There has long been a heated debate in music production circles when it comes to the topic of mixing on headphones over choosing to use studio monitors. In all fairness this debate always boils down to personal preference, there’s no right or wrong here however we did post an article recently in which we explore how we interpret stereo in headphones that you need to check out, it’s a great read:
This article explains what crosstalk is between the left and right channels in studio monitors and that it is the absence of this crosstalk in headphones that makes the biggest difference to how we perceive stereo when mixing with a set of cans. To summarise this article in one line; What we hear over headphones is closer to binaural not stereo. Check out this article if you have not yet had the chance to.
When it comes to mixing on headphones there are a handful of practical pros and cons that you should be aware of, especially if you typically mix on monitors and wish to mix on headphones.
In this article we weigh up three pros and cons of mixing on headphones over mixing on studio monitors, as always we encourage your thoughts so please contribute your opinions on this topic in the comment section below.
Pros - What’s Great About Using Headphones For Mixing
Ultra Portable - Your Personal Monitors On The Move
Headphones, unlike studio monitors, are ultra portable. You can literally pick them up and take them anywhere. If you use a certain model of headphones that you know and trust for important mix decisions then headphones are the perfect tool to take with you to different studios or for listening to mixes in other environments outside of your studio. In addition using headphones means that the room you are will not have an impact on the sound.
Cost Effective - Great Studio Monitor Alternative For The Budget Minded Producer
A decent set of studio monitors can cost you upwards of $500 which is quite reasonable these days, however, the room you mix in may not be acoustically suitable. To get a set of studio monitors to sound trustworthy in a room often requires some choice acoustic treatment, monitor stands… maybe even a speaker calibration product which altogether contribute to a solid monitoring environment, however, the costs can quickly start to mount up. Headphones on the other hand don’t require any extra bolt ons and for the price of one monitor, roughly $250, you can buy yourself a very decent set of studio grade cans that should compliment your ears for years.
Noise Reduction - Be Kind To Your Neighbours
This point isn’t referring to noise canceling technology found in many modern consumer headphones, instead this pro refers to the noise in your studio which can disturb others. If your studio shares a party wall with another residence and you use studio monitors then you run the risk of getting in trouble with your neighbours. Headphones by nature are personal devices which dramatically limit the chance of getting noise complaints.
Cons - What Are Some Of The Drawbacks Of Mixing On Headphones
Ear Fatigue Can Set In Quicker With Headphones
In home studios in which tracking is typically done in the same space as mixing music producers will record vocals and instruments wearing headphones as monitors cannot be live during recording as this often results in feedback. If you wear headphones for prolonged periods during your sessions ear fatigue will undoubtedly set in quite quickly which can cause you to not trust your ears and mix instincts quite early on into a session. Studio monitors are a better option for prolonging one’s ear focus in a session, however, ear fatigue caused by headphones can be avoided if regular breaks are taken throughout a session.
Exaggerated Stereo Image
Crafting the perfect stereo image in a mix can be a challenge, getting the width just right on headphones can be even harder, especially when referencing the mix back on a set of studio monitors. I’ve always found it difficult to set panning on headphones as often my mixes will sound too wide on headphones only to sound too narrow on monitors. The same can’t be said when I set panning positions on monitors, mixes seem to translate just right when referencing on headphones. Using techniques like our demo session in our article Not Many Audio Professionals Know This Fact About Mixing On Headphones or using a dedicated headphone amp like the SPL Phonitor 2 can help produce a much more realistic stereo image.
Headphone Durability Can Become An Issue In A Short Period Of Time
Without even realising it we put a fair amount of strain on the components of our headphones as we repetitively take them off and on again, put them on our desk, throw them in our bags… the list of punishment goes on… Because of these repetitive actions the integrity of our headphones can diminish quite quickly. The trick to limiting headphone wear and tear is to be careful with them in daily use and to invest in a set of cans that are regarded as having great build quality, you really do get what you pay for when investing in headphones. Also consider investing in a decent case so that your cans don’t get crushed in your bag.
Top buying tip: When choosing a set of new studio headphones you should opt for a set that enables you to easily replace the cable as these are often the first component to fail. Also check the cost of replacement cables to ensure that the price is reasonable and that your “go to” online dealers have good stock.