Question about studio monitoring/mixing

[Acix]

Quote:

 

Acix, can you differentiate between the 271 and 240 please (other than price, obviously)? Thanks.

The K-271MKll delivered very preside frequencies in the mids range (tracking vocals, violinsand other instruments in this frequencies range).
The K-240MKll have more bass, sound stage, and more treble  overall they are more flat compare to the K-702.

 

[kwkarth]

And the T50RPs are better than both of the AKGs, IMHO.

 

[xnor]

Quote:

The K-271MKll delivered very preside frequencies in the mids range (tracking vocals, violinsand other instruments in this frequencies range).
The K-240MKll have more bass, sound stage, and more treble  overall they are more flat compare to the K-702.

aha..
 

 
These akg's are far from being accurate. And what, flat??? Sorry, no way.
 
 
 
 
Quote (soundonsound.com):

Mixing with headphones is a challenge, as they are inherently inferior to loudspeakers in many ways.

 
 
I recommend to use headphones for monitoring / controlling purposes.

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

...
I recommend to use headphones for monitoring / controlling purposes.

Mixdown by headphone is becoming more and more popular because *listening* by headphone is becoming more and more popular.  I know major studios that are beginning to transition to a more headphone centric approach to all their music even as we speak.

 

[Bastido]

I would go with either ATH-M50 or Shure SRH-840. Personal choice is SRH-840. There is a pair of Sony studio headphones that is one of the faves of studio people but can't remember the exact model now. When I was researching studio headphones the M50 was fairly new on the market but many people said they were great for studio use and some preferred over the Sony. Since then I have bought the Shure SRH-840 and find them overall to be better, especially for comfort. I use them for electric guitar and just music listening and need a headphone that can hold up well and not distort, both the M50 and SRH-840 do that well and are in your price range.

 

[rhythmdevils]

there's about 2 of these studio recommendation threads every day.  i would recommend doing some searching.  search thread titles for words like studio, mixing, neutral

 

[rhythmdevils]

Quote:

And the T50RPs are better than both of the AKGs, IMHO.

interesting.  I'd really like to hear a stock pair of T50rp's some day.  I've heard the driver, but in a completely new enclosure made by Smeggy called Thunderpants.  So I know it has potential for greatness.  Does the T50rp have a balanced sound stock?

 

[saitoh]

I guess I'll be the outlayer and recommend the Westone UM3X. It's intended to be a monitor headphone for performers and not a general listening headphone as some use it here. Has great isolation (especially with the UM-56 tips) and is extremely detailed and rather accurate under about 7 or 8khz which is basically what you need when *monitoring*. I wouldn't mix anything mission critical that contains cymbols with them though, they have a spike around 10khz so you hear something and the brightness in a voice, but not much on either side, but it would at least get you started to the point of where you could do finer adjustments. Minorly bass heavy IME. ymmv

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

interesting.  I'd really like to hear a stock pair of T50rp's some day.  I've heard the driver, but in a completely new enclosure made by Smeggy called Thunderpants.  So I know it has potential for greatness.  Does the T50rp have a balanced sound stock?

My pair is still stock and sound very balanced.  They're very comfortable physically and sonically as well.  You can wear them all day and your ears won't fatigue.  Good detail without peakiness or stridency.  Good tight bass.
 

 

[xnor]

Quote:

Mixdown by headphone is becoming more and more popular because *listening* by headphone is becoming more and more popular.  I know major studios that are beginning to transition to a more headphone centric approach to all their music even as we speak.

Sure, but you're telling only half of the truth: a) these people know what they're doing and b) still use monitors and other kinds of speaker systems to check their mixes. I imagine a track mixed, mastered with headphones only would simply suck in terms of stereo imaging on speakers. It's very hard, if not impossible, to get a couple of things right with headphones. And people are not going to be happy with your creations if they sound great on headphones only.

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

Quote:

Sure, but you're telling only half of the truth: a) these people know what they're doing and b) still use monitors and other kinds of speaker systems to check their mixes. I imagine a track mixed, mastered with headphones only would simply suck in terms of stereo imaging on speakers. It's very hard, if not impossible, to get a couple of things right with headphones. And people are not going to be happy with your creations if they sound great on headphones only.

I never said that any studios use headphones only, I only said they are making them part of the process because headphone listening is becoming increasingly popular.  Please don't put words in my mouth, nor take them out.
Thanks,
k
 

 

[plonter]

Quote:

Not sure you gave a price.. The most flat/neutral headphone I heard are the Original NAGRA DT48S 5ohm..They are pretty scarce, so a used DT48e 8ohm makes a good alternative. They can be had used for 125-300.. Very durable.. No glue or plastic anywhere in the design.. The diaphram & magnet are not glued or stuck together, but are separated with their own enclosure. All steel construction with nuts & bolts. These are serious, professional grade monitoring headphones.. If you want emphasis of the highs, treble, bass, then they probably are not for you.. Very plain jane non, fatiguing sound. Very mid range centric IMO, but not forward sounding or offensive..
 
The 240DF is also a good choice.. CD900ST... 7605, which has been in production for over 20 yrs.. 2nd, only to the DT48 I believe.
 
This is what some say about the DT48
 
their medium and high-frequency precision and fidelity remain unparalleled, so much so that some mixers, and not the least, won't use any other models, because their judgment is based on this sound quality.
DCAudiovisuel.com

The truly transparent headphones I've listened to are the HD-800, K-1000, HP-1000, Omega II Mk. 1, DT48, and the K-240DF. That's why I bought them and they won't leave my collection.
Uncle Erik

As for comparison to the K-1000, the DT48 has a similar neutral timbre and excellent range. The DT48 is faster, more transparent and more resolving to me. I can pick out details I haven't noticed before.
Uncle Erik

I would like to see a frequency graph of the DT48...interesting.  
and i have a question...is there a reason why they mostly use closed headphones type for mixing and such?  is that to isolate from outside noises? 

 

[xnor]

@kwkarth:Sorry, didn't mean to, but found the reply a bit unclear.
The second part of my reply, well, is just general pondering.

 

[MDR30]

Let me put in my two cents of knowledge on a couple of the headphones discussed in this thread that I own (apart from the recently acquired 25 ohms DT48 that I haven't had a chance to listen to properly yet).
 
The 80 ohm Beyer DT 250 has a completely different frequency response than the TR50P - more bass and treble, to put it simply, less mid impact. The Fostex is a strange animal. In some music highly coloured (pure voices, try male radio pre presenters, piano, orchestral music; a definitive honkiness), less obviously so in artificial - or maybe "creative" is a better description? - studio recordings where some of its qualities may shine through. The veil is there, nevertheless, and it bothers me. Depending on mood, though, I enjoy both of them every now and then.
 
The thought of a "neutral" sounding pair of headphones is an illusion, alas, just like the perfect monitor speaker (different ears, rooms and side equipment goes into the equation). One can avoid the worst types of distorsion (both harmonic, balance-induced or dynamic) but in the end you have to trust your ears and experience.
 
A bassy heavy headphone may sound great, like one with prominent treble. But the one results in a bass-shy mix, the other in a dull one. Listening for pleasure is indeed different than listening professionally.
 
Finally a question for Uncle Eric: do the 240DF qualify for the illustrious group quoted by Mr "Kool Bubba Ice"?

 

[lejaz]

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The thought of a "neutral" sounding pair of headphones is an illusion, alas, just like the perfect monitor speaker (different ears, rooms and side equipment goes into the equation). One can avoid the worst types of distorsion (both harmonic, balance-induced or dynamic) but in the end you have to trust your ears and experience.
 
A bassy heavy headphone may sound great, like one with prominent treble. But the one results in a bass-shy mix, the other in a dull one. Listening for pleasure is indeed different than listening professionally.
 
Finally a question for Uncle Eric: do the 240DF qualify for the illustrious group quoted by Mr "Kool Bubba Ice"?

In regards to the first sentence above: YES indeed, I found that out the hard way! I tried like a half dozen so called 'neutral'/flat studio monitors in the past, and most sound very different from one another....some have much less bass...others are over the top...some have a lot more highs, etc. People tell me the same thing about speakers. Even the reviewers who are often very knowledgeable and experienced will often disagree totally on whether a so-called monitor headphone is 'neutral' or not.  Take the sony v6 for example. Some people swear by it as a neutral studio monitor. Others, self included, find it anything but neutral. (I'm using the 240DF as reference). For now I'm putting my money on the 240DF...and hopefully will get to try the dt48 in future.