Lynyrd Skynyrd use Beats by Dre?


BRB.

I know this qeustion has been asked here before. But Ive never heard anyone talk about the Beats by dre as an option. What do you guys think about them? (when mixing out loud is not an possible)....

As with speakers, you want/need headphones to be accurate... not "flattering" to the audio.
Although I wouldn't want to depend them solely, I can achieve a pretty good mix using AKG K240s (a studio staple).

Apparently, Dre's brain-vise is made by one Monster, purveyor of fine cable products...

Jim, 

I have K240s (x2) and one K270 headphones. The K270s no longer output the right side. Gonna get that set repaired one day soon.

clintmartin


Audio Technica ATH-M50's is what I have, and what I would recommend.

I've compared and contrasted lots of headphones for EM's roundups over the years. The ATH-M50s are great value and I would recommend them. But every set of headphones has a different "talent." The ATH-M50s have goodoverall balance, but AKG outperforms them for high frequencies. Interestingly, I tested two Shure headphones and the less expensive one was better and more accurate for mixing than the more expensive one.
 
Headphones are sometimes bass-shy, and don't give an accurate representation of what's going on in the low end. I have a pair of Beats and use those as a reality check for what's going on at 100Hz and below. When  I need to mix on headphones, I set up the mix on the ATH-M50s, then check the highs with AKGs and the lows with Beats.
 
I tend not to like Sony MDR headphones that much for mixing because the midrange pops too much for my tastes. But for DJing, they're great because you can hear what's happening over the ambient noise better. Ultrasones are good consumer phones but not realistic enough for mixing.
 
The biggest surprise to me have been (don't laugh) Monster's Turbine Pro earbuds (c'mon, I told you not to laugh). I took them on a trip to Europe once to listen to music on the plane but ended up doing rough mixes of some videos on them in hotel rooms. I of course expected to have to tweak the mixes when I got back to my studio, but was shocked that the mixes translated perfectly. I didn't have to touch a thing. These were the Copper model with the flat response, though, not the Gold model with the hyped highs and lows.
 
This is an older article, but you might find it interesting. I did a newer roundup on headphones for EM, but can't find it.

That's some good stuff right there Craig.  That roundup will have sorted EQ out on the research front for sure.

bapu


Jim, 

I have K240s (x2) and one K270 headphones.

Well done!...

One of the great things about mixing on headphones is that for a given amount of dollars, headphones are a better value than speakers. Just as it's common to mix over several sets of speakers to take an average, you can do that with headphones and it's more affordable.

I used to mix on speakers and then do a reality check on headphones before signing off. These days I do the reverse, as so many people listen to music on earbuds.

I've had these Stax Lambda Pros for about 30 years. I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Anderton


I used to mix on speakers and then do a reality check on headphones before signing off. These days I do the reverse, as so many people listen to music on earbuds.

That is actually my process more these days too, Craig.


I use my ATH-M50s to start. Then I'll switch to my Sennheiser IE6 earbuds. Then if I'm fairly happy I'll move to the laptopwhere I generally listen with Sennheiser HD600's. Then when I think the mix is nearly there I go to my Ultimate Ears In Ear Reference Monitors (molded to fit my ears only). Then I will check on near fields with ARC after a break from the piece.


After all is said and done, as Jonbouy has pointed out (and hearing tests have confirmed) I have a hearing deficiency in the 6-8K range and I try (not always sucessfully ) to solicit opinions on the high end of my mixes. Knowing my limitations I need to do more of that relying on others for that range.