What headphones best for editing? Regular or studio?

Audacity 3 Help Forum Windows
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What type of headphones are for sound editing? Regular or studio? Or are no headphones recommended?

What does “studio” or “monitor” refer to in types of headphones?

Are “studio” and “monitor” headphones the same?

Are “studio” or “monitor” headphones designed for something other than the post-recording editing (e.g., setting EQ, noise reduction, compression…and the like) to get the sound you want after you’ve recorded?

What is the term used for sound editing (e.g., setting EQ, noise reduction, compression…) to get the sound you want? “Sound editing”?

…need a record production terms dictionary/glossary I guess, thanks.

…“studio headphones, monitor headphones, monitor, studio, editing, sound editing, producing, mixing, mastering, remixing, remastering, monitor speakers, studio speakers…”

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What type of headphones are for sound editing? Regular or studio? Or are no headphones recommended?

It depends on what you’re trying to do. Almost any headphones will do for hearing “little details” and “little defects”.

What does “studio” or “monitor” refer to in types of headphones?

Mostly marketing. A good studio headphone should have accurate sound. That generally means flat frequency response. A good “hi-fi” headphone will work in the studio. But, headphone frequency response can be difficult to measure because of interaction with the ear, and different people have different ear-shape. Still there are some well regarded headphones that are known for accurate-neutral sound.

Some “Audiophile” headphones can cost thousands of dollars, but you can get a decent pair of studio headphones for $200-$300 USD. Sennheiser, AKG, and Audio Technica are some companies that make good studio headphones. Above a certain price point, it’s mostly a matter of personal preference and you may prefer a $200 headphone over a $1000 headphone.

Besides accurate sound, pro studio headphones should be rugged and comfortable to wear for many hours.

If the performer is monitoring himself/herself and a backing track, you need closed-back headphones so the backing track doesn’t leak into the microphone. Otherwise, open or closed is a matter of personal preference.

What is the term used for sound editing (e.g., setting EQ, noise reduction, compression…) to get the sound you want? “Sound editing”?

“Editing” is a good general term… Audacity is an audio editor! :wink: If you are mostly cutting & splicing, I’d say “editing”. If you are mixing, and cutting & splicing, adding effects and doing everything, I’d say “mixing”. All of the stuff done to make the mix is part of “mixing”.

After mixing the job may be done, but the for pro recordings the stereo mix (or surround, etc.), usually gos to mastering for the final-tweaks by “different ears” with different speakers in a different room. There’s generally no cutting or splicing at the mastering stage, just volume adjustment, compression, and maybe some EQ & reverb, or whatever final tweaks the mastering engineer feels are needed.

Are “studio” or “monitor” headphones designed for something other than the post-recording editing (e.g., setting EQ, noise reduction, compression…and the like) to get the sound you want after you’ve recorded?

People rarely get good results relying on headphones. You generally need good studio monitors (speakers) and a good room.

From Recording Magazine:

As those of you who have followed this column for any length of time can attest, > headphone mixing is one of the big no-no’s around these parts. In our humble opinion, headphone mixes do not translate well in the real world, period, end of story. > Other than checking for balance issues and the occasional hunting down of little details, they are tools best left for the tracking process.

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People rarely get good results relying on headphones.

Unless the final product is heard on headphones.

You can do pretty well with quality audio and tone rendering, but one thing you can’t do is stereo separation and proximity. Stereo separation for headphones is always 100% and proximity is always 1/2 Inch or so. Speakers aren’t.

The Standard Hollywood Headphone is the Sony MDR-7506. If you walk up to a sound crew and need to borrow headphones, chances are almost 100% you’re going to get a pair of 7506s. Sometimes the spare set. To be clear they 're also perfect for movie sound work mechanically. Cord down the left, reversing yoke sealed ear pads, one-hand installation, neck storage, fold up for travel, etc, etc.

I know people who do this all the time, but I can’t wear them for very long periods. Sound fatigue. I tried it. I borrowed a set from one of the production offices and sat with a cup of coffee and listened to it. It doesn’t hide anything. I’ll give it that. If your goal is to critically inspect sound, this is the way to go. If your goal is listen to a movie in bed, I have a Sennheiser I like. Other elves have their favorites.

Koz

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Great info–thanks–further:

My editing level is amatuer/hobbyist/low budget: So for the following limited choices, where is it best to plug in the headphones? The headphones jack in the front of the computer, or the headphones jack in my desktop speakers (average Altec Lansing’s in this case) - when editing with Audacity? Also include further elaboration on other unmentioned devices/options if one cares to, --thanks!.

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In that case it may not make a lot of difference. The soundcard in the computer is likely to have a low power amplifier, so you’re going to run out pretty quick and it has the problem of on-board computer noise. When they sell you a new soundcard, they warn you clearly in the instructions to plug it in as far from the video card as you can because of whine, buzz and other noises.

The Altecs may have heftier amplifiers and better volume, but it’s much more likely to have promotional features like built-in cathedral sound, echo, or tone controls.

Koz

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Fair warning, though. You should have a reasonably good system if you’re going to do production for anybody else. It’s your job to hear problems before the client does.

“What’s that low rumbly, thumpy sound in the background?”

“What rumbly sound?”

Koz

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so sounds like ones bad and the others worse-- the problem is I still don’t know which one would be better. Forget type of desktop speakers, or say they’re the ones that came with the computer-- with that, which are generally preferable for editing–?

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What’s a good car to buy?

I don’t know that there is a good answer. Past a couple of absolutes like the Koss Pro4AA and that Sony model Hollywood loves, there are no good single answers (I can’t handle listening to either of those for long periods).

The best you can do, particularly when you’re starting out, is keep your eyes open and ask a lot of questions. If you hang around film shoots long enough you notice that all the sound guys have those headphones with the blue color on them. Turns out they’re all the same model. That kind of thing.

The only significant reason you would wander between brands and models is the mechanical application. In a recording studio you would be wearing your cans for hours, sometimes days. It’s a really big deal that they be insanely comfortable. On a movie set you need to be able to put them on and take them off again with one hand three minutes later. That’s not optional. Both of those headphones can sound very similar while you’re actually wearing them.

Oh, and there are no “editing” headphones. The only difference I can think of between field, remote, and outside broadcast as a group and inside studio is the need for large rubber isolation pads. The studio doesn’t need those near as much as trying to shoot a scene next to a noisy freeway.

Although if you like overdubbing, the isolation can be valuable.

There is one other notable maker. The Beats by Dr. Dre headphones are for casual users who like bass notes loud enough to make eyes water. They use words like “Firm, Solid, Bass.” I don’t know that I would include them in a serious list.

Koz

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Sennheiser also have a good reputation - BBC folk can frequently be seen wearing them for outside broadcasts.

I have a pair of “studio” Sennheisers HD-25-1 - I love 'em, very detailed, but like Koz I don’t want to wear them for hours on end …

WC

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I think the cheese slid off the crackers on this one–help!

again:
When editing with Audacity on a computer with headphones …
Where is it best to plug in the headphones …
The headphones jack in the front of the computer?
The headphones jack in the desktop speakers?
Or the stereo jack out in the back of the computer?

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Per TYPES NOT BRANDS of headphones:

I’m still not all clear on headphone types … the difference between “studio” and “monitor” headphones?

quote from DVD Doug:
“If the performer is monitoring himself/herself and a backing track, you need closed-back headphones so the backing track doesn’t leak into the microphone. Otherwise, open or closed is a matter of personal preference.”

I’ll assume the above quote is basically the definition of “monitor headphones” (closed back) … so, with that, is it accurate to say all studio headphones are as well monitor headphones? If I’m correct “studio” headphones are always closed back as well … .

With all that stated, if I’m correct, then I’ll conclude: There is no difference between studio and monitor headphones, if headphones are labeled either or they are one in the same and the key features that make them designed for sound production and editing, if one so chooses to use headphones as opposed to the more desirable proper speakers, is they are closed back and have a flat/neutral frequency output/response (natural with no effects generated).

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Per TYPES NOT BRANDS of headphones:

We keep doing that because the overall tendency is to associate a job with a brand. “Professional Studio Monitor” headphones doesn’t mean anything. You start throwing words like that around a movie studio and they’ll start worrying about calling security. “Just give me my Sony’s and get out of the way.”

True, closed back headphones tend to be more universal in application, but they’re heavier and more expensive and tend to sound slightly more challenging than the equivalent open back headphone.

I did the last two or three jobs with my open back headphones because there was no reason to do it any other way—and they’re more comfortable. I have both Pro4AA and Pro3A headphones. They’re very carefully designed closed back form, work perfectly, weigh as much as a Buick and make my head sweat.

We didn’t touch on earbuds/earphones. You can do amazingly well with those. If you get a good fit in your ear canal, they can sound amazingly clear and pleasant. I stopped using my in-ear units because I wear them hiking and they remove me from the environment. Not good when some of my environment is trying to kill me. They’re comfortable in use, but getting them in and out is a pain. I have to install them in my head.

Koz

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You understand when you do finally settle on something, we’re going to need a review.

Koz

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One other purchasing trick. When you get the decision close, Google Product Complaints and pay attention to the negative ones.

“These headphones fell apart almost immediately, sound so bad they made my ears bleed and caused electrical problems in the sound console.” Do Not Recommend.

Koz

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That’s difficult to say.
On my system, I use the speaker out because I don’t have to unplug the speaker cable first.
But this works only if the (active) speakers do not alter the signal first e.g. by boosting the bass.
The front phones out is not suited for me because I can clearly hear the ticks of the hard drive.

Robert

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+kozlowski - thanks, I already have Sony MDR-XD100 headphones and theyre just cheap but I think theyre the right type closed and flat freq. response. And I just dabble with lo-fi voice recordings (24kHz wave). I gave up trying to edit AAC with the decompressing degradation problem.

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  • Robert JH - Thanks-- sounds like at the back better? Unless speakers are flat frequency…
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The critical reviews of the Sony MDR-XD100 have to do with cheap materials and poor head seal. One or two complaints about low bass response. I saw only one complaint about the sound quality.

They appear to be discontinued.

Koz

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If you need closed headphones, look at Superlux HD681:

http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD681EVO-B-HD-681-Black/dp/B00CAG1ZAQ

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I’ve not used Superlux, but I’ve heard that they have quite a good reputation for budget priced headphones for studio monitoring. They make several different models under 60 Euro.