Headphones

[zircon]

I've been using headphones nearly exclusively for years to do ALL parts of the writing, sequencing, mixing, and mastering process for my own music. My stuff isn't perfect, but IMO I get pretty good results. The more time you spend with your 'phones, the better you know their weaknesses... it also helps to do a LOT of listening on them so you can hear how your music differs from other tracks in the same genre. I occasionally use a simple pair of computer speakers with a subwoofer just to see if I can really feel the bass on my dance tunes, but otherwise, it's all headphones.For a couple years I used a pair of Sennheiser eh2200s (or e2200, can't remember) which are now out of production. Though I produced my first two albums on them, one of which I've licensed in its entirety, they were a little uncomfortable to wear over long periods of time. They're also closed, which I think is usually NOT a good thing for accuracy. So, recently I switched to Beyerdynamic DT880s (2003 model) which have been fantastic. At first, I was a little surprised. While I could hear more detail, some of my own songs sounded off. Of course, once I compared them to some songs by The Crystal Method and Prodigy, I saw that it was my mastering that had some subtle problems, and I was able to fix them.I still use these cans today. They're extremely comfortable, detailed, and semi-open. That last feature means that I get only a few db of sound attenuation - I can otherwise hear everything going on nearby, and the leakage is excessive. However, this isn't an issue in my workspace.

[aubreyz]

There are some great suggestions on this thread. Thought I would add my experience FWIW.The Sony 7506 family are great tracking headphones IMHO. Very tight- so little leakage, very efficient- so about any headphone amp will drive several pair with no problem, very bright - which is usually what talent wants in their cans anyway. However, for checking mixes and that kind of thing, they are too bright, too "disco smile" for an accurate representation.Beyer makes great phones IMHO. Though not in my arsenal now, I used to have several pair. Sennheisers are good too. Some of the best for Voice Over work, IMHO --- but too thin and bright for mixing.The phones I have used for years to check mixes are the AKG 240m. They are calibrated flat, sound great, accurate--- but alas have been discontinued I think. Also, they are pretty high impedance so you have to drive them harder to get adequate SPL, and they bleed too, so not great for tracking, but they are very comfortable.If I was on a island and could only have one set of headphones--- it would be the 240m hands down, but part of that is you grow to love what you have used the most (and I think I had my first pair somewhere around 1989 )Aub

[justinatrecording]

Lots of good thoughts...I would only add that you should really consider separate headphones for tracking and mixing/listening. (by tracking, I mean the headphones the musician wears while playing). Good tracking cans, like the 7506's, are bright and upfront and have good isolation. Reference quality headphones, however, won't necessarily give you a nice hyped sound that is fun for tracking. Also, the Sennheisers require a lot of power to drive them well, so they might lag for tracking volumes.Oh, and it would be a bummer to blow out a set of $500 headphones when tracking. Instead, check these out: http://www.itrstudio.com/moreme.htmlIf the HD 600's are too expensive, check out the HD 580's. They're cheaper, IMHO more neutral in the highs, but maybe not as greatly resolved. But they still rock--I've had a pair for years and love them. Others like the 600's better.Cheers,Justin

[sgs4u]

I've owned many AKG's, and blown up 3 pairs of Sony, by leaving them lying around while music was stil pumping into them. And I've bought at least 5 pairs of cheap units that just didn't hold up well. I'm still looking or a really great pair of open air phones, now that I have these closed Sennheisers. After about 12 hours of wearing these, the spring is squishing what's left of my brain matter out of my nose, so something lighter will be most welcome.

[justinatrecording]

Steve--check out the Sennheisers. They're really light and open, very comfortable for long periods of time... For me, they're a little tight when brand new, so I gently pull and stretch them to prevent the brain squeeze...

[stick]

Ultrasone ProLine 650s for me. Good for all of the above.