need decent headphones for mixing/tracking

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 6:04 pm

there are so many brands and models of headphones to get, that I don't know where to start.

First off these will be used for tracking monitoring, mixing, mastering etc. Now I know headphones are gonna suck for mixing, but it's where I have to start due to price, and enviroment (tracking in same room as computer).

My limit: about $60-$100...to make it harder, i'd like to get two pair. I want one really decent pair for mixing and monitoring at the computer, and I guess a bit less decent pair for the person who is singing/tracking.

I want the truest sound I can get for the price, somehting clear that wont distort being turned up, and somehting that will actually last. A lot to ask fo rI knwo but just giv eme some ideas and opinions if there's a better product or idea. Thanks.

..Also I would want closed-back since tracking would be in the same room right?

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 6:44 pm

Mixing with headphones is less than ideal, and that's an understatement.

With that caveat out of the way, I would go for some AKG 240S or some Sony MDR-7506 headphones.

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 6:48 pm

well this is just home recording so mixing isn't that important to me...I am just recording ideas, and producing my bands songs etc. not trying to get awesome professional mixes.

I've heard of the 240S a lot.....really that good?

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 7:44 pm

Even for not so awesome, unprofessional mixes, I'd stay away from headphones.

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 11:23 pm

well when I don't have a choice, that's why i'm asking for advice, so that's what I want. I know I wont get as good as a mix as monitors, but am I going to waste $100 on powered monitors..now how good will those sound compared to headphones...may as well have done them through good headphones than $100 monitors....Find me a decent set of powered monitors that will work better for $100 and I will stop lookingfor good headphones....

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:07 am

Beyer DT770 pro

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:13 am

IIRs wrote:

Beyer DT770 pro

+1

or the sennheiser hd280pro

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:19 am

price on those?

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:10 am

Here's some cheap monitors that will get you better mixes than headphones:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VLS21/

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StudioPro3/

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:55 pm

[quote]there are so many brands and models of headphones to get, that I don't know where to start. [/qupte]

You can start like you should for any audio subject, by using the search engine as this topic has been discussed as much or more than any other topic.

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:32 am

00420 wrote:

Here's some cheap monitors that will get you better mixes than headphones:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VLS21/

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StudioPro3/

I was looking at those m-audio to start.....but I think i'lll save for KRK rokit series monitors and make it worth my money not waste them on cheap crap. I've heard great things about the rokit series for the price...

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 5:08 pm

Not a bad plan.

I'd wait on any mixing until you've got some monitors and a treated room though.

Work on the writing, and lay some tracks down, but don't bother to mix it yet, or you'll just end up redoing all of it again later anyways (I know this from personal experience).

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:03 pm

I have a great pair of Audio Technica ATH-M30's $60 they sound great. I use them as a "rare" tool when mixing for checking imaging and exploring sounds. Though my music isn't on the radio I enjoy to have tunes that sound will sound good for anyone who might stash a song in their iPOD. I once posted a link to an article on using headphones for mixing. I'll post the link again.

The ATH-M30's are a real great set of headphones for a portable or project home studio.

On a side note they have great acoustic isolation. When I was in school i could have them up super loud in a quiet classroom and not bug the person studying next to me.

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:41 pm

Never mix with headphones! Rule of thumb

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:28 pm

I would rather mix on Senheiser HD280PRO headphones, than M-audio monitors!!!
As a matter of fact, I have mixed on those phones at home, and was amazed when I brought it to the studio to final mix.

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