good to know that switching headphones is actually recommended! actually I've been doing it naturally all the time, just to make sure that everything sounds passable on various devices! i'm nowhere near being a pro, but i feel like i'm slowly getting some sort of feel
Graham! Thank you! You have single handedly helped me more than you know. Back when I was in school, I would go home with so many questions un answered, your UA-cam and blog gave me hope and inspiration to keep trying and keep pushing 🙏🙏🙌🙌✌✌🎶🎶thank you
Currently mixing in a similar looking hotel room in Dallas! Your videos have helped me so much. We’re here cuz we have a show out here. Been able to travel across the country this year after putting out music last year, and I can’t thank you enough for your videos!
I have been mixing with headphones only many years. I was a recording engineer and had a studio. 10 years later , for around a year I have been using headphones. 60.00 Audio Technica I have used 200-300 dollar headphones when I had money, I must say these headphones are as good. 200 songs only headphones, I also master audio, headphones, mono mix at times to hear what is what, I simply have done great work with headphones and a 100.00 mic. It is great, but honestly not radio ready in my opinion esp vox, miss my outboard pre amps and my AKG 414, it was a big difference, but what I am doing, what you teach can be done at a high level.
I tried the 8400s, they work nice. I already had the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x's which are quite similar and I was already used to them, so I gave the 8400s to a young up-and-coming sound system intern in our church. Point is, pick one and stay with them. I also had the Focusrite Solo but now use the PreSonus iOne AudioBox... again, nearly identical, but the iOne gives you direct iOS connection as well, plus a free copy of Studio One 4 Artist. Both sound great, but I do like the build and the feel of the knobs on the Focusrite more, just with there was iOS support, as I do track with iPad Pro at times, but main mobile rig in 6-core Dell with Studio One Pro 4. I'm NOT saying these choices are better than Graham's, I'd use exactly what he has if I had that gear, I'm just giving a second option so you have something to compare when shopping. What I have and what he has are essentially the same, just different brands. Shop around and happy mixing!
Everything was on point man! I mostly just go back and forth from mixing in mono on my speaker to mixing stereo on my ath50x headphones, which sound amazing
Graham, you are brilliant!! I recently built new PC and I moved all my "home studio" to my new rig and I couldn't mix. Everything sounded crappy and soon enough I realised that it's onboard sound card. The only thing I couldn't move from my old PC was my old sound card due to motherboard restrictions... I wasn't very happy about idea of buying new, external card and then this video came out... Why didn't I think about using my Scarlet?? Thank You :D
There is not enough time to write up all the problems i've had trying to record industrial metal instrumentals. But been watching this guy for the last few weeks and i feel so much better about it all. This vid, wish i watched it before anything else. The low end i was getting from all my tones, i now realise were actually the headphones fault and not me being crap...... Well, i still am a bit :)
Glad to see your back!! I so absolutely agree with you. I have found, KNOWING your headphones and/or speakers is far more important than being told “you can’t {mix} on headphones”. As a full time Foster Parent, I use Sony MDR-7506 (closed back with hyped bass) as my man headphones, but then I double check the mix with my AKG K701 (open back) headphones. Both headphones have my Sonarworks Reference 4 plugin engaged on my Master BUS.
Martin Winterstein-Smith This is a myth. If you have a pair of $5000 Adam mid-field monitors you don't need to know thier sound. It's only cheap monitors that have this problem. And you can't mix what you can't hear.
Thank you so much for everything you've put up grahem (sp?)! Your other videos effectively taught me a crash course in mixing/mastering clearly and comprehensibly and I was literally just looking for help on how to get a better mix mixing with headphones (don't have my pro set up rn but still have nice, flat headphones) and this popped up in my youtube alerts. Hopefully I'm early enough that you actualy get a chance to read this, but you're a great person and you've really helped me a lot when you didn't have to do any of this. You rock. =]
Brandon Laureys You want your mixes to sound better? Stop mixing on headphones...They lie. Get a pair of monitors. Yes a few pros who mix on headphones. So what? Most of them always check their mixes on full range monitors later. I work at my Uncle's Studio in New Market and I can tell you we get more crappy headphone mixes than anyone else. And guess who's job it is too fix it? Sure they are a few pros that have managed to mix o.k. on headphones. But just because an album sells or wins an award doesn't mean diddy squat. Rush, "Roll The Bones" released in 1991 was harsh and bright and the bottom end was gone. And yet it sold over 5 million copies.
My mobile rig is very simple. Zoom H4n, Samsung generic quad core laptop with Sonar X2 Producer, Sony MDR-7506 phones and a pair of iPhone ear buds. As you described, listening to your reference mixes is very important, regardless of the phones you use. I can use the H4n as an input device if needed, and otherwise as an audio interface into Sonar. Thanks for all you do to encourage us who do this as an avocation.
Thanks for sharing your travel setup. I just mixed two songs while travelling on a ferry from Sweden to Germany using a Zoom U-22 interface and a Sennheiser HD280pro 😀
Hello John, thanks for your remark! I know that there are better suited headphones for mixing and mastering. But I also believe that it is maybe even more important to really know the headphones, to always use reference tracks and to rely not only on headphones, as I check the finished songs on different speakers (near field monitors with room calibration, mobile, car, bluetooth speaker, hifi system). And as I worked on a (somehow noisy) ferry, using a closed back headphone was definitely a plus.
Cool....Well explained.....We're definitely on the same page, because I like mixing out of different types of headphones.....I don't just finish wirh my mixing headphones
Hi Graham, Have you heard about ZYLIA ZM-1 microphone array? It enables to record the entire sound scene with only one mic. You can then separate the individual tracks of instruments and vocals and mix them into a balanced recording. There are 19 capsules inside the mic with high-end 24-bit recording resolution and you can record the music in both 3D/360˚ and traditional Stereo. There is also Ambisonics plug-in available. It is really groundbreaking technology!
Mixing on some headphones right now! Great video Graham - I'm using the Sennheiser HD-25's. Great point about the D/A converters out of the interface over the MBP output... Will need to invest in a little box soon!
It's true headphones are just like monitors. They're just speakers. Also like monitors don't go too cheap and buy the best you can afford. You'll hear people say 'headphones lie', so do monitors. Very few of us can afford the real high end monitors and even then they have to be in a well treated room to do the business. Also headphones can be cool for taking the room out of the equation if it's a really bad space. The trick is definitely to reference, learn when they're lying and telling the truth. My mixing improved more from learning to reference correctly than it did from splashing the cash on better monitors and once you can reference properly you can apply it to any situation. :) Cheers Graham, great video! :)
Thanks for sharing that info Graham. I've use Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro for years. I mix using monitors and headphones. I usually find that mixing in headphones helps me pinpoint certain parts in a song that I may want to cleanup or enhance. It does take some time to adjust but if used properly, it can be a valuable tool.
Focusrite 6i6 (2 monitor headphones is a useful thing); Macbook pro, Logic + Waves Gold. Headphones 90% of the time. (Poor room acoustics). Agree w all your points. Great video. Welcome to us in Sweden any time!
I'm all about legacy Macs as well. If you know what you're doing you can find some good deals out there. Currently using a 2011 MBP I found for around $400 for mobile use. It can handle 48KHz/24 bit sessions fairly well. Once I get to the end of a mix, it starts to max out the CPU with plugins. One workaround is to bounce the drums and maybe bass down to a stereo track when I've got them mixed well and that frees up resources for working on other tracks. If you're in a quiet enough environment, I suggest using semi-open back headphones, as they will give you a little better low-end response than closed-back headphones. I prefer ones that are flatter sounding.
You CAN mix just on the built-in output by the way. Even though I have a high-quality mobile interface I just plug in my headphones into my MacBook all the time. It doesn't sound that bad :-) Here's another tip for y'all: Start mixing on your "full-range" headphones, do EQ, compression and all that micro stuff. Then move on to your earbuds and do the final leveling. It's just like going from full range monitors to Auratones.
I used to call mixing on headphones a “guilty mix” because people would swear that you shouldn’t do it. But I’ve managed to get some good results from mixing on headphones so I’m happy enough.
I have the KRK KNS 6400 headphones. They sound Amazing and have done several mixes on them. Recently though I have just signed up to waves flexi bundle where you get 13 plugins for $20 a month and after 2 years you own them outright. In that I downloaded a plugin called NX which is specifically designed for people who mix on headphones. I can't really describe it but it sounds amazing!
I have often lived in apartments throughout my adult life, in which case the only way to crank it up during the wee hours has been to use headphones. They're also a great way analyse problems. Currently, my headphones are 20 year old pair of Sony 7506, and some kinda expensive ($99!) Bose SoundSport ear buds with the squishy silicon covers that fit them tightly in the ear. I spent the extra on the buds 'cause they actually have some bass response. But I do my final mixes on some little Mackies, which is fine even in an apartment, because I mix at a pretty low volume. I think loudness can be misleading. But my question is: re headphones - open back vs closed? I read a great review of some open Sennheisers, but they're $300+, so before I spend more than I should . . . :-)
hello, (after correcting the frequency response with SIENNA, i.e. linearity / harman curve) what is the ideal dB value in addition to the bass? That is, after which you would increasingly lose quality by upsetting the headphones. I am referring to the right value to add on the bass to a headphone so as not to upset it, not to damage the drivers for example. and do not lose quality. Then are there headphones more suitable to undergo additions on the bass? based on transducers (dynamic or magneto-planar or drivers
I'm not a professional but I find mixing in Mono (as recommended by this channel) helps tremendously with mixing on headphones. Since the stereo effect is different than speakers, it can be best to just eliminate it all together
Another great video Graham. I mix on headphones. They’re not the best, but they’re all that I can afford at the moment. I got told on VIP that my mixing is improving. I’ve recently downloaded reaper and upgraded from audacity. So hopefully that will help with my mixing as well. I’m really enjoying these tutorials that you do. I’m learning so much more than I did in my Diploma Of Music. Cheers MC
I forgot to add that I mix through my Line 6 UX-2 interface. I was mixing through my computers sound card before that. But there is no comparison with the interface, for sound quality and clarity. I don’t have a mobile rig yet. But I will one day.
Michael Candy Acoustic Soloist Do yourself a favour. Buy a pair of KRK KNS 8400. $150 CAN. Mixing on headphones can be done. But not on any old pair. What Graham neglected to mention is that the KNS 8400 WERE DESIGNED FOR MIXING. Don't be cheap. Good luck.
John Morris Thanks for that advice. I was in my local JB-Hi-Fi store yesterday and I came across a pair of Audio Technica Professional monitoring headphones. It says they’re specifically designed for recording in studio and mixing. They’re about the $170 mark au. Your thoughts on those. As I did actually look for the KRK’s but unfortunately they didn’t have any. I don’t plan on being cheap. But I am on a tight budget being on disability. So I’ll get them when I can afford them.👍
Michael Candy Acoustic Soloist I agree, I took Graham's advice and grabbed a pair of KRK 8400s last year. The holidays are coming up - if you do some comparitive shopping on the internet, you may find these excellent headphones on sale. I got mine for $95 from, of all places, Walmart.com 😊 Cheers!
Sean Foley hey man thanks for that. I’m in Australia. So I won’t be getting my headphones from Walmart, anytime soon. I will get a decent pair one of these days. When the cost of living ever improves. 👍
Hey Graham glad you shared this about mobile mixing because the video deals with one part of many that what I've been wanting to get into for a while. What would be your recomdations for putting together a mobile recording/mixing/mixing rig. As always thanks for the help and insite. You definitley help motivate me.
1:36 - 2:01 I can assure all of you, coming from a fellow home studio musician, that we have achieved a point where computers have become powerful, power efficient and cheap enough to get just about anything, DAW related, you might want to do, even with a 7 year old computer. As long as it is multi-core, you need as little as 4 GB of RAM, and of course rather decent AND cost effective external sound hardware. And I know everyone here has got way more than that. At least a dual-core (probably multi-threaded), most likely 8GB of RAM, and a good interface and monitors. I'm writing this so enthusiastically that I don't know if it makes sense. MY POINT BEING, computer hardware has become accessible enough and software has become streamlined enough that it is really easy to get into recording and mixing. The rest is working hard to make the best music you can. Did I make any sense? Thank you, Graham! You are excellent!
When you change headphones to reference and hear stuff you didn’t hear originally(Apple earphones) , do you correct the mistakes on the apple hp’s or go back to the original headphones you were using?
Hi Graham, I picked up a set of Behringer HPS3000 Headphones. I'm struggling to hear subtle changes in EQ and Compression, is this down to headphones or is it my ears?
My mixing rig is kind of odd. I mainly mix on headphones through the Sennheiser HD650 with Sonarworks and reference through my computer speakers. Hell, even sometimes I mix through my computer speakers and had clients enjoy the mix. I have the Logitech Z333 for reference monitors. It's not ideal to mix through cheap computer speakers, but hey, it worked for me because I knew how those speakers sound without referencing to another mix. Headphones are great for checking low end if you don't own a sub. There isn't really a wrong way to mix as long as you know what your mix is supposed to sound like through your speakers or headphones.
I used to use the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4, but I eventually switched to the new Audient iD44 because I own two different 8 channel preamps. Both are great, but I prefer the Audient because the mic preamps are great and so are the converters.
Kevin Tran HD650 will show a lot of detail. And it gets the top end right. Big sound stage too. Anything harsh in your mix you will pick up with these cans. Not designed for mixing really but a good choice nevertheless. Grado's with the right source (like a DAW) and good headphone amp have an inhuman super huge sound stage that will extend far beyond your body. But the HD650 give them a run for their money. If the client likes the mix that's what matters the most. I have heard a lot of crappy headphone mixing. It is nice to see someone who knows what he is doing. Mixing on cans is possible if you have the right pair. And you do.... Good luck.
I just recently dealt with this. I compared my headphone mix with my laptop speakers with a little bluetooth mono speaker I have. Everything translated fairly well except the vocal. On my headphones the vocals were in the right spot level wise. But on my laptop speakers and the bluetooth, the vocals were waaayyyy out in front. Seemed overbearing to my ears. So here is my question, which way do I go? Drop the vocals a bit so its not overbearing as far as the laptop and bluetooth speaker are concerned? But then on headphones the vocals will be lower than I'd like.
*TWO BIG THINGS THAT HAVE REALLY HELPED ME WITH MIXING ON HEADPHONES*: 1. Calibrating headphones for a flatter frequency response (check out sonarworks reference 4). 2. Using Waves NX Virtual Room.
Only now I was able to watch this video... Good stuff. Some real good practical advices. The only question is: when do Graham take "real vacations"? :-)
For me that's a problem at the moment because I'm mixing with the same headphones you use and then when I switch the headphones I don't like how it's sounds .
Graham can you briefly explain how you reference? Do you just stop listening to your project and open an itunes song and listen to it? Then go back to your DAW and listen to that?
Hey Chris - I know from watching other videos and courses from Graham that he imports his reference tracks into Pro Tools. Then he will adjust the volume so they are NOT any louder than the volume of what he's mixing. After he can just solo the reference and go from there. He's listening to how does the high end, low end, mids sound in comparison to his own mix. Hope this helps!
Definitely what the turtle project said - Sample Magic ->> "Magic AB" plugin. Put it at the end of your master fader's chain and import up to 9 different reference tracks. 65 bucks, can't beat the price for what you're getting
The Magic AB plugin is awesome, but for 5 dollars cheaper you can even get the REFERENCE plugin. It comes with a LUFS meter that will auto match the gain of your track with your reference. Great tool!
Can I record my vocal and guitar at the same time in scarlett solo? Please help me Sir! By the way thank you very much Sir for your help 👍 God bless you ❤
Josip Štrkalj alright yes Sir I have input in my Guitar. So that means I can pluck in my guitar into instrument /line. And my mic into mic /line for my vocal and start recording both vocal and guitar at the same time? . Alright Thank you very much Sir for your help 👍 really appreciate it!!
I've never understood people who say you can't mix on headphones. 70% of people listening will be listening on headphones - so why not? Your rig isn't so different to mine. I spend 5 days a week in hotels, and travel by train so I mix on my laptop, my focusrite and I use Sonarworks with calibrated headphones. I've also got an Ollo pillow for the deep subs. All that and a weeks clothes fits into a medium size suitcase.
Dang, your volume's low... I keep the volume of my Solo at 100% in Windows and only use the knob, since it's easier. Barely a 20º turn on the knob is more than enough volume. Is it so you can use the knob to monitor at lower volumes? Okay, big revelation: when you have the volume knob on the Scarlett Solo at very low levels, the stereo image gets screwed up, one side is louder than the other. However, if you turn down the interface in your OS and turn up the knob for makeup volume, you can monitor at very low volume without the stereo image going wonky. It's incredible that you just gave me a tip without even saying it.
On a Mac, the OS volume is bypassed with a Scarlett Mono, 2i2, 2i4, etc. plugged in. The volume knob on the interface is the only option to raise and lower volume coming out of the DAW.
ipLyricxVEVO A suggestion: All of Michael Jackson's vocals on: Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and History were recorded with two Shure Beta 57's in an XY stereo configuration. (Old 57's from the 70's. I don't think the sound has changed that much). And Bruce Sweiden is THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS. If the Shure Beta 57 is good enough for MJ is should be good enough for everyone.
I still try to only use headphones as one of the reference check, never for mixing, and can’t stand them when I m tracking, mainly because I don’t enjoy music on headphones much
I recently mixed (and mastered) on headphones. I just plugged my headphones in on the windows laptop, didn't use my Scarlett interface. Didn't notice much sound difference. Is it better to use the interface?
I think you’re handsome and mostly from the inside out! No I’m not flirting! I’m so thankful to THE LORD for your life! I’ve learned so much from you! Can’t help but love you! We love you! Thank you for all you’ve done for the BODY OF CHRIST... This, my friend, will bear fruit for eternity in HEAVEN... you’ll see! GOD bless you always!
Me and my friends, we are weird bunch of "creative media people". We always have some gathering at cafe shop and do things together like Photo editing, video editing, and guess what? Music "editing" too. And I need pretty great isolation in this kind of place, a three layers in-ear earbud serves me well. To trigger those "pro" even more, I am using "Beats X bluetooth". Well, of course there's latency... for mixing, it's totally fine. And of course, use "reference" track.
And the KRK KNS 8400 is the one to do it on. But if you are mixing live....mmmm.....I suppose if you don't have a mobile truck a long way a ways from the show, monitors wouldn't make any sense for live mixing. Isn't a $100 interface kind of cheap? (Says the guy with $70 in his account) I know they are a lot better than say a $100 interface from 2005 but still.... The KRK was designed for mix ing. It is as neutral sound as you can get. It is not equalized. It is a compromise to mix on headphones. But the 8400 is pretty good. Mixing on headphones is one thing. Yes, some people are doing it. Engineers who have been in the business for a long time and who know what they are doing. Mastering on headphones is considered bad in the industry. The great mastering engineers do NOT MASTER ON HEADPHONES. Just ask Steve Hoffman of DCC and AF records. That fact that some people play piano with their feet doesn't mean you should do it. As for winning awards in THE LAND OF THE BLIND, THE ONE EYED MAN IS KING. I work at My Uncle's studio. We get a lot of amateur stuff that had been mixed on headphones and IT'S HORRIBLE. The bass is too loud, the vocals are all off. Sure they are pros who mix on headphones but they still check their mixes on full range monitors afterwards. Forget monitors...You don't need them? This is new. You used to say don't rely on headphones only, now you are saying you can. You think because an album did well or won an award that means it's a great mix? Let's look at Rush's, "Roll The Bones" (1991). The worst mixed piece of garbage - bright, harsh and no bottom end and yet it sold 5 million copies. Check mate..... Don't get me wrong.. Sorry if I came off rude. You give great advice. And I agree with you 90% of the time. Just not this time. I have let bad mixes out that were liked and it pisses me off to this day. I wish I could remix them. Steve Hoffman, The late Sir George Martin, Giles Martin, Bruce Sweiden, Tom and Chris Lord-Alge. They would say don't mix on headphones and yet these are the greats. I disagree with them but I wouldn't say, they don't know what they are talking about. Good luck.
I recorded and mixed a song on the scarlet solo with those headphones using Reaper drive.google.com/open?id=15hTo0_83cwie-RVAs9ejWTQW8htzFRQ4 I’m not done yet but this is as far as I’ve gotten with this song
good to know that switching headphones is actually recommended! actually I've been doing it naturally all the time, just to make sure that everything sounds passable on various devices! i'm nowhere near being a pro, but i feel like i'm slowly getting some sort of feel
Graham! Thank you! You have single handedly helped me more than you know. Back when I was in school, I would go home with so many questions un answered, your UA-cam and blog gave me hope and inspiration to keep trying and keep pushing 🙏🙏🙌🙌✌✌🎶🎶thank you
So glad to hear!
took the words out of my mouth!
Currently mixing in a similar looking hotel room in Dallas! Your videos have helped me so much. We’re here cuz we have a show out here. Been able to travel across the country this year after putting out music last year, and I can’t thank you enough for your videos!
It's like your best mate giving you advice. God bless you Graham. Hope you had a great vacation!
I have been mixing with headphones only many years.
I was a recording engineer and had a studio. 10 years later , for around a year I have been using headphones.
60.00 Audio Technica I have used 200-300 dollar headphones when I had money, I must say these headphones are as good. 200 songs only headphones, I also master audio, headphones, mono mix at times to hear what is what, I simply have done great work with headphones and a 100.00 mic. It is great, but honestly not radio ready in my opinion esp vox, miss my outboard pre amps and my AKG 414, it was a big difference, but what I am doing, what you teach can be done at a high level.
I tried the 8400s, they work nice. I already had the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x's which are quite similar and I was already used to them, so I gave the 8400s to a young up-and-coming sound system intern in our church. Point is, pick one and stay with them. I also had the Focusrite Solo but now use the PreSonus iOne AudioBox... again, nearly identical, but the iOne gives you direct iOS connection as well, plus a free copy of Studio One 4 Artist. Both sound great, but I do like the build and the feel of the knobs on the Focusrite more, just with there was iOS support, as I do track with iPad Pro at times, but main mobile rig in 6-core Dell with Studio One Pro 4. I'm NOT saying these choices are better than Graham's, I'd use exactly what he has if I had that gear, I'm just giving a second option so you have something to compare when shopping. What I have and what he has are essentially the same, just different brands. Shop around and happy mixing!
Everything was on point man! I mostly just go back and forth from mixing in mono on my speaker to mixing stereo on my ath50x headphones, which sound amazing
I was thinking about buy a headphone for mix because i can't use monitors on my apartament and you come with this video today. Thank you, Graham!
Graham, you are brilliant!!
I recently built new PC and I moved all my "home studio" to my new rig and I couldn't mix. Everything sounded crappy and soon enough I realised that it's onboard sound card.
The only thing I couldn't move from my old PC was my old sound card due to motherboard restrictions...
I wasn't very happy about idea of buying new, external card and then this video came out...
Why didn't I think about using my Scarlet??
Thank You :D
There is not enough time to write up all the problems i've had trying to record industrial metal instrumentals. But been watching this guy for the last few weeks and i feel so much better about it all. This vid, wish i watched it before anything else. The low end i was getting from all my tones, i now realise were actually the headphones fault and not me being crap...... Well, i still am a bit :)
Just thanks for make this video, at the time i only have a studio headphones (akg k240 mkii) and im learning day by day how to improve my mix :D
K240's are awesome, stick with them!
Keep going and congrats on getting your music done!
Those are great headphones to mix with because they're semi open
Fantastic headphones mate!
Always such great, professional, clear, to the point videos! Thank you for always sharing your knowledge.
I absolutely love mixing on 🎧 I have a pair of Sennheiser Hd 600 and those cans haven’t failed me yet✊🏾 Good Vid Graham!
Glad to see your back!! I so absolutely agree with you. I have found, KNOWING your headphones and/or speakers is far more important than being told “you can’t {mix} on headphones”. As a full time Foster Parent, I use Sony MDR-7506 (closed back with hyped bass) as my man headphones, but then I double check the mix with my AKG K701 (open back) headphones. Both headphones have my Sonarworks Reference 4 plugin engaged on my Master BUS.
Martin Winterstein-Smith
This is a myth. If you have a pair of $5000 Adam mid-field monitors you don't need to know thier sound. It's only cheap monitors that have this problem. And you can't mix what you can't hear.
Thank you so much for everything you've put up grahem (sp?)! Your other videos effectively taught me a crash course in mixing/mastering clearly and comprehensibly and I was literally just looking for help on how to get a better mix mixing with headphones (don't have my pro set up rn but still have nice, flat headphones) and this popped up in my youtube alerts.
Hopefully I'm early enough that you actualy get a chance to read this, but you're a great person and you've really helped me a lot when you didn't have to do any of this. You rock. =]
Brandon Laureys You want your mixes to sound better?
Stop mixing on headphones...They lie.
Get a pair of monitors.
Yes a few pros who mix on headphones. So what? Most of them always check their mixes on full range monitors later.
I work at my Uncle's Studio in New Market and I can tell you we get more crappy headphone mixes than anyone else. And guess who's job it is too fix it?
Sure they are a few pros that have managed to mix o.k. on headphones. But just because an album sells or wins an award doesn't mean diddy squat. Rush, "Roll The Bones" released in 1991 was harsh and bright and the bottom end was gone. And yet it sold over 5 million copies.
John Morris bruh
So happy to hear that my material has helped you Brandon!
5:50
The Last Knight bless
6:00
The Last Knight Thank You!
Asshole
lmao this actually made me miss what I wanted to see
My mobile rig is very simple. Zoom H4n, Samsung generic quad core laptop with Sonar X2 Producer, Sony MDR-7506 phones and a pair of iPhone ear buds. As you described, listening to your reference mixes is very important, regardless of the phones you use. I can use the H4n as an input device if needed, and otherwise as an audio interface into Sonar. Thanks for all you do to encourage us who do this as an avocation.
Thanks for sharing your travel setup. I just mixed two songs while travelling on a ferry from Sweden to Germany using a Zoom U-22 interface and a Sennheiser HD280pro 😀
Arnd Gronenberg Stop! The HD280 are for tracking only.
Mixing on the HD280 is a bad idea. I know because I have done it.
Hello John, thanks for your remark! I know that there are better suited headphones for mixing and mastering. But I also believe that it is maybe even more important to really know the headphones, to always use reference tracks and to rely not only on headphones, as I check the finished songs on different speakers (near field monitors with room calibration, mobile, car, bluetooth speaker, hifi system). And as I worked on a (somehow noisy) ferry, using a closed back headphone was definitely a plus.
Thank you for the free guide! It will definitely come in hand as I'm building up my homestudio! And about the video, reference is key, for sure!!
Cool....Well explained.....We're definitely on the same page, because I like mixing out of different types of headphones.....I don't just finish wirh my mixing headphones
Hi Graham, Have you heard about ZYLIA ZM-1 microphone array? It enables to record the entire sound scene with only one mic. You can then separate the individual tracks of instruments and vocals and mix them into a balanced recording. There are 19 capsules inside the mic with high-end 24-bit recording resolution and you can record the music in both 3D/360˚ and traditional Stereo. There is also Ambisonics plug-in available. It is really groundbreaking technology!
Mixing on some headphones right now! Great video Graham - I'm using the Sennheiser HD-25's. Great point about the D/A converters out of the interface over the MBP output... Will need to invest in a little box soon!
It's true headphones are just like monitors. They're just speakers. Also like monitors don't go too cheap and buy the best you can afford. You'll hear people say 'headphones lie', so do monitors. Very few of us can afford the real high end monitors and even then they have to be in a well treated room to do the business. Also headphones can be cool for taking the room out of the equation if it's a really bad space. The trick is definitely to reference, learn when they're lying and telling the truth. My mixing improved more from learning to reference correctly than it did from splashing the cash on better monitors and once you can reference properly you can apply it to any situation. :)
Cheers Graham, great video! :)
Thanks for sharing that info Graham. I've use Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro for years. I mix using monitors and headphones. I usually find that mixing in headphones helps me pinpoint certain parts in a song that I may want to cleanup or enhance. It does take some time to adjust but if used properly, it can be a valuable tool.
Bonjour
You are in my country
Have a nice one!
Thanks for the info. Good tip to use the interface to monitor the sound.
Focusrite 6i6 (2 monitor headphones is a useful thing); Macbook pro, Logic + Waves Gold. Headphones 90% of the time. (Poor room acoustics). Agree w all your points. Great video. Welcome to us in Sweden any time!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thanks for your videos, I feel like I learn so much
I'm all about legacy Macs as well. If you know what you're doing you can find some good deals out there. Currently using a 2011 MBP I found for around $400 for mobile use. It can handle 48KHz/24 bit sessions fairly well. Once I get to the end of a mix, it starts to max out the CPU with plugins. One workaround is to bounce the drums and maybe bass down to a stereo track when I've got them mixed well and that frees up resources for working on other tracks. If you're in a quiet enough environment, I suggest using semi-open back headphones, as they will give you a little better low-end response than closed-back headphones. I prefer ones that are flatter sounding.
You CAN mix just on the built-in output by the way. Even though I have a high-quality mobile interface I just plug in my headphones into my MacBook all the time. It doesn't sound that bad :-)
Here's another tip for y'all: Start mixing on your "full-range" headphones, do EQ, compression and all that micro stuff. Then move on to your earbuds and do the final leveling. It's just like going from full range monitors to Auratones.
I used to call mixing on headphones a “guilty mix” because people would swear that you shouldn’t do it. But I’ve managed to get some good results from mixing on headphones so I’m happy enough.
I switched to mixing on headphones years ago, I also use the Reference 4 Headphone Edition VST.
Great upload! Thanks for letting people know that the price of gear isn't the most important thing.
I have the KRK KNS 6400 headphones. They sound Amazing and have done several mixes on them. Recently though I have just signed up to waves flexi bundle where you get 13 plugins for $20 a month and after 2 years you own them outright. In that I downloaded a plugin called NX which is specifically designed for people who mix on headphones. I can't really describe it but it sounds amazing!
I have often lived in apartments throughout my adult life, in which case the only way to crank it up during the wee hours has been to use headphones. They're also a great way analyse problems. Currently, my headphones are 20 year old pair of Sony 7506, and some kinda expensive ($99!) Bose SoundSport ear buds with the squishy silicon covers that fit them tightly in the ear. I spent the extra on the buds 'cause they actually have some bass response. But I do my final mixes on some little Mackies, which is fine even in an apartment, because I mix at a pretty low volume. I think loudness can be misleading.
But my question is: re headphones - open back vs closed? I read a great review of some open Sennheisers, but they're $300+, so before I spend more than I should . . . :-)
I got pair of those headphones they're awesome but I'm not a professional engineer with all the degrees lol
“Idk y I brought those together” lmao
hello, (after correcting the frequency response with SIENNA, i.e. linearity / harman curve) what is the ideal dB value in addition to the bass? That is, after which you would increasingly lose quality by upsetting the headphones. I am referring to the right value to add on the bass to a headphone so as not to upset it, not to damage the drivers for example. and do not lose quality. Then are there headphones more suitable to undergo additions on the bass? based on transducers (dynamic or magneto-planar or drivers
hi Graham,can you tell are sennheisers hd 600 better than krk headphones for mixing? regards, you are amazing...
I mix on an HP laptop, Pro tools 8, Steinberg CI 2+ and regular headphones.
Works quite fine for me.
I'm not a professional but I find mixing in Mono (as recommended by this channel) helps tremendously with mixing on headphones. Since the stereo effect is different than speakers, it can be best to just eliminate it all together
Another great video Graham. I mix on headphones. They’re not the best, but they’re all that I can afford at the moment. I got told on VIP that my mixing is improving. I’ve recently downloaded reaper and upgraded from audacity. So hopefully that will help with my mixing as well. I’m really enjoying these tutorials that you do. I’m learning so much more than I did in my Diploma Of Music.
Cheers
MC
I forgot to add that I mix through my Line 6 UX-2 interface. I was mixing through my computers sound card before that. But there is no comparison with the interface, for sound quality and clarity. I don’t have a mobile rig yet. But I will one day.
Michael Candy Acoustic Soloist Do yourself a favour. Buy a pair of KRK KNS 8400. $150 CAN.
Mixing on headphones can be done. But not on any old pair. What Graham neglected to mention is that the KNS 8400 WERE DESIGNED FOR MIXING. Don't be cheap.
Good luck.
John Morris Thanks for that advice. I was in my local JB-Hi-Fi store yesterday and I came across a pair of Audio Technica Professional monitoring headphones. It says they’re specifically designed for recording in studio and mixing. They’re about the $170 mark au. Your thoughts on those. As I did actually look for the KRK’s but unfortunately they didn’t have any. I don’t plan on being cheap. But I am on a tight budget being on disability. So I’ll get them when I can afford them.👍
Michael Candy Acoustic Soloist I agree, I took Graham's advice and grabbed a pair of KRK 8400s last year. The holidays are coming up - if you do some comparitive shopping on the internet, you may find these excellent headphones on sale. I got mine for $95 from, of all places, Walmart.com 😊
Cheers!
Sean Foley hey man thanks for that. I’m in Australia. So I won’t be getting my headphones from Walmart, anytime soon. I will get a decent pair one of these days. When the cost of living ever improves. 👍
Hey Graham glad you shared this about mobile mixing because the video deals with one part of many that what I've been wanting to get into for a while. What would be your recomdations for putting together a mobile recording/mixing/mixing rig. As always thanks for the help and insite. You definitley help motivate me.
1:36 - 2:01 I can assure all of you, coming from a fellow home studio musician, that we have achieved a point where computers have become powerful, power efficient and cheap enough to get just about anything, DAW related, you might want to do, even with a 7 year old computer. As long as it is multi-core, you need as little as 4 GB of RAM, and of course rather decent AND cost effective external sound hardware. And I know everyone here has got way more than that. At least a dual-core (probably multi-threaded), most likely 8GB of RAM, and a good interface and monitors. I'm writing this so enthusiastically that I don't know if it makes sense. MY POINT BEING, computer hardware has become accessible enough and software has become streamlined enough that it is really easy to get into recording and mixing. The rest is working hard to make the best music you can. Did I make any sense? Thank you, Graham! You are excellent!
Where do you buy your macs referbished from? Looking to upgrade my 5 year old MacBook.
When you change headphones to reference and hear stuff you didn’t hear originally(Apple earphones) , do you correct the mistakes on the apple hp’s or go back to the original headphones you were using?
Hi Graham, I picked up a set of Behringer HPS3000 Headphones. I'm struggling to hear subtle changes in EQ and Compression, is this down to headphones or is it my ears?
You should do a little vlog of your Europe vacation. #GodBless
My mixing rig is kind of odd. I mainly mix on headphones through the Sennheiser HD650 with Sonarworks and reference through my computer speakers. Hell, even sometimes I mix through my computer speakers and had clients enjoy the mix. I have the Logitech Z333 for reference monitors. It's not ideal to mix through cheap computer speakers, but hey, it worked for me because I knew how those speakers sound without referencing to another mix. Headphones are great for checking low end if you don't own a sub. There isn't really a wrong way to mix as long as you know what your mix is supposed to sound like through your speakers or headphones.
Like you said Kevin - you KNOW your speakers/headphones and references! Awesome
do you use any headphone amp on sennheiser hd650?
I used to use the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4, but I eventually switched to the new Audient iD44 because I own two different 8 channel preamps. Both are great, but I prefer the Audient because the mic preamps are great and so are the converters.
Kevin Tran HD650 will show a lot of detail. And it gets the top end right. Big sound stage too. Anything harsh in your mix you will pick up with these cans. Not designed for mixing really but a good choice nevertheless.
Grado's with the right source (like a DAW) and good headphone amp have an inhuman super huge sound stage that will extend far beyond your body. But the HD650 give them a run for their money.
If the client likes the mix that's what matters the most. I have heard a lot of crappy headphone mixing. It is nice to see someone who knows what he is doing. Mixing on cans is possible if you have the right pair. And you do....
Good luck.
One question too! How do you feel about mixing in mono (one of the tips I love of yours) on headphones?
Good advice! I mix with headphones only. I am mixing maybe too loud.
For all, try Toneboosters Morphit. So great for headphone mixing.
Could you do a video explaining the differences between a mixer and an audio interface? Plss i have a lot of doubts!
I just recently dealt with this. I compared my headphone mix with my laptop speakers with a little bluetooth mono speaker I have. Everything translated fairly well except the vocal. On my headphones the vocals were in the right spot level wise. But on my laptop speakers and the bluetooth, the vocals were waaayyyy out in front. Seemed overbearing to my ears. So here is my question, which way do I go? Drop the vocals a bit so its not overbearing as far as the laptop and bluetooth speaker are concerned? But then on headphones the vocals will be lower than I'd like.
Mixing on the Eurostar? Cool!!!
That Tay/Kanye reference hahaha nice
*TWO BIG THINGS THAT HAVE REALLY HELPED ME WITH MIXING ON HEADPHONES*:
1. Calibrating headphones for a flatter frequency response (check out sonarworks reference 4).
2. Using Waves NX Virtual Room.
Do you recommend using reference tracks that are in the same key as the track that you're working on? Does it matter?
Thanks man this has been very helpful. I've been listening to my mixes on shit speakers to figure out what to adjust on my headphones.
Please make a video about (Strings) mixing, eq, compression...etc. (vst strings) please please please
Pretty crazy, all I'm used to mixing on is headphones and I find I produce great results.
I have the same headphones but recently I seen that open backs are better for mixing... true or false ?
Super helpful as always !
Thanks Graham !
Thank you ! You are so right !
Thank you for this helpful video!
Great stuff Graham, x
Thank you! Great tips!
Graham what kind of headphones does the mastering engineer use?
@recordingrevolution , Have you used Audient iD14 at all?
Only now I was able to watch this video... Good stuff. Some real good practical advices.
The only question is: when do Graham take "real vacations"? :-)
Thanks for this!
Thank you.
For me that's a problem at the moment because I'm mixing with the same headphones you use and then when I switch the headphones I don't like how it's sounds .
Great tips. Thanks.
Have you use SonarWorks?
Thanks GC
Do you still mix in mono while using headphones?
Why not? We are still trying to find the right balance and then moving instruments and vocals left to right...
I have the same question.
I do...
Yes, I do.
Yes you should. If it sounds good in mono, it will sound hella awesome in stereo.
Graham can you briefly explain how you reference? Do you just stop listening to your project and open an itunes song and listen to it? Then go back to your DAW and listen to that?
you can do that yes, but i like to use magic AB , its very handy tool , check it out :)
Hey Chris - I know from watching other videos and courses from Graham that he imports his reference tracks into Pro Tools. Then he will adjust the volume so they are NOT any louder than the volume of what he's mixing. After he can just solo the reference and go from there. He's listening to how does the high end, low end, mids sound in comparison to his own mix. Hope this helps!
Definitely what the turtle project said - Sample Magic ->> "Magic AB" plugin. Put it at the end of your master fader's chain and import up to 9 different reference tracks. 65 bucks, can't beat the price for what you're getting
The Magic AB plugin is awesome, but for 5 dollars cheaper you can even get the REFERENCE plugin. It comes with a LUFS meter that will auto match the gain of your track with your reference. Great tool!
welcome in France, which town?!
Can I record my vocal and guitar at the same time in scarlett solo? Please help me Sir!
By the way thank you very much Sir for your help 👍 God bless you ❤
Josip Štrkalj alright yes Sir I have input in my Guitar. So that means I can pluck in my guitar into instrument /line. And my mic into mic /line for my vocal and start recording both vocal and guitar at the same time? . Alright Thank you very much Sir for your help 👍 really appreciate it!!
Josip Štrkalj alright Sir thank you once again! 👍
I've never understood people who say you can't mix on headphones. 70% of people listening will be listening on headphones - so why not? Your rig isn't so different to mine. I spend 5 days a week in hotels, and travel by train so I mix on my laptop, my focusrite and I use Sonarworks with calibrated headphones. I've also got an Ollo pillow for the deep subs. All that and a weeks clothes fits into a medium size suitcase.
The Apple "Dongle Hell" edition!
interesting, always thought the phones let me hone in on what I want, particularly for punkish stuff
Can you get a music recording setup down to $100?
Dang, your volume's low... I keep the volume of my Solo at 100% in Windows and only use the knob, since it's easier.
Barely a 20º turn on the knob is more than enough volume. Is it so you can use the knob to monitor at lower volumes?
Okay, big revelation: when you have the volume knob on the Scarlett Solo at very low levels, the stereo image gets screwed up, one side is louder than the other. However, if you turn down the interface in your OS and turn up the knob for makeup volume, you can monitor at very low volume without the stereo image going wonky. It's incredible that you just gave me a tip without even saying it.
On a Mac, the OS volume is bypassed with a Scarlett Mono, 2i2, 2i4, etc. plugged in. The volume knob on the interface is the only option to raise and lower volume coming out of the DAW.
Oh xD. Didn't realise that. I don't even have my Hackintosh install at the moment. thank you.
PLEASE WHAT BRAND OF MIC ARE YOU USING FOR RECORDING
ipLyricxVEVO A suggestion: All of Michael Jackson's vocals on: Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and History were recorded with two Shure Beta 57's in an XY stereo configuration. (Old 57's from the 70's. I don't think the sound has changed that much). And Bruce Sweiden is THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS. If the Shure Beta 57 is good enough for MJ is should be good enough for everyone.
Starts at 8:03
I still try to only use headphones as one of the reference check, never for mixing, and can’t stand them when I m tracking, mainly because I don’t enjoy music on headphones much
Hi can i mix and master on bookself speakers ?
Psycho Records Don't!
John Morris thanks
40 Noah used an alarm clock as reference speakers
I recently mixed (and mastered) on headphones. I just plugged my headphones in on the windows laptop, didn't use my Scarlett interface. Didn't notice much sound difference. Is it better to use the interface?
I think you’re handsome and mostly from the inside out! No I’m not flirting! I’m so thankful to THE LORD for your life! I’ve learned so much from you! Can’t help but love you! We love you! Thank you for all you’ve done for the BODY OF CHRIST... This, my friend, will bear fruit for eternity in HEAVEN... you’ll see! GOD bless you always!
I am one of your fan can I meet you up in Paris I live here
Why does noone ever go Noth of France?
robydean7 Everybody knows that the studios there have shity monitors.
get an aux cable connect to the car stereo mix the heck out of it
Me and my friends, we are weird bunch of "creative media people".
We always have some gathering at cafe shop and do things together like Photo editing, video editing, and guess what? Music "editing" too. And I need pretty great isolation in this kind of place, a three layers in-ear earbud serves me well.
To trigger those "pro" even more, I am using "Beats X bluetooth".
Well, of course there's latency... for mixing, it's totally fine.
And of course, use "reference" track.
i do all my works on head phone from the start (recording,Mixing and mastering).
Cause i dont have speakers lol, who wants to give me a speaker?
And the KRK KNS 8400 is the one to do it on. But if you are mixing live....mmmm.....I suppose if you don't have a mobile truck a long way a ways from the show, monitors wouldn't make any sense for live mixing. Isn't a $100 interface kind of cheap? (Says the guy with $70 in his account) I know they are a lot better than say a $100 interface from 2005 but still....
The KRK was designed for mix ing. It is as neutral sound as you can get. It is not equalized. It is a compromise to mix on headphones. But the 8400 is pretty good.
Mixing on headphones is one thing. Yes, some people are doing it. Engineers who have been in the business for a long time and who know what they are doing.
Mastering on headphones is considered bad in the industry. The great mastering engineers do NOT MASTER ON HEADPHONES. Just ask Steve Hoffman of DCC and AF records. That fact that some people play piano with their feet doesn't mean you should do it. As for winning awards in THE LAND OF THE BLIND, THE ONE EYED MAN IS KING.
I work at My Uncle's studio. We get a lot of amateur stuff that had been mixed on headphones and IT'S HORRIBLE. The bass is too loud, the vocals are all off.
Sure they are pros who mix on headphones but they still check their mixes on full range monitors afterwards.
Forget monitors...You don't need them? This is new.
You used to say don't rely on headphones only, now you are saying you can.
You think because an album did well or won an award that means it's a great mix?
Let's look at Rush's, "Roll The Bones" (1991). The worst mixed piece of garbage - bright, harsh and no bottom end and yet it sold 5 million copies. Check mate.....
Don't get me wrong.. Sorry if I came off rude. You give great advice. And I agree with you 90% of the time. Just not this time. I have let bad mixes out that were liked and it pisses me off to this day. I wish I could remix them.
Steve Hoffman, The late Sir George Martin, Giles Martin, Bruce Sweiden, Tom and Chris Lord-Alge. They would say don't mix on headphones and yet these are the greats. I disagree with them but I wouldn't say, they don't know what they are talking about.
Good luck.
I recorded and mixed a song on the scarlet solo with those headphones using Reaper
drive.google.com/open?id=15hTo0_83cwie-RVAs9ejWTQW8htzFRQ4
I’m not done yet but this is as far as I’ve gotten with this song
Could be Taylor Swift, could be Kanye West, (idk why i put those two together) LMAO
that's why I don't buy apple, ports. They can go screw with that thunderbolt crap