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Author Topic: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones  (Read 11449 times)

Lydian

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Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« on: February 15, 2016, 06:16:30 am »
Which one do you prefer and is it necessary to be able to do both?
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IKIS

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Re: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2016, 10:36:03 am »
I prefer monitors. It's not necessary to monitor on both. Its hard to explain but mixing on headphones makes you make bad mixing decisions (not always). Headphones sound more "detailed" but monitors will most definitely give you a better overall image of the mix.

There are plenty of articles on google on this matter.
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Cosmic Fugue

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Re: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2016, 11:18:50 am »
I do almost all mixing on monitors, although I switch between two sets of monitors and some cheap speakers.

I think headphones are needed, though -- nothing else lets me listen through a track and find really quiet mistakes like clicks, dropouts, and so on. (I tend to monitor at low volumes, I suppose if I cranked up the monitors I might catch those too.)
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Midge

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Re: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2016, 03:24:32 pm »
both are a good idea. firstly to listen on different systems but you need monitors in order to get better representation of your low end.
however, mixing in just monitors also poses problems, especially for bedroom producers. Often the small spaces mean that you are getting lots of reflections. This reigns true especially for low frequencies. more often than not the low frequency waves haven't had a chance to fully propagate before they are being bounced around. Headphones obviously eradicate these reflections because the sound is going directly into your ears. So in my opinion ...you need both. Headphones are really good to listen at low volumes and see whats poking out in the mix and for me, give a good idea on your stereo image. Speakers can also do this but depending on your set up you will be getting reflections all over the place.
its a case of learning your space, speakers and headphones.
ive tried to mix on just headphones and stupidly put out tracks as I was away from home for a year or so....then I listened to them on monitors and the low end just wasn't what I wanted it to be - so I advise you not to do that. 

in short -   use both :)
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Ferio

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Re: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2016, 03:50:17 pm »
Using both too.

Monitor like 90% of the time and the studio headphones 10% of the times.

Headphones more for finetuning the stuff. With headphones I mean the ones that are meant for studio use and not for listening pleasure.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2016, 03:54:13 pm by Ferio »
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Marrow Machines

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Re: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2016, 09:57:28 pm »
Both.

Headphones are like microscopes where speakers are like looking through glasses. Best metaphor i can come up with.

But you should always be biased towards monitors, because that's how your music will react in an open environment compared to an isolated aspect.

I use both for different reasons, but you should try to match quality of speakers and headphones.

Speakers relate to headphones, but headphones don't always relate to speakers. (unless you drop like 2grand USD on some headphones, then i'd be expecting some things...)
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Miles Dominic

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Re: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2016, 08:53:14 am »
Quote from: Marrow Machines on February 15, 2016, 09:57:28 pm
Both.

Headphones are like microscopes where speakers are like looking through glasses. Best metaphor i can come up with.

But you should always be biased towards monitors, because that's how your music will react in an open environment compared to an isolated aspect.

I use both for different reasons, but you should try to match quality of speakers and headphones.

Speakers relate to headphones, but headphones don't always relate to speakers. (unless you drop like 2grand USD on some headphones, then i'd be expecting some things...)

Couldn't have said it better. 10/10 comparison and explanation.
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Lydian

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Re: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2016, 06:14:43 pm »
Im going to take everyones opinions and start mixing on both my monitors and headphones. I have a bad habit of mixing on only headphones and as a result my mixing skills drop substantially when using monitors. Hopefully using both will help improve my mixes. Thanks everyone!
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Marrow Machines

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Re: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2016, 01:23:48 am »
Quote from: Lydian on February 16, 2016, 06:14:43 pm
Im going to take everyones opinions and start mixing on both my monitors and headphones. I have a bad habit of mixing on only headphones and as a result my mixing skills drop substantially when using monitors. Hopefully using both will help improve my mixes. Thanks everyone!

One thing to take into account; learn your monitors. It is YOU who adjusts to them, not the monitors adjusting to you.

Then you will learn to use your ears effectively.
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Lydian

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Re: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2016, 01:52:59 am »
Quote from: Marrow Machines on February 17, 2016, 01:23:48 am
Quote from: Lydian on February 16, 2016, 06:14:43 pm
Im going to take everyones opinions and start mixing on both my monitors and headphones. I have a bad habit of mixing on only headphones and as a result my mixing skills drop substantially when using monitors. Hopefully using both will help improve my mixes. Thanks everyone!

One thing to take into account; learn your monitors. It is YOU who adjusts to them, not the monitors adjusting to you.

Then you will learn to use your ears effectively.


I'll be sure to take notes on that. If porter robinson could do it on shitty logitech speakers then I have no excuses!
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Marrow Machines

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Re: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2016, 04:48:11 am »
Quote from: Lydian on February 17, 2016, 01:52:59 am
Quote from: Marrow Machines on February 17, 2016, 01:23:48 am
Quote from: Lydian on February 16, 2016, 06:14:43 pm
Im going to take everyones opinions and start mixing on both my monitors and headphones. I have a bad habit of mixing on only headphones and as a result my mixing skills drop substantially when using monitors. Hopefully using both will help improve my mixes. Thanks everyone!

One thing to take into account; learn your monitors. It is YOU who adjusts to them, not the monitors adjusting to you.

Then you will learn to use your ears effectively.


I'll be sure to take notes on that. If porter robinson could do it on shitty logitech speakers then I have no excuses!

i still roll with my shitty logitech speakers bruuuuuh
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ShawOfficial

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Re: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2016, 01:11:54 pm »
For 3D mixing,you need to have a bit of both I think.For example,when I'm working on panning and stereo width,I always prefer my headphones,however when I'm pushing along the depth dimension,I always prefer my speakers.But then again,you can work anyway you want,but I think at the end,when you think it's finished,you should always have a listen on headphones,your studio monitors,sometimes even your laptop speakers or the speakers of your phone.You just want sort of standard-ise your mix for all platforms.
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IKIS

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Re: Mixing On Monitors vs Headphones
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2016, 11:17:01 am »
Quote from: Marrow Machines on February 15, 2016, 09:57:28 pm
Both.

Headphones are like microscopes where speakers are like looking through glasses. Best metaphor i can come up with.

But you should always be biased towards monitors, because that's how your music will react in an open environment compared to an isolated aspect.

I use both for different reasons, but you should try to match quality of speakers and headphones.

Speakers relate to headphones, but headphones don't always relate to speakers. (unless you drop like 2grand USD on some headphones, then i'd be expecting some things...)

Damn this is a really good explanation.
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