How do I know if I'm getting the best sound or not?

[qJesse]

So for a while, I've been wondering about the sound that my computer feeds out to me, and whether or not it's good enough for producing. The question just kinda sat in the back of my head for the longest time, until yesterday when I realized that the playback on my iPod- when played through my speakers and headphones- sounded WAY better than my computer. Now I really need to figure this out, but I have no idea what any of "this" is. I was hoping you can help me out with that, MLR.

Sorry if I'm not being exact about anything. Like I said, no idea. :c superdupersadfaic

[Foxtrot89]

Different systems color the sound in different ways. It is absolutely possible, provided you get familiar with your main mixing system, to mix on really craptastic speakers. On the other hand, most people who are serious about production will recommend studio monitors. (on top of how you position them, what kind of room you have, and a handfull of other factors.) Studio monitors are designed to get you a flat, "uncolored" sound. In layman's terms if it sounds decent on the monitors, it'll sound decent on quality systems of all sorts.

My personal best bit of advice is to produce with what you can afford and what is comfortable to you. Even with decent monitors, you're going to want to burn the "final" product to a disc and/or your ipod and try it out on all sorts of speakers. If it sounds good, it sounds good.

I may be missing the point entirely, but it may prove to be useful info.

[the4thImpulse]

Text

Thats pretty much it.

It will take tens of thousands of dollars to get an acoustically treated room and audio equipment to get the best sound possible. All of the stuff along the way will help; getting monitors, proper soundcards, cheap acoustic panneling but the most important factor is skill and experience. Listen to your and other peoples tracks on as many diffrent systems as you can (PAs are important here) and compare how the sound changes (usually slightly). Learn what your speakers and room do to the sound and eventually you will be able to compensate for it, this will take time (likely years).

Cars provide the most accurate (depending on the speakers) listening 'booth' you will ever find without paying for a studio. All the random angles the sound reflects off of will diffuse the sound enough to make it close to studio quality.

I hope this is along the lines of your question.

[Captain Ironhelm]

as they said, check other tracks on your sound system to see how it compares, and test out your tracks on as many sound systems as you can.