I need some new headphones and I’m curious what you guys are using or what your preferences are specifically for making beats and not for trying to mix on your phones…, what are you really enjoying to use in this context?
shure se535. wired. not blue tooth or any of that shit.
i find they’re more accurate so when i do get ready to mix or record i don’t have to change a bunch of things. i have other headphones i like but i find that i when it’s time to record and i listen on speakers that things are just wrong or totally off and that gets annoying and frustrating and costs time.
if you just need something to knock around then those sony mdr dj headphones are pretty solid for that kind of thing. i like the in ear style because i get drawn into my own world and they are isolating so reduce external sounds by 20+ db or something.
etymotic er4 are good for that too. i had a pair of those that lasted more than 10 years.
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Sennheiser HDR65.
I got a couple of pairs at a garage sale for a dollar or something. They were originally wireless but the batteries were old and didn’t hold a charge. Also, I’m not interested in the added hassles of older wireless tech like that. I just bypassed the circuitry and wired a cord on them. They’re open back, sound good, super comfy and light weight, and most importantly they translate well.
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mackie mc 250 are excellent for less than 100 euros. the sennheiser hd 25 is a classic workhorse, very sturdy and reliable. if your looking for something open and comfortable, the akg 702 are a steal for 130 euros.
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AT-m50
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Question, do the se535’s make a lot of noise internally from bumping the cable around etc… during your usage?
V-moda M100.
AKG 240’s for life 
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I use Beyerdynamic DT880 but I tested an AKG and I admit the AKG is better. If I have to buy a new headphone, I will go for an AKG 240.
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I compose on HD650s with a tube amp but I prefer to mix and master on Portapros for the simple reason that I went through a dozen pairs when I was a poorer musician, I was forced to learn audio engineering on them, they have a better center image than the 650s or other fancy cans and I know them like the back of my hand.
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nope. well, not for me… it’s not something i’ve noticed at all. I’m usually sitting when wearing them and not bouncing around a lot. but even so i move around when sitting and i don’t notice anything like noise from the cables. same experience w/the etymotics as well. i used those for 10 years and only replaced the little filter in the ear pieces once or twice. the headphones come w/spare ear cushion things and different types so if you don’t like the rubber ones there’s foam and a different type of rubber ear piece thing.
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…absolute NO for mixing…
but for creating beats…
anything from beats headphones…nice and gentle low end embracing there…
but it’s difficult to get back…
once u hear ur lowend already that smoothly balanced, it’s hard to get there also in final mixing…on the other hand, ur never in danger to push too hard on low ends…
.but if u try final mixing on beats headphones, u’ll never catch the clear lowest octave for real…
but once u tickle, tune and shape that lowest octave in ur mix elsewhere and then go back to consumer listening on any beats headphones…wow…then u know u nailed it for real…
…biggest secret is always impedance…to low and it’s crushing…too high needs proper input source…between 80 and 120 is fair enough…go for real headphone brands…like beyer dynamic or sennheiser…closed ones…no noise cancelation technic promises…
and listen closely and a lot to ur favourite reference tracks, once u decided and got them…
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Sennheiser 280 HD! Super comfortable for long beat making sessions
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if you find some good deals post them in the Black Friday thread
Making Beats.
- Sennheiser HD25 plus
- Beyer Dynamics Custom One Pro plus
My go to headphones are KEF M500. Why? Because I’m very familiar with the KEF sound signature which is respectably flat, they also reach surprisingly low, and they’re closed back so ideal for using when making music in the same room as my family. I find them very well balanced and revealing so they serve me just as well for mixing.
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Why separate the process? Use the headphones you would use for mixing too (or at least in combination with some monitors). Otherwise you’ll create things that sound like garbage when it comes to mixing the final product and create more work for yourself trying to fix things in post.
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I’m just so used to the process being separated already
anybody got the akg k72’s ?