Another headphone question

[Froinlavin]

I've been reading many of the posts about headphones, but I can't find an answer that is specific enough for me.

Basically, I record my guitar track and then I record vocals while listening to what I just played. (In the future, I hope to get some drums and a bass. When/If I do, I will record them in the same manner. One after the other then put everything together.)

Anyway, about the heaphones...

I don't think I need isolation headphones (though someone may tell me otherwise). I just need something to hear what's going on--to hear it well enough to tell if what I recorded is good enough to take the next step (I'm purchasing monitors soon, but that's another post).

I have read good things about the MoreMe headphones, but I wonder if they aren't quite good enough. I am new to recording, and as such, I don't yet understand all the intricacies, so a cheap pair of headphones (like the MoreMe ones) would likely be adequate for my current level of experience. However, I don't want to find myself 6 months or so down the road, realizing I need a better pair.

Basically, I would like recommendations on headphones that are good (price range $50-100--preferably at the lower end of that range, but I'm not going to be too stubborn about it.) but not so good that I have something that far exceeds my skill (or lack thereof).

Analogy Alert!

I can afford both the moped and the Harley. I can't ride either yet. I could get the moped to learn and it would get me where I want to go, but once I do, I'm gonna wish I had the Harley (the low to mid-range Harley) so I can go faster.

Did that make any sense?

 

[Monkey Allen]

I recommend the Sennheiser HD497's. They are economical and good quality.

I'd like to know why soundcards like the M-Audio 2496 do not have jacks for headphone out.

What outputs DO they have that enable you to hear your sound. This soundcard is quite popular, but what are people doing for sound output from them I'd like to know!

 

[true-eurt]

I've been reading many of the posts about headphones, but I can't find an answer that is specific enough for me.

Basically, I record my guitar track and then I record vocals while listening to what I just played. (In the future, I hope to get some drums and a bass. When/If I do, I will record them in the same manner. One after the other then put everything together.)

Anyway, about the heaphones...

I don't think I need isolation headphones (though someone may tell me otherwise). I just need something to hear what's going on--to hear it well enough to tell if what I recorded is good enough to take the next step (I'm purchasing monitors soon, but that's another post).

I have read good things about the MoreMe headphones, but I wonder if they aren't quite good enough. I am new to recording, and as such, I don't yet understand all the intricacies, so a cheap pair of headphones (like the MoreMe ones) would likely be adequate for my current level of experience. However, I don't want to find myself 6 months or so down the road, realizing I need a better pair.

Basically, I would like recommendations on headphones that are good (price range $50-100--preferably at the lower end of that range, but I'm not going to be too stubborn about it.) but not so good that I have something that far exceeds my skill (or lack thereof).

Analogy Alert!

I can afford both the moped and the Harley. I can't ride either yet. I could get the moped to learn and it would get me where I want to go, but once I do, I'm gonna wish I had the Harley (the low to mid-range Harley) so I can go faster.

Did that make any sense?

Of course it did..I'll take the Harley (Hot Pink).......
I have 4 inexpensive headsets>real cheap...'ApexHP30'.. .I like okay..and 'KossHP/1'.....'Digital'.. .and 'Philips'. .BUT..I tried out the Audio-Technia M40f ...they sounded real good..my friend purchased two sets for 79 bucks ea..at MF 's.....

 

[Froinlavin]

I was thinking about the Audio-Technica's (in the price range and recommended by others) but I didn't want to get some that were too advanced. What makes them better than a cheaper priced set? I know they "sound better" but what exactly does that mean? I can hear more detail in what I record? More balanced?

I suddenly feel very uneducated.

 

[corban]

I recommend the Sennheiser HD497's. They are economical and good quality.

I'd like to know why soundcards like the M-Audio 2496 do not have jacks for headphone out.

What outputs DO they have that enable you to hear your sound. This soundcard is quite popular, but what are people doing for sound output from them I'd like to know!

Are you talking about the PCI or USB version? I used to use the PCI M-Audio 2496, it has left and right RCA outs. I had an adapter to convert from stereo RCA to quarter-inch, and I plugged my headphones into there. It worked great.

 

[true-eurt]

I am not very educated either ..I can't give you a fancy explanation..to ME, they sounded more defined and they were what I would call muted..I know there is a term for this.. All I know is,when I got home and put on my Apex...I knew I wanted a set of ATH's ....I would say the best thing to do is go and try some different ones for yourself....But I agree..don't buy cheap,just to turn around and have to buy better.Sorry I am not much help.... .

 

[Monkey Allen]

Yeah I was talking about the PCI version. So that's what you did hey? I was getting a bit worried when people were saying there was no headphone out. But I guess there is no drama doing what you do....but there is no stereo line out hey? The outs are two jacks, one left and one right?

Is RCA good as an audio connector? Is it as good as 1/4" or as good as XLR?

The M-Audio 2496 apparently has no XLR connectivity. And I don't think is has 1/4"...I could be wrong. I don't want to add adapters and that type of thing to the chain. I would prefer to get a soundcard that I can use XLR with, or at least 1/4"

 

[Rokket]

I was thinking about the Audio-Technica's (in the price range and recommended by others) but I didn't want to get some that were too advanced. What makes them better than a cheaper priced set? I know they "sound better" but what exactly does that mean? I can hear more detail in what I record? More balanced?

I suddenly feel very uneducated.

For tracking, you don't really need an over-the-top exceptionally detailed set of headphones. The ones that were mentioned should do the trick. It's not recommended that you mix with them, however. They will not give you an honest response (most headphones tend to accentuate the bass). I recorded for a couple years with a standard $30 pair of headphones with decent results.

YMMV....

 

[Froinlavin]

Think I'm gonna go with the ATH-M40fs. And fear not...I've read enough of these threads to know not to mix with them. I should be posting about my monitor questions soon enough.

 

[Rokket]

Think I'm gonna go with the ATH-M40fs. And fear not...I've read enough of these threads to know not to mix with them. I should be posting about my monitor questions soon enough.

Good luck then! And since no one else has said it, welcome to the board!