headphone question

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antispatula

antispatula

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So I was wondering why people buy such expensive headphones for tracking? Why does really high quality headphones matter, you aren't mixing or anything with them. And can anyone give me an idea of a decent pair for under 50? Thanks!
 
I don't know why some do.

I don't. For tracking I use cheap (now discontunued :mad: ) Sony's that I paid $20 a pop for. I have some Fostex T20's that I use for "critical listening"

They're about 16 years old and still working okay. Have to hit 'em with hard bass every so often to get the left side back on.

Can you say MoreMe?
 
My next cans will by MoreMe's too! check em out.

Jacob
 
antispatula said:
So I was wondering why people buy such expensive headphones for tracking? Why does really high quality headphones matter, you aren't mixing or anything with them. And can anyone give me an idea of a decent pair for under 50? Thanks!

I use a pair of Direct Sound Extreme Isolation headphones these days.... Mainly because I don't have a separate control booth.... :D
 
antispatula said:
So I was wondering why people buy such expensive headphones for tracking? Why does really high quality headphones matter, you aren't mixing or anything with them. And can anyone give me an idea of a decent pair for under 50? Thanks!

Proper microphone placement will save you a lot of headaches when mixing because you (hopefully) already got the sound you wanted while tracking. Unfortunately, super cheap cans may not provide you with enough information to place your mics correctly.

Now, if you're just talking about cans for band members to use after the mics have been properly positioned, then yeah, give em stuff that isolates and doesn't break the bank (e.g. MoreMe's). Although, a better sound through the cans might inspire a better performance. ;)
 
scrubs is right on, I use Senn's now and I know what's going in. More me is great for the rest of the guys that throw 'em around when done tracking, I use 'em too
 
I've got a pair of Sony 7506s for myself, and I'm ordering four pairs of MoreMes as soon as I get a commitment set in stone from the next band I'm going to work with. By the way, since no one else mentioned it... http://www.itrstudio.com/moreme.html
 
Thank you all for the praise. I just had this posted in my forum from Terry Manning of Compass Point Studios:

"Well, I now have my 10 pair of MoreMe headphones, and I have to say I am impressed. Are they Grado Reference Series 1's? No.

But they are imminently listenable, and comfortably wearable. I really like the fact that they don't have the sizzly highs like the Sony 06's; I personally hate that sound, especially so close to the ears.

I see no problem using these on any session. So far, I've had no complaints from anyone. (There are a couple of really big sessions coming up over the next few weeks, so that will be a heavy test.)

And the best thing is, they cost 20% of a pair of standard Sony/AKG/etc.

I will still keep a couple of pair of Sony's and AKG's around (at least the ones that haven't fallen apart yet), but these should fill in nicely.

Thanks, HG!"


For those of you who might not recognize his name, here's Terry Manning on some of the things he's done over the years:

Started in professional music recording in the early 60's in El Paso, Texas, playing in my band, and with my friend Bobby Fuller, who later had The Bobby Fuller Four out of LA. Bobby & I both had what would now be called "home" studios, but then it was all we could get.

Moved to Memphis in '63 and began working at Stax Records and Ardent Studios as musician, engineer, producer, writer, etc. Tracked and/or mixed (often as engineer for producer/co-mixers such as Steve Cropper or Willie Mitchell) many of the things out of that area such as Isaac Hayes, Staple Singers, All Green, The Box Tops, Albert King, Otis Redding, Percy Sledge, many blues artists, and so on. Learned much of engineering techniques from the great John Fry, engineer extraordinaire, and owner of Ardent.

Began producing within a couple of years (whether co-producing at Stax with the likes of Al Bell, etc., or independently for much of the rock music of the region). Started a label with my friend and partner John Fry (Ardent Records) and we came up with groups such as Big Star, Cargoe, and others.

Engineered part of Led Zeppelin 3, mixed it, and mastered it, for my good friend Jimmy Page.

Engineered ZZ Top for many years, all the albums from Tres Hombres through Eliminator.

Expanded producing base with artists such as Joe Cocker, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Joe Walsh, Jason & The Scorchers, George Thorogood & The Destroyers (did all of theirs through '94) and many others. Discographys are out there somewhere if you really care enough to look for them.

Moved to London in mid-80's, and based myself out of Abbey Road Studios.

Back to Memphis where I bought a studio building, and ran a 2 studio operation for several years.

Moved to Nassau, Bahamas in '92 to partner with Chris Blackwell in revitalizing Compass Point Studios, one of the great recording facilities of modern music. It had fallen down a bit, and CB wanted to "bring it back." My wife Sherrie and I did that, and that's where I am today (comping those vocals.)

Some more recent work has included the Lenny Kravitz "5" album (the one with "Fly Away") and Shakira's "Laundry Service," each of which took well over a year to record. Just recently have been working with the great talent Jesse Harris, on his solo works,

Here at CP, we have 2 large studios, and cater to many styles of music from all across the world; a somewhat eclectic and exciting mix of styles and great people. I do most of my work here, and also mix for other projects, and master as well on occasion.

I have a company called Lucas Engineering which make tube (valve) Limiters, Equalisers, and mic pre's, as well as the non-tube "Deceiver" guitar recording/distribution box. We sell it to a few people, but try not to let it get out too much; I need to use it myself!


When people like Terry Manning (and Mike Clark, from Southern Tracks in Atlanta) buy MoreMe's for their studios, that's still amazing to me.

But the real success is due to all of you at Homerec, for serving as "lab rats" to test and promoting these phones. For that, I'm forever grateful.
 
So is there going to be a "Christmas special" on the MoreMe's this year, Harvey?
 
Adam P said:
So is there going to be a "Christmas special" on the MoreMe's this year, Harvey?
I've been talking to Dragon about it. It's up to him. I think there's gonna be one.
 
I happened across this thread.....and read about the MoreMes. Wow, do these cans really work as well as stated on that site? I'm about to buy a pair of the studio deluxe phones...just to try them out. Are they good enough to easily lay down drum tracks and still hear the music I'm playing too? I don't really wanna spend 100+ bucks for a pair of phones that will break after a while...or not be powerful enough.
 
jaykeMURD said:
I happened across this thread.....and read about the MoreMes. Wow, do these cans really work as well as stated on that site? I'm about to buy a pair of the studio deluxe phones...just to try them out. Are they good enough to easily lay down drum tracks and still hear the music I'm playing too? I don't really wanna spend 100+ bucks for a pair of phones that will break after a while...or not be powerful enough.

Read the above testimonial from Terry Manning. I think that between him and Harvey they're a pretty safe bet.
 
jaykeMURD said:
I happened across this thread.....and read about the MoreMes. Wow, do these cans really work as well as stated on that site? I'm about to buy a pair of the studio deluxe phones...just to try them out. Are they good enough to easily lay down drum tracks and still hear the music I'm playing too? I don't really wanna spend 100+ bucks for a pair of phones that will break after a while...or not be powerful enough.
Well (and consider the source of this reply), yes, they'll do fine for drums, although they're not as good as the more expensive Studio Kans or Metrophones, but the MoreMe's won't break as easily. They're not as fatiguing as the Sony 7506's, but they're not as smooth sounding either.

Plus, you can buy the Moreme's, try them for a month, and return them if you're not happy about your purchase.
 
antispatula said:
So I was wondering why people buy such expensive headphones for tracking?

Well, Antispatula, I think the reasons vary. My reason's simple and probably fits a few other folks' as well: I record in my home studio mostly for enjoyment of the process. I like to enjoy good sound at all times, during all phases of a home recording, so I do what I can (within my budget) to keep the sound quality as high as possible, even while tracking parts.

By the way, this post carries no implications about Harvey's cans, which I've never tried. I've heard they're a good value, though.

J.
 
jeffree said:
Well, Antispatula, I think the reasons vary. My reason's simple and probably fits a few other folks' as well: I record in my home studio mostly for enjoyment of the process. I like to enjoy good sound at all times, during all phases of a home recording, so I do what I can (within my budget) to keep the sound quality as high as possible, even while tracking parts.

By the way, this post carries no implications about Harvey's cans, which I've never tried. I've heard they're a good value, though.

J.
The MoreMe's are intended for studios that need:

Rugged phones for multiple clients.
Good isolation.
Inexpensive replacements.
Loud enough for drummers.

They're not the best phones you can buy, but they work well for what they are: cheap, loud, rugged phones, with decent isolation.

If I were only recording myself, I would do exactly what you are doing; find some very comfortable, high quality phones for my personal use.
 
I've been using my MoreMe's when tracking drums and I actually prefer them to my Sony MDR-7506's for that purpose. I need to get some more soon!
 
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