You CAN... but the mix won't translate. Do what you want man, you don't have to take my word for it. Just telling you how it is.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Monitors or Headphones more important?
- Thread starter Phry
- Start date
You CAN... but the mix won't translate. Do what you want man, you don't have to take my word for it. Just telling you how it is.
Monkey bass is not being bull****. IME & IMHO, with headphone, it's really true that there's a clear limit for finding well balanced representation of the sound. I started MIDI with the "composer" program that worked with the adlib FM synth card and I also did lots of mixes through headphones. I was one of people strongly believed in monitoring headphones for a good mixing capability.
However, it became completely challenged when I started going recording studios for professional mix. I was always in trouble when I played my mix in studios because they sounded quite different no matter how good monitoring headphone I used. Even if then I got decent decent monitoring speakers, it was not over. I had to spend lots of money to treat my room to absorb unnecessary reflections on the wall.... I'm just putting my 2 cents here
However, it became completely challenged when I started going recording studios for professional mix. I was always in trouble when I played my mix in studios because they sounded quite different no matter how good monitoring headphone I used. Even if then I got decent decent monitoring speakers, it was not over. I had to spend lots of money to treat my room to absorb unnecessary reflections on the wall.... I'm just putting my 2 cents here
Monkey bass is not being bull****. IME & IMHO, with headphone, it's really true that there's a clear limit for finding well balanced representation of the sound. I started MIDI with the "composer" program that worked with the adlib FM synth card and I also did lots of mixes through headphones. I was one of people strongly believed in monitoring headphones for a good mixing capability.
However, it became completely challenged when I started going recording studios for professional mix. I was always in trouble when I played my mix in studios because they sounded quite different no matter how good monitoring headphone I used. Even if then I got decent decent monitoring speakers, it was not over. I had to spend lots of money to treat my room to absorb unnecessary reflections on the wall.... I'm just putting my 2 cents here
I was only calling the statement "you CANNOT mix with headphones" BS. Because you can.
I also said that Monitors are better.
But it seems to me, based purely on what I've read and heard from others, that if you have a pair of cheap monitors (say around $100 for the pair) that they will be inferior to equally priced headphones. It seems that unless you at least get into the mid-100s that the headphones will be just as good, if not better.
But even just a $300 pair of Rokit monitors would be better than even a $100 pair of monitor headphones, so if you can afford to save a bit, do it.
This isn't my opinion or my experience, but rather me simply quoting what I've read/heard from people more experienced than me. I will say though that I have been doing some live mixing and a little bit of recording and so far monitor headphones have been more than enough for my needs. But, I haven't had to do full band mixes for CDs. So I don't have enough experience for my personal opinion to have any weight.
But anyway, I'm starting to ramble. To summarize:
According to what research that I've done (NOT first hand experience):
- High end studio monitors are the best for mixing.
- Low end studio monitors are inferior to high end monitor headphones for mixing.
- Anything less than that is not suitable for mixing.
This is true. But even number two is a bit of a grey area.
And I shouldn't have made the blanket statement of "you can't mix with headphones." because technically you can. It's just not recommended. If you really want to start getting into this stuff you'll save yourself a lot of headache by just saving some money and getting some decent monitors. Otherwise you'll be mixing and remixing and remixing and wondering why it sounds so awesome in your headphones and so crappy in your car or home stereo.
I don't disagree at all with any of this post. Good monitors are a solid investment if you want to go anywhere with recording.
Now I see your point!
IMHO, high end studio monitor + well treated room that doesn't earn any complaints for loud volume should be the ideal. I would only go to headphones if I fail on having the room treated with loud volume.
What I would like to emphasize as my personal opinion is importance of the room treatment, good location of the speaker with proper stand, and good sound isolation accessories for the monitoring speakers.
For me, I would still choose low end monitoring speakers and I will buy cheap auralex packages for room treatment, GC has them for a good price!
Just my $0.02,
With everyone putting their 2 cents on this subject I think the OP could afford his own monitors by now. However I think everyone has managed to forget the OP entirely with regard to his purpose and budget.
If the OP is just mixing his stuff for fun and has a small budget then there's nothing wrong with headphones as a starting point for mixing. in time when he starts to mix the next radiohead album then yeah he might wanna invest in some monitors .....and a professional studio with a neve or ssl console...
If the OP is just mixing his stuff for fun and has a small budget then there's nothing wrong with headphones as a starting point for mixing. in time when he starts to mix the next radiohead album then yeah he might wanna invest in some monitors .....and a professional studio with a neve or ssl console...
hm... for me, I didn't really think of OP in anyway at this time. i think he alreadt got answers for what he wants. I just shared thoughts with people post comments here.
Suggesting this is the level you need to be to get a good mix with studio monitors is way off the target.
The OP asked if headphones or monitors are better for mixing. The answer is the same regardless of your level of professionalism, if you're mixing Radiohead through an SSL board, or if you're mixing stuff you recorded in your bedroom with a cassette 4-track. The answer is, and always will be, that monitors are better. The laws of physics make it so.
Here's further reading:
Amazon.com: master handbook of acoustics: Books
and
Amazon.com: Critical Listening Skills for Audio Professionals (9781598630237): F. Alton Everest: Books
Not trying to be smug or a knowitall, it's just a fact.
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
Yes i understand. and the mixing console suggestion was just a hyperbole.
There is no question that anything will ever replace the monitors. Im not disputing monitors are better or have ever said headphones are the best bet.
Im simply saying to the OP headphones are a great starting point. the natural progression would be to get monitors down the line.
I personally go with both. Every professional audio engineer should have a great pair of headphones with a great pair of monitors IMHO. but for the sake of the OP im just suggesting headphones as a starting point, not the end point.
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
If you're mixing loud enough to receive noise complaints in an untreated room then you're probably mixing too loud. A mediocre mix would sound good with the volume cranked high but would sound boring with it turned down. Whereas a mix that sounds good at a low volume will sound even better at a high volume.
Just a tip I'd like to share.
Yes, you are right. Too much loudness is never needed. Unfortunately, there are so many badly constructed living places like near typical college apartments do not provide such a space that is needed for the marginal signal level of output for monitoring unless you are going to bother neighbors.
