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Production Headphones
Im really into my production, but unfortunatly my speakers arn't set up to producing the evenly balanced, flat sound, needed for prodution. Everytime I finish a track I will try it in other systems and it can sound completely different. So as not to upset my speaker config (i like it as it is), I want to buy a set of headphones for production. I've got about 60 pounds max to spend. I was wondering if anyone has any advice/suggestions!
cheers,
>everest<
I use a pair of Sennheiser HD590's and they do the job well....
Best thing to do is take a couple of your fave music CDs, that you know the sound of well, along to your local headphone shop, listen to all the headphones on offer and choose the one with the best overall frequency response that colours the sound the least..
One thing to bear in mind is that headphone will never give you the same bass response as a pair of hefty monitors so you will have to compensate for this otherwise yer tracks will be well bass heavy when played on big speakers.....
Oh yeah and when you are finishing off your tracks listen to them on as many different sets of speakers and headphones as you can, this will give you a more objective view of the track and how it sounds.
Watch out with panning also. Producing on headphones all the way through is far from recommended. You'll handle stereo completely different when using phones. Phones have a spread of 180� (and almost no auditive spill) while speakers are set up with a spread of 60�. Usually when you pan using phones, the stereo image will collapse when listening to your stuff on speakers.
It's fine to listen now and then, but I strongly suggest you look for decent monitors instead (so save up some longer).
I must agree with Dj Thy!
it would be far better getting some studio-monitors to do your mix on! ... i know how frustrating this is, but everyone keeps telling me that's the only way to go, and i still need some money myself for those monitors! 
so keep saving!
Cya
SonicAcc
One word:
AUDIOTECHNICA
The best damn studio phones ever... I own a pair and it has the best response ever.. When I want to really hear my mix and all the intricacies I use them, I don't even trust my Mackies HR624s as much as this one. Picked them up in GC for $76... check it out:
http://www.audiotechnica.com/guide/...t/ATHM40fs.html
have fun 
EDIT: I do agree with DJThy about the panning... sometimes you will get goofy stuff on monitors when you pan with headphones. Keep in mind that your mix may come out brighter or duller if you use phones only.. Phones are like a microscope - if you really want to hear certain frequencies and "swooshes, tinkles, etc" how they sound in the mix - use phones. But for wider application you'll need monitors. Especially if you produce music like Trance which has a lot of bottom-end (base). You just can't hear the base response in headphones simply because of driver limitations. It sounds like I am contradicting myself but don't exclude phones completely. ONe of the dangers of using phones is that you actually can diminish your hearing if you use them all the time. I noticed that after 2-3 hours of working with headphones I become "deaf" to certain frequencies. Be sure not to crank them up all the way and if you have a serious bottom end, like when you oscilate the crap out of your sound - this is when your hearing takes most of the damage. I had to use phones 'coz my kid goes to sleep at 9, that's where I have the time to actually play... So I had to move all my gear to noisy basement, spend $2000 on building a separate room, doing sound proofing and all other crap to make it noise-free (or noise-less) but it was either that or going deaf. I figured basement would work better. 
So... use phones if you have to, while saving up for decent monitors. Check out yamaha NS10 (classic), Mackie, or Blue Sky. they are pricey though... but if you're lucky - you can snatch a pair of NS10 for about $300-400. They are great.
^ more like the Audio technica W1000's
Greatest looking headphones. ever.
Anyways, I do agree with the poster above, headphones can be used like a microscope. You'll definately hear very small nuances in sound alot more distinctly than with monitor speakers. This is helpfull when you want to clean up your sound, making everything just right. THe monitors come in handy when you're doing the final mixdown and monitoring.
If you want a pair of headphones for this, any of the more neutral high end phones will be good.
Look into:
Sennheiser 580 or 600
AKG K401 or K501
Beyer DT770 (alittle more extended bass, but its fine if you're working with electronic music styles)
Beyer DT880
Sony CD3000
Audio Technica W100 or W1000
stay away from Grado phones cause they may sound good but they definately colour the sound.
And with most of the above headphones you should really be using a dedicated headphone amp. If you need one pm me and I can give you more details on where to find them.
And I do recommend using both headphones and monitor speakers together, you'll get a better result.
edit: I noticed your budget of 60 pounds... this limits your choices alot! The headphone amp by itself would cost more than this.. so..
you're probably best going with the Sony MDR-V6. probably the best sound you can get for the price plus you dont really need an amp! Perfect. you can even find them used right HERE and get yourself a good deaL!
ok, i just got a job today (im a student so im normally skint)
it pays well, and my budget has just gone up to about 410 pounds.
Can i get some good monitors instead for this price?
you can certainly get some good monitors for that.
I personally use the Axiom m22ti bookshelf monitors, and they are incredible.
They are not powered monitors, nor are they near field, but the neutrality and pronounced clarity of detail is simly amazing. I chose these over some other 'production' monitors. Do not discount home audio speakers simply because they are not designated for studio use.
The m22's are even more suitable than the more expensive Paradigm Reference Studio 20 speakers (which are also very nice btw).
And with their price you could certainly afford a decent 80watt per channel amp.
But, like all monitors, you really need a designated sub for the lower frequencies. bookshelves physically cant reproduce the low end of the spectrum due to their size and nature.
*Looks at DJ Chrono with a bit of surprise and admiration*
Hey, what are your names on some other audio forums? I'm sure I've seen you somewhere...
yeah gluegun I've seen you on head-fi. I'm user name 'chrono' but I dont really post much there anymore. Its a great forum though, especially helping with DIY amps!
I'm also on the Axiom forums which I frequently visit, again user name chrono. The people there certainly know what they're talking about when it comes to Home Theater and general audiophile stuff!
well my current home setup in my bedroom is an old Technics ST - HD510 micro system wiv a Yamaha YST-SW105 subwoofer. Is it worth chucking the system and getting an amp, CD and speakers instead. My dads got some B&W DM603 S3 speakers and they sound quite good but perhaps not enuff low end for my tastes. i thought about getting the smaller B&W DM601 S3 bookshelf speakers and coupling them with my current sub. They are about 250 quid, and that would leave me about 150 for a cheap cd player and amp. Wot do u reckon?
Funny, i was originally only looking for some headphones....
just tried to look for a pair of those Axiom m22ti's, but i cant find anyone who sells them in the uk...
| quote: |
| Originally posted by >everest< well my current home setup in my bedroom is an old Technics ST - HD510 micro system wiv a Yamaha YST-SW105 subwoofer. Is it worth chucking the system and getting an amp, CD and speakers instead. My dads got some B&W DM603 S3 speakers and they sound quite good but perhaps not enuff low end for my tastes. i thought about getting the smaller B&W DM601 S3 bookshelf speakers and coupling them with my current sub. They are about 250 quid, and that would leave me about 150 for a cheap cd player and amp. Wot do u reckon? Funny, i was originally only looking for some headphones.... |
Right im genna try and shop around and get the B&W DM602 S3 speakers and an amp.
Speakers = 300 notes
Any amp = _< 100 notes
im right in thinking i can plug my existing mini system into the amp as a cd player, tuner and cassette right?
cheers for everyones help!
>everest<
| quote: |
| Originally posted by >everest< Right im genna try and shop around and get the B&W DM602 S3 speakers and an amp. Speakers = 300 notes Any amp = _< 100 notes im right in thinking i can plug my existing mini system into the amp as a cd player, tuner and cassette right? cheers for everyones help! >everest< |
hm, check this out
http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/sh...sb=5&o=0&fpart=
(assuming you didnt make that post! lol)
bah! so damn hard to make up my mind. i like the B&W's but ive never heard the Axioms. I need to hear the Axioms before i decide.
Perhaps ill go spend the money on drugs instead... 
College student with no space
Okay, so I've just started producing my own music, and I know quite well that my computer speakers, and the headphones off my MD player won't quite make the grade...but I'm kinda runnin' out of space for stuff. It's gotten to the point were I've had to start storing stuff like books and my photography equipment in my car. I'm living with a family member until I get out of school (which will be for a couple more years), and as a person that has about a gazillion hobbies already I don't wanna spend a ton of money on equipment. My boyfriend produces music on his computer too, and although his computer is connected to his stereo system (nice equipment - not so hot speakers), when I listen to his CD's in my car...some songs...well ick. I think part of his problem is his slightly outdated factory sound card and poor speakers...but I want to make sure that I don't have the same problems.
I use FL Studio PEd to make all of my music, so burning my songs to CD and listening to them in other stereos is a cinch. Still, I'd rather beable to detect and work on a problem right away. Anyway, review of the issue: not a lot of space, not a lot of money, temporary housing, and an insomniatic family member who would rather not have to listen to my music in the wee hours of the night. With all of this in mind would it still be better to have a pair of monitors, or could I get away with a nice pair of headphones? If the answer is still monitors, do you have any suggestions on some that are compact in size?
Thanx!
I'm gonna recommend the M-Audio Studiophile BX5 monitors. I am recommending these based on their small size and the fact that they are active (meaning they have their own amplifier built in). I have not listened to them personally, so I can't comment on sound quality. Im sure you could probablly find better sounding ones for less money, but they would most likely be bigger and may require an amp (like my own Axiom m22ti's). These little guys go for 400.00 US, I dont know if that's in your price range or not. Check out more info HERE
Anyways, if you could make some space in your room for an amplifier, you'd have a slightly better selection. A decent bargain amp could cost around 100 US (look for used ones even, the old vintage ones still work nicely). then spend the rest of your budget on passive monitors (ones without built in amplifiers). Generally passive monitors are substancially cheaper than active ones. And as I have had experience with the Axiom line, I could recommend the smaller M2i ($255) or the M3ti ($275). More info HERE
There are really alot of options to choose from.
Getting started
I'm trying to get a basic beginner (software based) production set-up going, and it's not feasible for me to drop cash on monitor speakers (yet...). Can someone on this thread just tell me "It's okay Stu, when you're learning headphones are fine. If you want to spend around $150-200 canadian on headphones to monitor with, try these out
Thanks!
Well I know Robstar (Parker - Beams Of Gaia) uses headphones when he produces, specifically Sony...
The problem I find with headphones is the temptation (and often the necessity) to crank them up. Loud headphones is EXTREMELY bad for your ears. At least with speakers, you'll be likely to keep them at a level so as not to disturb the nearby folks, plus you'll "feel" the levels of things as they interact with the room.
I'd say just change your speakers. Make a CD of other people's songs that sound really different from each other, go to a shop, listen to the CD on different speakers and get something that lets you really hear the difference from song to song.
It's okay Stu, when you're learning headphones are fine. If you want to spend around $200 canadian on headphones to monitor with, try these out "Beyerdynamic DT770".
Ideally, you should use quality monitors to mix and master, buuuuuttttt, this is the real world, and in the real world we have roommates and neighbors, and let's face it, that kick every beat at 137bpm can get quite annoying, so.....
The problems with headphones are:
1. Many do not have a flat frequency response, only the really nice ones do!
2. They give an exaggerated stereo-width, making the song sound wider than it might actually be.
The advantages are:
1. The are no room reflections...no standing waves etc.
2. They don't disturb your neighbors.
So, if you want to keep the neighbors happy, produce on headphones, but get a QUALITY pair (over $150.00) that have a flat frequency response. I have a pair of Grados, they sound nice, but they color the sound, like Chrono said earlier. Just know that the width and enveloped sound you get when you have them on might not translate to the club's speakers. At the mastering stage, use a pair of monitors.
Good luck.
Sony Headphones
I just bought a pair of Sony MDR-V600 headphones. I think they're pretty good, but what does the panel of experts think?
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