Steven Slate VSX Headphone

[bmanic]

Awesome to hear you got the Atom! I'm extremely tempted to get something similar for myself, though I suspect the headphone output of my RME BabyFace Pro is good enough.. I'm still tempted!

This is my current workflow:

1) I start the mix using the Archon Nearfield monitors. They seem to have a nice rather narrow stereo spread which I find makes setting up the mix elements and their initial volume levels and panning the easiest, to get a coherent mix going. These are also the monitors I use in VSX when creating my synth presets as they reveal the important mids and high-mids very well. I seem to hear most details with these.

2) Once I've got the basics setup I usually switch to Archon Midfields to do the majority of work for the mix. I find it exceptionally easy to get front to back depth done well on these. Really critical mix elements like solo vocals or basically any element that is nr 1, 2 or 3 in the mix I usually double check their frequency response and do most my main EQing on the Howie Engineer position. I work fast here and try to only stay "in the room" for about 2 minutes at most, then switch back to Archon Midfields and continue the overall mix.

3) Once the majority of the mix is done, I usually switch to Howie Engineer position and do all my volume automation there. I then double check my volume rides in the NRG Nearfield position and do any revisions there.

4) Final mixbus processing, before sending to client, is done through Howie Engineer position (mainly frequency response related) and Acrhon Midfield. At this stage I do also check through all the other rooms available, to see if something stands out badly (usually doesn't) and then fix those potential problems.

So overall I'd say about 70% of the work is Archon Midfields, 15% on Howie Engineer position, 10% Archon Nearfields and then the remaining 5% for the other rooms.

[d-s-m]

Does the plugin for these headphones require either cloud or ilok dongle? As I've just had to uninstall that Slate Fresh Air plugin because of this.....my music computer is offline and not interested in using an ilok dongle, so this is a no buy for me if it is.

[legendCNCD]

Does the plugin for these headphones require either cloud or ilok dongle?

It does (either one).

[dark water]

Does the plugin for these headphones require either cloud or ilok dongle?

It does (either one).

It also offers you the option of running as ilok license tied to your computer.
One confirmation needed (via internet / ilok manager software) of the license on your computer and then every other time will work offline.

This is the option that has been working for me very happily since the weekend.

[dark water]

Awesome to hear you got the Atom! I'm extremely tempted to get something similar for myself, though I suspect the headphone output of my RME BabyFace Pro is good enough.. I'm still tempted!

This is my current workflow:

1) I start the mix using the Archon Nearfield monitors. They seem to have a nice rather narrow stereo spread which I find makes setting up the mix elements and their initial volume levels and panning the easiest, to get a coherent mix going. These are also the monitors I use in VSX when creating my synth presets as they reveal the important mids and high-mids very well. I seem to hear most details with these.

2) Once I've got the basics setup I usually switch to Archon Midfields to do the majority of work for the mix. I find it exceptionally easy to get front to back depth done well on these. Really critical mix elements like solo vocals or basically any element that is nr 1, 2 or 3 in the mix I usually double check their frequency response and do most my main EQing on the Howie Engineer position. I work fast here and try to only stay "in the room" for about 2 minutes at most, then switch back to Archon Midfields and continue the overall mix.

3) Once the majority of the mix is done, I usually switch to Howie Engineer position and do all my volume automation there. I then double check my volume rides in the NRG Nearfield position and do any revisions there.

4) Final mixbus processing, before sending to client, is done through Howie Engineer position (mainly frequency response related) and Acrhon Midfield. At this stage I do also check through all the other rooms available, to see if something stands out badly (usually doesn't) and then fix those potential problems.

So overall I'd say about 70% of the work is Archon Midfields, 15% on Howie Engineer position, 10% Archon Nearfields and then the remaining 5% for the other rooms.

Excellent - thanks for those suggestions bmanic

Yep, the Atom is a really great value for money amp (and DAC as well) but tbh you might not see much benefit, if any at all, compared to your Babyface Pro.

[Passing Bye]

Anyone knows, can Macbook's headphone out drive these cans properly?

[legendCNCD]

I updated Aphex Headpod 4 to Topping L30. Tighter and better transient response, also can drive small in-ears without hissing. Nice.

[kitkonis]

I hate ILOOK - is there any way around it?
Also I use sonarworks hd650 pre-calibrated headphones - and im good with it but.....
the slate stuff looks impressive. Should I wait for the next batch? will there will an updated version of the headphones or this is it and I should just buy the leftovers in different stores?

[Passing Bye]

I hate ILOOK - is there any way around it?
Also I use sonarworks hd650 pre-calibrated headphones - and im good with it but.....
the slate stuff looks impressive. Should I wait for the next batch? will there will an updated version of the headphones or this is it and I should just buy the leftovers in different stores?

Maybe try this?
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=554121

[kitkonis]

I hate ILOOK - is there any way around it?
Also I use sonarworks hd650 pre-calibrated headphones - and im good with it but.....
the slate stuff looks impressive. Should I wait for the next batch? will there will an updated version of the headphones or this is it and I should just buy the leftovers in different stores?

Maybe try this?
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=554121

thanks.

[d-s-m]

I hate ILOOK - is there any way around it?

What's the big deal? Yeah ilok is a bit annoying, but you don't have to use the dongle, you only need an account.

[Digivolt]

So how are you all finding these cans some months after release ? Still enjoying the sound ? Has it improved your mixes ? How are they holding up structurally, are the cups seeing any sign of wear & tear ?

[legendCNCD]

Enjoying mixing and making music in virtual rooms, using mainly Archon Mids. Now the bass is not such a problem anymore, last premix was sounding more like mixed (in terms of level and quick balance) and was quite easy and quick to achieve. I have no problem with build quality at least yet =)
I seem to be making better decisions for sounds (can hear bass range properly!) and overall reverb & panning.

[bmanic]

I can't mix without them any more. It's such a huge jump up from what I was using previously at home (various headphones, mainly AKG K701 + Toneboosters Morphit + GoodHertz CanOpener). Mixes translate a lot better and I can for the first time mix completely confidently and just try to get the best mix I can whereas before I had to always compensate and be a bit careful with the amount of compression/panning/reverb etc. It's all a lot easier with the VSX headphones.

No wear/tear yet on my pre-release pair which I've had since August.

[vanielik]

Did anyone measure the weight of the vsx headphones?
Cant find anything about this in the specs.
Wondering how comfortable they are in a long mixing session.
Im used to work with R70X...