What's In Your Studio?

[nknjmes]

Most of my guitars and my amp are from my band playing days. I just switched over to Pro Tools from an old version of Cakewalk and I'm adding Sound Forge 9 so I can edit in 24 bit.So I'm expecting my recording sound to improve some more.Dell pcPro Tools M-Powered410 FirewireShure KSM27 MicShure SM57 MicFocusrite Trakmaster Compressor/Mic PreEvent 20/20 AR SpeakersMatchless DC-30 AmpPodXT Digital Amp ModulerGibson Les PaulG&L ASAT (telecaster)Taylor 12 StringTaylor NylonGibson J45 AcousticRickenbacker 330Mandolin4 String BanjoSquire Jazz BassMost vocal tracks I send out to a friend or two.www.taxi.com/jw

[suezq]

Well... I'm getting a new toy! I bought a Korg PA1X Pro from a guy I met on the Korg Forum boards. He should be mailing it Mon. or Tues. If anyone close to me (NE OKLA) has one of these, I may need some help! Old keyboards include:Korg i3 ( which I use)Ensoniq SQ1 and Alesis Data Disk Drive (which I don't use)Ensoniq Mirage (which I don't use)Any suggestions as to what to do with these old keyboards?... I hate to just throw them away. SueZQ

[sgs4u]

Hey everyone,I decided to get some new headphones a cople of days ago. I thought to myself - the Gear Thread, sure that'll be a great place to see what everyone uses.It seems to me, headphones are a pretty crucial component of everyone's set up. The might be more important than the treatment of your room, if that's how you mix to. I work with headphones on, almost exclusively. There must be a lot of you in the same situation, you can't go really loud all the time in your house? Right?I read through all of these very awesome & imposing gear lists you've all contributed with, but only Vikki mentions her headphones, Koss ur/29 headphones. Sorry if I missed someone else, let me know.So, who uses headphones they're really happy with, and what do you power them with? What piece of gear feeds the signal into your headphones, as well?My computer feeds into a 828mkII, and out of that into a Mackie mixer. I'm ready to buy, but what should I get?

[booker]

I really like my Sony MDR-V202. They just seem to be a reliable set of ears for me.

[edteja]

My SONY MDR-7506 phones are lovely and easy to wear for long periods--I have them on too much.

[allends]

Quote:My SONY MDR-7506 phones are lovely and easy to wear for long periods--I have them on too much.Hi Ed,I'm in the same boat as Steve: I mix with headphones and I need to upgrade. I listen to my mixes on my speakers too but they're not studio grade (I'll upgrade those later).You say you're happy with your SONY MDR-7506. I notice they are a hot item at Sweetwater http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MDR7506 and the price is quite low. That makes me wonder how much better the more expensive headphones might be: Interesting Topic #1:I would be interested to read opinions about the incremental benefits of high-end headphones over the say, your MDR-7506, or other well-regarded moderately priced headphones. Interesting Topic #2:I would also really like to read some opinions about mixing with headphones versus monitor mixing. Can you trust your ears when mixing with headphones anywhere near as well as a good pair of monitors?Keepin' It Quiet For The Wife & Kids,Allen

[nickbatzdorf]

Topic #2: no way. But they are a useful reference.

[grandmatarkin]

I also have the Sennheiser 280 pro... Just like songwriter said, good cost-sound balance.

[mazz]

I'm with Nick 100% on this one. Headphones are great for recording in the middle of the night and also for checking things like stereo panning and for hearing little clicks and pops, buzzes, etc. I work in headphones over half the time but I always mix on speakers. I have some brown Sonys that I can't remember the model number of. (EDIT: MDR V90HD) They were around 150.00. They sound fine. I was looking at the Ultrasones because the drivers don't point right at the ears and they looked pretty comfortable but I haven't gone any further. Anyone have those and are happy with them?I'm of the opinon that one can get to know a set of speakers and a room and "mix around" many of the deficiencies. What this takes, though, is serious listening to those mixes on other systems, boom boxes, cars, etc. in order to recognize what's going on. This way, one can say, "Well if there's too much bass on my studio speakers, it's probably going to average out to a good balance when it's played elsewhere". In other words, you get to know your system. It's also helpful to have a set of cheap computer speakers to switch to as a reality check. If your bass is breaking those things up at a medium level then you probably need to turn it down! Of course, you need to get to know those babies as well.It may be possible to acheive the same results with headphones, (and now many people listen to music on headphones/iPods so it may make sense to mix to that audience) but if your music is targeted to TV and Film then you need to listen to it on speakers as that is how most of the intended audience will hear it. It's taken me years of practice to begin to achieve mixes that I am happy with. It's part of the territory of an independent composer/producer.Good luck,Mazz

[spariam]

Quote:My SONY MDR-7506 phones are lovely and easy to wear for long periods--I have them on too much.That's what I use as well - those are great headphones and were actually recommened to my by a local producer. I do almost everything in headphones (due to having a studio in the same house as my family), but mix on speakers in the end.