WHAT HEADPHONES SHOULD I BUY FOR MIXING AND MASTERING

I just bought the Sony 7509, very satisfied with them. I tried some good AKG and Senheiser also, but the Sony were better (more defined and flat).

Daniel

Sennheiser HD650. Probably the best headphones in the world.

I use Sennheiser HD280's.

However, I wouldn't recommend using headphones solely for mixing, and definitely not mastering.

jord

Grado Labs. The first choice for mixing and mastering on headphones, which you probably shouldn't do exclusively. But as a reference in addition to good monitors, the SR 325i's are the ones.

http://www.gradolabs.com/frameset_main.htm

They are open, so they are not useable in front of a mic for tracking.

Headphones for mixing: BeyerDynamic DT770 or Shure E500 (IEMs)

Headphones for mastering: none.

For Mastering, I use the headphones that came with my ipod.

That's what I was going to say!!!! How about this then:

Remember those sweet headphones that came with the wlakman in the late eighties? I use those.

X

I use Sony 7506 ( the 7509s don't sound flat at all to me, i think they have a hyped bottom end) and AKG 240 as another reference for all my mixes.

Lately I prefer the AKG 240s, a little easier on the ears somehow...

Beyer Dynamic are great. They provide enough space to almost fool you into thinking you're not wearing headphones.

"Lately I prefer the AKG 240s, a little easier on the ears somehow... "

In a more serious tone, When I use headphones for mixing (not recommended), these are what I use too and I love them.

X

For a long while I used Sony 7506's for all my studio and live apps. ( I am a drummer who frequently plays with loops/ tracks etc.) They have a fair frequency response and are comfortable to wear for a long time. The comfort ends up being as important as the sound quality for getting work done. -BUT- I recently started taking my mixes to other studios for listening, then to a mastering engineer for mixing and mastering and it became very apparent that the cans just don't do it for a realistic mix. I had to break down and buy some monitors for the house. Now my mixes make a lot more sense especially in the low end, where the cans just aren't accurate. If you physically have the room for monitors, just go ahead and do it.- sean

I find that 120 lb nylon string attached to two used food cans,of any variety,are the BEST.

Cheers

nylon string? You must be crazy--only 100% cat gut for my ghettophones.

I'll have to try that.

I'm going now to catch the neighbors Persian...

Cheers

I use Sennheiser HD280s and really enjoy them. Good isolation and good frequency response. The low end feels a LITTLE exagerated to me due to the closed back design and tight fit. Also, they can be a little uncomfortable after awhile, 2 hours or more, but if you are mixing, I would suggest taking a 10 to 15 minute break every hour or so to refresh your ears, so that can help the comfort issue.

My roomie had the Sony 7506s. Really flat frequency response too, but not as isolated as the HD280s. They are really comfy too.

A friend of mine had the Beyerdynamic DT770s. These sounded great! Better than the Sony and Sennheiser headphones. VERY comfortable too, but again, not as isolated.

Also, a few other friends of mine have the AKG K141s. I haven't had much listen to them, but they really liked the comfort and frequency response. They said it had a more natural feel because of the open back design, which may not resonate and exagerate certain frequencies because it doesn't have the closed chamber the closed back headphones have. But the downside is sound comes in and out. So if you are going to be in a studio alone without too much outside noise, these might be better for you.

Another friend of mine has the HD600 or HD650s by Sennheiser, open back headphones, and really likes those. Swears by them. If you have the money invest in a nice pair of headphones.

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