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Find myself in the market for a new set of cans. Although I have a set of KRK 8 monitors, I do most of my BIAB, RB and Reaper work in the early morning and late at night when cans are required. I will go back and run the tracks through the monitors eventually but would like to get close with the cans first. I do a lot of "tweaking" of tracks made up of both audio and midi, balancing track volumes, volume automation, intros, fades, EQ here and there, a bit of compression.
Read lots about noise isolation, sound leakage, width of sound stages etc. but still confused about closed backs versus open backs. Some "experts" indicate mixing is best done on open backs, others seem to disagree. I trust you guys as real users rather than some unknown internet guru, so what do you think? Any recommendations?
Would like to stay under $250.
Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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Hi Jeff,
Open back headphones will leak sound, thus if you are recording you will get bleeding. That is you will be recording whatever you are listening to as well as your vocal or instrument. That is why I use my closed back AKGs.
However if you are not recording anything then either type will work just fine.
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Closed backs work best for me.
IMO, Either way, mix at a lower volume. If the mix sounds good at a low volume, it'll sound better cranked up.
Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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eddie1261
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eddie1261
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I use Sony MDR-7506. I didn't know what they were until I took a Pro Tools class and the prof, who was a Berklee grad with a major in production, suggested them. I now own 3 sets.
As was once very tongue-in-cheekly stated in a commercial, "Because we all know there's nothing like a great set of cans!"
Last edited by eddie1261; 02/16/24 07:52 AM.
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Yes, closed back for recording. Open back for longer listening sessions (less ear fatigue).
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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I also have a set of the Sony MDR-7506 cans as Eddie mentioned. They are on Amazon for under $100 a pair. Don't let the price fool you. These are really decent cans for mixing and mastering. I didn't take a Berkley class but I did see Andrew Scheps discussing this. I have used them to do complete projects from time to time. The good thing about using cans is they take the room out of the equation. I have also used $30 ear buds,,,,, the sound isolating type,,,, to do mixing and recording.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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I use three headphones.
+1 for Sony 7506. I wear those to record.
For mixing when there is noise around me, and the most accurate reproduction, I use the closed Beyerdynamic 770.
For just listening, I use my Alessandro open headphones. They are just a slightly modified Grado. Very light and comfortable.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Thanks guys, appreciate all the kind help and advice. I think I'll start off with a set of Audio Techica ATH M50x's to try. Seems to be some good write-ups on that one and it also seems to be good value for the money.
I'll try to revive an old set of Sennheiser HD598 open backs to compare the 50x's to and see how that goes.
Thanks again for the education.
Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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If the 50's seem to have a little too much bass, try the 40s .. even better value for the money and I have always liked them a little better .. just seemed more accurate/true when working.
/I can see 3 pair of ATH M40s from this chair
Last edited by rharv; 02/17/24 06:34 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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When you find one you really like, consider ordering some replacement ear cups if applicable.
The other problem with headphones can the connection point of the cord. I wish mine were plug-in, making a replacement easy. At least none of the ones I have now have failed, The Sony 7506 is well over twenty years old.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Another vote for Sony MDR-7506!
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