Headphones for mixing

jimhrabetin · Post by **jimhrabetin** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:09 pm

I know this idea is frowned upon but does anyone have any suggestions for headphones that will do a pretty good job mixing multi-track recordings? Thanks.

HCMarkus · Post by **HCMarkus** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 1:08 am

I do like the AKG K240/K240S. They are very comfortable for extended sessons, work great for tracking, and I have been able to do some mixing on them with a degree of success. They seem to sound more realistic than most other headphones I've tried. Watch your levels though (take breaks, don't kill your ears), and check your mixes on speakers... you may be surprised what you miss mixing on headphones![/i]

Bjoillsing · Post by **Bjoillsing** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 1:25 am

I haven't tried many headphones but I really like the ones I use...
Beyerdynamic DT 250
I can really hear everything in those, but of course the low end is not very thrilling...

But phones on when mixing late at night in my apartment!

rcannonp · Post by **rcannonp** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:31 am

I'll second the AKGs. I used to have a set, and they sounded really good and were very comfortable. They were a lot better than the Sony 7506 that I have now. The one issue that I had with them was that they have an open back design that didn't work well for recording.

stephentayler · Post by **stephentayler** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:54 am

I don't frown upon mixing in headphones!! Many is the time when I have had to do so......

I have different headphones for different tasks. They all have similar characteristics, whilst sounding different....

Sennheiser HD-25: These are great for isolation and location recording where excluding ambient sound is important. A bit dull sounding.

Grado SR-80: open-backed, these are great for editing and mixing, and comfortable for long sessions: not suitable for recording due to spill.

Sony MDR-V7606: still a favourite of mine for all uses, although they are rather toppy compared to their predecessor, MDR-V6, which were great all round.

So for mixing, I do recommend checking out the Grado range. (middle of the range are best, the more pricey ones are a bit hi-fi). Or the Sonys.

I always find that I over-mix lead vocals in headphones! So I always double check final levels on speakers

kind regards

Stephen

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:56 am

Sennheiser HD 25-1 over here.

A little uncomfortable for those wit' sensitive ears.
Superb in every other department.

Clean, natural, well-balanced, non-fatiguing and only 70 Ohms.
This means you can drive 'em from practically any amp out there.
They're super-loud should you require it (DJs love 'em).
Oh, and they have a rotatable left-earpiece, and all parts are field-replaceable.

The cord exits the right earpiece only, which can be a bonus, and is only 1 metre in length for the following reason.
You probably see these 'phones more than any other in sports-commentary and similar endeavours.
A good(!) example might be the WWE; they've been using them as long as I can remember.
That reminds me - you can also buy attatchable headset mics; WWE comes to mind again, I'm ashamed to admit.
But hey, if Vincent Kennedy McMahon can afford anything and yet still chooses the HD 25s for his most valuable employees...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_McMahon

I should point out that there are higher-spec'd, more expensive and comfortable cans out there; I just swear by the honesty and lack of hype these puppies deliver.

zara_drummer · Post by **zara_drummer** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 5:51 am

I use the Senheiser HD212 Pro's. They are great and very comfortable.

I've had them for a few years and have been well worth the $80 I think I paid for them.

jimhrabetin · Post by **jimhrabetin** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:30 pm

Thanks for the info. Does annyone have any thoughts on those Ultrasone phones

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:57 pm

Studio monitors will always be best because you're dealing with room acoustics, harmonics, air and how waveforms move through such things, etc. They are also more of how your ears hear by listening to space and distance. Headphones are better for spot-checking things, but if you must mix on them--you must. IMHO, this is a good option of quality, natural response and an open-design for airflow:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PROline2500/

Dwetmaster · Post by **Dwetmaster** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:48 am

I have a pair of sennheiser HD280pro and they are great and comfortable for tracking because of the sound isolation.

BUT

Their total lack of bottom end make them barely unusable for mixing.

My friend have a pair of old beyer dynamic for mixing that are pretty cool. Opened ear but REALLY Clean and flat. They are the old version of these but I forgot the number.
http://www.beyerdynamic.com/cms/Headpho ... f8ff1123c1

Dwetmaster · Post by **Dwetmaster** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:52 am

Also make sure that you check out this thread for mixing in HeadPhones.
http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtop ... highlight=

A great plugin stated in that thread:
http://wavearts.com/Panorama5.html

jarok · Post by **jarok** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:55 am

I have beyerdynamic DT 770 professional headphones.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DT770pro/

I like working with them.

jarok

N8-R · Post by **N8-R** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:35 am

I like my AKG 270s

dr. Fill · Post by **dr. Fill** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:45 am

I like my Beyer DT990 pro.
Not one for live, because it's an open kind not the closed.

And like brad said, don't mix on them. Just use them as an addition to your monitors to hear cracks or when editing.