Well said Barry! I have a good set of both studio monitors and headphones. They key to this all is, perception. Mixing above all is an art. If you can get great mixes using headphones , then by all means..Mix through headphones. Thanks for the great video!
I would add to this: 80% or 90% of the music today is heard thru headphones/earbuds. (and the remaining 10% are heard thru mono "bluetooth/teeth smart speakers" and public transport annoucements....) Consequently don't imagine your mix heard thru a bat-ears-audiophile-setup with 5 feet tall speakers.
I mix exclusively in headphones and what I’ve done is to learn them. I listen to everything thru them. That way I can mix knowing how they sound and adapt to that. Supplement that with reference songs and checking in the car and home stereo and you will get mixes that translate no problem but it will take time to get it right.
Interesting video ----- You are so correct that one needs flat monitors and headphones. I use Neumann KH310's, KH120's/KH750 and KH150 monitors. I also use Neumann NDH 20 and NDH 30 headphones.
@@chemdrum I have a dozen headphones, including Focal and Audeze. I find that the Neuman headphones are the best for studio use. In particular, the NDH 30's are the ones I now use when I use headphones for mixing and mastering. They are very flat and colorless.
@@teashea1 nice!! I’ve been looking at those for a while now. Are those open or closed back? I’m currently using the Audio Technica ATH-M50Xs and they sound pretty good.
Great stuff as always Barry! I've always been mixing on headphones and like you said, I would check in the car and my home sound bar(with sub) to see how it translates. You think you can talk about pre fader metering and post fader metering? I've always been a pre fader metering kind of guy while recording and mixing lol
I don't think you should ever mix with one but both. Speakers are great for arranging and general ideas, headphones allow you to really zoom in without room modes but also give another reference point which is exactly what you need - as many reference points as possible. I did my best mixes going back and forth on monitors and headphones, but during the time I also worked with my headphones as monitoring tools, so I had pretty good idea of what the source material sounded through a huge PA and through my headphones. I think most studio engineers would benefit greatly working with real PA systems for a while, it really allows you to understand the systems you're actually mixing for instead of mixing for youtube or the other platforms.
Thank you for this great video, what about headphone amps ? I use neuman ngh 30 that recently bought and wondering if my audient id14 is driving it to full potential or not, i still get better quality with my older audio technica ath m50 tbh.
I found that mixing with headphones is working but using cross mix between left-right in your headphone amp is very helpful as well. Beside a good headphone amp. Most of the standard interfaces have poor headphone amps by the way.
Hi Barri- didn't mention the Stereo, Sound Stage & Cross Feed that you get but don't get w/ Headphones. I just but 5 Beyerdynamics from dt770's,. dt990 250 ohms, .dt900 Pro X to dt1990. (990 250 ohs were ear fatiging the (900 Pro X were more like Semi Open Back ) the dt 1990 sounded the best for $517.47 w/ TAX shipped ( during Blk. Friday ) still returned them all Boiught Auratonesd 5C ATIVES but still want very goo Headphiones for Rewferenceing MIx /Masters Please let me know what you prefer for Mixin/Mastering Headphone ...Senn ... 600 or 650's?..) Thx You George Amodei
I am very surprised (based on on your previous content) you haven't covered this yet. As always great info, especially for beginners. Would love a review of Modeling Headphones as a backup to this... 🫣
I have been looking at the reviews for those Steven Slate headphones that purport to model all the environments you would ever need. Given my limited work area (no way I can get a good room sound where I am setup in the house and that cant change) - this seems like a good option - the legitimate reviews are very positive - anyone have any thoughts?
I’m looking for the interface as an upgrade to Duet iOS, which I had to part ways with. I don’t want to loose anything in pres and converters sound quality. Can you please recommend an interface for me ideally under $1k, but if something is really good maybe more
@@tx3851 thanks for your reply. I’ve had experience with Focusrite Scarlett and Focusrite Forte. Both of them sounded considerably worse than Duet. Have they improved much?
@@fam0usright This particular 8 pre x has better convertors, in my opinion....They are equally as good as the Red series....It was only on the market briefly.....Anyone I know who has one, state they love the 8 pre x....I also has x2 ADAT for expansion....
If you can't hear it it doesn't exist a headphone mix is essential and better for your ears You want your gain knob to give you some gain don't mix loud af engineers today still don't have a grasp on how modern ppl consume music. Mix with an ear to your audience nobody wants listening pain or fatigue.
Hey Barry. Have you tried or reviewed the latest Slate VSX headphone system? They have a reduced price entry level package with fewer rooms for $300. I got it and it’s pretty decent.
I just got some for Christmas. They are actually quite revealing. Kinda weird for workflow and routing if it’s on the mix bus. But the emulations are really quite good and reveal any weaknesses in my mixes. It literally sounds like you are in a room. You forget you are wearing them.
Jeff is right on the VSX headphone system with the plug in. After VSX, you don’t need anything else! I know it’s hard to believe but it’s not like your mixing on headphones with VSX. It’s revolutionary.
Why not mix on consumer-grade earpods (I don’t)? That’s what our contemporary listener is using. Why don’t we want outer product to sound as good as possible on the predominant platform? The first time I mixed an album on a cheap boombox, I was amazed. It still translates, btw.
The “debate” (and I have been at this game even longer than you!, lol), has changed focus. 90% of listeners in this current world are listening on phones or ears. So any concerns about making music sound great on studio monitors are moot. Screw the room! My room sux! But I have learned my how music should sound like in my phones (just like we used to do on our monitors). Even worse, the current generation of music consumer has accepted a lesser quality of presentation. We, sir, are fast becoming dinosaurs
I find the Sony MDR-7506's to be very flat. I've A/B'd with Sonarworks correction on and off and it's so subtle that I just leave it au naturel. Under $100!
Slate vsx great detail, mixes Translate not a gimmick like waves. special headphone designs
Well said Barry! I have a good set of both studio monitors and headphones. They key to this all is, perception. Mixing above all is an art. If you can get great mixes using headphones , then by all means..Mix through headphones. Thanks for the great video!
I prefer mix in my studio, but now I'm mixing in Ollo S4x headphones with Dsoniq Realphones and it's great ;)
I just recently purchased Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro. I also use it with realphones software. One of the best purchases I’ve made for my studio.
Looking to grab some Beyer 700 pro's upgrading from some MDR 7506's I've used for ages with SoundID Reference correction
Could you do a video on your opinion towards modelling plugins for mixing on headphones, please.
I wonder if they are worth anything professionally
I would add to this: 80% or 90% of the music today is heard thru headphones/earbuds.
(and the remaining 10% are heard thru mono "bluetooth/teeth smart speakers" and public transport annoucements....)
Consequently don't imagine your mix heard thru a bat-ears-audiophile-setup with 5 feet tall speakers.
Great point.
I use Sennheiser H650s for part of my mixing process and they get me close before I move to my ADAMs for the final mix
Wait....we need headphone recommendations :)
If money no object then I suggest Beyerdynamic DT1990 pro…
If money is tight… I’d suggest the Audio Technical M50x
@@RodneyD I heard NDH 30 can be better? And senheiser just release the new HD 660 S2
@@chenxi1619
I haven’t heard those yet..
Good video. Some product recommendations would be great. Maybe in another video?
I mix exclusively in headphones and what I’ve done is to learn them. I listen to everything thru them. That way I can mix knowing how they sound and adapt to that. Supplement that with reference songs and checking in the car and home stereo and you will get mixes that translate no problem but it will take time to get it right.
Interesting video ----- You are so correct that one needs flat monitors and headphones. I use Neumann KH310's, KH120's/KH750 and KH150 monitors. I also use Neumann NDH 20 and NDH 30 headphones.
How are the NDH 20s and 30s?
@@chemdrum I have a dozen headphones, including Focal and Audeze. I find that the Neuman headphones are the best for studio use. In particular, the NDH 30's are the ones I now use when I use headphones for mixing and mastering. They are very flat and colorless.
@@teashea1 nice!! I’ve been looking at those for a while now. Are those open or closed back? I’m currently using the Audio Technica ATH-M50Xs and they sound pretty good.
@@chemdrum 20's are closed back and 30's are open back
I cross between DT770 Pros and M-Audio BX5's. Room's untreated, however, I always get a nice full sound because I know what my room does to the mix.
🔥advice BJ ... speaking of mixing , that TotalMix FX thing ... yep... we're still here!
Ps just got the NDH 30 for that very reason.
Can you suggest some good options for mixing headphones?
I’m in the process of reviewing some right now, standby air probably be another 30 days before that video comes out as I’ve been so busy.
Great stuff as always Barry! I've always been mixing on headphones and like you said, I would check in the car and my home sound bar(with sub) to see how it translates. You think you can talk about pre fader metering and post fader metering? I've always been a pre fader metering kind of guy while recording and mixing lol
Mixed on headphones for years...all in the box. Really happy with the results!
Any recommendations on a good set of headphones Barry?
I don't think you should ever mix with one but both. Speakers are great for arranging and general ideas, headphones allow you to really zoom in without room modes but also give another reference point which is exactly what you need - as many reference points as possible. I did my best mixes going back and forth on monitors and headphones, but during the time I also worked with my headphones as monitoring tools, so I had pretty good idea of what the source material sounded through a huge PA and through my headphones. I think most studio engineers would benefit greatly working with real PA systems for a while, it really allows you to understand the systems you're actually mixing for instead of mixing for youtube or the other platforms.
These headphones are not typical headphones, try them.
Thank you for this great video, what about headphone amps ? I use neuman ngh 30 that recently bought and wondering if my audient id14 is driving it to full potential or not, i still get better quality with my older audio technica ath m50 tbh.
Ps on paper they mention id14 can drive up to 600 ohm , and Ndh 30 is 250 ohm, but i cant feel it uses it true power
.. for tracking particulary …
I found that mixing with headphones is working but using cross mix between left-right in your headphone amp is very helpful as well. Beside a good headphone amp. Most of the standard interfaces have poor headphone amps by the way.
I tried mixing on headphones but it's doesn't work for me, I only test on them.
Hi Barri- didn't mention the Stereo, Sound Stage & Cross Feed that you get but don't get w/ Headphones. I just but 5 Beyerdynamics from dt770's,. dt990 250 ohms, .dt900 Pro X to dt1990. (990 250 ohs were ear fatiging the (900 Pro X were more like Semi Open Back ) the dt 1990 sounded the best for $517.47 w/ TAX shipped ( during Blk. Friday ) still returned them all Boiught Auratonesd 5C ATIVES but still want very goo Headphiones for Rewferenceing MIx /Masters Please let me know what you prefer for Mixin/Mastering Headphone ...Senn ... 600 or 650's?..) Thx You George Amodei
I am very surprised (based on on your previous content) you haven't covered this yet. As always great info, especially for beginners. Would love a review of Modeling Headphones as a backup to this... 🫣
I have been looking at the reviews for those Steven Slate headphones that purport to model all the environments you would ever need. Given my limited work area (no way I can get a good room sound where I am setup in the house and that cant change) - this seems like a good option - the legitimate reviews are very positive - anyone have any thoughts?
I’m looking for the interface as an upgrade to Duet iOS, which I had to part ways with. I don’t want to loose anything in pres and converters sound quality. Can you please recommend an interface for me ideally under $1k, but if something is really good maybe more
A used Focusrite Clarett 8 pre x. ....the convertors are amazing for the price.....
@@tx3851 thanks for your reply. I’ve had experience with Focusrite Scarlett and Focusrite Forte. Both of them sounded considerably worse than Duet. Have they improved much?
Why not buy another Duet, the Duet 3 can be used with IOS with a USB3 hub.
@@fam0usright This particular 8 pre x has better convertors, in my opinion....They are equally as good as the Red series....It was only on the market briefly.....Anyone I know who has one, state they love the 8 pre x....I also has x2 ADAT for expansion....
@@BarryJohns thanks for your reply. Do you think Duet 3 will be better than Duet iOS? It would be good to have some upgrade
If you can't hear it it doesn't exist a headphone mix is essential and better for your ears You want your gain knob to give you some gain don't mix loud af engineers today still don't have a grasp on how modern ppl consume music. Mix with an ear to your audience nobody wants listening pain or fatigue.
I've started using the MM-500 headphones more than my focal monitors
How does it sound?
Hey Barry. Have you tried or reviewed the latest Slate VSX headphone system? They have a reduced price entry level package with fewer rooms for $300. I got it and it’s pretty decent.
I would like to check them out but have not had the opportunity to get. Ask them on Facebook/Instagram to send me a pair to review.
I just got some for Christmas. They are actually quite revealing. Kinda weird for workflow and routing if it’s on the mix bus. But the emulations are really quite good and reveal any weaknesses in my mixes. It literally sounds like you are in a room. You forget you are wearing them.
Jeff is right on the VSX headphone system with the plug in. After VSX, you don’t need anything else! I know it’s hard to believe but it’s not like your mixing on headphones with VSX. It’s revolutionary.
VSX changed my life. 100%
Why not mix on consumer-grade earpods (I don’t)? That’s what our contemporary listener is using. Why don’t we want outer product to sound as good as possible on the predominant platform? The first time I mixed an album on a cheap boombox, I was amazed. It still translates, btw.
I still hear as many car stereos jamming as when I was young.
The “debate” (and I have been at this game even longer than you!, lol), has changed focus. 90% of listeners in this current world are listening on phones or ears. So any concerns about making music sound great on studio monitors are moot. Screw the room! My room sux! But I have learned my how music should sound like in my phones (just like we used to do on our monitors). Even worse, the current generation of music consumer has accepted a lesser quality of presentation. We, sir, are fast becoming dinosaurs
Whoever comes across this and are in the market for a pair of nice mixing cans, checkout the Neumann NDH-30's. They are fantastic.
💯
VSX =GAME CHANGER
They are sending me a set to check out and review
I find the Sony MDR-7506's to be very flat. I've A/B'd with Sonarworks correction on and off and it's so subtle that I just leave it au naturel. Under $100!
First. Sorry not sorry. 🙏
I hate headphones :)