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

I like listening to "Under the Table and Dreaming"

rharv

Your hard to read, dont know if thats
humor or a fact.

Was asking speakers, headphones.

Thanks either way,

Seeker

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.html

Weird shipping UPS free normal.... 45 cents more 3 day UPS very strange pricing...

Hope you enjoy them! That is strange shipping pricing. Price is closer to what I paid. I still paid more a couple years ago.

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 !

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

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!

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.

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