Topic: Mixing/mastering on Headphones Question

[jmz93]

Yes, I realize mixing and mastering can be problematic on headphones, especially in terms of low-end that you hear but don't feel, and possible imaging problems.

But, at least some of the time, I need to rely on my Grado RS1's, running straight off of the headphone amp in my Mytek Stereo 96 DAC.

Can I get a hardware unit that mixes the left and right channels a little, so they mimmic the experience of listening to speakers, at least in terms of imaging?

My only experience with this is when listening to my Sansa Fuse mp3 player, Rockboxed, it has an option to do this, plus roll off the highs a little of the cross-fed material.  The difference between having this feature on versus off, even through $6 earbuds, is surprisingly good!  Things panned hard left or right, go from where your ears are, to seeming to be just in front of your ears.  That, to me at least, is an important difference and improvement. 

If such a magic box exists, I'd be willing to spend a few hundred on it.

I'm more interested in a hardware solution, since any plug-in will require some CPU horsepower, although I could investigate any plug-in options that integrate into my DAW as well.

thanks for any suggestions.

[JasonSobel]

I know that the Grace Design m902 headphone amp does what you are looking for.  and it'll match wonderfully with your Grado headphones (Michael Grace designed it with his Grado's in mind)...  but it'll cost you more than a few hundred.

http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m902/m902.htm

The m902 includes a crossfeed circuit, or XFeed, which simulates the natural acoustics of a loudspeaker listening environment and HRTF (Head Related Transfer Functions). This circuitry, designed by Dr. Jan Meier, can significantly improve imaging, while reducing listening fatigue when using headphones.

I'd guess that there are other headphone amps that have similar features, but I'm just not sure which ones.

[jmz93]

thanks for that link! After doing lots of googling, it turns out the Headroom amps have this feature as well, although I guess it depends how each manufacturer inplements it ... where they put the HF role-off, how much signal is cross-fed, etc.

[noahbickart]

Grace implemented Jan Meier's crossfeed circuit into the 902. he provides a DIY filter here: <http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/>.

I still think that you ought to have some sort of speaker with which to check your mixes. Crossfeed is subtle, and has more to do with long term listening comfort. Since you have a great dac with balanced xlr outputs and a volume control, why not buy a pair of powered monitors?

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BM5Amk2/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MR8/
http://www.bayviewproaudio.com/RP6G2-p-23207.html
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/333021.html

-Noah

[Jimna]

thats a good price for the KRK's, but the Adam Audios' look tempting with the ribbon tweeter.

[noahbickart]

You might also be able to find deals on a stereo hifi amp and a pair of "bookshelf" speakers on Audiogon.com. Do EQ & dynamics work on the cans, but your attempt to build a coherent soundstage has to be done on speakers. IMHO, YMMV, etc.

-Noah

[page]

why not buy a pair of powered monitors?

Residential issues is my problem, I live in an apt and I don't have a great place to put speakers where I won't bother either the neighbors or others in the apt.

Do EQ & dynamics work on the cans, but your attempt to build a coherent soundstage has to be done on speakers. IMHO, YMMV, etc.

I agree with this completely, soundstage almost has to be done on a set of open air speakers, but EQ and dynamic work can be done on headphones with a decent degree of success.

[Brian E.]

My Headroom Total Bithead amp has a crossfeed switch that mixes a little into each side and gives you a pretty centered experience.

[Jimna]

yes, for you thats cool, but is that what your tapes sound like played else where?   I bet not.

[Brian E.]

yes, for you thats cool, but is that what your tapes sound like played else where?   I bet not.

no.  But I don't master with that - I was just letting jmz know the answer to what he asked.

[Jimna]

sorry, just going with your post and the thread title...

[Gutbucket]

Here's one of the better software headphone crossfeed plugin I've found (free VST download), it's effect is subtle- http://refinedaudiometrics.com/products-hdphx.shtml

The true magic box really does exist.  I've heard it setup with a custom calibration, by runing through a test procedure in the room to be emulated, measured by placing mics in my ears and looking directly at each speaker in turn as a convolution test signal swooped each speaker in the sytem and recorded my personal ear respose.  Made headphone listening absolutely indistinguishable from listening to the speaker setup in the room where it was measured.  Once you measure a room+system you can take it with you and switch between them.  Somewhat over your budget at $3360, but that includes the required Stax headphones plus amp along with the magic box- http://www.smyth-research.com/products.html