Headphones used as a replacement for monitors?

junglist · Post by **junglist** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:27 am

Hi, theres already a thread on headphones, but i'm not going to hijack someones thread. My current Sennheiser headphones are not up to the job of recreating sound on a production level.

I was thinking of dishing out 600 quid on some Mackie HR624 MK2's (which is a lot on cash for me,) what I would like to know is if a good pair of professional headphones would be a substitute for a good pair of monitors?

Thanks

martello · Post by **martello** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:21 am

kato! · Post by **kato!** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 1:27 pm

steppo · Post by **steppo** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:15 pm

personally i like to feel my tracks on my whole body, not just my head

then again thsi is coming from someone who uses m audio bx5's when im at home :/

but you definitely dont get the same dynamic thats for sure especially when trying to mix tracks.. maybe its good for arrangenment etc but i wouldnt try to finish a whole track without hearing it around my area

junglist · Post by **junglist** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:25 pm

Thanks for the replies ppl.

Taking on that advise looks like I'll be getting those badboy MK2's.

slim · Post by **slim** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 4:45 pm

Ultrasone Proline 750s can be used for mixdowns, i use them at the moment because i can't really use monitors where i am now. My mixdown skills are a bit shakey still, so don't take my word entirely for it, but i know Two Oh One uses them a lot, and i've heard one thing he mixed entirely on the ultrasones, sounds good, maybe PM him with some questions.

But yeah, monitors are also good, would love a pair, but sadly no can do at the moment.

somejerk · Post by **somejerk** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 6:38 pm

monitors are the best idea for proper mix down. headphones are only good for 'experimenting' and trying to not piss off the girlfriend/neighbors/land lady.

especially if you are making bass heavy music - you need to feel the air being pushed to know you're cutting the LFP at the right frequency and you need to feel the walls vibrating when you crank that shit!

hxdb · Post by **hxdb** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 6:52 pm

While it's true it certainly is preferable to do mix downs with a decent pair of speakers, an excellent pair of headphones with good drivers in the phones' speaker can go a long ways.

I own a pair of Beyerdynamic 770s and they're great composing in, with a near flawless flat response and clean, silky sounding sub bass response. Granted it does take a little while to get used to correlating what you hear in the headphones to what you actually hear on speakers, but they are extremely versatile and you know exactly what to expect once your ears are accustomed to them.

Side note, I just picked up a pair o Maudio EX66s, which I have to say I'm super impressed with. I just ran the referencing software and did some comparisons between them and the headphones and both were near flawless. Great pick up, for a great price (under $1200)

EZ!

cryptic · Post by **cryptic** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 7:47 pm

GET THE MACKIES

It will be the best buy in your life - believe me

docwra · Post by **docwra** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:25 pm

Headphone work is really good for stereo placement and reverbs. Im gonna invest in a set of beyer dynamics dt 880's asap. You can do a certain amount of work through headphones but personally better to get the best of both worlds.

Sharmaji · Post by **Sharmaji** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:32 pm

supplement, yes (and the beyers are the dogs balls for this.. forget the $600 ultrasone jammies). they're great for details on reverb tails and the extreme high/low ends of a mixdown.

replacement, no. definitely not. i have yet to hear any set of cans that can let you judge dynamics in them.

great tool for those 3-am, don't-wake-the-neighbors-with-this-great-idea sessions, tho.

distro · Post by **distro** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:01 pm

beyer dt770 all the way!!!

phaelon · Post by **phaelon** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:50 pm

without jacking the thread, what are the best bang for the buck studio monitors? I'm looking to get a good pair with my tax return, but dont want to break the bank either. I've noticed the price of monitors varies greatly from cheap to super expensive. Can i get a good pair for around $700 or $800 USD?

whineo · Post by **whineo** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:37 pm

Yes - Ultrasone 750s - they're great £150 I bought mine for.
you will need monitors for reference but im finding that my mixdowns are translating well between both...

Its worth getting a pair just for working with heavy bass - takes your room acoustics out of the equation somewhat.

Vice T · Post by **Vice T** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:48 am

It's good to have different points of reference. So, a good pair of flat headphones and, good monitors placed nicely in your room. Having limited space for your studio and, poor monitor placement, I think headphone might give you a more true sound. Hearing your track on as many type of speakers are important, from shitty to best. Having an hour at a pro studio maybe something good if you don't have the right space for your monitors or can't afford the best. I reckon.

module · Post by **module** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:53 am

i couldnt afford a pair of nice monitors, so instead of get shitty ones, i got accurate headphones:

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop ... ct_id/3629

my tracks come out pretty good when i finish and hear them on other systems

flippo · Post by **flippo** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:39 am

I worked on headphones for ages. Senheisser HD212pro. Not fantastic but reasonably flat. Deep bass response anyway. Managed to get 2 vinyl releases using them so can't have been that terrible? I'm no mixdown king though.

Since I've gotten a pair of Dynaudios, and even though I am very very farmiliar with the sennies, I have no fucking idea how I lasted so long using them

. Maybe higher range headphones are more acceptable?

Thing is now I get really self concious writing out aloud, away from the privacy of my headphones. Even when no one is home!

Much better for keeping the vibes high in the studio though, music has much more impact when you can feel the bass.

so yeah, I recon a good pair of headies can serve you well untill you are able to fork out for reasonable monitors.

press · Post by **press** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:31 pm

somejerk wrote:monitors are the best idea for proper mix down. headphones are only good for 'experimenting' and trying to not piss off the girlfriend/neighbors/land lady.

especially if you are making bass heavy music - you need to feel the air being pushed to know you're cutting the LFP at the right frequency and you need to feel the walls vibrating when you crank that shit!

i agree headphones as your main mixing speakers is not a good idea, but you do not need to crank things up or have super bangin bass bins vibrating anything (vibration in itself can be bad) to get proper mixdowns alot of people will tell you mixing at low volumes is the best way.

full spektrum · Post by **full spektrum** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:44 pm

I use a combination of both. I think it's all about learning the sound equipment rather than which is better for the overall mix.

I tend to do any detailed work on my headphones i.e enveloping, verbs, effect processing etc. I use the monitors more for the stereo imaging of specific elements, some areas of audible bass and top end eqing.

I guess it different for everyone. Jus learn ur gear and find a method that gives good results and that you are comfortable with.

www.myspace.com/fullspektrum100

Headphones used as a replacement for monitors?

Headphones used as a replacement for monitors?

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