Hi friends! Mixing on headphones isn’t for everyone, however sometimes it’s all we can do! Not everyone has even $300 for powered speakers or more importantly a treated great sounding room! In this video I drove to Guitar Center and bought two pairs of affordable headphones to demonstrate this new software! I hope you enjoy the video! What studio would you like to see next? Let me know below!
Produce Like A Pro I want it. I simply can’t afford it at the moment. The NX. The room emulation software. All of it. I mix an a pentagonal room just big enough for me to fit in. I use Status headphones and five inch monitors. This would be an enormous help to me. Sucks being poor. But I will have this one day. Mostly because I trust you and your assessment as much, if not more, than I love Waves. Thank you.
This is a game changer. Mixed a metal track through 7506s. And abbey rd. Played it everywhere I use for reference and BAM! Sounds great . I’m sold. Brilliant.
I tried it first and bought it right away and use it for a month now. Life changing because I can only work on headphones. Less fatique and better sounding mixes... Great results with a beyerdynamic DT1770.
@@Producelikeapro Hi Warren, I get a 5db increase on my master bus reading when I use the plugin with Sennheiser HD280 Headphone EQ. Why is that happening if the plugin is only used for monitoring?
I've been using this for a bit now, with the 280 pros. One cool feature is being able to adjust your outboard gear and not lose the center image. My gear sits on the side well away from the center listening position of my monitors. I'm not finding the head tracker a requirement and have been using without. Just listening to music is a joy as well. You really have to try it unless you have a great room already.
What a nice coincidence. Today my son was at Abby Roads taking the tour which included a lecture from retired EMI engineer Ken Townsend. So it was nice to get a peek inside. I texted him the link to your video so he can watch it on the flight home tomorrow. Sound like the plugin is a real winner for home studio users in particule.
How did he find it ? Really wanted to go to it. I've been in Studio 1 working for some composers on some trailer music since last Thursday and saw them all going into the lectures. Our first day was the 50th anniversary of THAT photo. Crazy day !!! We also had Lester Smith popping in for a bit to the session and dropped some pearls of wisdom on us. On a side note, the chap from A.R in this video is an old fried who I went to school with. Had some fun times recording there with him. 😁
Although I much prefer to be sitting in an acoustically treated room using real speakers to monitor a mix, I've always liked the idea of having monitor and room emulations using headphones as an alternative. I have, and occasionally still use, the Focusrite Virtual Reference Monitor, but the newer emulations like NX and Studio 3, both of which I also use, are far superior to the older tech of the VRM. What a great time to be alive and to be recording and mixing.
If you want to mix good on headphones, you just need to put the master in mono, turn the volume down, and level everything just right. Once that sounds good, you're usually fine. Besides that, just don't overuse compression or EQ, and get a good ear for well-recorded virtual instruments. You'll get a feel for certain plugins over time and how you can use them for certain effects, but generally speaking, stick to those rules. Test your mixes on speakers, and make sure to listen to other songs on those speakers as well. For example, if you're mixing trap, you need to listen to other trap songs on your car speakers so that you know what a good mix sounds like on car speakers. If you approach car speakers expecting them to have a perfectly even response like headphones, you'll think your mix is bad. You'll figure out quickly that you don't need an amazingly treated room once you really get to know your headphones and how the headphone mixes tend to translate to speakers. Really knowing even one other set of speakers is all you need.
The Abbey Road 3 is designed to help our search and desire for near perfect mixing as you would in a 'true" sounding room ???..(rooms - spaces all have their 'flavour' too) this particular room is proven territory ! The word 'Translate' is Big here..How the mix your making; using this software, with your headphones of preference, will no doubt, aid your mix to come across with marked accuracy on your own monitors and the outside world..Problem with headphones normally - is your actually mixing within a closed (or not so - likes of DT990 headphones) 180º L + R speaker array - that is what essentially the Normal Headphone experience is... Abbey Road stereo mode is based on 30º listening centre point -- SPL Phonitor Mini has a 30º setting on it a 22º too for super near monitors, a proximity effect can be dialled in, using a cross talk etc etc.(all designed in AR3 @ 30º i'm gathering here) The SPL gets terrific mixes that "translate" well on the speakers i switch to check.. way less compensation to fix any oddities on my speaker reference when using this "Trick Tech" - a blend of Phase and Psychoacoustics etc etc.. :-) Lovely !! I like mixing on headphones as it helps me make decisions real quick, but hated the result prior to using the SPL.. Way too little bass and reverbs were out of the audible enjoyment range !! :-( .. ...The Waves software and NX set up is Waaaay lighter than carrying a Phonitor mini around.. I'm going to try it out, i have the NX - never tried it (the NX - I bought it recently but never had time to try - got it for singes actually... ) ,Now im sure the NX AR3 are ready to compete with the Phonitor.. i'm sure the AR3 would work super well without the NX tracker.. might be more accurate??.. i'm off to download !:-) peace!
Yes! even tho it can't be EXACTLY the same as studio 3 it's a big step in the right direction for those of us suffering with poor acoustics in bad rooms and using headphones. Big thumbs up for Abbey Road and Waves for dropping a large wad on R&D to help us in this area...it's the way forward :)
I have it, and believe it's a great ear break from my monitors and headphones. Kind of a palate cleansing and having 3 more sets of monitors to reference. I use the ATH-M50x, which are also in their list.
I activated the trial version to fiddle a bit with it... And was blown away! I immediately understood why I wan't quite satisfied with my mixes so far. The full price is already a bargain, because setting a proper monitoring room isn't as trivial as just spending 300$. If you can afford to wait (which I could), you can get the plugin for less than 100$, which is really fantastic!
I have demoed the plugin and I think it makes what was intended, but I don't think the headphone calibration is anywhere near the Sonarworks. I have a pair of DT 880 PRO 250 ohms that are individually calibrated by Sonarworks, and the Waves calibration is not really doing anything to tame the harsh highs reproduced by these headphones. Even if I compare to the average calibration curve that Sonarworks have for the DT 880 PRO's, it does a lot more to flatten the sound. I have used the plugin before Sonarworks and disabled the Waves calibration and it sounds great.
Agreed, I have Sonarworks as well and I simply turn the headphone calibration section in ARS3 off and use the Sonarworks headphone calibration instead. So ARS3 first, followed by Sonarworks. This combo is KILLER.
I checked the Waves Abbey Road and the Ocean Way virtual control rooms, and I have to say that it cuts my mix time in half. I know exactly what individual tones I am targeting, and most importantly, what I mix translates very well into almost all real world environments. Faster mixes = less ear fatigue, so I can't say enough about these 2 suites. Lastly it saves me from dropping a small fortune on building a proper control room in my home!
I feel like this is an important video that you have made Warren. Hearing all the naysayers and "many uninformed" bedroom producers shutting it down was grating at the least. Thanks for the reassurance. I have been using it with Sonarworks with a pair of Focal spirit pros to great effect.
Scarletts meal thanks ever so much! Yes, what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones!
@@Producelikeapro Yes! it's hard to argue with empirical evidence. I am thrilled that you are cool enough to let people know about the Abbey road result. That snake oil guy needs to take a trip to the chapel before making any more uninformed videos about tech he does not comprehend.
Scarletts meal it’s quite ok! I do understand that some people like to hate on a product without using it. I feel blessed that I was able to actually compare in the real room! That was a huge deal for me!
@@Producelikeapro Yeah, I can imagine that a few of the comments you receive allow for a proper English chuckle :) I agree though and think that the plugin is indispensable for those of us in untreated mix rooms. And even those like yourself "who have a great room" but want to hear the mix in a room like AS3. It really is a highly useful plugin.
The Big mains are Quested's... when they were first installed,no-one had heard anything quite like them! I was there with Alan Parson's a few years ago and listening on them is like hearing your track mastered :)
Warren, I wasn't convinced when I saw the trailer of Waves but after your demo, I'm convinced. I think I'm going to try it and buy it because it's absolutely phenomenal. Thank you for this video (another fantastic one).
I also bought the wave plugin Abbey Road collection and I was amazed how great this plugin sounds, it makes mixing with the headphones a lot easier. this plugin is just great.
I'm an MDR 7506 guy for the last 20 years or so but have never mixed with them. I really don't enjoy them for casual listening but love them for tracking. I was (erroneously it would appear) taught that you never mix on headphones, way back in the 1990s. It was only until I discovered PLAP that I was introduced to the concept of headphone mixing as "non-verboten", if you will. I have no sound constraints what-so-ever, I'm the only house on my road in the middle of nowhere and my studio is in a separate building from the house, but now I have something to try anyway, never know what new understandings will develop from exploring something new.
So, full disclosure, I've forever been skeptical about virtual mix rooms. I haven't trusted the concept, and even though I know that the Waves line of Abbey Road plugins have been amazing, I passed up on their intro sale for Abbey Road plugin owners. This video has 100% turned me around 540 degrees. Absolutely blew my mind when you bypassed the plugin, and then switched between the depth of fields. Kicking myself for not jumping on it sooner, but definitely on the list of need-to-buys now!
Hi Lethonai Wow! That’s amazing to hear! Yes, what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones! The one true way I could confirm it works!!
@@JJ-ze2ql yes the unit is still on sale here:- www.waves.com/hardware/abbey-road-studio-3-nx-head-tracker?clickid=xtZWN60IhxyJUbT0UfQwQyYMUklVe2yazXygQg0&irgwc=1&Online%20Tracking%20Link&
I was hoping for a review of this plugin ... Tanks, When I first saw the waves Nx Virtual Mix Room engine I did not realy see the use of it but then they came up with this and WOW, Thoes guys are FREAKING genius. Using 2 constants the original model respond of the room and the final support using specific headphone with the audio profil they can then extrapolate what the signal is gonna be ... BLOW MY MIND Switching from 3 speakers setup you get a clear image of you mix. Like everything else in music It`s not magic it`s just a tool but for me it was like when you have brand new pair of glasses and everything is super sharp and clear. The hollow sound of the bass or the kick or the harshness of the Vox it not gonna fix anything for you but man it will show it to you. I use it with a pair of beyerdynamic and it`s just perfect for me. Another advantage is when you are working with someone else and you are exactly in the sweet spot and talking about some specific stuff most of the time they don`t ear exactly what you ear but if you get the exact same headphone you are both in the same sweet spot of one of the best sounding studio on the planet and should ear the exact same thing !. There`s some miss understanding about the plugin. You have to turn it OFF when you Print or if you wanna check your mix on your hone Monitor. Thanks again Warren .
As far as my research goes, you should use sonarworks (if you want to) BEFORE the NX plugin, like first make the signal as flat as possible and then get the room emulation from waves.... just sayin
Bought this the day they released it and absolutely love it along side my Sonarworks. Both are fixtures in my headphones routing on my DAW now. Really transformed how I'm hearing the mix as I don't often get to sit in a good room or with monitors.
@@DaMixWizard My DAW has a monitor chain that is used just for headphones it monitor and doesn't impact what is printed in mix bus. I go thru Sonarworks first to correct headphones, then into Waves ARS3 to give me the spatial perspective.
There was quite a bit of difference at one point in the low end when you kicked the plugin in. If the track is already professionally done, should there be that much of a difference? If your previous decision was to have that type of low end, wouldn't you run the risk of thinning it out when using the bigger boom of the simulated room? Because it says Abbey Road and the plugin gives you a promise of authenticity, wouldn't most people choose to dial down the bass? And the headphone thing. Both headphone settings are adjusted to give you the sound of that room. They should sound the same. Alternative perspectives? Yes. Abbey Road Studio 3? Perhaps in different shades. OK, I'm sold!
Yes, this is a great plugin. I use it when on the road and I can't readily use my ILoud's. BTW, just wanted to say that I purchased your Pro Mix Academy Everything bundle, and there is a lot of great material. I learned a lot from your PLAP site previously. I find all of your videos great, but your ITB Mixing (the one with "Love Me I'm Rich") is especially and amazingly wonderful. The fact that you build it all up from scratch is useful and informative beyond anything I have learned from, and it makes a lot of sense, especially given the fact that many of us use different DAWs. I do use PT when I have to (started with Sound Tools and Opcode Vision decades ago), and have mixed on Logic for like a decade plus. However, the past year plus I have migrated to Reaper as my primary DAW. So I just wanted to thank you for your videos where you build up from bare tracks, which when coupled with your decades of knowledge that you provide in your humble and matter of fact way are the best single source of learning I have found on the Internet. Thanks for sharing and delivering everything with such transparency and with your warm, humble nature-- It's a beautiful and wonderful thing, as my grandma used to say.
Hi Andrew Denis wow!! Thank you ever so much my friend! I really appreciate it!! That’s very kind of you to say! I am so glad to be able to help in any way I can! Regarding the Abbey Road Three Plug In, for me what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones! Thanks for sharing your experience with us!!
If you listen to this video in headphones, it will be quite apparent how useful this plugin can be. Can't wait to try it! And that EMI console is luscious. Thanks for that!
I have been using Waves CLA Nx with my Sennheiser HD600s for a long time, and I love it so much. With the recent sale on Abbey Road plugins, I couldn't resist tue urge to complete my collection. I love it too. I don't have the HeadTracker (yet). With CLA's room, one thing I rely on is hearing the low frequencies resonate. There's a kind of rattle that is so pleasant and communicates that the information is present. It also tells me when there's too much, because it can sound distorted. With the Studio 3 plugin, I don't get that low end resonance, which is very interesting. I wonder if with time I would learn to hear the low end differently in this room. I can only imagine that the Abbey Road studio is just tighter, so it doesn't vibrate as much. It's more subtle compared to the bypassed state. Just my observations.
I wasn’t even halfway through the video when I purchased the plugin! Haha. I had been considering it but seeing Warren approve of it convinced me to do it. I can already tell that this is going to speed up my process of getting things to sound like I want them to much quicker. Your content has been so great lately Warren. Thank you !
Buying all the Waves Abbey Rd plugins tonight. So glad you did this vid because otherwise I would have not given it such consideration. Very excited. Thank you so much, Warren.
I think Waves really missed the opportunity here to make the definitive "mix with headphone" plugin. I'm an NX user and I must say that I would have bought this plugin if it was an expansion of NX, something like a platform on which load different rooms as well as speaker emulations (a market that imho would be huge - imagine a "Focal" or a "Barefoot" or an "ATC" expansion along with those of various control rooms). They didn't even include a mono source and the correction curves are still the same 10...
Thank you so much. Another great video. You save us a lot of money with your reviews. I have to use headphones a lot and it really gets tiring compared to monitors.
I like being able to move my head around the stereo field when mixing on monitors and get an idea of what's balanced. I also have a pair of Sony MDR-7506 and while they are great, using headphones feels like trying to paint a huge mural through a magnifying glass.
I do not have a good mixing environment..small room, so headphones are the way to go for me. I am test driving Abbey Road Studio 3. Pretty crazy piece of software. I am all about embracing tech., especially the sort that is designed to assist us in our daily tasks. This, I believe, is that kind of tech.
The point about headphones giving a “false sense of reality”: Isn’t it just a different sense of reality? I mean, what makes monitors reality and headphones fake? Only the fact that that’s how it’s been done and how music had been listened for a long time. But it now seems an arbitrary distinction as music is probably listened to more now on headphones (or ear buds) than on a traditional stereo speaker setup.
We've had the bt tracker since they first came out. The problem for me was keeping up with the batteries. Even when it's off, it's really not. If you don't use it for a period of time, take the batteries out - which I always forget to do. So, I use the plug-in periodically with head-tracking switched off because the camera method is slow and takes resources. Also of note; if you don't have a decent machine and you're taxing it a bit with plug-ins and whatnot, tracking doesn't work so good either way. The head starts to move more like a robot, lol. Time to bounce more trx then I guess. Anyway, I was aware of the new abbey road plugin and watching this video inspires me to get some batteries and give the new plugin a try. Cheers.
I use the Sennheiser HD800S and I can tell that the Abbey Road Studio 3 sounds fantastic!! I can "feel" (I know it sounds stupid) but I can feel the bass from the speakers with the HD800S. A little bit sad that they did not include the HD800S in the plugin :( Now it is really easy to make a bass drum or bass sounding great even if the HD800S is not supported. Great video :) Nice greetings from Germany!
Hi Mirco von Borstel that’s amazing to hear!! For me, what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones! Everyone involved in making this really was passionate about it! I was very impressed indeed!
I'm lucky enough to have spent a couple of days in Studio 3 over the years and I heard someone doing a quick mix at the end of one session through the big wall mounted speakers. I am working on my memory here (and how reliable is that??), and its watched through UA-cam, with someone else in control of the process etc., but I do feel like that Far setting on the plugin is giving me the vibe I had when I was there...
Thank you so much for this review. I just came across this plugin, I listened to the snake oil guy too who only gave negative comments without trying it properly. After seeing this I ended up purchasing this with the Sonar Headphone EQ for my Sennheisser 650HD. So far I have just A/B tracks. I think the best way to describe is listening straight on my headphones without any of the plugins the difference between a well mastered track vs average is not as big, you really have to listen acutely for the mud/lack of compression etc. Same goes with my monitors where I have poorly treated room. But after enabling the plugins when i put on a track i was working on that I thought sounded ok when compared to a well mastered like Fleetwood mac Dreams, the difference is night a day. My track sounded immediately sounded like garbage (ie full of mud, poor compression) whilst the reference song sounded amazing. And it made sense because my tracks didn't translate to other systems. I also admit I don't know my headphones and to be honest instead of learning my headphones I would rather just have a reference where like you said if 'it sounds it sounds good'. Going back to re-mixing my tracks with this on, fingers cross this is the real deal but I cant see how it can be anyway worse. Thanks again!
This is great- now I can use my headphones as a legitimate alternative evaluator, along with my nearfields and car speakers. Thank you Warren and Waves! ❤
Great tool. I just wonder, why it did take so long to hit the market. On a windows PC Creative Labs came out twenty years ago with their EAX extension, which evolved to room emulation in the later versions (EAX 5 in 2005) and ran on their Soundblaster sound cards. From 2008 such a feature is part of DirectX and therefore a part of Microsoft Windows itself. Additionaly head tracking on windows PC is nothing new. TrackIR came out in 2001 and was mostly used for simulator games. So the tools were there and now waves used them to build this nice piece of software.
@@guitboxgeek for sure it is. But it's the human sound engineers which set it up, what will be the really the time consuming factor I guess. And the reason for the good result.
This plugin will solve so many issues. What would be interesting to see/hear is a mix in progress being corrected using the plugin. Before and after. If the headphones being used are in the list, then I would imagine there is no need to select the make in the list, given the headphones are already being worn with said eq curve. To emulate trying other headphones out may work, although they would still be coloured/blended with whatever other make of headphones are being used.
Thanks Warren. Really helpful. I would have thought the mid and far would have sounded a bit more distant than the near (like a bit of room ambiance, reflections, etc.. To me here the mid and far sounded almost the same, but I didn't feel like there were large speakers far out in front of me. But then, I haven't been in that room, so.... :) Other than that, the plugin does improve on overall spaciousness, I think. Listening on Blue Lolas by the way.
I just built a new beast pc, but I would have to say no, the extra load wasn't really noticeable. But for older machines, one could render a mix out (like reference mix) and run it that way, too.
Kariuki from Kenya.... hi to all, Let's say I would like to hear simulations of all studios you work in and any other studio the big engineers work in like Lord alge, Andrew scheps, and the like... Abbey roads simulation is just the beginning. Also can you imagine what the headphone companies will start doing to improve sound on their part? This seems to me to be a ground breaking idea... Also can you imagine the first headphones with little 5.1 or 7.1 speakers fitted all round on each side😄😄😄😄😄?
Thanks for the review! Your opinion of the plugin is of course highly valued; however, I was really hoping that you would demonstrate mixing with the plugin versus mixing without - maybe a 3-day gap so that you would come to the mix fresh and not remember anything about your precise decisions, and then seeing how the two mixes compare when transfered to the monitors? I know it's a lot to ask, but that's why I love your channel: seeing the hands-on business of how you work. And it's the mixing that we most want to know about, rather than how well the plugin applies the sound of a room to a finished stereo mix.
Love the plug-in but only ever having had 1 set of monitors in the real world can you please explain what I should be listening for when comparing a mix between the Near, Mid & Far set? My hobbyist mixes sound vastly different when switching between the Far monitors and the other two.
I'm really tempted by this being a typical home studio type with a small room with the usual bass problems. I've put a lot of thick fibreglass treatment in the room, but with the room being small, there's a point where to improve the bass to any greater degree, the room starts going dead for everything else. And using Mackie 824s with the bass ports creates that ringing on you can see on a waterfall graph. I seem to just be denied clear, tight, defined bass below around 150hz. It also seems to me that headphones don't give you a true picture of frequency masking, either. Hopefully the Abbey Road 3 will help along those lines, too. People are going to wonder if the Abbey Road 3 makes their mix sound better than it really is. If I understand what the software is supposed to do, it should reveal flaws just as readily as it seems to enhance the material by emulating a fantastic room that the likes of me will never set foot in. Does it do that, then, is my question - Give one another honest reference that reveals what stinks, too?
can i use Sonarworks first, and Waves next at the master channel??? (yes, both plugins in the master) my fone is an AKG K240 MKII and works well with Sonarworks
yes, you can use both of them on the master bus - sonarworks for the EQ curve, Waves Abbey Road Studio 3 for the 3d acoustic response emulation of the control room.
Witch Speaker are a good way on the Plugin to mix voice/vocals? Near, mid or far ? For me the mid are good for Mastering in the end. Thanks for answere :)
Yes! Great video. Ordered mine yesterday. We're moving to a smaller flat and I will be mixing almost exclusively on headphones from now on. I also have sonarworks. This will be great for me!
Stop it i cant keep spending money lol Thanks Warren this was great i travel 50 weeks a year for my work i have to mix in headphones as I’m in hotels most of the time this is a godsend for my mixes. Thank you
So When you finish your mix, and its time to bounce what do you do? I mean I'm guessing you don't want Studio 3s ambients in the mix. When you take the plugin off and all the sound coming from the plugin is gone, what happens with the mix? Genuinely, curious... Seems super interesting tho... Just had the one concern. Thank you Warren you guys are amazing. THANK YOU!!!
Hi Joel Polanco marvellous question! No, this is just for monitoring! For me, what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones! Thanks for your amazing question! Happy Mixing!
TY for getting back to me, I’m sorry I may be a bit slow but monitoring through plugins is not so clear to me. Once your mix is done through it will it not change your mix when you take it off to bounce down? I guess I should just try it but I was concerned that I’d get a great mix then I take it off it’s sucks.
Joel Polanco I understand your concern! If you get a great mix in Abbey Road Studio Three it will translate it all circumstances! That’s the exact reason for using it! I hope that clarifies?
Produce Like A Pro Yes W, it does. I kinda felt it would translate coz it otherwise I don’t think you’d be about it, but I was just wasn’t 100%. Moving to England in Nov. Hopefully I’ll see studio 3 in person by early next year. As always your work means so much to me and so many others thank you so very much.
@@joeydracorosa thanks very much for sharing your questions with us! I really appreciate the well thought out responses, it really helps others immensely!!
Just picked up the Abbey road mastering chain plugin. Gotta say i absolutely love it !!! I know its been out for a minute but it's very powerful. You should do a review on it. Great plugin to have in your arsenal...Great video as usual warren.
I'm with you Warren, I hate mixing with headphones. I feel suffocated! I use my Abbey Road Plate Reverbs which are my favourite plugins. I like them so much I don't even use amp reverbs or pedals anymore. I'm a convert to ITB recording which 20 years ago I would have told myself to fcuk off but how things have changed!
It's sad, that your prediction about Fleetwood Mac and Weekend claiming this video will probably become reality. And without disrespecting their efforts in making these songs, I guess that most people, like me, would have loved if the sound had stopped at the time, to hear you talking about this amazing beauty. Also I guess, that nobody opened this video in hope of hearing one of them in the first place. UA-cam should really try to protect content creators a little bit more, when it comes to any kind of fair use. Thanks for the demo and the review!
@@yobhsiFehT That's what I meant. YT doesn't even argue, when a video got claimed, even if it is clear, that fair use rules apply. It's up to the creators, but who of those can afford legal teams like major labels can. That's what makes it sad.
I actually downloaded the 7-day free demo of this plugin. It definitely made a difference, but I dispute their claim that it works with any headphones. I used it on a pair of Beyerdynamic 770s and a pair of AKG K340s. Neither was listed in their EQ menus, so I left it on "None". The Beyerdynamic 770s sounded really good. This plugin boosted the lows, and the 770s could tolerate that. The AKG K340s sounded unbearably bad--almost unlistenable. They were VERY boomy. It seems like the "None" EQ setting in the plugin boosts the low mids, and since the K340s already have plenty of low mids, it ruined the sound. I do have a pair of the Sony 7506s, and when I put them on and activated the EQ for them, they sounded remarkable. I believe that this plugin can help my mixes, so I'll probably buy it, but I suggest that if you get this plugin and don't have a set of the headphones shown in the EQ section, plan on buying one of them. As you saw in this video, you can get some that are reasonably priced. BTW, I was using already mixed and mastered tracks by a hugely successful modern country rock band for my comparisons.
Hi Jim Glunt I understand completely! There are probably some headphones, as you are suggesting, that have a huge EQ curve already and will need seriously flattening out. Obviously like less than ideal sounding rooms and speakers we get used to the headphones issues. I spoke to Waves and they said they are adding more headphone models to their plug in! That should really help with those issues! For me what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones!
Yes, Warren, I believe that using one of the sets of headphones with the EQ curves that Waves has installed makes this an excellent plugin. I'm really impressed that Waves has included a financially wide variety of headphones to help all of us get great results. (Thank you, Waves!) and I'm glad to hear they're pressing on to add even more. On all the headphones I tried, the plugin certainly added a sense of space. I appreciate this video, and all your videos!
Thanks again Warren and team. Greatly appreciated this informative video. I am really impressed by this plugin. I use the normal nx version they released and thought it was great, now this seems even better. I'm not sure but did you do a review of the Abbey Roads TG Mastering plugin? Cheers!
And Warren, do you 'feel' the bass in Abbey Road Studio 3? I would assume you do on the far speakers. Making me wonder about how this plugin would work with that body sub thingy. Thanks!
wow listened on my monitors first and could hear the change when you turned your head then same on headphone very cool another great video warren thanks
14:56 I totally love listening on real speakers, agree 100% real world listening is where its at for us purists. In a great room theres nothing like it, Grin Grin, Wink Wink, Nudge Nudge, Say No More! However, the majority of real world listening that I've seen is done with ear buds in the car in traffic, on a bike riding in traffic, wandering into traffic, working out at a gym, or underwater after walking off a pier. This is where the 'listening to music' experience has been taken through marketing. Would you say a room mix translates to headphones or earbuds better than a headphone mix? Apartment dweller studios may have neighbor issues with boomy speaker monitors as well. For a Beatles or other early vacuum tube recording format update I would actually prefer a digital recording of clean vinyl, played through the best consumer tube amp of the year it was recorded if applicable, (modern speakers) captured with a 360 degree Omni Binaural microphone, in a great room like Abbey Road. To me it would have the charm of being a real world throwback to just how it was heard at the time. Modern digital remixing isnt exactly the original sound. Maybe the future will be the Abbey Road digital room modeler if its not there already. Guitar Center - the monster that devoured mom & pop.
As great headphones are now better than great speakers iand a fraction of the cost even for top of the line. It is the room that counts, if you dont have the best room or just want to check your mix something like this or Slate's whcih has more; clubs, cars boomboxes etc. So the question is how good is it with really good hphones like audezes xs etc?
You said at one point to make sure you listen at 1080p, does the video quality have an effect on audio quality? I don't really know jack when it comes to the world of video.
When you lower the video quality UA-cam also lowers the audio quality. I think from 1080p you get the highest audio quality UA-cam offers (It's still fairly low quality).
Now you've opened a can of worms! 😂 I've got an old pair of beyer dt150s. I might try them with the demo version to see what I get. The dt150s sound really lame to me, which I find difficult to work on. I mostly use them for tracking now. Maybe with this system I can get some sort of combination that works. Thanks for your help and keep up the great work 😁🎶🎤
I think what I find utterly confusing and misleading is the notion that "we are in the ROOM". That's the sell, and I am baffled by it. I own the plugin. I also own the hd600, sony 7506's. I use the eq profiles. Using the eq profile, it's a completely different sound between the headphones. If we're "in the room" shouldn't there be less of a difference between switching headphones using the eq profiles? To add to that, Warren, you mentioned that the difference in each headphone using or not using the eq profile was massive. In the 7506's I'd very much agree. So my question is, if the there's a "massive" difference for each headphone with the eq profile and no eq profile in the "room" itself, AND to me it's obvious that each set of headphones WITH the eq profile are completely different... 1. What does the room actually sound like? 2. What the heck room AM I in? lol. You mentioned you used Sennheiser's at the actual studio and then immediately compared to the space, and felt that it was comparable. But you don't use the same set of headphones in this test as a point of reference of the actual room. (or did you? Which senns did you use?) So I'm left confused. Do they sound like I'm listening to monitors? Almost. Am I glad I have the plugin? Yes. Helpful? Yes!! Am I in the room where hits were made? Judging by my 2 headphones using their eq profile, no way, because there is no consistency in sound aside from near, mid and far. But the room? I sincerely have to say no. In the end of the video, you do mention it adds as "another environment". I add, another environment you can trust IF you know your headphones) But people who only have 7506's and no other reference will believe they are "in the room" because THAT is the sell here. Knowing your headphones is still of paramount importance, because if one day we DID mix at abbey road studio 3 after only using the plugin with 7506's, we might be in for a big surprise! Thoughts?
Hi Jory Kevin Berger thanks for your comment! For me what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones! I got to actually hear both sources and it does, indeed, sound like the room!
Jory Kevin Berger my gut is if you use headphones with their EQ settings in particular then you will get great results! Check out some comments here of people that have used the plug in to great effect!
Hi friends! Mixing on headphones isn’t for everyone, however sometimes it’s all we can do! Not everyone has even $300 for powered speakers or more importantly a treated great sounding room! In this video I drove to Guitar Center and bought two pairs of affordable headphones to demonstrate this new software! I hope you enjoy the video! What studio would you like to see next? Let me know below!
Mellow Hollow Studio....my home studio. j/k 😎 This plugin looks great! I am going to demo it. Thanks
Metal Works
If you ever make it to Wales again, please visit Rockfield Studios, so many of my all time favourite bands recorded there. That would be amazing :).
Produce Like A Pro I want it. I simply can’t afford it at the moment. The NX. The room emulation software. All of it. I mix an a pentagonal room just big enough for me to fit in. I use Status headphones and five inch monitors. This would be an enormous help to me. Sucks being poor. But I will have this one day. Mostly because I trust you and your assessment as much, if not more, than I love Waves. Thank you.
Real World Studio
This is a game changer. Mixed a metal track through 7506s. And abbey rd. Played it everywhere I use for reference and BAM! Sounds great . I’m sold. Brilliant.
Hi Adrian Allen that’s amazing to hear!!
@@EverythingMusicRecording great stuff! Thanks for sharing! Yes, most of the professionals I know that have used it love it!
I was about to ask if MDR 7506 worked 😂 I have one, thanks.
I tried it first and bought it right away and use it for a month now. Life changing because I can only work on headphones. Less fatique and better sounding mixes... Great results with a beyerdynamic DT1770.
Hi Schilliebillie fantastic to hear! I’m loving it for working on headphones!
@@Producelikeapro Hi Warren, I get a 5db increase on my master bus reading when I use the plugin with Sennheiser HD280 Headphone EQ.
Why is that happening if the plugin is only used for monitoring?
I realized that as well, I mixed for about 4 hours straight and wasn't as fatigued as I would be without it
I've been using this for a bit now, with the 280 pros.
One cool feature is being able to adjust your outboard gear and not lose the center image. My gear sits on the side
well away from the center listening position of my monitors.
I'm not finding the head tracker a requirement and have been using without.
Just listening to music is a joy as well. You really have to try it unless you have a great room already.
Hi Robert Miller marvellous endorsement my friend! Thanks for sharing!
What a nice coincidence. Today my son was at Abby Roads taking the tour which included a lecture from retired EMI engineer Ken Townsend. So it was nice to get a peek inside. I texted him the link to your video so he can watch it on the flight home tomorrow. Sound like the plugin is a real winner for home studio users in particule.
How did he find it ? Really wanted to go to it. I've been in Studio 1 working for some composers on some trailer music since last Thursday and saw them all going into the lectures. Our first day was the 50th anniversary of THAT photo. Crazy day !!! We also had Lester Smith popping in for a bit to the session and dropped some pearls of wisdom on us.
On a side note, the chap from A.R in this video is an old fried who I went to school with. Had some fun times recording there with him. 😁
Although I much prefer to be sitting in an acoustically treated room using real speakers to monitor a mix, I've always liked the idea of having monitor and room emulations using headphones as an alternative. I have, and occasionally still use, the Focusrite Virtual Reference Monitor, but the newer emulations like NX and Studio 3, both of which I also use, are far superior to the older tech of the VRM. What a great time to be alive and to be recording and mixing.
If you want to mix good on headphones, you just need to put the master in mono, turn the volume down, and level everything just right. Once that sounds good, you're usually fine. Besides that, just don't overuse compression or EQ, and get a good ear for well-recorded virtual instruments. You'll get a feel for certain plugins over time and how you can use them for certain effects, but generally speaking, stick to those rules. Test your mixes on speakers, and make sure to listen to other songs on those speakers as well. For example, if you're mixing trap, you need to listen to other trap songs on your car speakers so that you know what a good mix sounds like on car speakers. If you approach car speakers expecting them to have a perfectly even response like headphones, you'll think your mix is bad. You'll figure out quickly that you don't need an amazingly treated room once you really get to know your headphones and how the headphone mixes tend to translate to speakers. Really knowing even one other set of speakers is all you need.
Hi Dance God wonderful advice my friend!!
Or buy the plugin.
The Abbey Road 3 is designed to help our search and desire for near perfect mixing as you would in a 'true" sounding room ???..(rooms - spaces all have their 'flavour' too) this particular room is proven territory ! The word 'Translate' is Big here..How the mix your making; using this software, with your headphones of preference, will no doubt, aid your mix to come across with marked accuracy on your own monitors and the outside world..Problem with headphones normally - is your actually mixing within a closed (or not so - likes of DT990 headphones) 180º L + R speaker array - that is what essentially the Normal Headphone experience is... Abbey Road stereo mode is based on 30º listening centre point -- SPL Phonitor Mini has a 30º setting on it a 22º too for super near monitors, a proximity effect can be dialled in, using a cross talk etc etc.(all designed in AR3 @ 30º i'm gathering here) The SPL gets terrific mixes that "translate" well on the speakers i switch to check.. way less compensation to fix any oddities on my speaker reference when using this "Trick Tech" - a blend of Phase and Psychoacoustics etc etc.. :-) Lovely !! I like mixing on headphones as it helps me make decisions real quick, but hated the result prior to using the SPL.. Way too little bass and reverbs were out of the audible enjoyment range !! :-( .. ...The Waves software and NX set up is Waaaay lighter than carrying a Phonitor mini around.. I'm going to try it out, i have the NX - never tried it (the NX - I bought it recently but never had time to try - got it for singes actually... ) ,Now im sure the NX AR3 are ready to compete with the Phonitor.. i'm sure the AR3 would work super well without the NX tracker.. might be more accurate??.. i'm off to download !:-) peace!
Yes! even tho it can't be EXACTLY the same as studio 3 it's a big step in the right direction for those of us suffering with poor acoustics in bad rooms and using headphones. Big thumbs up for Abbey Road and Waves for dropping a large wad on R&D to help us in this area...it's the way forward :)
David Tait agreed 100%! They did two years worth of development in this! Very impressive indeed!
I have it, and believe it's a great ear break from my monitors and headphones. Kind of a palate cleansing and having 3 more sets of monitors to reference. I use the ATH-M50x, which are also in their list.
How was it? I don’t have studio.. thinking if this will be a good one.
I activated the trial version to fiddle a bit with it... And was blown away! I immediately understood why I wan't quite satisfied with my mixes so far.
The full price is already a bargain, because setting a proper monitoring room isn't as trivial as just spending 300$.
If you can afford to wait (which I could), you can get the plugin for less than 100$, which is really fantastic!
I have demoed the plugin and I think it makes what was intended, but I don't think the headphone calibration is anywhere near the Sonarworks. I have a pair of DT 880 PRO 250 ohms that are individually calibrated by Sonarworks, and the Waves calibration is not really doing anything to tame the harsh highs reproduced by these headphones. Even if I compare to the average calibration curve that Sonarworks have for the DT 880 PRO's, it does a lot more to flatten the sound. I have used the plugin before Sonarworks and disabled the Waves calibration and it sounds great.
Ah, exactly the answer I was after! Thanks heaps!
Thanks ever so mjhuch for sharing your experiences Peter!!
Agreed, I have Sonarworks as well and I simply turn the headphone calibration section in ARS3 off and use the Sonarworks headphone calibration instead. So ARS3 first, followed by Sonarworks. This combo is KILLER.
@@drvoodoo3073 I like to use sonarworks first then abbey road. Flatten the headphone frequencies the hear the ab3 real environment
@@jamalcole1985 this would actually make more sense to me thanks mae
I checked the Waves Abbey Road and the Ocean Way virtual control rooms, and I have to say that it cuts my mix time in half. I know exactly what individual tones I am targeting, and most importantly, what I mix translates very well into almost all real world environments. Faster mixes = less ear fatigue, so I can't say enough about these 2 suites. Lastly it saves me from dropping a small fortune on building a proper control room in my home!
I feel like this is an important video that you have made Warren. Hearing all the naysayers and "many uninformed" bedroom producers shutting it down was grating at the least. Thanks for the reassurance. I have been using it with Sonarworks with a pair of Focal spirit pros to great effect.
Scarletts meal thanks ever so much! Yes, what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones!
@@Producelikeapro Yes! it's hard to argue with empirical evidence. I am thrilled that you are cool enough to let people know about the Abbey road result. That snake oil guy needs to take a trip to the chapel before making any more uninformed videos about tech he does not comprehend.
Scarletts meal it’s quite ok! I do understand that some people like to hate on a product without using it. I feel blessed that I was able to actually compare in the real room! That was a huge deal for me!
@@Producelikeapro Yeah, I can imagine that a few of the comments you receive allow for a proper English chuckle :) I agree though and think that the plugin is indispensable for those of us in untreated mix rooms. And even those like yourself "who have a great room" but want to hear the mix in a room like AS3. It really is a highly useful plugin.
The Big mains are Quested's... when they were first installed,no-one had heard anything quite like them! I was there with Alan Parson's a few years ago and listening on them is like hearing your track mastered :)
Wow! I'm impressed! AP is a legend
Thanks ever so much for sharing that information Rich!! Yes, amazing sounding room!
@@guitboxgeek Yes! Alan Parsons certainly is!!
@@Producelikeapro Love your Uber-Quality Content! ... ThanX for everything you do in the community!!!
Warren, I wasn't convinced when I saw the trailer of Waves but after your demo, I'm convinced. I think I'm going to try it and buy it because it's absolutely phenomenal. Thank you for this video (another fantastic one).
Thanks ever so much Stephanie! I really appreciate your great comment!!
I also bought the wave plugin Abbey Road collection and I was amazed how great this plugin sounds, it makes mixing with the headphones a lot easier.
this plugin is just great.
Thanks ever so much for sharing
I downloaded the demo immediately after watching this. I have to say, I'm impressed!
Tom Spice great! Me too! I’m very impressed!
@@Producelikeapro fantastic application of ambisonic tech
Tom Spice marvellous!!
I downloaded the demo, tried it out for about an hour and promptly purchased the plugin :)
I'm an MDR 7506 guy for the last 20 years or so but have never mixed with them. I really don't enjoy them for casual listening but love them for tracking. I was (erroneously it would appear) taught that you never mix on headphones, way back in the 1990s. It was only until I discovered PLAP that I was introduced to the concept of headphone mixing as "non-verboten", if you will. I have no sound constraints what-so-ever, I'm the only house on my road in the middle of nowhere and my studio is in a separate building from the house, but now I have something to try anyway, never know what new understandings will develop from exploring something new.
If one were to spin around fast enough I'm sure an excellent Leslie effect could be achieved! (Wireless headphones recommended.)
Thank you for the amazing videos btw. Many hours of brilliant stuff, especially the classic album series!
So, full disclosure, I've forever been skeptical about virtual mix rooms. I haven't trusted the concept, and even though I know that the Waves line of Abbey Road plugins have been amazing, I passed up on their intro sale for Abbey Road plugin owners. This video has 100% turned me around 540 degrees. Absolutely blew my mind when you bypassed the plugin, and then switched between the depth of fields. Kicking myself for not jumping on it sooner, but definitely on the list of need-to-buys now!
Hi Lethonai Wow! That’s amazing to hear! Yes, what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones! The one true way I could confirm it works!!
The intro discount code still works. Well at least for the NX owners..
@@JJ-ze2ql yes the unit is still on sale here:- www.waves.com/hardware/abbey-road-studio-3-nx-head-tracker?clickid=xtZWN60IhxyJUbT0UfQwQyYMUklVe2yazXygQg0&irgwc=1&Online%20Tracking%20Link&
I was hoping for a review of this plugin ... Tanks, When I first saw the waves Nx Virtual Mix Room engine I did not realy see the use of it but then they came up with this and WOW, Thoes guys are FREAKING genius. Using 2 constants the original model respond of the room and the final support using specific headphone with the audio profil they can then extrapolate what the signal is gonna be ... BLOW MY MIND Switching from 3 speakers setup you get a clear image of you mix. Like everything else in music It`s not magic it`s just a tool but for me it was like when you have brand new pair of glasses and everything is super sharp and clear. The hollow sound of the bass or the kick or the harshness of the Vox it not gonna fix anything for you but man it will show it to you. I use it with a pair of beyerdynamic and it`s just perfect for me. Another advantage is when you are working with someone else and you are exactly in the sweet spot and talking about some specific stuff most of the time they don`t ear exactly what you ear but if you get the exact same headphone you are both in the same sweet spot of one of the best sounding studio on the planet and should ear the exact same thing !. There`s some miss understanding about the plugin. You have to turn it OFF when you Print or if you wanna check your mix on your hone Monitor. Thanks again Warren .
Michel Doucet wow! Thanks ever so much for your amazing comment my friend! I really appreciate you sharing your experiences with us!!
As far as my research goes, you should use sonarworks (if you want to) BEFORE the NX plugin, like first make the signal as flat as possible and then get the room emulation from waves.... just sayin
Wow technology is blowing my mind everyday! Such a great idea!
Hi dsgseven7 yes! We live in great times my friend!!
was great meeting you and your lovely wife at ARS! thanks for taking the time and reviewing this tech thoroughly :)
Hi Yotam Waves you’re very welcome my friend! Thanks ever so much for having us there! Great to meet you!
Bought this the day they released it and absolutely love it along side my Sonarworks. Both are fixtures in my headphones routing on my DAW now. Really transformed how I'm hearing the mix as I don't often get to sit in a good room or with monitors.
You have Waves first or the Abbey on the insert?
@@DaMixWizard My DAW has a monitor chain that is used just for headphones it monitor and doesn't impact what is printed in mix bus. I go thru Sonarworks first to correct headphones, then into Waves ARS3 to give me the spatial perspective.
Sean Johnson great stuff my friend! Thanks ever so much for sharing your experiences!
DatBoyNell1 marvellous question!
Sean Johnson great stuff!
I didn't realize (and others may not know) that the Headtracker also works with built in camera!
Hi Rummagin' Ray Fantastic!!
I just purchased Studio 3 and was blown away by the sound. Plus, I got it on discount £29. 😊
Thanks ever so much for sharing
Thanks for covering this Warren! This software is an excellent advantage. It would also work great for anyone mixing Big Rock in an apartment.
This is amazing, wow its fascinating how the brain hears and listens to music, thank you Warren for the video. Cheers
Hi arthur rogers thanks ever so much for your great comment my friend!!
There was quite a bit of difference at one point in the low end when you kicked the plugin in. If the track is already professionally done, should there be that much of a difference? If your previous decision was to have that type of low end, wouldn't you run the risk of thinning it out when using the bigger boom of the simulated room? Because it says Abbey Road and the plugin gives you a promise of authenticity, wouldn't most people choose to dial down the bass?
And the headphone thing. Both headphone settings are adjusted to give you the sound of that room. They should sound the same.
Alternative perspectives? Yes. Abbey Road Studio 3? Perhaps in different shades.
OK, I'm sold!
Yes, this is a great plugin. I use it when on the road and I can't readily use my ILoud's.
BTW, just wanted to say that I purchased your Pro Mix Academy Everything bundle, and there is a lot of great material. I learned a lot from your PLAP site previously. I find all of your videos great, but your ITB Mixing (the one with "Love Me I'm Rich") is especially and amazingly wonderful. The fact that you build it all up from scratch is useful and informative beyond anything I have learned from, and it makes a lot of sense, especially given the fact that many of us use different DAWs.
I do use PT when I have to (started with Sound Tools and Opcode Vision decades ago), and have mixed on Logic for like a decade plus. However, the past year plus I have migrated to Reaper as my primary DAW. So I just wanted to thank you for your videos where you build up from bare tracks, which when coupled with your decades of knowledge that you provide in your humble and matter of fact way are the best single source of learning I have found on the Internet.
Thanks for sharing and delivering everything with such transparency and with your warm, humble nature-- It's a beautiful and wonderful thing, as my grandma used to say.
Hi Andrew Denis wow!! Thank you ever so much my friend! I really appreciate it!! That’s very kind of you to say! I am so glad to be able to help in any way I can! Regarding the Abbey Road Three Plug In, for me what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones! Thanks for sharing your experience with us!!
If you listen to this video in headphones, it will be quite apparent how useful this plugin can be. Can't wait to try it! And that EMI console is luscious. Thanks for that!
I have been using Waves CLA Nx with my Sennheiser HD600s for a long time, and I love it so much. With the recent sale on Abbey Road plugins, I couldn't resist tue urge to complete my collection. I love it too. I don't have the HeadTracker (yet). With CLA's room, one thing I rely on is hearing the low frequencies resonate. There's a kind of rattle that is so pleasant and communicates that the information is present. It also tells me when there's too much, because it can sound distorted. With the Studio 3 plugin, I don't get that low end resonance, which is very interesting. I wonder if with time I would learn to hear the low end differently in this room. I can only imagine that the Abbey Road studio is just tighter, so it doesn't vibrate as much. It's more subtle compared to the bypassed state. Just my observations.
I wasn’t even halfway through the video when I purchased the plugin! Haha. I had been considering it but seeing Warren approve of it convinced me to do it. I can already tell that this is going to speed up my process of getting things to sound like I want them to much quicker. Your content has been so great lately Warren. Thank you !
A perfect A-B combination for a small studio. Buying it.
The Artist ONE that’s amazing to hear my friend!
I look forward to seeing you using this emulation during a livestream.
Kevin marvellous idea!
Buying all the Waves Abbey Rd plugins tonight. So glad you did this vid because otherwise I would have not given it such consideration. Very excited. Thank you so much, Warren.
Electric Ladyland would be awesome. Great video, as always. Thanks Warren.
There are a couple studios that "regular" people know: Abbey Road, Electric Ladyland, and Paisley Park.
@@terrymiller111 Would you put SoundCity in there?
stoneslice yes, what a marvellous idea indeed!
Terry Miller agreed! Great choices!
Daniel Drader I have never mixed there, however years ago I did record a few albums there!
I think Waves really missed the opportunity here to make the definitive "mix with headphone" plugin.
I'm an NX user and I must say that I would have bought this plugin if it was an expansion of NX, something like a platform on which load different rooms as well as speaker emulations (a market that imho would be huge - imagine a "Focal" or a "Barefoot" or an "ATC" expansion along with those of various control rooms).
They didn't even include a mono source and the correction curves are still the same 10...
You may be onto something here!
Thank you so much. Another great video. You save us a lot of money with your reviews. I have to use headphones a lot and it really gets tiring compared to monitors.
Thanks ever so much Michael!
I just got this the other day and the thing I like about it is that I can also mix in some of the studio sound to improve the sound of my room.
I think I will get this to try.. I only have one small Yamaha classic monitor speaker and playing kids in background 😂 Now this will give me privacy.
Review Harrison Mixbus 5 and 32c ,thank you Warren,great plugin!
M Biance Why? I really love Mixbus 5
@M Biance Mac or Windows?
Between you and Glenn...You guy's have inspired me.
Edwin Crain aw shucks! Thanks ever so much my friend!
Edwin Crain aw shucks! Thanks ever so much my friend!
@@Producelikeapro I'm honored...Thank you.
Friend !
I like being able to move my head around the stereo field when mixing on monitors and get an idea of what's balanced. I also have a pair of Sony MDR-7506 and while they are great, using headphones feels like trying to paint a huge mural through a magnifying glass.
Thanks ever so much for sharing your experiences my friend!
@@Producelikeapro just following your example :)
Koss Billingham that’s very cool of you my friend!
I do not have a good mixing environment..small room, so headphones are the way to go for me. I am test driving Abbey Road Studio 3. Pretty crazy piece of software. I am all about embracing tech., especially the sort that is designed to assist us in our daily tasks. This, I believe, is that kind of tech.
The point about headphones giving a “false sense of reality”: Isn’t it just a different sense of reality? I mean, what makes monitors reality and headphones fake? Only the fact that that’s how it’s been done and how music had been listened for a long time. But it now seems an arbitrary distinction as music is probably listened to more now on headphones (or ear buds) than on a traditional stereo speaker setup.
Yep I think TBH ,most of the time I’m in headphones so this will have to be brought in!
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!!
We've had the bt tracker since they first came out. The problem for me was keeping up with the batteries. Even when it's off, it's really not. If you don't use it for a period of time, take the batteries out - which I always forget to do. So, I use the plug-in periodically with head-tracking switched off because the camera method is slow and takes resources. Also of note; if you don't have a decent machine and you're taxing it a bit with plug-ins and whatnot, tracking doesn't work so good either way. The head starts to move more like a robot, lol. Time to bounce more trx then I guess. Anyway, I was aware of the new abbey road plugin and watching this video inspires me to get some batteries and give the new plugin a try. Cheers.
I use the Sennheiser HD800S and I can tell that the Abbey Road Studio 3 sounds fantastic!!
I can "feel" (I know it sounds stupid) but I can feel the bass from the speakers with the HD800S.
A little bit sad that they did not include the HD800S in the plugin :(
Now it is really easy to make a bass drum or bass sounding great even if the HD800S is not supported.
Great video :)
Nice greetings from Germany!
Hi Mirco von Borstel that’s amazing to hear!! For me, what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones! Everyone involved in making this really was passionate about it! I was very impressed indeed!
I'm lucky enough to have spent a couple of days in Studio 3 over the years and I heard someone doing a quick mix at the end of one session through the big wall mounted speakers. I am working on my memory here (and how reliable is that??), and its watched through UA-cam, with someone else in control of the process etc., but I do feel like that Far setting on the plugin is giving me the vibe I had when I was there...
Thank you so much for this review. I just came across this plugin, I listened to the snake oil guy too who only gave negative comments without trying it properly. After seeing this I ended up purchasing this with the Sonar Headphone EQ for my Sennheisser 650HD. So far I have just A/B tracks. I think the best way to describe is listening straight on my headphones without any of the plugins the difference between a well mastered track vs average is not as big, you really have to listen acutely for the mud/lack of compression etc. Same goes with my monitors where I have poorly treated room.
But after enabling the plugins when i put on a track i was working on that I thought sounded ok when compared to a well mastered like Fleetwood mac Dreams, the difference is night a day. My track sounded immediately sounded like garbage (ie full of mud, poor compression) whilst the reference song sounded amazing. And it made sense because my tracks didn't translate to other systems. I also admit I don't know my headphones and to be honest instead of learning my headphones I would rather just have a reference where like you said if 'it sounds it sounds good'. Going back to re-mixing my tracks with this on, fingers cross this is the real deal but I cant see how it can be anyway worse. Thanks again!
This is great- now I can use my headphones as a legitimate alternative evaluator, along with my nearfields and car speakers. Thank you Warren and Waves! ❤
I'm wearing headphones watching this and i can hear the left/right pan... that's sweet
Great tool. I just wonder, why it did take so long to hit the market. On a windows PC Creative Labs came out twenty years ago with their EAX extension, which evolved to room emulation in the later versions (EAX 5 in 2005) and ran on their Soundblaster sound cards. From 2008 such a feature is part of DirectX and therefore a part of Microsoft Windows itself. Additionaly head tracking on windows PC is nothing new. TrackIR came out in 2001 and was mostly used for simulator games. So the tools were there and now waves used them to build this nice piece of software.
I'm pretty sure the tech used here is a lot more intensive and involved.
Because augmented reality is getting popular again.
@@guitboxgeek for sure it is. But it's the human sound engineers which set it up, what will be the really the time consuming factor I guess. And the reason for the good result.
This plugin will solve so many issues. What would be interesting to see/hear is a mix in progress being corrected using the plugin. Before and after. If the headphones being used are in the list, then I would imagine there is no need to select the make in the list, given the headphones are already being worn with said eq curve. To emulate trying other headphones out may work, although they would still be coloured/blended with whatever other make of headphones are being used.
Thanks Warren. Really helpful.
I would have thought the mid and far would have sounded a bit more distant than the near (like a bit of room ambiance, reflections, etc.. To me here the mid and far sounded almost the same, but I didn't feel like there were large speakers far out in front of me. But then, I haven't been in that room, so.... :) Other than that, the plugin does improve on overall spaciousness, I think. Listening on Blue Lolas by the way.
HI Clay, that's not unfortunately my experience at all! Haha On the far speakers on my Lola's it definitely sounds far! Almost disconcerting at first!
@@Producelikeapro Ok. Thanks!
Thank you! All the best to you 😎
Thanks ever so much
I'm curious if it has a heavy CPU load? Sounds like a game changer.
I just built a new beast pc, but I would have to say no, the extra load wasn't really noticeable. But for older machines, one could render a mix out (like reference mix) and run it that way, too.
I really hope they make a Studio 2 plug in!
Rodrigo Bravo yes, that would be an amazing thing indeed!
Bill Putnam rooms! 🤞🏻😬🤞🏻 lol
Hi yobhsiFehT other choices are coming I’m sure of it!
Hello Warren, do you think this works with solo classical piano music as well?
Kariuki from Kenya....
hi to all, Let's say I would like to hear simulations of all studios you work in and any other studio the big engineers work in like Lord alge, Andrew scheps, and the like... Abbey roads simulation is just the beginning. Also can you imagine what the headphone companies will start doing to improve sound on their part? This seems to me to be a ground breaking idea... Also can you imagine the first headphones with little 5.1 or 7.1 speakers fitted all round on each side😄😄😄😄😄?
Hi Ark Angel thanks ever so much for your marvellous and detailed comment!!
Thanks for the review! Your opinion of the plugin is of course highly valued; however, I was really hoping that you would demonstrate mixing with the plugin versus mixing without - maybe a 3-day gap so that you would come to the mix fresh and not remember anything about your precise decisions, and then seeing how the two mixes compare when transfered to the monitors? I know it's a lot to ask, but that's why I love your channel: seeing the hands-on business of how you work. And it's the mixing that we most want to know about, rather than how well the plugin applies the sound of a room to a finished stereo mix.
Love the plug-in but only ever having had 1 set of monitors in the real world can you please explain what I should be listening for when comparing a mix between the Near, Mid & Far set? My hobbyist mixes sound vastly different when switching between the Far monitors and the other two.
I'm really tempted by this being a typical home studio type with a small room with the usual bass problems. I've put a lot of thick fibreglass treatment in the room, but with the room being small, there's a point where to improve the bass to any greater degree, the room starts going dead for everything else. And using Mackie 824s with the bass ports creates that ringing on you can see on a waterfall graph. I seem to just be denied clear, tight, defined bass below around 150hz.
It also seems to me that headphones don't give you a true picture of frequency masking, either. Hopefully the Abbey Road 3 will help along those lines, too.
People are going to wonder if the Abbey Road 3 makes their mix sound better than it really is. If I understand what the software is supposed to do, it should reveal flaws just as readily as it seems to enhance the material by emulating a fantastic room that the likes of me will never set foot in. Does it do that, then, is my question - Give one another honest reference that reveals what stinks, too?
can i use Sonarworks first, and Waves next at the master channel??? (yes, both plugins in the master)
my fone is an AKG K240 MKII and works well with Sonarworks
yes, you can use both of them on the master bus - sonarworks for the EQ curve, Waves Abbey Road Studio 3 for the 3d acoustic response emulation of the control room.
Been. Watching ur videos lately.
My Mixing techniques had been Improving .my practical Session exami pass 100% 🔥🔥🔥
Increíble, la tecnología está avanzando a pasos gigantescos en el sonido!!! Me encanta!!!
Ok.. getting the demo. You convinced me.... budgets be damned! 🤪🤘🏻
That's great to hear Paul! Let us know how you get on!
You do so much for the music community...Thank You. Great review of the product. Will definitely have to try this out. Thanks again.
Thanks ever so much Bart!!
now THIS is what I need :) Awesome product and of course review :).
Hi Martin Luxen Thanks ever so much my friend!
Wow, ask and ye shall receive! Nice one, Wazza!
Hi John Cougar yes Sir!! Glad to be able to help!!
Witch Speaker are a good way on the Plugin to mix voice/vocals? Near, mid or far ? For me the mid are good for Mastering in the end. Thanks for answere :)
Yes! Great video. Ordered mine yesterday. We're moving to a smaller flat and I will be mixing almost exclusively on headphones from now on. I also have sonarworks. This will be great for me!
Stop it i cant keep spending money lol Thanks Warren this was great i travel 50 weeks a year for my work i have to mix in headphones as I’m in hotels most of the time this is a godsend for my mixes. Thank you
What are your thoughts on the original Nx - Virtual Mix Room over Headphones?
Bjørn Olav Bjørgum this is my first foray into this world so I haven’t had a chance to try the NX on its own out yet!
So When you finish your mix, and its time to bounce what do you do? I mean I'm guessing you don't want Studio 3s ambients in the mix. When you take the plugin off and all the sound coming from the plugin is gone, what happens with the mix? Genuinely, curious... Seems super interesting tho... Just had the one concern. Thank you Warren you guys are amazing. THANK YOU!!!
Hi Joel Polanco marvellous question! No, this is just for monitoring! For me, what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones! Thanks for your amazing question! Happy Mixing!
TY for getting back to me, I’m sorry I may be a bit slow but monitoring through plugins is not so clear to me. Once your mix is done through it will it not change your mix when you take it off to bounce down? I guess I should just try it but I was concerned that I’d get a great mix then I take it off it’s sucks.
Joel Polanco I understand your concern! If you get a great mix in Abbey Road Studio Three it will translate it all circumstances! That’s the exact reason for using it! I hope that clarifies?
Produce Like A Pro Yes W, it does. I kinda felt it would translate coz it otherwise I don’t think you’d be about it, but I was just wasn’t 100%. Moving to England in Nov. Hopefully I’ll see studio 3 in person by early next year. As always your work means so much to me and so many others thank you so very much.
@@joeydracorosa thanks very much for sharing your questions with us! I really appreciate the well thought out responses, it really helps others immensely!!
Just picked up the Abbey road mastering chain plugin. Gotta say i absolutely love it !!! I know its been out for a minute but it's very powerful. You should do a review on it. Great plugin to have in your arsenal...Great video as usual warren.
I'll consider it when they update the headphones list. I use Shure SRH1540 which are not on the list.
I'm with you Warren, I hate mixing with headphones. I feel suffocated! I use my Abbey Road Plate Reverbs which are my favourite plugins. I like them so much I don't even use amp reverbs or pedals anymore. I'm a convert to ITB recording which 20 years ago I would have told myself to fcuk off but how things have changed!
Insightful review...sold me!
Thanks ever is much Michael!
It's sad, that your prediction about Fleetwood Mac and Weekend claiming this video will probably become reality. And without disrespecting their efforts in making these songs, I guess that most people, like me, would have loved if the sound had stopped at the time, to hear you talking about this amazing beauty.
Also I guess, that nobody opened this video in hope of hearing one of them in the first place.
UA-cam should really try to protect content creators a little bit more, when it comes to any kind of fair use.
Thanks for the demo and the review!
Peter Brandt At risk of sounding ENTIRELY cynical, UA-cam doesn’t really care about content creators’ rights anymore.
@@yobhsiFehT That's what I meant. YT doesn't even argue, when a video got claimed, even if it is clear, that fair use rules apply. It's up to the creators, but who of those can afford legal teams like major labels can. That's what makes it sad.
I actually downloaded the 7-day free demo of this plugin. It definitely made a difference, but I dispute their claim that it works with any headphones. I used it on a pair of Beyerdynamic 770s and a pair of AKG K340s. Neither was listed in their EQ menus, so I left it on "None". The Beyerdynamic 770s sounded really good. This plugin boosted the lows, and the 770s could tolerate that. The AKG K340s sounded unbearably bad--almost unlistenable. They were VERY boomy. It seems like the "None" EQ setting in the plugin boosts the low mids, and since the K340s already have plenty of low mids, it ruined the sound. I do have a pair of the Sony 7506s, and when I put them on and activated the EQ for them, they sounded remarkable. I believe that this plugin can help my mixes, so I'll probably buy it, but I suggest that if you get this plugin and don't have a set of the headphones shown in the EQ section, plan on buying one of them. As you saw in this video, you can get some that are reasonably priced. BTW, I was using already mixed and mastered tracks by a hugely successful modern country rock band for my comparisons.
Hi Jim Glunt I understand completely! There are probably some headphones, as you are suggesting, that have a huge EQ curve already and will need seriously flattening out. Obviously like less than ideal sounding rooms and speakers we get used to the headphones issues. I spoke to Waves and they said they are adding more headphone models to their plug in! That should really help with those issues! For me what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones!
Yes, Warren, I believe that using one of the sets of headphones with the EQ curves that Waves has installed makes this an excellent plugin. I'm really impressed that Waves has included a financially wide variety of headphones to help all of us get great results. (Thank you, Waves!) and I'm glad to hear they're pressing on to add even more. On all the headphones I tried, the plugin certainly added a sense of space. I appreciate this video, and all your videos!
Jim Glunt Thanks ever so much my friend!
I use beyer dt 990 with a free "BVS - VIRTUAL STUDIO" as a studio monitor simulator.
Hello!!! very good tutorial as always !!!
What do you think of the new arturia 3 compressors? dbx is killing !!!!
Greetings from Brazil!!!!
Amazing tool, thanks Warren!
jbstrummer agreed! I am really enjoying using it!
Short sleeves for the first time hehe😋
19Stride haha yes, indeed! Busted!
Really enjoyed this video…
Thanks again Warren and team. Greatly appreciated this informative video. I am really impressed by this plugin.
I use the normal nx version they released and thought it was great, now this seems even better. I'm not sure but did you do a review of the Abbey Roads TG Mastering plugin?
Cheers!
Hi Luke Hart thanks for sharing your experiences with us my friend! I haven’t yet used the TG Mastering Plug In! That’s a great idea!
Wow! He bought a pair of the same Sennheizers that I use! Love it! Gonna have to get this rig now.
I really love your videos. Wish me luck for my future.
Hi Babble Pitch thanks ever so much my friend!! Best of luck with your future musical endeavours!!
@@Producelikeapro wow did you really check my music?
I'm going to use the Beyer Dynamic 250 ohmn
And Warren, do you 'feel' the bass in Abbey Road Studio 3? I would assume you do on the far speakers. Making me wonder about how this plugin would work with that body sub thingy.
Thanks!
Hi Clay LaHatte marvellous question! I’ve never personally needed the ‘body subbing thing’ haha love that terminology!
wow listened on my monitors first and could hear the change when you turned your head then same on headphone very cool another great video warren thanks
How CPU intensive is this plugin? My only worry is it bogging down mixes.
14:56 I totally love listening on real speakers, agree 100% real world listening is where its at for us purists. In a great room theres nothing like it, Grin Grin, Wink Wink, Nudge Nudge, Say No More!
However, the majority of real world listening that I've seen is done with ear buds in the car in traffic, on a bike riding in traffic, wandering into traffic, working out at a gym, or underwater after walking off a pier. This is where the 'listening to music' experience has been taken through marketing.
Would you say a room mix translates to headphones or earbuds better than a headphone mix? Apartment dweller studios may have neighbor issues with boomy speaker monitors as well.
For a Beatles or other early vacuum tube recording format update I would actually prefer a digital recording of clean vinyl, played through the best consumer tube amp of the year it was recorded if applicable, (modern speakers) captured with a 360 degree Omni Binaural microphone, in a great room like Abbey Road. To me it would have the charm of being a real world throwback to just how it was heard at the time. Modern digital remixing isnt exactly the original sound.
Maybe the future will be the Abbey Road digital room modeler if its not there already.
Guitar Center - the monster that devoured mom & pop.
As great headphones are now better than great speakers iand a fraction of the cost even for top of the line. It is the room that counts, if you dont have the best room or just want to check your mix something like this or Slate's whcih has more; clubs, cars boomboxes etc. So the question is how good is it with really good hphones like audezes xs etc?
You said at one point to make sure you listen at 1080p, does the video quality have an effect on audio quality? I don't really know jack when it comes to the world of video.
When you lower the video quality UA-cam also lowers the audio quality. I think from 1080p you get the highest audio quality UA-cam offers (It's still fairly low quality).
Hi George Hen yes, unfortunately the quality of the audio does drop when you drop the quality of the video! Marvellous question by the way!
Hi Bram R. Yes, it’s unfortunate that is the case!
Thanks to all who replied! Appreciate you all a bunch!
Now you've opened a can of worms! 😂
I've got an old pair of beyer dt150s. I might try them with the demo version to see what I get. The dt150s sound really lame to me, which I find difficult to work on. I mostly use them for tracking now.
Maybe with this system I can get some sort of combination that works. Thanks for your help and keep up the great work 😁🎶🎤
I think what I find utterly confusing and misleading is the notion that "we are in the
ROOM". That's the sell, and I am baffled by it.
I own the plugin. I also own the hd600, sony 7506's. I use the eq
profiles. Using the eq profile, it's a completely different sound
between the headphones. If we're "in the room" shouldn't there be less of a
difference between switching headphones using the eq profiles? To add
to that, Warren, you mentioned that the difference in each headphone
using or not using the eq profile was massive. In the 7506's I'd very much agree. So my question is, if
the there's a "massive" difference for each headphone with the eq
profile and no eq profile in the "room" itself, AND to me it's obvious that each set of
headphones WITH the eq profile are completely different...
1. What does the room actually sound like?
2. What the heck room AM I in? lol.
You mentioned you used Sennheiser's at the actual studio and then immediately compared to the space, and felt that it was comparable.
But you don't use the same set of headphones in this test as a point of reference of the actual room. (or did you? Which senns did you use?) So I'm left confused.
Do they sound like I'm listening to monitors? Almost.
Am I glad I have the plugin? Yes. Helpful?
Yes!! Am I in the room where hits were made? Judging by my 2
headphones using their eq profile, no way, because there is no consistency in sound aside from near, mid and far. But the room? I sincerely have to say no.
In the end of the video, you do mention it adds as "another environment". I add, another environment you can trust IF you know your headphones)
But people who only have 7506's and no other reference will believe they are "in the room" because THAT is the sell here. Knowing your headphones is still of paramount importance, because if one day we DID mix at abbey road studio 3 after only using the plugin with 7506's, we might be in for a big surprise!
Thoughts?
Hi Jory Kevin Berger thanks for your comment! For me what convinced me was actually being in Abbey Road Studio Three and being able to compare using the Sony 7506 and Sennheiser Headphones! I got to actually hear both sources and it does, indeed, sound like the room!
Jory Kevin Berger my gut is if you use headphones with their EQ settings in particular then you will get great results! Check out some comments here of people that have used the plug in to great effect!