You could have saved a lot of time by just using those same headphones on another system.

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Originally posted by mfitterer1 Ok so being the perfectionist that I am I've played my mixes over 4 different systems. My dj setup (sounds great, my production setup (sounds great, my laptop (sounds good but lacking some low end), and my iPod. I was just about to throw the flag and say they are all good to go and post them but am on vacation and listened to them on the iPod for the first time. The elements sounds great and the color sounds as it should, but there is some slight pops and hissing that I dont hear on the other systems. I have run my mixes through waves restoration bundle and do not hear any of this on the other systems. I am using earbuds for the iPod. Firstly, it worries me since I know most of the listeners will be using an iPod as their listening device. My question is this. Is it just the low quality headphones that I am using that is not picking up but creating minute noise? Or is it something bigger that I am missing. All of the mixes are run through a compressor and limiter as well as the aforementioned waves restoration bundle. There are only slight amounts of limiting and compression. Could it be where they are placed in my mastering chain? I have them prior to the restoration plug ins im using, should they be after so that the cleanest signal possible is being fed through them? The mixes are really good imo but this is ruining them for me and I will not post something I am not 100% happy with. I feel a tried and true method is needed before posting and continuing with future mixes. Thanks for any info you may be able to lend me.

Well, the fact that you hear it only on the ipod headphones indicate that they have a problem, not the recordings, but they could be exposing problems that you wouldn't hear on your other systems (can;t tell because I don't know what you've got equipment wise)

Having said that......

For your recording method, that's a shit load of hassle tbh and waay over the top IMO. All the tracks you're playing are already compressed in the mastering process and you shouldn't have to limit them if you getting your levels right in the first place - why would you if you're so keen on making sure your setup is perfect? Remember that a limiter is just a fast compressor with a threshold at a certain point. I really don't understand the need for compression or limiting of a mix unless you're crap at watching the levels and eq well.

Also, the waves restoration bundle is for exactly that - helping to resolve degredation/imbalance issues with recordings. honestly I think you're just adding a load of unnecessary coloration to your mixing. Keep it simple and record your as clean as possible through good equipment and with enough headroom so you don't peak clip. you can always compress it later if you really want it.

The best way to check is to play it the way most people will hear it. In your car.

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