Headphones/Monitors
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Posted on Sep 22, 2007 06:47 pm
Aenima7988
Member Since: Apr 10, 2006
I have a Pro Tools LE 7 set up, and the next step in building my studio is having good headphones or monitors. Right now, I'm switching between my stereo and my radioshack headphones. Not very good for mixing. Of course I want really good Mackie monitors or something, but I don't have the cash! So for now, I think it would be better to get really good headphones, but feel free to argue.
If I were to go with headphones, what should I get? I'm looking at reviews online, but every time I see a review that says "Great headphones! Much clarity, very flat response good for mixing" the review right under it says "these headphones are NOT good for mixing, there's no bass and there's no highs" or something along those lines. I can't trust the people writing the reviews and I can't trust myself to decide who knows what they're talking about and who doesn't. So what are some good brands and models to choose from?
If you think I should go with monitors instead of headphones, even though I really don't think I have the money, then convince me. Some people say you have to spend $500 on a good pair of headphones and $500 on a good pair of monitors, so you might as well go with monitors. I don't know if that's true, and even if it is, I'm in a dormroom most of the time!! I can't be blasting mixes day in day out I'd get slaughtered.
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Sep 22, 2007 07:24 pm For headphones, I've always been a big Sennheiser fan. The HD 280s are great for $100. Very good, flat frequency response.
I don't recommend getting too dependent on headphones though, because the mix will always sound different than it does on loudspeakers. If you can, audition your mixes elsewhere as well, such as boom boxes, your friends' systems, and car stereos (without subwoofers) so you can get an idea of what the mix sounds like on different systems.
Sep 22, 2007 07:41 pm oh of course. the deciding factor is always how it sounds on a car stereo, no matter who you talk to. I figure I'd have the good pair of headphones, my shitty pair of headphones, my computer speakers, my stereo, and of course, the car stereo.
I guess I was talking more about mixing than auditioning
Sep 22, 2007 07:54 pm [quote]
I guess I was talking more about mixing than auditioning[/quote]
Seems to me they're the same; the only difference is that you have to mix it before you can transport it elsewhere to give it a better audition. Right?
cruxTypo SzarMember
Since: Jul 04, 2002
Sep 23, 2007 08:59 am
Shameless plug for my baby's the Yamaha HS50 monitors, their really well priced, most high end headphones are maybe only alittle less than half their price.
I have Beyerdynamic DT 770 headphones, and i tried Sennheisers and even those new Shure ones i think, not sure wat brand that the ads swore would revolutionize mixing with headphones.
But yeah i still vote monitors, there are somethings you just cant simulate (or are unique) to monitors vs. headphones.
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Sep 24, 2007 01:47 am I'd like to 2nd Herbs vote for the 280's, I like em a lot. Iv'e had mine for about 5 years and they've been great and taken a beating too. that said AKG , AT. Shure, make great cans as well. Work with in you means. a Good rule , don't skimp by the best you can afford (don't go hungrey), that goes for monitors, and especially cables (the place where a lot of folks go cheap).
Oct 29, 2007 06:37 am The placement setup of a pair of speakers is considerably different to that of headphones, resulting in a very different perception of stereo and your own judgement based on it.
Also headphones do not tend to have the same frequency response as speakers and this is also going to affect so many decisions in mixing and mastering your music.
Its fine if you are going to listen to your mixes on headphones, but not so good if you want your mixes to be transferable to other systems.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Oct 29, 2007 09:45 am I work similarly, having a pair of headphones I'm comfortable with, but I also have a creative labs 2.1 system (computer speakers) plus my real monitors. I find myself spending alot of time using the cans, because I can mix and tweak as long as I want, without sending noise to the rest of the house. Plus, I'm pretty happy with sound.
But, I do listen to both sets of speakers through out the mix process. I try to keep myself from getting too far entrenched in a certain 'sound' so-to-speak.
That said, I've heard plenty of good reviews on the HD280. I would think that they would be a good 'middle-of-the-road' type of HP set, giving you pretty decent 'mix' type sound, but not breaking the bank.
Also, monitors, even nearfields, start to get dependent on the room in which they live. So there's that to figure in to your equation. Sub-par mix environment will skew your monitor sound. Cans don't have that problem =).
ymmv, imo, etc.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Oct 29, 2007 04:52 pm I've been mixing through headphones for a while, so I've gotten used to where I need to cut and boost to make it sound good on speakers. However, it's been a matter of necessity to mix that way until recently.
I have some small monitors, a digital receiver with bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer (it has a great "Direct From Source" option for relatively uncoloured sound), and a pair of small (4"-5" cone) inexpensive "radio shack" speakers. I've found that my best mix on headphones sounds "okay" on the other speakers/monitors. When I mix using the monitors (M-Audio) and then listen on headphones, it's ten times better! When I listen on the stereo receiver it's 20 times better.
You'll be surprised at how much better your mixes will be if you don't rely on headphones. Even the relatively inexpensive powered monitors will give you a better mix than good headphones.
If you are stuck with headphones (I use the $100 Sony ones), make sure you listen to a lot of CDs by your favourite bands first. Make sure you know where the frequencies fall, and how far up in the mix certain parts are. It's easy to mix those vocals way too high without careful policing.
Oct 31, 2007 12:59 pm Headphones are a good tool, but honestly, I'd rather put the money towards monitors. You could pick up the those Behringer Truth monitors. They're cheap, and I used them for quite a few years. For the price, they rock.
jlaneMember
Since: Nov 03, 2007
Nov 08, 2007 09:02 pm I agree completely with TallChap. Using monitors allows you to back up from the sound and get a broader picture. I run a pair of Yamaha monitors out of a presonus headphone amp. It has a volume nob for the speakers right on the amp. If you really want some headphones, I swear by my ATH-M40fs by Audio Technica. They were about $80 and have amazing clarity with a solid low end response.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Nov 09, 2007 09:50 am Quote:
I swear by my ATH-M40fs by Audio Technica
That is what I have as well and they are really good. Just important is that they are comfortable. Monitors are really the only way to go however. I use my headphones mostly for editing and rough mixing. I use the monitors for the final mixing/mastering.
jetgloMember
Since: Jul 23, 2004
Nov 10, 2007 06:54 pm I too have gotten used to a pair of headphones for general tracking and can pretty much count on the need to cut bass.. however I have REALLY come to like using my Sure E2's for a more accurate playback. They are great for mixing. They are about $100 I think.. got them several years ago as in-ear monitors for stage but a fellow recording musician friend told me about their value in studio. Though once they are in your ears it is a bit of a PITA to pull them out/put them back etc. That's why I use regular phones for tracking and the E2's for longer mixing type work.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 10, 2007 08:38 pm The only time I use headphones in the studio is tracking or when doing some detailed work on samples or loops. I have popped them on to rough mix or try and catch a certain detail. Otherwise it is Near fields for the best mixing.
