I hated headphones for mixing, now I have 6 sets... what changed my mind?

[@WillyJunior]

I actually like Airpods Max for mixing. Feels wrong but it works for me. Always in combination with monitors of course

[@theministryofsound7448]

Great video, appreaciate your efforts for these videos

[@sbsamuelbitencourt]

I'm actually not in the audio industry at all, crazy to think that all that is going on behind-the-scenes. Awesome content.

[@panorama_mastering]

Thanks ! :)

[@Adambroughton29]

I sold my hs5's for mm-500's and its transformed my mix and masters 10-fold. I can't imagine any better headphones tbh. Another great video as always!

[@panorama_mastering]

Thanks for sharing! Yeap; I think the mm500's will stay on as the main pillar of any headphone monitoring for me for a LONG time!

[@LaidbackSounds]

aka "i sold a pair of 300 usd to get a pair of cans costing 1700 usd" , fair play lol

[@VersatBeats]

@@LaidbackSounds That's what I was thinking lmao

[@Studio22mix]

I’m in for mixing on headphones and did some research. I ended up with the Hifiman Sundara, Can-opener for crosstalk and a parametric equalizer to calibrate to the Harman target. Anyone else using the Harman target?

[@panorama_mastering]

No I haven't used the harman target before!

[@gabrielgodwin9953]

I've got to have my headphones when working on a mastering session. All too often I get mixes that seem a little bit too lifeless because the mid-side balance is too focused in the center. All of that colorful stereo delay and reverb is getting drowned out by the middle. I'll start by just listening and delaying the middle 1millisecond at a time until it feels like the sound is coming from outside of the headphones. It usually only takes about 3-8 ms. Then I'll adjust the volume of the mid and side respectively to rebalance. It can take a somewhat constricted sounding mix and really open up the soundstage. You can do that trick with your monitors too, but it's much easier to really tell how much de-correllation you're applying with headphones. Obviously, you've got to already be comfortable working in mid-side mode with your other plug-ins if you really want to get the biggest benefit from this trick. Beyond that, everyone should have at least a few pairs of different headphones, monitors, car stereo, etc. just for checking how things translate. Great video as always. It's odd how much one can really become used to one particular pair of headphones that they really trust to present an accurate representation of their mix/master. I've found that the preferences are wildly varied person to person.

[@panorama_mastering]

Same; I've found that some mixer I master for who produce wildly awesome mixes hate the same monitors/headphones I absolutely LOVE!

[@gabrielgodwin9953]

@panorama_mastering Haha! Nothing wrong with that. You get used to what you like over time. As long as the end product is solid, who cares what phones/monitors/gear got used?

[@black_n5492]

Okay, watching through the whole video and I think we need to have more reviews from actual engineers and less self appointment "audiophile" content creators. This was not only entertaining but also illuminating and perfectly bridges the gap between the music we end listeners enjoy and the work that goes on behind the scenes on your end. Thank you for this

[@tehillimmusic]

Would actually love your full review if the verums! Even better if you could do the newer verum 2s!

[@mihkeljurima1007]

Id like to head how the Verum 1 stacks up against the MM500 during mixing.

[@josephlandman1402]

I think a lot of us are waiting for a paid course on mixing, covering a song from start to finish in 10 to 12 hours. Your approach to mixing is absolutely bananas!

[@andrewward1663]

Great video mate - sick mix btw too!!!

[@panorama_mastering]

Appreciate it! Thanks for watching!

[@FlowDojo]

who else thought "good job larry (june)" when he said as happy as larry lol

[@bluntlyrose1853]

can you do a comparison between the mm-500 and lcd x?

[@panorama_mastering]

I would LOVE to! But i've only ever used the LCD-X at friends studios in isolated instances... I don't have a pair which I've used on the regular to make comment or fairly compare.

[@MadelnMachines]

Have you heard any Hifimans?

[@panorama_mastering]

No i haven't, not yet!

[@oliverqueen3434]

Did anyone try Neumann NDH 30? I would like to compare with mm500's...

[@panorama_mastering]

No, I haven't yet!

[@LaidbackSounds]

I had them for 6 months , didnt gel with them, eery time i was moving them on my ears a tiny bit the sound changed drastically, their design is weird for me the hp is not centered.

[@HiLoMusic]

Bro do you have a comparison perhaps between the hd800s and the mm500?

[@assshakerstudios549]

I had 1 take with both of those, and the HDX's. For me, the Senny's where a bit more top endy, added too much top, then the others, and the stereo separation where a bit MORE! It sounded too separate, like I was on headphones. So the panning, delay and reverb sounded more extreme! The MM500's have a bit more bass than the HDX's. For me the HDX's are the perfect balance with all the right points! Tried mixing metal guitars on the MM500's and they where too muddy compared to the same guitar mix(from scratch on both) on the HDX's. Do I think the HDX's are "THE" standard for mixing....YES!

[@mihkeljurima1007]

Have you tried the MM100?

[@panorama_mastering]

NO not yet!

[@how_ard_kao]

Tried both MM500 and MM100 also the LCD-X. Both MM headphones shares pretty similar tuning but I kinda like the 100’s tuning a bit more than the 500, you’ll have a slightly bit air on the top also the 3k has a bigger boost, the 500 sound just a bit too smooth for my liking. BUT 500 definitely have better low extension, punch, dynamic, detail and soundstage. Everything on the 500 just sounds more realistic and full compared to the 100. There’s a “hollowness” with the 100 you just couldn’t unhear when you compare to the 500. MM100 are definitely great headphones for the price, the performance you got out of them is exceptional for what they cost, with a suitable cable upgrade they can come even closer to the 500 without breaking the bank and they’re most likely enough for most engineers to deliver good commercial mix on those.

[@arnoldwatkins805]

Why didn't you drop a list?

[@panorama_mastering]

The headphones I list throughout the video; LCD-1 MM500's (x2) Airpod Pro's Slate VSX Verum-1's

[@arnoldwatkins805]

@@panorama_mastering thank you

[@stevechandler8098]

So what was the last pair? You never said who it was nor where to find them.

[@panorama_mastering]

Sorry! Verum-1's!

[@stevechandler8098]

Thanks @@panorama_mastering

[@speckles9251]

@@panorama_mastering Worth an entry in the description?

[@bakerlefdaoui6801]

Hi Sir. I have a question for you. How do you manage to have a detail perspective for mixing, and have a global approach state of mind for mastering? How do you combine the two ? I hear a stereo file I immediatly have reflexes of how to process the mixbus to enhance it, I receive a 64 tracks project, I just, I can't, it's overwelming, it's too much possibilities, I lose objectivity rather quickly. What is your secret Sir ?

[@memeswillneverdie]

For me it’s a few things. When it comes to mixing, working quickly requires segmenting the mix, organising everything into folders, let’s say you’ve got 60 tracks but your only really dealing with 5 instruments, put the tracks that are similar into a folder (drums, guitar etc) process that. Then listen and find what’s wrong or what’s annoying you in the mix and then you can go in detail addressing the problems as they come When it comes to mastering, I work in wavelab so that separate environment makes me put on the mastering engineer hat rather than the mixing engineer hat. If you find that you can be objective anymore then take a break and come back to it when your ears have recovered.

[@panorama_mastering]

To be honest; I don't know. I've never thought super hard about it; it's almost intuition over time; when I onboard a mixing project; the conversations I have between the client and myself, the nature of the stems/material and the references guide me. Likewise with mastering;

[@mlrdmn]

Do you record with you phone?? The outside phone audio was so close to the inside studio voice audio!

[@panorama_mastering]

Nope; the one in the studio is a rode nt4a, the one outside are the airpods in-built mics;

[@jzg7890]

My mm-500's broke and man my heart is broken rn... I hope Audeze ends up saving my ass with a new pair or repair.. They are absolutely incredible to work on.

[@panorama_mastering]

damn, I hope so too!

[@zanza_the_rewolverine]

I purchased the Audeze mm500 but my Apollo Twin X doesn't have enough headphone output for them, which headphone amp do you recommend?

[@martinezdecap]

Hey! I’m thinking about getting the same ones and I also have an Apollo twin x. I read that that MM-500 should be able to get powered enough by the Apollo twin x. I have the DT 990s from beyerdynamic and they’re good. I can’t say a whole lot because I can’t compare them to anything else. I’m currently looking at the Topping Dx9 or the RME ADI-2. They are both combo AMP/DACs therefore won’t need to be two different devices

[@VersatBeats]

@@martinezdecap What you'll have to do is.. ... Read more

[@martinezdecap]

@@VersatBeats I hate you lol jk

[@how_ard_kao]

The Apollo is definitely sufficient to power the mm500 effectively. I have the previous generation of the Apollo twin and it works great, I can go pretty loud and still retaining a good amount of headroom. Even my M2 pro mini’s headphone jack powers the mm500 and 100 pretty well.

[@yurikalashnikov2460]

Topping L30 ii headphone amp is good bang for your buck. I have an Apollo x6 and LCD-1’s. Drive it directly from the monitor outs of the Apollo because the conversion is a little better.

[@anteupbeats]

It’s the best for cross referencing. I love it.

[@panorama_mastering]

Thanks man!

[@diemturner5755]

I have to say, I like the way you describe sound. It doesn't leave that typical audio-adjective laden, syrupy feel in my ear holes once you're done with them (if you take my meaning...I at least get the sense that you're trying to restrain your use of the typical vocabulary (over)used in the audio world). I also like the fact that you're unabashed about liking your own work. I get the sense that some shy away from this because it might come across as masturbatory but, to my mind, if you're not jazzed about your own sound, why does it sound like that and why are you showing it to me? I like people with strong opinions (Fab "Hello Children" DuPont is another one of my personal favorites...I'm sure he comes off as arrogant to some or many but once you understand his abilities, you begin to accept and even love his somewhat condescending tone). To be clear, I'm not saying you have a condescending tone (because you don't at all, you have your own thing going on), the more I watch your channel, the more I enjoy it.

[@panorama_mastering]

Thanks for sharing! From my perspective it's less about me getting excited about what I'm doing in mastering, and more so me just enjoying the music I work on; I love music, and I'm super lucky to work on music I really love; I can't think of the last time I had a song come across my desk which I didn't want to work on because the music wasn't capturing me;

[@diemturner5755]

@@panorama_masteringYour passion for music and your craft are self-evident and contagious good sir. I'm also sure I'd feel the same way given the music I hear you working on. The projects all sound professional and finished with the just the right amount of headroom (not in literal terms of dB but the figurative amount of space left open) for you to do what you do. 🙂

[@Barnsey87]

Iems beat em all

[@Barncore]

That mix sounds mint Edit: What's the name of those Ukraine headphones?

[@panorama_mastering]

Thanks mate! Verum-1!

[@atacamabeatsindierecording8406]

I am very happy with my AKG-701 , …. I know how they sound and translate.

[@panorama_mastering]

That's the key!

[@SvS_X]

LCD-1's for the win 👌

[@panorama_mastering]

Yeap; they're a super pair!

[@scotthstevenson]

Vsx have retired all other headphones.

[@panorama_mastering]

Yeah; they're super super solid !

[@cowabungaw9958]

which ones?

[@scotthstevenson]

@@cowabungaw9958slate Vsx

[@theBassBurnout]

Please balance your voice track against the music

[@Synster73]

Headphones are NOT meant for mixing. You're hearing something that does not apply to overall balance and will leave you frustrated

[@panorama_mastering]

Often true

[@bingybeats189]

wrong

[@SectionF4]

All rooms that aren't large enough and perfectly treated will have issues too.

[@allegoria222]

Vous avez raison. D'ailleurs c'est pour cette raison qu'un grand nombre d'ingénieurs du son professionnels, reconnus dans leurs métiers au niveau international, utilisent un casque pour mixer et produire. Ils le font car ils souhaitent obtenir les plus mauvais résultats possibles afin de saboter leur travail, leur réputation, et leur carrière. 👌 C'est logique après tout.