|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
What do you folks use for the final mix/sound Listening references when recording ? I mean where you doing your mixing.
Burned CD on 10th put it into my Yamaha home theater surround system with good quality speakers. And the sounds created were great, very happy. Not with my mixing tho, it needs lot more experience.
Real need is to what users/listeners are going to be using.
Thank you,
Seeker
Last edited by seeker; 07/12/11 07:22 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549 |
I like listening to "Under the Table and Dreaming"
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
rharv
Your hard to read, dont know if thats humor or a fact.
Was asking speakers, headphones.
Thanks either way,
Seeker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549 |
I thought you were asking what type of recordings we compare our work against! Often referred to as a reference recording. It depends on the style, but I like the mixes on that CD I mentioned.
For hardware I often use - M-Audio BX8a Deluxe monitors. Blue Sky 2.1 system ATH M-40 f/s are my favorite headphones lately; great sound for the price, excellent for tracking, comfortable.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
rharv,
I shopped, no buy yet for headphones. Found them for $40 Bookmarked for now.
Those M-Audio BX8a must be excellent speakers, some number of folks on the other forum use them with their keyboards.
Blue Sky 2.1, whoa nellie, these things look like really tip top stuff. You need this kind of quality for your business. Bit outta my range.
Reference Recording, new term for me, but in the few YouTube video's watched they did mention listen to same genre CD's for your mixing reference.
When you say tracking, assuming this means your final mix. So the good headphones are a must.
Thank you very much.
This is very helpful,
Seeker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
rharv
Based on your experience,with ATH M-40 f/s headphones. Could they be used as my "Mastering" listening device for final recording? These would be me primary reference for listening to the mixes. Would make them my "gold" standard. Also use "Under the Table and Dreaming" CD as you mentioned. This would give me a good comparison of its recordings using the m-40's.
Then taking the result tests with a "grain of hearing" burn the CD and try them out on couple different players.
Intend on buying these based on your answer.
Thank you,
Seeker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,730
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,730 |
I use wireless Headphones for tracking, but i seldom use them for mixing. I want to hear my mix with less color to it. flat response is vital to mixing. this is where a good set of monitors come in. I have mixed with Phones, but it is harder to get a good solid mix that translates well to all other systems.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549 |
In theory, any set of speakers can be your reference speakers; you have to get to know them and be familiar with how everything sounds on them. I use those headphones for recording, sometimes mixing, but I master on monitors, not headphones. That's just me. I'm sure you can find better headphones out there, but they'll cost a lot more. The price you found is less than I paid for either of my two sets, and I think I got a great deal still. I've bought more expensive headphones, and have them laying within reach, but everybody here knows those (ATHM40fs) are 'mine'.  I'd say I think they are very servicable for your intent if you like working in headphones. Others here use these too, I think John (Silvertones) uses and approves of them also. Hopefully he'll chime in. One thing I should point out; unlike most headphones these do not come with an 1/8" mini jack and adapter. It comes with 1/4" connector on the end.
Last edited by rharv; 07/14/11 12:24 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
rharv, The price was for re-built...thzzz B&H photo has them no tax/shipping for 53 bucks. Still good price. The factory specs are terrific. Bought couple of my Samson QR-7 mikes from them good price and shipping. BTW for performers, those are fabulous mikes for very good price 70-100 bucks with excellent feedback rejection. I actually dont like headphones, but they do allow a person to concentrate on just music not extraneous sounds. Good Freq specs, etc. so will order after I post this. Thanks for holding my hand down the path, Seeker Reviews on them http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/97...io_Monitor.htmlWeird shipping UPS free normal.... 45 cents more 3 day UPS very strange pricing...
Last edited by seeker; 07/14/11 12:45 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549 |
Hope you enjoy them! That is strange shipping pricing. Price is closer to what I paid. I still paid more a couple years ago.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026 |
Ha ,I am using Radio Shack speakers and amp from 20 years ago ! Wish I had better ,but don't have much of an income anymore . I like to listen to Steely Dan as a reference but never have any luck reproducing their sound ! It would be neat to be able to master on a professional level , I think you need higher quality stuff than what I own though . Maybe someone will write a mastering for dummies on a budget post (hint to rharv)in tips and tricks !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
Tommyc,
Am retired on fixed income, but lucky to have a little retirement $$. Not pro buy any means, but a few things really help.. First the BIAB/RB/PT tools. Considering what they do, unbelievable software. I wrote software for 30+ years, but in different arena.
These forums with folks that give out "invaluable" information about this "mastering" process. Sounds expensive..... Always just called it burning a CD. So much more than that to it as you mentioned. Always been sorta an audio geek, but not down to this mastering level.
Hence with rharv's recommendation and also factory spec's and great reviews from' several sources purchased the ATH M-40 f/s headphones. These will be my "tell" on how each track sounds. Then will use some sort of audio reference CD to listen against as you do. Have quite a few commercial CD's, all genre's.
So far, have been great big failure in this arena. Never knew a person would have to learn how to "Hear" again.
But all of this is a great hobby to pursue, doubt if every make any $$ on it.
Many projects, electronics and other area's you always need to have one quality thing to use for a reference. These new headphones will be that tool for me. $54 and looking forward to getting them next Wednesday.
Good to hear from you,
Seeker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549 |
Tommyc Are you using the little Radio Shack minis? (affectionately know as minniemouses) I still have set of those here! They were amazing for the size; heavy too!
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549 |
Mastering is a matter of learning a few more new tools.
I strongly suggest downloading the Ozone mastering manual; very good material in there. Explains the tools and what they do in an enjoyable way (they even have a sense of humor at times). It's not difficult reading, thay kept it usable for the average guy IMO. Also suggest reading the Ozone dithering pdf for a basic knowledge of dithering if you *really* want to dive into it.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 272
Apprentice
|
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 272 |
Quote:
Based on your experience,with ATH M-40 f/s headphones. Could they be used as my "Mastering" listening device for final recording? These would be me primary reference for listening to the mixes. Seeker
I would caution against relying on headphones for mastering. They are great for tracking and in many cases mixing, but using them to master with does not always transfer well in the real world. There is a difference in perception of the stereo field from headphones as opposed to speakers. At the very least, you should compare your results with both.
Terry
BIAB/RB 2018 PlusPak. Dell Inspiron23 running Win10, 12GB RAM, 2.5GHz i7, Presonus AudioBox USB interface.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
rharv,
Just downloaded the two Ozone files, will check them out tomorrow. Thanks again for the tips.
Terry,
I have 5 different types of places that can play and listen to the CD results.
End product wont be normally listened to on headphones like I'll soon have. It will be ordinary devices.
After bringing this up. For overall checkout of results, is a 192 bps mp3 on walkman or ipod good enough. My CD source will be wav files recorded by PT for now.
Thanks again,
Seeker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026 |
I don't know if it's the same minis 8" tall 2 mids & 1 tweeter in triangle shapped box's with a sub . Mr. Shack said it was a home theater setup .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026 |
Dithering ? Have you ever used Waves L2 ( noise shaping or not ,type 1 or 2 ,24 or 16 bits) ? Are you finished mastering when you apply to a 32 bit or 16 bit mix ? By the time I finished reading Ozone dithering I was even more confused !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,549 |
Yes dithering is the last thing you want to do since it is reducing the bit depth. I use the Ozone dithering when needed. Most users will not have the need to dither (many will notice no difference), but since I was recommending the one manual I thought I'd mention the second.
Those do not sound like the famous minnimouse speakers from RShack.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
rharv,
My ATH M-40 f/s Headphones arrived bout hour ago, been using them bout an hour now..
Wow is all that can be said. My initial test was to sit down to the keyboard and play a little, was so damned flat, changed styles same, then noticed had PT on with thru in operation. Closed it and yes the sunshine did rise. Cannot hear the freq range by any means, but these are hands down the best ever heard. Ordered Friday and with 3 day $0.45 shipping got them today.
Excellent recommendation, can not swing cost of the other goodies tho.
Thank you,
Seeker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,078
Posts799,816
Members40,028
| |
Most Online44,367 Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|