Topic: Do you use headphones when taping?

[phishmarisol]

If so, can you help me find a decent pair.  Not looking to invest very much at all into this...$200 headphones just aren't my thing.  So basically $50 is my MAX.  Thanks.

[nickgregory]

I dont use them and dont understand those that do.  Unless you are using them to decide between patterns to run, it is a waste.  You can tell if you are getting levels on the gear, and quite honestly, you run the risk of ruining your hearing quickly if you turn it up as loud as you will have to in order to hear anything in the field.

That being said, I have a set of SR-80s at home and love them.

[Nick Culbreth]

i don't run headphone in the field and have never really found a reason to do so.

[thoman8r]

i don't run headphone in the field and have never really found a reason to do so.

The reason I use them is basically a safeguard that the mics aren't malfunctioning in a way where they would be transmitting some sort of corrupted signal that was still producing levels.  It's probably silly but I feel better being able to hear it rather than just see it on the levels.

[scb]

i use them just to balance the left and right, because what the levels show as balanced is not always what we hear as balanced

[super-phat-al]

i dont use them, but i could see that testing the mics with headphones would be a good plan.  I like to take as little as possible with me to a show.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

I use headphones, really about the frist 5 minutes and occasionally thereafter to check things...

I found that first, it was pointless, I couldn't hear what was headphone and what was PA...

But recently I bought this little headphone amp (not a REAL one), but this thing called a Boostaroo.  It is a 3 headphone splitter/booster made for gameboys and walkmans...  $20...

Anyways, that boosts my signal so I can hear.  It generally sounds crappy, but it does give me an idea of what my recording sounds like compared to the room.

Recently, at less crowded shows, I've worn my headphones because I can eliminate half the audience noise that way - at least to my ears.  No talkers right next to me, my "ears" are now 5 feet above my head.

Of course, I'm part of Team Ghetto Rig, so what do I know...

Terry

[Brian Skalinder]

I don't use headphones unless I'm in a festival-like setting where I may want and have opportunity to evaluate my configuration (pattern, config, height) between sets..

I've used them on occasion to check L/R balance, as I think Scott is right - visual L/R balance on the meters doesn't always equal audible L/R to the listener.  In those cases, I've always used my Etymotic ER6s - in-ear 'phones that attenuate external noise and don't need to be cranked to hearing damaging levels for a listen.  But mostly, I get close enough to L/R balance for my tastes using my super-duper flashy meters on my V3.   :sonar:

[Chris K]

i use them just to balance the left and right, because what the levels show as balanced is not always what we hear as balanced

ditto...with the mp-2, i find it easier to balance the levels with my ears than with the led's, and then look at the led's to make sure they "line up"

 

[Scuba Jeremy]

I've just been using small cheap Sony earbuds to check quality, make sure both channels sound "okay", and see how the image sounds to the ear. I don't wear them for more than a few seconds at a time. But cup style headphones are a waste, you'll never hear them over the room unless you have them maxed on volume. You have to go in ear, and probably need to duck down too.

[RobC]

I don't use headphones unless I'm in a festival-like setting where I may want and have opportunity to evaluate my configuration (pattern, config, height) between sets..

Same here,  but I don't usually bother bringing mine, I just borrow a pair for the min or two it takes to make sure thinks sound ok between sets.

[cpclark]

i carry my sony earbuds with me, but almost never use them to check levels, just look at the level meters and everything should be all good, just keep it hot

[Rob D.]

ditto...with the mp-2, i find it easier to balance the levels with my ears than with the led's, and then look at the led's to make sure they "line up"

 

One could go blind watching the meters on an MP-2!  

[Kindguy]

I picked these up. around 20 bucks & they get the job done.

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=20;action=display;threadid=9370;start=msg114425#msg114425

[John Kelly]

I use headphones because I used to have a problem with static in my recordings.  The problem was software based and you couldn't tell from just looking at the levels.  I haven't had the problem in a long time now, but I always use the headphones when the show starts, just in case.