapMusic187]

Thankz for the video man...i wasnt sure about there but now i am =D...keep makin em videos man.

[Glitchking]

how do these sound compared to the m-audio av40s? It's for music with occasional movies

[PrinceyDj08]

@Glitchking Im not sure, Havent personally used the av40's mate.

These are nice though and would probably present a movie nicely, Although its probably not what they're designed for.

They perform well for music though.

[Longstuff]

@Glitchking they are now the about the same price but i like the av40s size