Poll: producing, mixing and mastering with headphones only?
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1534 posts since 13 Dec, 2016
I´m really curious to hear how many of you guys are making music using only headphones.
I could never work with studio monitors exclusively because my headphones are still revealing some details that even expensive speakers often miss, so I´m using both.
What about you?
I could never work with studio monitors exclusively because my headphones are still revealing some details that even expensive speakers often miss, so I´m using both.
What about you?
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- KVRAF
- 2587 posts since 19 Mar, 2008 from germany
I am surprised that here are some voters who use headphones only. Everyone
can do what he likes - of course. But if you use headphones only your songs
would sound "good" only on headphones. If that is your intention ...
can do what he likes - of course. But if you use headphones only your songs
would sound "good" only on headphones. If that is your intention ...
Last edited by enroe on Mon Oct 21, 2019 11:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
free mp3s + info: andy-enroe.de songs + weird stuff: enroe.de
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- KVRAF
- 3508 posts since 12 May, 2011
Out of 5 (so far) respondents I'm the only one not using headphones. I'm feeling lonely. And a little weird.
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thecontrolcentre thecontrolcentre https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=76240
- KVRAF
- 35168 posts since 27 Jul, 2005 from the wilds of wanny
I mainly just use headphones when I'm recording guitars, drums and vocals. Otherwise I may check a mix with them, but mainly I mix and master on my monitors.
@googly I always thought you were weird (in a good way)
@googly I always thought you were weird (in a good way)
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1534 posts since 13 Dec, 2016
When I started making music I didn´t have the money to buy good studio monitors, it was really frustrating and I had to use a cheap pair of computer speakers, I think it was one from sound blaster..
But even if I had the money to buy studio speakers, it would have been too loud to work with them in my flat
So no choice for me back then, pc speakers or headphones.
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- Banned
- 892 posts since 23 Jan, 2011
I have 3 pairs of monitors and 2 sets of headphones I use regularly. The more sound sources you mix on, the better.
- KVRAF
- 2755 posts since 5 Jun, 2011 from Preston, England, UK
60% headphones 30% Monitors 10% Eyes. If I could mix solely on my Monitors I would, as I prefer the space between. Unfortunately I live in a small upstairs flat, in an acoustically untreated room. The mice also get pissy about the noise
The inner workings of vurts mind are a force to be reckoned with.
music is a need in my life...yes I could survive without it but tbh I dont know how
myfeebleeffort
https://paulroach2.bandcamp.com/
https://hearthis.at/83hdtrvm/
music is a need in my life...yes I could survive without it but tbh I dont know how
myfeebleeffort
https://paulroach2.bandcamp.com/
https://hearthis.at/83hdtrvm/
- KVRAF
- 4590 posts since 7 Jun, 2012 from Warsaw
I'm used to headphones for long working sessions, only use monitors for reality check at later stage.
Also, using visual feedback tools, such as Izotope Tonal Balance Control, not only yields better results, but is many times faster than doing same things by ear.
Also, using visual feedback tools, such as Izotope Tonal Balance Control, not only yields better results, but is many times faster than doing same things by ear.
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Tricky-Loops wrote: (...)someone like Armin van Buuren who claims to make a track in half an hour and all his songs sound somewhat boring(...)
Tricky-Loops wrote: (...)someone like Armin van Buuren who claims to make a track in half an hour and all his songs sound somewhat boring(...)
- KVRAF
- 15269 posts since 8 Mar, 2005 from Utrecht, Holland
Actually, when working at lower volumes you get a better product.enCiphered wrote: ↑Mon Oct 21, 2019 11:49 pm But even if I had the money to buy studio speakers, it would have been too loud to work with them in my flat
So no choice for me back then, pc speakers or headphones.
A mix made at low volume usually translates quite well to playing loud, where as a mix made at high volume rarely sounds balanced when played at a sensible level.
We are the KVR collective. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.
My MusicCalc is served over https!!
My MusicCalc is served over https!!
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Distorted Horizon Distorted Horizon https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=392076
- Banned
- 3882 posts since 17 Jan, 2017 from Planet of cats
Even though I work with headphones only, I still need to check the song balance with 2.1 pc speakers, monitors and home stereo to be sure that it sounds good everywhere.
- Banned
- 2288 posts since 24 Mar, 2015 from Toronto, Canada
I mix and master on monitors, then flip back and forth between them and decent head phones. I then test on everything right down to a set of cheap computer desktop speakers I own.
Spotify Soundcloud Soundclick
Gear & Setup: Windows 10, Dual Xeon, 32GB RAM, Cubase 10.5/9.5, NI Komplete Audio 6, NI Maschine, NI Jam, NI Kontakt
Gear & Setup: Windows 10, Dual Xeon, 32GB RAM, Cubase 10.5/9.5, NI Komplete Audio 6, NI Maschine, NI Jam, NI Kontakt
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- KVRAF
- 3508 posts since 12 May, 2011
That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me all week!thecontrolcentre wrote: ↑Mon Oct 21, 2019 11:25 pm ...
@googly I always thought you were weird (in a good way)
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el-bo (formerly ebow) el-bo (formerly ebow) https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=208007
- KVRAF
- 16369 posts since 24 May, 2009 from A galaxy, far far away
Testing on different systems can help, but it's impossible to cover the diverse range of devices that people use, all of which will have a different way of representing your mix. Checking how well it sounds in mono, in headphones, and on speakers will help, but using visual mixing cues and reference tracks will help bridge the gaps in between.