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| quote: | Originally posted by zsm
oh yea its definitely too muffled and congested in the low mids, mixing fatigue maybe. right now im using tma-2 headphones and a boombox so take what I say with a grain of salt. |
No I feel ya there. I mean, I am sorry Darek, it means all the difference in the world. And when I am saying that I am speaking of myself.
I'll explain what was explained to me but this might get a little lengthy. And now granted, this goes for ANYONE and their work space environment they are in.
A little story first.
10 days ago I had the distinct privilege of going into a world class studio here in Vegas. Quite simply ...blown away. It was my first visit to a studio like that and I left with the biggest freakin wood,all day.
I spoke to one of the engineers on site about my situation. I told him I am at best a bedroom producer. I feel my compositions and arrangements are fairly DECENT. My production.....sucks. He asked me a few questions (all the while laughing at me inside...I just know he was) and at one point he asked me what monitors I am using, which caught me off guard because I instantly thought back to the conversation here on TA with Trancelover.
Simply put, I told him I didn't have any. So he then asked me about Headphones. Now then, I am going to table that conversation for a moment and segue into the headphone thing.
About 6-7 years ago, I actually felt I had a decent tonality to my mixes. At that time I was using a pair of Senni HD 600's. (I had heard somewhere before that Eric Prydz uses headphones almost exclusively in his mixes so I though..hmmm).
I absolutely loved those cans except for one thing. Out of about 4 headphone trials the Senni's (again at the time) blew the competition level out of the water (imo) but...the comfort level was inferior.
I became extremely ear fatigued and it occurred so much that I went to other headphones just to keep from getting headaches and ear aches.
Eventually, I used the 600's for pure reference until the (what I believe) cone went out on them.
At the time, I spent around 500$ for those. That is nearly a 1/3 of the cost of monitors, or at least "decent" ones that are flat frequency response. *note - Currently, I can get a pair of Yamaha H8's for close to that.
Now then.....the continuation of the story.
Eventually the question finally landed because I was to embarrassed to spit it out. As Gary looked a little confused he asked me "So then, what are you using?)
Looking down I replied "Uh...Archaic wood pieces from the black plague era"
He burst out laughing although I was not to amused. As the conversation progressed I was actually able to bring up a bounced out lossless wip I had been working on on their board and when it was initially played, I cringed (as did he).
However, INSTANTLY I knew what was wrong, or at least I feel I have enough experience in recognizing what was wrong. I mean, as bad as it sounded it was also a ::insert glorious angels singing sample:: moment.
I got to hear two sets of speakers (one in reference) and it was night and day then what I had ever expected. But there again, at the very least I knew what was wrong just from hearing those few minutes.
Eventually, I had him turn it off...lol I mean it was really bad sounding.
With that said, granted this was a professional environment. It had the best of the best not to withstanding the treatments and acoustics of the room. I have none of that (as most don't either).
So...in explanation to me. "Phil, you will never achieve the quality of mixes you want to achieve with your current setup. All ears are different but at the very least "tonality" is common to those who are trained to knowing what to hear. When you are enclosed in an environment (that your ears become accustom to) that is not treated , your sound will bounce everywhere. Using "High Fidelity" speakers are not giving you the response you need to make a solid mix. This is why your tones and sound are "everywhere".
In a nutshell and closing this long ass story down. I learned a lot that day as well as other things to long to list. I also know now that cans are a personal thing. Some can do it very effectively, hence Darek. Myself, I believe monitors are the way to go and even though you can still get fatigued by to much listening, I at least wont be physically distressed. This is a goal but it comes with additional cost's as well (solid computer offering low latency,external soundcard,etc.)
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Phil
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. I would still love more separation there.
. Really that's where you're going to make or break it from hereon.
