STUDIO HEADPHONES - Everything You Wanted To Know!

Everyone is listening to music on headphones these days - but what about the people who make that music? Every producer and engineer needs a monitoring system they can rely on, so what makes one pair of headphones more suitable for music production than another?
In this video, Sound On Sound Editor In Chief Sam Inglis introduces some of the most important things to think about when you're choosing headphones for studio use.
Also, read the Mixing On Headphones article in the July 2020 issue.
www.soundonsound.com/techniqu...
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:47 - Wired Or Wireless Headphones?
01:35 - Open-Back Or Closed-Back Headphones?
03:04 - Headphones With A Flat Frequency Response
04:42 - Can You Mix On Monitoring Headphones?
06:04 - Which Headphones Are Best For Recording?
08:40 - Headphone Impedance Explained
10:15 - How Many Pairs Of Headphones Do I Need?
11:21 - Find Out More In SOS
11:44 - The Most Fundamental Headphone Question Of All!
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#headphones #sos #guide

[@jboston4660]

Dry humour, someone get this man some reverb

[@shorerocks]

No drama, no bs, no product placement. Just good advice. Thank you very much!

[@error8418]

You gotta love all the subtle jokes! (Reliable drummer, hearable banjo) Keep these videos coming!

[@gauravkolte4212]

Every studio headphones are base boosted??

[@darrengordon-hill]

"banjo reducing headphones" needed

[@yobhsiFehT]

“... or I can hear the banjo.” 😆😂😂 That one almost snuck by me, thanks for that 👍🏻

[@HSet77]

I am a banjo-centric guy - that 'joke' did not get by me. Hard instrument to get right in a mix - I group it with the percussion instruments. A little banjo can go a long way.

[@tao8365]

@@HSet77 The further away the better.

[@sadpepe7937]

Ban jo!

[@craigburner1296]

'I can hear the banjo' really got me laughing as the somewhat deadpan delivery style leaves you not expecting such wit.

[@NineHellHeaven]

I didn't know the high impedance group thing. Thanks for that.

[@laidback5869]

A very informative review of what one needs to consider when purchasing headphone{s}. The humor along with the necessary considerations for purchase was quite entertaining!

[@musicmwmusic]

Love the dry wit. Keep it coming. Social media and specifically audio related content are missing this. Less banjo more humour 😉

[@create4000]

Was just thinking about this earlier this week. great timing !

[@Officialbrandonjthaplug]

I LOVE THIS GUYS HUMOR!

[@connorwhite6089]

As always, thank you Sam.

[@MarcNevali]

Loving how you explain it and the subtle humor... 👏👏👏

[@5urg3x]

OMG I'm so glad you've made this video! I've been wanting to get headphones forever but don't know what to get so I've been putting it off...

[@eraldlesi]

I would to add also something. Try also to buy same model of headphones so you can hear the same thing the artist (vocalist, drummer, etc.) hear. For example you have a vocalist that asks you to boost a little bit the highs on his headphones because his voice sounds to "warm" but because you have a different model of headphones you already hear his voice bright. It's easier to understand each other like this. Also this applies to home producers when they're collaborating and it's late at night and they can't play music through their speakers. It's good for keeping you on the same page more or less. Great video by the way!

[@superkaboose1066]

During Covid-19 I've had to mix in a live auditorium for a only broadcast mix with closed back on ear sennheisers, it's been interesting trying to mix while a live line array is peppering your ears at the same time...also with a time delay since I'm 30m from the arrays

[@iaamusic1121]

Great Sam, marvelous style, informative and with wit!

[@prodigalus]

this video was SO useful. thank you!!

[@AikiraBeats]

This was so informational thank you. I had know idea about headphones and everything that goes into making them

[@audioartisan]

Thank you. That info was very useful :)

[@DEADLINETV]

Proper content, well delivered!

[@andrewnorman6193]

Extremely useful thank you very much.

[@jhstudio749]

Good video... might want to also mention comfort. Over ear vs On ear. Ear pads and repadding. Planar vs Dynamic vs Electrostatic Tube Amps vs Push Pull vs Linear vs Onboard and balanced vs single ended. EQing by ear vs Profile Software. Your content was great and very accurate so this is not a criticism... just ideas for another video.

[@aleks_ivanov]

All things I want the answer to.

[@lukewarm5356]

Very informative and entertaining, good stuff

[@vewilli]

🙏🏻 Thank you. Now I know that I did everything correctly with buying headphones. 👍🏻

[@scooter2845]

this answered questions i didnt even know i had

[@MSKH1970]

Very informative video.I'm a Gamer but I am slowly building my own little studio [ I'm a Singer / Percussionist ) I'm def looking more into getting the right monitoring headphones....

[@TheyWantMeGone69]

As a gamer same. I want a flat response to get to hear the creators intent in games and movies. Paired with open back makes it more immersive I think. Got a pair of Sennheiser 599s but I don't think they're studio cans. The sound good though. Could plug them into my guitar amp too.

[@MSKH1970]

@@TheyWantMeGone69 VERY good advice I do have the Sennheiser GSP 500 and I luv them.

[@darmaggi]

Brilliant....I really enjoyed your video, for the comprehensive information paired with humor that had the wet gain turned all the way down, delivered in a pan that was oh so dead, and you even saved the most critical choice for last. If the magazine gig doesn't work out for you, you might have a future in instructional videos. Cheers!

[@ObjectiveDynamics]

I too love Sam's dry, deadpan delivery!

[@mrfleamino9350]

Thank you 🙏

[@VulaneMthembu]

This man is a legend!

[@jonashellborg8320]

I bought a pair of open back headphones a while back, and they made a world of difference, mixing for sure, and editing. I also like them for product demos, my bluetooth headphones lie. :-) After watching this, I have to get a new pair, as my cable is straight, not curly. Rookie mistake.

[@eddiebheara]

Classic Bryan Devendorf 9:48 just hangin out in SOS headphone videos

[@jonathanbyrdmusic]

"I've know drummers that were more reliable." Savage!

[@istvantoth7431]

Stone cold professionalism here. Thank you sir!

[@carlosjosse2131]

Great video 👍🏻

[@pabloa.hernandezmendoza1056]

Great review. I haven't seen any efficiency specs in the headphones I've bought. Does he mean the sensitivity? Or the power handling?

[@stevenagy88]

This guy is hilarious. Well done!

[@kevc6115]

Please do more Vids like this. You are highly knowledge, explain things clearly and funny as f*$k! You were made for this stuff!

[@enzocarranza]

Yeah i thought the same! Haha

[@stemirreviews]

Thanks!

[@dominicdriman1319]

Thanks a lot for great videos! I thinking of picking up a pair of Genelec 8030 for editing/mixing, or can you recommend anything better? Would also like to ask you what headphones you recommend for editing/mixing? I want similar characteristics to the 8030; revealing and giving a good foundation for the audio to transfer well onto other speakers/headphones. Price is not a big factor, I would rather buy good stuff from the start instead of upgrading forever, within a reasonable limit of course. I am not ready to spend thousands of dollars on a pair of headphones, but a couple of hundreds is no problem. A built in microphone is a great bonus, so that I can use them for voice calls through my laptop as well. If it makes any difference; I will mostly record dialogue (and maybe a bit of vlogging) through Shure TL47 lav mics unto Zaxcom ZFR400 recorders.

[@whisperthiefmusic]

Totally distracted by the Mayer tape modules lurking seductively in the background (thanks for the headphone tips too!)

[@swschilke]

Which Microphone are you using during the recording? Thanks

[@Truthlight403]

I heard something about clipping on headphones will ruining them if you go super loud by mistake? Is this true?

[@gabrielimanishi3149]

what microphone are you using for this kind of sound quality?

[@jm_lb]

ok, the drummer joke got me suscribed

[@peterwright5249]

Can you tell me please if sennheiser hd.40 hd are studio headphones?

[@jamess4947]

Ahhh. Dueling silence. Arcordian and bagpipe filters would also be a boon. Found this well put together and entertaining. Because i trust in what you say here i would have also liked a little advice on best models to choose. I know its subjective but there are too many others promoting on youtube rather than unbiased true opinion.

[@dannydaniel1234]

You can absolutely mix on headphones as long as you have inserted a reference track to guide you...

[@tjay9327]

Quick question is it better to record vocals with a flat sound headphone set and then when I'm ready to mix just switch over to better mixing headphones. I keep hearing people talking about you should make your sound as flat as possible before you start mixing it and I just wonder if it's true cuz I like watching your channel.

[@45rpm.]

Straight or curly - I have curly on one pair (DT880 Pro) and it is a bit heavy and pulls straight across the equipment I am using. With nice long straight cable I can more easily route it around things.

[@wofesc]

This was great, thanks!

[@iericnierman]

Great video. Funny guy too.

[@johnwade7430]

Next q: what is a good all-rounder pair of headphone? And are we talking one particular manufacturer or even a particular model??

[@teashea1]

very very good

[@pd1jdw630]

Straight. !!!

[@leebrown4570]

Can u replace headphones with iems

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

Best music app or software to isolate different instruments within a song: (1) Izotope's RX (2) ADX Trax Pro 3 P.S. Someone said that there is no software for isolating different instruments within a song. You can reduce some areas of the frequency spectrum using EQ. The only way to have the instruments in a song separated out is to obtain the original multi-track stems. Is this true? Anyone? Thanks.

[@jessebouvier7647]

This is hilarious and helpful

[@learnerforever6933]

Love the end 🤣🤣🤣

[@rollforever_85]

Yes 😂😂

[@StrahinjaFox]

i dont have interface or good headphones,i have 150euros ,sould i get 150e headphones or 100e interface and 50e headphones?

[@kaashikagupta8943]

How to do monitoring on headphones on connecting directly to laptop

[@maomao180]

Open back headphones typically have too little low end response to produce or mix modern bass heavy music.

[@MosoKaiser]

Headphones shouldn't be the main listening device for mixing or producing anyway...

[@fn5758]

Thank you 😂

[@thehowlingterror]

The curly with straight ends?

[@divanshuchandra7159]

Watching this video one by one with my normal and studio headphones simultaneously 🤣

[@mountainsriversandtrees1474]

Anyone using the original Sony MDR-7509's (not the newer 7509HD version)?

[@technofications3686]

Haha you're talented! have you thought about theatre?

[@Biffinnbridge]

Ohms information seems suspect as it goes against general consensus from Beyer, AKG, Sennheiser etc.

[@michaelsmulik]

I can hear the banjo!!!

[@rafaelmarchanteangulo4582]

you should make stand up for studio folks

[@lumpyfishgravy]

It's taken me until my 50s to realise: headphones massively compress. This sounds nice; but is not what you want for mixing.

[@resslerartstudios]

So when look at the headphones John Paul George and ringo had to use, than you'll understand what it really takes to make a great recording.

[@gauravkolte4212]

Is studio headphones are good for only listing songs and watching movies??

[@zeeshanmuhammad807]

This is my question too lol

[@scottchandler4343]

Straight

[@MrBratkenSolov]

RF wireless headphones are pretty ok. Bluetooth really sucks. But all i saw are gaming with tons of low frequency. Another problem is battery life of 8 hours. Of course you can solder bigger battery but it probably won't fit so you'll have to carve cups

[@harshitkhanna7688]

This guy is so funny!

[@TheMentalblockrock]

You can't beat the Industry standard beyerdrynamic DT-100's for studio use!

[@foxtrotindia8921]

The man knows

[@rodjack1378]

" It Doesn't work like that " loads of good information here, kids

[@InnerVisions68]

“... Or I can hear the banjo.” Lol

[@Strongholdstrugglez]

Lol 😂 how you don't know if you he banjo wanna shine 😂 😆

[@palsheldon6520]

I can hear the banjo....

[@mrtechie6810]

The flattest headphones are after you drive over them in a battle tank.

[@itsv1p3r]

The jokes come out flat no matter what you’re listening on😂

[@craig5908]

Nice one

[@daneeehhhh]

Thank you for being a civilized person who prefers to slice pies instead of skinning cats.

[@rollforever_85]

Straight or curly? 🤔🤔

[@Dewane1511]

curly...

[@grasshopper808]

Ok thanks #grasshopper808

[@nioshfernandes2022]

What problem do you have with a drummer?

[@andyhardwickmusiccomposer]

Oh god. Not the banjo..

[@rvaguitars]

I can hear the banjo lol

[@cozmovox]

i can't actually record my vocals on closed headphones, because they often give me the wrong bass pitch, and i can't sing in tune....is it me or does anyone else experience this phenomenon ?

[@robertcain3426]

Singing out of pitch can be from gain level; monitiring level too loud or to quiet can result in sharp or flat vocals. You should experiment. Latency with digital equipment can be a problem too causing the singer to not give the best performance. You should experiment. Lately, I sing without monitoring my voice at all and just hearing my unrecorded voice.

[@cozmovox]

@@robertcain3426 You are right...something I lately found out : NEVER crank your headphones up too loud because they will give you a false image and it's not safe for the ears (initial reason why I did it). everything works better that way (even mixing and bass control). No more excessive lows or highs anymore ! and no more pitch problems...Cheers !

[@sylwesterwoch1073]

straight, or curly, that is the question :-)

[@drampadreg1386]

Straight or curly, well if you have replaceable cables then get curly and make your own straight custom length to suite yourself. If they aren't replaceable, make them replaceable. But not to loud for too long, your ears aren't replaceable. Great magazine, it's been my porn for a very long time now and it's alright to objectify objects.

[@kizmu2003]

Curly :)

[@SadBstard]

Oi!!! I'm a drummer. AND I am reliable. Mostly.......

[@chiefindisguise]

Hilarious and deadpan, very english

[@richiebricker]

any relationship to Walmart, lol. Little house on the prairie, maybe? Lol, just a little prairie humor

[@hereforthefreewater]

always curly.

[@tyson1ize]

lol hahaha or I can hear the banjo 'knlarious

[@PeterBraymusic]

Curly.

[@resslerartstudios]

Great sense of humor drummers are more reliable than bluetooth. Sorry bluetooth!...lol...

[@maxlarsen]

Typicall Engineer, buys Monitors 3500$ buys headphones 89$ Tells us "you should never mix on headphones"