3 Reasons You Need Dual Monitors For Music Production

Access to good quality music production gear has become easier and easier over the last 20 years or so. With intuitive DAW (‘Digital Audio Workstation’) software becoming easier to use and even more flexible (whether it’s on a desktop, laptop or mobile phone), creating great-sounding music no longer requires long, expensive days in the recording studio.

If you’re thinking of setting up a recording studio at home (or maybe if you have already) you’ve probably considered what gear you need to get a great sound and efficient workflow, whether that’s microphones, headphones, or speakers, but you may not have considered dual monitors.

Adding a dual monitor setup to your recording rig can be massively advantageous and help improve your workflow. Here are 3 reasons why you need to consider adding a second monitor!

Better Access To Your DAW’s Windows

Typically in recording software you will see your recording window (the screen where you can physically see the instruments you are recording) and your ‘mix’ window where you will see your faders, which raise and lower track volume, and your effects plugins.

 By having two monitors you can save yourself from having to tab between the two windows.

Why is this useful? Well, mixing and recording require a balance between the two screens and the information you are given. For example, if you can see a particularly loud section in your recording window, you might want to apply some compression via the mix window to even this out.

Having one window for each can speed things up and really get your head into the mix.

Spread Out Your Plugins

Mixing music usually requires a fair amount of plugins. Not only that but a mixer needs to think about the relationship between these plugins.

For example, tweaking an equaliser can affect how a compressor reacts further in the signal chain.

If you have 2 monitors then you have more screen estate to open up your plugins which will save you having to jump between the two.

This might seem trivial, but this can be a real time saver and help speed up your workflow. Not only that but it helps you get a better overall understanding of how your plugins are affecting the music you are mixing.

Use The Dual Screen For ‘Other’ Apps

You might not even want to use the second screen to keep tabs on your DAW. In fact a second screen can be really useful for browsing for samples and loops to use in your music. You might even want it for something really out there like watching inspirational videos to keep the creativity flowing when mixing or recording.

It can even be useful for simply making notes on your mix or keeping track of lyrics.

Whatever else it is, having a second screen means you can keep your DAW open at all times and you’ve got the option to explore whatever you like on the second screen.

Regardless of your skill level as a music producer, opting for 2 monitors, such as the Duex Plus can do more than just give you more screen space!

A double setup can increase your productivity, workload and speed up how you work.