Headphone Mixing

02005-05-06 | Uncategorized | 1 comment

Curt said…
I’ve been experimenting with mixing in headphones. I listen to commerical CDs of similar styles and note the placement of the instruments, mix, eq, etc., and then try to emulate those qualities when i mix.

Mixing with headphones can be useful for exact placement of sounds, but you need to switch between headphones and speakers. Something can sound fine on headphones and yet is much too big for speakers. Speakers move a lot of air and that creates a completely different quality of sound. We have to EQ the mix for the air that’s moving when the speaker vibrates. Headphones sit right on your ears. Very little air needs to move in order for you to hear the music. Speakers send music over at least 10 feet… that’s a lot more air and that changes everything. I find that when I do a mix on headphones, the bass and the guitars will end up too heavy.

1 Comment

  1. Curt

    I’ve found that the bass can get a little heavy too and I feel I’ve kinda “memorized” in headphones what the low end of my recording sounds like on my monitors. It takes restraint to keep from driving everything up but it’s fun and like I said, I’m just experimenting! When inspiration hits at 3AM, headphones are my only option.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Archives

Images

Concert Dates

Fri, Sep 5 2025 in Las Vegas, NV
@ Boulder Station Casino

Sat, Sep 6 2025 in Phoenix, AZ
@ MIM

Sun, Sep 7 2025 in Tucson, AZ
@ Rialto Theatre

Tue, Sep 9 2025 in Bend, OR
@ Tower Theater

Wed, Sep 10 2025 in Portland, OR
@ Alberta Rose Theater

Thu, Sep 11 2025 in Seattle, WA
@ Jazz Alley

Fri, Sep 12 2025 in Seattle, WA
@ Jazz Alley

Sat, Sep 13 2025 in Seattle, WA
@ Jazz Alley

Social

@Mastodon (the Un-Twitter)