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Old 03-16-2009, 04:57 AM   #1
jonespnice
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Default What are the best headphones to mix with?

I will be doing some recording (mainly just vocals) away from my studio and I will need to use headphones to do my mixing. Which headphones are best to mix with?
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Old 03-16-2009, 05:37 AM   #2
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AKG K 240 DF. Best I've found anyway, and I'm a headphone junkie!
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Old 03-16-2009, 05:46 AM   #3
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For comfort in long sessions and for their bass level (which is what I ALWAYS overdo on headphone mixes otherwise), I really like the Beyer DT 770 Pro/80.

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Old 03-16-2009, 05:51 AM   #4
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I like the old Sony Pro MDR 7505, but be sure you use something like this:
http://www.112db.com/redline/monitor/
or the mix image won't translate to speakers later.
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Old 03-16-2009, 06:06 AM   #5
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I just bought a set of Sennheiser HD380's yesterday. Man....am I loving them.
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Old 03-16-2009, 06:56 AM   #6
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Got AKG 271 S. Less bass than 240 but maybe some more detail in the mids... some people say. Haven't tried the 240 though.

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Old 03-16-2009, 07:07 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spyrow View Post
I like the old Sony Pro MDR 7505, but be sure you use something like this:
http://www.112db.com/redline/monitor/
or the mix image won't translate to speakers later.
Consider that for 50 dollars i can get a professional DAW with many plugins like Reaper, €69.00?.... I think the price is not reasonable! !!
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Old 03-16-2009, 07:27 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Zargon the Destroyer View Post
AKG K 240 DF. Best I've found anyway, and I'm a headphone junkie!
Sorry but they have most unnatural, exagerated highs.
The AKG 141 may be less comfortable but its much closer to real monitors.

Remember - working with bright monitors means a dead sounding mix and visa versa.
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Old 03-16-2009, 08:04 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonespnice View Post
I will be doing some recording (mainly just vocals) away from my studio and I will need to use headphones to do my mixing. Which headphones are best to mix with?
AKG K240
Obviously it would be best to reference with monitors... but you won't get too far off base making decisions with K240s.


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Old 03-16-2009, 11:09 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maa View Post
Sorry but they have most unnatural, exagerated highs.
The AKG 141 may be less comfortable but its much closer to real monitors.

Remember - working with bright monitors means a dead sounding mix and visa versa.
That's not my experience, perhaps you have bright ears?
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Old 03-16-2009, 11:17 AM   #11
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Yeah, the AKG 240's. I don't really 'like' them- but they always seem to do a great job of translating to monitors.
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Old 03-16-2009, 11:29 AM   #12
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Default Sinn HD650's

It's really about what your ears get use too. I bought a pr of HD650's a few years back and they have literally ruined me for anything else. They are however, open back and aren't worth a hoot in a noisy environment. I've found it very helpful to include a very well mixed control track at the bottom of the project. Being a bass player, I tend to get the bass too loud when mixing with headphones. Using a control track helps set my ear.
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Old 03-16-2009, 12:18 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sstillwell View Post
For comfort in long sessions and for their bass level (which is what I ALWAYS overdo on headphone mixes otherwise), I really like the Beyer DT 770 Pro/80.

Scott
+1. IMO nothing in this price range can beat them.
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Old 03-16-2009, 12:41 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonespnice View Post
I will be doing some recording (mainly just vocals) away from my studio and I will need to use headphones to do my mixing. Which headphones are best to mix with?
Audio Technica ATH-M50 IMHO.
I also have Sony 7506, MDR V6 (the originals), AKG 240 and Senny HD650.

For me, the Audio Technica sound most natural.
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Old 03-16-2009, 01:21 PM   #15
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I love my K240s

but I also really like my new Sennheiser HD 25-1 II.

.t
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Old 03-16-2009, 01:50 PM   #16
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Seems headphone are a personal thing, I have k240s here and I hate them. They're cheaply built, bass definition is terrible, more burp than bass, and highs are overhyped. Only redeeming quality is that they're the most comfortable headphone I've ever used, bar none, why I bought them in the first place.

Oh, and all IMO
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Old 03-16-2009, 01:58 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stang_2003 View Post
Audio Technica ATH-M50 IMHO.
I also have Sony 7506, MDR V6 (the originals), AKG 240 and Senny HD650.

For me, the Audio Technica sound most natural.
I've only heard good things about these.
I myself ordered a pair of M40. I dont have them yet.
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Old 03-16-2009, 02:03 PM   #18
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i have the sony 7506. all i can say is 'way too bright'. Good sound otherwise, but that kind of top end just doesn't exist in reality. Fine for putting a mic in the right place though.
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Old 03-16-2009, 02:23 PM   #19
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Whatever you use, I recommend getting a pair of cheap ear buds - preferably the ones that come with your average iphone/ipod/etc. I like my k240's and love my dynaudio monitors, but I've found it's very useful to check your mixes against those little monsters. In fact, I've done a few mixes entirely on ipod earbuds (which I fnarking hate) for music that was being distributed entirely online. It's a sad fact, but most people aren't listening to your music through high def systems. Your mixes are often more in need of translation to the worst headphones imaginable than to a home stereo.
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Old 03-16-2009, 02:50 PM   #20
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HD650 are awesome - i compared to AKG K701 in the shop and went for 650s on the basis of depth & crisp sound + although both are open back I do find the 650s shield a little more.

I find HD497 pretty good for working in noisy environments
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Old 03-16-2009, 03:22 PM   #21
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Audio Technica ATH-M50 - been rocking my world since I got them. Sony MDR-7506 and Sennheiser HD-280 are in a drawer for guests. Nobody touches my ATs!!
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Old 03-16-2009, 03:35 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonespnice View Post
I will be doing some recording (mainly just vocals) away from my studio and I will need to use headphones to do my mixing. Which headphones are best to mix with?
From your quote above, am I right in assuming you'll be using them while you record your vocals as well. If so, another factor in your choice will be that the headphones will need to give good isolation.

Pete
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Old 03-16-2009, 03:40 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stang_2003 View Post
Audio Technica ATH-M50 IMHO.

For me, the Audio Technica sound most natural.
+1

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Old 03-16-2009, 04:02 PM   #24
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Default Audio-Technica ATH-M50

I've been using the Audio-Technica ATH-M50's for about a year now. Just love them! Very comfortable on the head and sound terrific to my ears. Great price too.
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Old 03-16-2009, 04:21 PM   #25
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i have a couple of pairs of older sennheiser hd265's. they're GREAT for tracking and microediting. they sound amazing but i wouldn't complete a mix with them - they just sound too damn good.
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Old 03-16-2009, 04:48 PM   #26
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Something to keep in mind with these kinds of posts is:

How may pairs of studio headphones has this poster actually used for mixing projects? 5? 3? 80? Not many people with access to a wide variety of headphones are doing lots of mixes on a wide variety of them.

Not to be a little debbie downer, but in my experience headphones (even the best ones) are not good for mixing decisions.

Beyond that, it's mostly a matter of getting adequate ones and then learning the specific ways in which you need to compensate for them.
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Old 03-16-2009, 06:15 PM   #27
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Quote:
Not to be a little debbie downer, but in my experience headphones (even the best ones) are not good for mixing decisions.
Yeah, I thought the OP was a trick question. Seems like every 20 minutes there's a thread up here where we talk about how headphone mixes never sound right.
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Old 03-16-2009, 06:44 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adimatis View Post
I've only heard good things about these.
I myself ordered a pair of M40. I dont have them yet.
The M40 is similar in sound.
You'll like them.
It takes a bit for the headband to loosen up a little, but it will so don't worry if it's a little "clamp like" at first.
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Old 03-16-2009, 07:03 PM   #29
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I use AKG K240 and K240DF if I can get away with open backed. The outside world is your speakerbox!
DT100 for strict analysis, hey really don't flatter.
DT150 for the same with extended low end if it is needed, according to the material.

Don't forget to use some kind of spacial plugin to compensate for HTRF.
http://www.traxmusic.org/home/?p=39
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Old 03-16-2009, 08:27 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stratman View Post
From your quote above, am I right in assuming you'll be using them while you record your vocals as well. If so, another factor in your choice will be that the headphones will need to give good isolation.

Pete
Well actually I won't be recording my own vocals but other folks. This is the situation, I will be moving in with my girlfriend (we're taking the relationship to the next level) so I will not be doing any recording in my studio (except my personal stuff), but their are 3 or 4 people that I still want to work with so I plan on setting up a mobile setup. I will need to mix the song at their place (in headphones). Right now when I try to mix in my Sony MDR-7506 and then listen back on my event ASP8 monitors it sounds totally out of whack.
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Old 03-16-2009, 08:33 PM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yep View Post
Something to keep in mind with these kinds of posts is:

How may pairs of studio headphones has this poster actually used for mixing projects? 5? 3? 80? Not many people with access to a wide variety of headphones are doing lots of mixes on a wide variety of them.

Not to be a little debbie downer, but in my experience headphones (even the best ones) are not good for mixing decisions.

Beyond that, it's mostly a matter of getting adequate ones and then learning the specific ways in which you need to compensate for them.
I have 5 different pairs of headphones and to be honest the only one that I remember the model # for is the Sony MDR-7506, I am not in the studio to check the other 4. Headphones are rather expensive so I wanted to get some good suggestions before I spend any money. I have a pair of event monitors but I will be doing recordings away from the studio (using a mobile setup) and I will be limited to headphones. I have heard of people using headphones to mix before (I know it's not recommended) and I just need something that translates well.
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Old 03-16-2009, 09:24 PM   #32
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I have just been researching and buying headphones for a new studio. Their budget was AU$600 (~US$400)per set My conclusion was:

AKG 701 - A well balanced sound, the comparable Sennheisers seem too toppy. I find I mix dull if I have toppy phones.

Beyerdynamic DT250 - The best closed headphone I think. Not sexy but highly functional and really defined bass. the flattest closed phone in my opinion.


As mentioned by earlier posters it's really a matter of opinion and function. For singers recording I would got the DT250 and for monitoring I would go the 701's.

This guy really knows his shit:
http://headphones.com.au/pbrowse?catID=1
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Old 03-16-2009, 09:40 PM   #33
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Quote:
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I have 5 different pairs of headphones and to be honest the only one that I remember the model # for is the Sony MDR-7506...
That you can only remember one set might by itself give you an indicator.

Assuming that the 5 pairs of headphones you already own are semi-studio-grade, you probably have as much exposure as most to "mixing" headphones. My own favorites are Audio Technica M50s, but I haven't even come close to trying every headphone on the market. More to the point, mixing on headphones is just difficult. Things never seem to sound the same in the car or on the home stereo.

If for some reason you cannot use speakers, then obviously you gotta do what you gotta do. But nowithstanding the input of old studio hands like Jim Roseberry, you might do better to check reviews and forums more frequented by people who actually have exposure to lots of sets of headphones with actual mixing experience on them. A lot of people who say "X are the best I've ever used" are comparing them with ipod earbuds or $40 best buy headphones.

Sorry if this is being a downer, just trying to help you not waste money.
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Old 03-17-2009, 02:38 PM   #34
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Here is a list of the headphones that I have, and to be honest I have never looked at the model before (2 pair were given to me, 1 came with my stanton mixer, and I bought the sony 7506 and the ATH M-30).

Sony MDR-7506
Audio Technica ATH M30
Sony MDR CD250
AKG K-240
Stanton DJ-Pro60
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Old 03-17-2009, 03:01 PM   #35
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so is tehre a consensus about what headphones are best for JUST mixing (I already have 3 pair of monitoring headphones....
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Old 03-17-2009, 03:09 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sstillwell View Post
For comfort in long sessions and for their bass level (which is what I ALWAYS overdo on headphone mixes otherwise), I really like the Beyer DT 770 Pro/80.

Scott
Quote:
Originally Posted by 404NotFound View Post
+1. IMO nothing in this price range can beat them.
+1. These work for me - and i do quite a diverse range of music.
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Old 03-17-2009, 07:24 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Masarin View Post
Got AKG 271 S. Less bass than 240 but maybe some more detail in the mids... some people say. Haven't tried the 240 though.

/Jens
I have both the 240 and the 271S. Prefer the 271S (better isolation). I've created an EQ preset for both that is a "mirror" of their published frequency response and use it as an insert in the headphone out, allowing me to get more balanced results during mixing.
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Old 03-17-2009, 10:33 PM   #38
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K-240m's.

I've never associated "hyped high end" with K-240ms, but with Sonys...?
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Old 03-17-2009, 11:03 PM   #39
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Old 03-17-2009, 11:04 PM   #40
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k-240s here. Not too comfortable for long sessions. Gets fatiguing after a while...

Get something thats really comfortable. All this high and low bass won't make a difference if you're comforable listening to your music.
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