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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: Bri on October 09, 2002, 10:16:31 PM

Title: Headphones
Post by: Bri on October 09, 2002, 10:16:31 PM
So what do you guys wear to monitor your tapes when on location? I go between the Sennheiser HD25's and the tried and true MDR7506's.... Just curious...

(http://194.221.78.1/img/pan1030de129589?w=96&h=96&c=FFFFFF&f=23)
(http://www.minidisco.com/miniimages-s/accessories/sonymdr-7506.jpg)



Bri
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: Tim on October 09, 2002, 10:19:32 PM
7506's all the way...

I need to get some Gratto's and an amp for at home...

Tim
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: phriendlyguy on October 24, 2002, 02:50:51 PM
deck levels.  
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: jpschust on October 24, 2002, 04:43:09 PM
I have the Sony's and I find them to be quite good on location, however I dislike using headphones to monitor.  I end up listening to more of the show on my headphones than without them.  I just monitor using levels now :-)

Jonny
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: Bri on October 24, 2002, 04:50:34 PM
yeah, I usually put on the 7506's, unplugged to keep the SPL's down!

;)
Bri
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: Sean Gallemore on January 22, 2003, 05:31:20 PM
Kinda off topic, but I just found out you can record using headphones.
Kinda sounds outrageous but true.  I'm sure all you already knew that since you understand the principles of head/micrphones so well, but just thought I would throw in my $0.02.  So if you ever get ready to spuck and you break your mics, bring h/ps just in case ;)
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: Bri on January 22, 2003, 05:48:38 PM
yes, they will work as dynamic mics, but I would only use it as a FAR FAR last resort! ;)

Bri
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: Brian Skalinder on January 22, 2003, 05:52:36 PM
I like the Etymotic ER-6s a lot.  Great for monitoring b/c they attenuate the room 15-20dB, so I don't have to blast my ears off to hear how things sound.  Although mostly I just monitor deck levels, now.  Pack small, nice sound!

And dual purpose - I use 'em for listening to tunes on my motorbike, too.
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: Stumptown Matt on January 22, 2003, 07:31:24 PM
So what are the best headphones for recording a concert? ;) ;) Can I get headphones with interchangeable speakers.  Who's got my fatty shotgun headphones. ;D ;D
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: hippies on January 22, 2003, 09:59:32 PM
hehe.  shotgun headphones.

anyway, i have a question for you guys.  

i havta  agree with Ryan and Jonny on this one.  

i never did see the reason for carrying around headphones and monitoring at a gig.  my question is this:

even if you detected that the sound wasn't quite what you would really like, what can you actually change in the middle of a recording?  

most people only have one set of mics/ pre/ ad/ deck etc.  not likely you can physically move, or you'd be in a better position anyway.  i don't think you could possibly hear well enuf over headphones in a concert setting to determine if a different stereo pattern would be beneficial?  check to see if there is wind on your tapes?  if it's windy, and you're worried, you already have your best screens on, so what more can you do?  

is it just plain ol' curiousity?  i know i am curious as hell about the headphones thing and have never had the occasion to ask.  i see guys spending half their time at the show, (not saying anyone here does this) listening to the tape, and it always makes me wonder.  plenty of time to listen to the tape later.  only one time you ever get to experience that show 'LIVE'!  

not trying to offend anyone at all, just really curious as to what's going on here.  maybe someone can show me what i'm missing.  as it stands now, i just don't see the benefit to carrying the bulky phones around.  i carry enuf stuff already.         :-[
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: Bri on January 22, 2003, 10:07:45 PM
I bring closed diaphram (7506 or HD25) phones to cut down sound level in loud rooms... better than sticking earplugs in ;)

Bri
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: Brian Skalinder on January 23, 2003, 08:40:46 AM
i never did see the reason for carrying around headphones and monitoring at a gig.
<snip>
even if you detected that the sound wasn't quite what you would really like, what can you actually change in the middle of a recording?  
I agree - not much I can do to change things once I'm rolling, which is why I only use them for a quick listen between sets to see if I should try a different mic config for the second set.
not trying to offend anyone at all, just really curious as to what's going on here.  maybe someone can show me what i'm missing.  as it stands now, i just don't see the benefit to carrying the bulky phones around.  i carry enuf stuff already.         :-[
I know what you mean about carrying enough stuff already - that's one reason I got my ER-6s.  I've finally trimmed down about as small as I can go right now - and it still seems like a lot of stuff!
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: jlykos on January 23, 2003, 11:27:33 AM
What you can use the headphones for during a show is monitor the channel balance.  The meters on the D8 are not exactly the most accurate in the world and those on the MiniMe (for example) are not the most usable.  The headphones allow you to make fine adjustments to get the balance "just exactly perfect."
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: phatdats on January 23, 2003, 02:54:11 PM
i have been using my custom shure e-5 molds (i am a live sound engineer), and they are the shit!  

for people on a budget, shure just came out with a new IEM, the e2.  i had a chance to use these during a gig last night, and i have to say i was very impressed with these $75 pieces!!!  the isolation with the included ear pieces was very good, and the fidelity was better than the more expensive E1's (in my opinion...)

steve
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: sideshowbob on January 26, 2003, 02:35:17 AM
A quick question... What is the difference between the Sony 7506's and the 7509's, disregarding all printed information?? I can have a pair of 7506's or 7509's in a trade for a case of beer..... Anyway, I use Senn HD 250's for monitoring at shows right now. I'm partially deaf in my right ear and using the headphones helps me get a solid level if I'm unsure. Also, as mentioned in an earlier post, the D8 levels are sometimes inaccurate. The D8 has no headphone volume adjust level. Will these Sony's help out where the Senn's sound flat at times?? I'm happy with the Senn's right now, but was wondering if the Sony's would make that much of a difference for me in monitoring levels at shows?? I'm open to any and all suggestions. It sounds like many are against checking levels through headphones, but in my case it does make a difference. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks and take care.....Jason
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: hippies on January 26, 2003, 10:42:51 AM
Also, as mentioned in an earlier post, the D8 levels are sometimes inaccurate. The D8 has no headphone volume adjust level. Will these Sony's help out where the Senn's sound flat at times?? I'm happy with the Senn's right now, but was wondering if the Sony's would make that much of a difference for me (CMC6/mk41's>V3>D8 or D100), in monitoring levels at shows?? I'm open to any and all suggestions. It sounds like many are against checking levels through headphones, but in my case it does make a difference. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks and take care.....Jason

the D8 has no volume control?  sure it does.  turn off AVLS and adjust away.

okay, now help me out here.  i don't seem to understand this notion that the meters on the D8 are wildly inaccurate.  if this is the case, and people are not to trust the level meters, please explain how to tell through headphones when you are about to go 'over' or more importantly, about to 'clip'?  

the comment about L/R made a bit of sense.  personally, i would feel that fine tuning the L/R balance w/ headphones to be just a tad bit anal, (no offense, to each their own, right?).  hardly worth the effort to buy/ carry studio quality headphones for me.  to my mind, if you can trust the meters as to 'over' you can trust them for L/R as well.

just my .02.    

 ::)
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: sideshowbob on January 26, 2003, 12:14:40 PM
Thanks for the info, and yes, I'm anal. I'll mess with the AVLS and check it out. I've noticed differences in my level meters on my D8 and D100 recently, so that's why I was wondering. Nothing too important, though. Obviously there is no real advantage, or any advantage at all, in using headphones to monitor the levels. I guess it's a matter of choice. If you are going to fry the levels, they will fry. Thanks again and see you on the floor!.....Jason  
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: jlykos on January 26, 2003, 03:06:34 PM
I am anal too about the L/R balance because that is where your accurate stereo image lies.  The volume control on the D8 is absolutely worthless, btw, when trying to monitor a live concert.  The concert is usually so loud that it overpowers the headphone sound from the D8's headphone jack.  You need a preamp with a volume control and a headphone amp; the MP-2 for example has an excellent one.  I have not tried out the one in the MiniMe yet, but I plan to do so over the next few weeks.

I was not saying that the levels on the D8 are wildly inaccurate; I have found them in my experience to be 1-2 db off in the channels.  This may be a function of the long decay of the peak hold in the D8 that makes me adjust the levels to places where they may not belong.  I wish the D8 did not have this "feature" so one could better read what the meters are accurately showing at any given moment.

I trust the overs in the D8 because that is an absolute peak; it is a function different from the relative balance between the L/R channels.  I just have the headphones on for about the first 5 minutes of the show to get the balance right, and then take them off.  No use listening to the rest of it through headphones if you are seeing it in the flesh!
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: sideshowbob on January 26, 2003, 04:23:05 PM
Thanks Jamie.  I'm using a V3 which does not have a phone jack. I guess I'm SOL no matter what headphones I use with the D8/D100. It was worth a shot anyway.....Jason
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: Brian Skalinder on January 26, 2003, 04:27:04 PM
...I guess I'm SOL no matter what headphones I use with the D8/D100. It was worth a shot anyway...
FWIW, another reason I like the ER-6s - the D7/8/100 power them just fine.  But you gotta stick 'em in your ears!
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: sideshowbob on January 26, 2003, 04:29:53 PM
I guess there are still options to be looked at. Thanks.
Title: Re:Headphones
Post by: creekfreak on January 26, 2003, 08:29:24 PM
most people find the d8 meters to be off because the d8 meters are analog meters, not digital.