Please Help:Headphones for Mixing and Mastering+Monitoring ?

[evernaut]

OK, I did. Some interesting stuff out there on this topic.

But...I think the jury's out for me right now. ( I am inherently suspicious of audiophiles though...)

There's no evidence that I can find (or personally hear) that can't be more reasonably justified by the simple fact of just getting to know your 'phones better.

[v00d00ppl]

i use grado sr125i headphones...they sound harsh until they get broken in around the 20 hour mark, then prepare to hear greatness. I use it for cutting up samples from turntable to laptop. The cartridge i am using on the turntabe is the shure m97xe, and i am also using an emu1616m for recording. Once everything is edited, i then use it to practice on the mpc 2000xl and also on my xstation which is running on my i7 live 8 setup.


they run about, 150....but i love them

[the girl next door]

they sound harsh until they get broken in around the 20 hour mark

Don't you mean untill your ears get used to them

[ianomurchu]

Cant beat Beyers IMO

[twisted-space]

they sound harsh until they get broken in around the 20 hour mark

Don't you mean untill your ears get used to them

I've heard speakers and headphone's both change character over time from new. Most recently was a pair of speakers I had fitted in my car that had next to no bass for 2 or 3 hours and continued to change/improve over about a week.

I don't find the concept of "running in" electronics so convincing, but I suppose it is possible.

[Tarekith]

Definitely experienced the need to break in speakers and headphones before, they do change a lot as the cones and surrounds get used more when you buy them new.

[JannisPablo]

Ah is there a special way to brake them, like lets say a pipe.
I mean use them in a special way, or just use them as much as i can?

By the way i changed my Mind a bit i read a lot about Headphones during the last days and i think now more about AKG´s witch are are open back, still i like ATH-M50 but this is only about design! And i think i don't need Headphones witch are closed back because i really want them to use them in front of my Mixer in my room and not to much for Instruments, Voice and Field-recording

Also wanted to say thank you for all the answers i did get in such a short time!
Great Experience for my first posted topic in this Forum, this really helps!
Big Up Ableton Forum!!!

[jamief]

i would definately not use headphones for mastering any music. I might listen to the mastererd track to see how it sits with the headphones the same way i check the mix on our 2 car radios and maybe some cheap cd player just to see how it behaves in different enviroments. I would strongly urge you not to use headphones over long periods to write music as i can guarantee you you will badly damage your ears (as have i) lots of the first wave of techno/dance artist have had hearing damage inc Thomas Bangalter and Kenny Larkin who has tinnitus so bad it effects his ability to sleep.

[nuxnamon]

+1000 on not using headphones for any serious mixing/mastering.. but if conditions don't allow you to use regular monitors, then maybe use this guy and a great set of cans.. i use the audio technica m50's but have never tried the Redline plug..


http://www.112db.com/redline/monitor/
Redline Monitor is a listening, mixing, and mastering tool. It replaces the extreme stereo separation that is characteristic for headphones with the detailed stereo image of near-field monitor speakers.

Its proprietary algorithm performs a sophisticated combination of filtering, frequency-dependent delaying, mid/side processing, and room simulation to create a convincing acoustic soundstage that allows you to properly localize sound sources. It also adjusts the relative levels of panned sources as they appear on speakers, and moves the soundstage from an indeterminate location inside your head (with headphones) towards a clearly defined location in front of you.

Now you can accurately judge levels, stereo placement, and overall balance on your favorite set of headphones--anywhere, anytime, and without ear fatigue even after prolonged listening. No more night long headphone sessions that turn out lifeless and with too little reverb and separation on speakers. Redline Monitor makes mixes sound identical on speakers and headphones.

Redline Monitor is an indispensable tool for any serious use of headphones... you will wonder how you ever worked without it.

[twisted-space]

Give Head-fit a try first, it's free and has a vst and a standalone version.



It takes a bit of tweaking to get it to sound right, but I think it's worth the time spent.

Oh and there's Isone Pro by Jeroen Breebaart, not tried it myself, but I've heard other people recommend it. Not free but very cheap if it works well.

[nuxnamon]

Give Head-fit a try first, it's free and has a vst and a standalone version.



It takes a bit of tweaking to get it to sound right, but I think it's worth the time spent.

Oh and there's Isone Pro by Jeroen Breebaart, not tried it myself, but I've heard other people recommend it. Not free but very cheap if it works well.

do i have to measure how big my ears and head are?

[twisted-space]

do i have to measure how big my ears and head are?

Yep, I suggest something like.....

[JannisPablo]

I think you are right Mixing and Mastering Headphones only makes no sense, but as i told i have this small Fostex Pm 0,4 Monitors but I have problems with the bass and sub sounds. For Monitors the speaker have quite small Membrane!
Now i am looking for some way to check the low end without buying new Monitors.
And i needed good Headphones anyway! Especially i work on my music in my apartment during nighttime a lot!

But i thought good Headphones could be a good reference for mix down and mastering my Music, but it was never meant to be using Headphone only, but to be added and to complement my mastering equipment.
(anyway i am not a Pro so mastering will be on a low level)

P.S. Definitely gonna try out this Plugin

P.P.S. I have king size Ears

[McQ714]

i demo'd redline monitor.. screw that program. it managed to cancel out sounds on the headphones that i could clearly hear on my monitors. for a program that's supposed to help mimic what the song would sound like if you were listening to your monitors but actually on headphones... it's total crap!!!

[nuxnamon]

i demo'd redline monitor.. screw that program. it managed to cancel out sounds on the headphones that i could clearly hear on my monitors. for a program that's supposed to help mimic what the song would sound like if you were listening to your monitors but actually on headphones... it's total crap!!!

that's good to know.. could never find reviews on it..