Sample WAV file evaluation requested

[SheilaQ]

Hi Koz,

LOL! I changed the setup AGAIN! I think I'm really done this time. Hey, have a super day and week! Take good care!

Sheila

[kozikowski]

OK if I use that pix?

Headphones are a moving target. My favorite set is no longer available. My second favorite set is a mistake. I got the wrong replacement ear pads once and they sounded wonderful. Since the shipment was a mistake, I couldn't do it again.

Hollywood standard is Sony 7506. MDR-7506?? They're good for production, but I can't listen to them for a long time.

So I'm stuck, too.

Koz

[kozikowski]

Yes, Sony MDR7506. "The blue ones you see on a movie set."

Koz

[kozikowski]

The headphone search is ripe with stories.

I bought a second set of Koss Pro4AA headphones to replace the ones that were falling apart before I realized each set was guaranteed for life. They sound OK but weigh as much as a Land-Rover and make you sweat.

The Koss Pro3AA, I expect were hoping to ride on the coat-tails of the 4AA, but they advertised the wrong things. No, the titanium drivers may have made good advertising copy, but they don't sound as good.

I have a set of Sony MDR-CD60 Digital Reference headphones. They left out the words "Studio" and "Professional." I didn't like the sound. I don't remember why.

I have a legacy set of Sennheiser HD414 "Open Air" Headphones whose age is measured in decades. This was the set that responded very favorably to installation of the wrong earpads. I can't reproduce them. I have the only set like this, full stop.

I bought the Sony MDR-150 headphones off the rack in a bookstore in Hawaii. I did a bit of music production before I got suspicious the sound balance wasn't quite right. Turns out they had fake disco bass boost, enough to throw my production off.

And finally, the Sennheiser EH-150 rescue puppies, currently my favorite, but no longer made.

So that's my shopping bag (literally) of headphones.

The Sony MDR-7506's claim to fame is stark reality. They don't hide anything and they're the ones to use if you want to hear something wrong before everybody else does. That's great in production or a movie set, but less good if you want to enjoy a movie without annoying the neighbors.

I took my shopping bag of headphones to a movie production office and asked if I could listen to their 7506s and they said yes. That's how I know the comparison.

It was quite an afternoon.

If I find something good, I'll post it.

Koz

[waxcylinder]

I love my Sennheiser HD25-1 studio cans - and the folding Px-100 Sennheisers that I use for travelling with my iPod are pretty good too (but open ear).

WC

[kozikowski]

Notes on the studio.

SheilaStudioOne.jpg (116.7 KiB) Viewed 572 times

I fixed the paint on the chair.

- I've never seen a pop and blast filter like that before. Is that how you're taming your crisp delivery?
- Many Windows laptops have noisy fans. How did you get around that?

Koz

[kozikowski]

This is where you tell me it's OK to use your picture as a "good example."

Koz

[kozikowski]

It Suuuuuure would be good to use that picture in my graphics collection......

Koz

[SheilaQ]

Hi Koz,

I'm so very sorry for taking so long to get back to the forum. I have a real job -- and though it is only part-time, I had to dedicate some real work to it for a few days straight. So, I'M BACK! By all means, you may use my pic. the Neewer mic arm/boom is wrapped with some thick interfacing material. I had done that prior to building my new setup and just left it on there. I don't know if it really DOES anything, but what the heck.

Thanks for the recommendation on the headphones, but I had gotten impatient and went ahead and ordered some . . . but I did order the Sony 7506 ones you mentioned as I had read what appears to be many happy people who use them in the audiobook recording world. They are due to arrive today!! So, at the end of the day, in case anyone would be interested, here's the equipment I have ended up with:

1) Audio Technica AT2035 microphone $149 from Amazon - bought as a bundle from Amazon.com - included the audio cable, shock mount, mic stand, pop filter

2) Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface (1st generation) - $125 from Amazon - At the time I bought it, it came bundled with the Neewer mic boom

3) Sony MDR7506 Headphones - $79.95 - from Amazon

4) Auray RF-5P-B Reflecton Filter (Metal) - NOTE: Got the best deal on this from B&H Photo's website $149 vs. $204 on Amazon

5) Sound Blankets - from U.S. Cargo Control website. I go the 72" X 80" size (grommets on 72" side) - They weigh about 9lbs. each (beefy)
(NOTE: The sound blankets run about $25-$26/each. If anyone orders don't freak out at the shipping price -- CALL THEM, they can do better than the online shipping calculator! They just started handling/selling these the end of May, 2016)

So, for anyone looking to start out without having to remortgage there home, I got all the equipment, sound blankets, and made the PVC frame all for $664.13 (to be exact - smile). Oh, and that also included a cheap-o foam mattress topper from Walmart that I used on the top of my little sound booth.

Now I have to get busy and test the waters of ACX!

Hey Koz, have a super day. Sorry again for the delay. Have a great weekend too!! And, as always, thanks so much for all your help, input, and recommendations. Take good care!

Sheila

[SheilaQ]

Hi again Koz,

Ooooops! Me again. Forgot to mention that my little recording booth is 4'W X 5'L X 6'H. For me, that allows me to either sit or stand. I'm also including one more pic in case you like it too (might have to touch up the chair again - smile). It shows the "ceiling". And, yes, that is a web of jute twine used to keep the mattress topper from caving in. I also had an old blanket that I then put on top of the foam mattress topper. OK, that's really it, I think. Any questions, do let me know.

Sheila