When to use Monitors, and when to use headphones?

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RobertPhilbeck

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Hello all! My first post!
At what point in the recording process do you put down the headphones and use the monitors? I understand the monitors are vital to mixdown, but what about times when you've submixed all your drum tracks down to a stereo two track. Do you listen to the finished product through the headphones before moving on, or do you listen through monitors?
If i had to guess, and I dont because of this killer Board, I would say you do the recording with the headphones on to prevent signal bleed, and you listen to the final product be it a submix, a just recorded guitar or vocal track, and the final mixdown.
And while Im on the topic, Can someone reccomend some affordable Studio monitors? FYI my definition of afforadable is not the Mackie monitors, but a close equivilant at a more affordable price would be nice.

Thanks
Robert
 
Headphones, no matter how good they are, lie big time because of the left/right separation that doesn't give you the same sound as a "Room"...I only use 'em for multitracking, obviously because of the bleed....the best monitors and info?...just click the search here and type in monitors...gibs
 
maybe Im the only one who ever listens to regular music in headphones still (read- geek on train bobbing head in corner) .. but when I do IT SOUNDS WAY, WAY, WAY KILLER. SO I figure that my mixes Better sound AWESOME in the phones as well as AWSOME in a room, so I check all my mixes on both me stereo, me car stereo, me freinds stereo and me headphones.

xoxoxo

and as my turntablist says... god is in the details, son. so use those phones and geek out on stereo placement... your efforts will come thru in the room.
 
My experience with phones, is that they allways make you sound better than speakers. So you are better off mixing to speakers, to make sure you sound as good as possible through them.

Most headphones have more bass than speakers, so if you mix to phones, when you play back through speakers, the bass will be weak.

Also headphones have less midrange than speakers, so if you mix to phones, when you play back through speakers, the vocals will be too loud.

In other words mix to speakers, you will be far better off!!

Don't get me wrong, I love to listen to headphones, but I would never mix to them.
 
I like to make occasional spot checks with headphones, but I have to have speakers for almost all mixing. The left/right isolation that Gibs mentioned is one good reason. When I go on a marathon mixing spree, the speakers don't tire my ears as much over time. But the biggest reason of all is that I like to listen with my feet as well as my ears. And my chest, legs, arms, and my senior member. Headphones don't really vibrate your whole body with the low end. I need to be able to feel the sound every bit as much as hear it.

[This message has been edited by pglewis (edited 06-28-2000).]
 
I agree, monitors are best. If you already have a power amp I could recommend Yorkville YSM-1s from personal experience. This is subjective though, everyone has their own ideas. They're list is $280 US but they can be had for around $210. That's a pair.

[This message has been edited by Track Rat (edited 06-28-2000).]
 
Camn said it: listen to your mixes on as many different sytems as you can, it's really really important. You know your mix is happening when it sounds balanced on a variety of systems. As far as monitors, check out the Event 20/20s, they're about $300 for a pair and are just great.
 
Headphones are good for checking details like hiss,mouth sounds(vox),rattles&squeaks(drums),buzzes(guitars).The transducers in headphones are literally in your face,whereasthe drivers in speakers are at least a little further away,plus since the cones are larger,they react a lttle more slowly and can mask some of these artifacts 'till it's too late.Cheers!
 
Another point about headphones. If you're going to mix to them, the effects will be more pronounced in the headphones than on speakers. I have found that enough effect in the headphones usually translates into not quite enough on speakers. The separation thing again. I do track with headphones, it's just easier to hear everything. I use headphones and monitors to mix. Actually, I have no trouble judging the voice levels and lead guitar levels in either. When it comes to bass and drums however, I have trouble judging, eq as well as levels. I usually have to check it on a few consumer players or on a stereo I'm use to hearing music on.

As far as affordable monitors, well most people think that's oxymoronic. I however say, save a lot of money, and buy the $84 Roland MA8Ksomething or other and put your money in other equipment that's gonna make a difference in the quality of the recordings. This is not a real popular opinion on these boards but hell, I use the aforementioned Rolands and if I had $400-700 to spend on equipment, I damn sure wouldn't buy new monitors unless I had everything else I wanted............mie too since....peace
 
In case anyone is still reading this thread...

I use cans all the time on my DAW system - but I've got a plugin called NoPhones which modifies the signal to make it sound like it's coming from monitors. It really works well and most of my mixes sound good on monitors afterwards.

Can't remember who makes the plugin but it's on the Web somewhere...
 
There's an article about exactly this subject in last months Recording mag. I personally rely on the monitors, but reference with the headphones, much the same as with "home" speakers. But I make sure, like when mixing, that I reference a commercial recording so that I don't misjudge what the headphones are telling me.
 
I use my monitors as much as I can. I only use headphones if I have to mic in the same room as my monitors, for vocals, or recording drums. Checking your mix on as many different systems as you can is real good idea, but if you can't trust your monitors and your monitoring system why have it? I think you will have to use your phones mainly when recording all by your self (which sucks! by the way), And believe me, it doesn't depend on the cans you have. I use AKG K270studios. The're just like chics. I love'em, But only when I "NEED" them.
T.J.
"Don't trust phones"


[This message has been edited by T.J.Hooker (edited 07-07-2000).]
 
If you can get you mix to sound good on the crappiest thing around, and it still sounds good on your best monitors....you've done a good job mixing. unless you are going to march up and down the train selling your CD to those head-bobbing geeks with headphones on don't mix with your phones. the only time I use phones is to check a vocalists cue mix or to avoid a really nasty schreeching noise when I record myself in the control room.
oh, and I do use them to spot check for digital distortion during transfers and such....and also to reference some mixes. but 99.5% of my mixing is done on monitors.
I would also advise to check out the event series. (all except the trio that is...)
 
Take, are you referring to that Tria system I see at Musicians Fiend for about 499? What is not good about it? Have you had the opportunity to hear one? Curious....I'm looking into my monitor situation as well; I need some. I have an Adcom power amp laying about, so I'm debating between some passive 20/20s or buying some M&Ks just for my studio. The advantage the Events have at this time (I need to go hear them today) is the 8" 2-way design should give me sufficient bass without needing to add a sub. Whereas, with the M&Ks, I would need to have a sub, as well. I was kinda thinking that Tria system might be a good deal, so I want to hear your full opinion on it.
 
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