Headphone setup for live drummer

[cc1]

I need to do the following: Play to a stereo song while listening to a click track. I need to have the ability to adjust the level of the click independent to the music. I'd rather not mix the music down to a mono file and stick the music on the left side of a new mp3 and then stick the click-track on the right side of the new mp3.. then get a small mixer to adjust the ipod's output. Whats the right way to go? Is there a drummer's device that has addressed this? Maybe later i may want a feed from the pa sent back to the drums to mix into the headphone mix as well.. actually kind of complicated.. i'm picturing a laptop, interface & mixer with cables, power cords -everything a mess falling all over the place! thanks in advance for help.. -c

[joeq]

there some iPod apps that are like little 4 track portastudio type things

Sonoma's fourtrack is just one of those. It has a virtual mixer on screen




You can import existing audio tracks into it by dragging and dropping in iTunes or by emailing them to yourself -pretty cool.

I don't really understand your 2nd application, but I guess once you get to that other stuff with the PA, you are probably going to at least need a mixer and a record/playback device that has more than 2 physical outputs.

[CB_Photo]

The best thing to do, IMO, is to isolate the actual audio from the headphone audio. This will save your hearing and greatly reduce general fatigue. For the best sound reproduction I recommend the G-K Ultraphones. If the quality of the audio is not a concern the Vic Firth Stereo Isolation Headphones will work. There's also the Extreme Isolation Headphones, but I've not tried them so I can't comment on their qualities.

Once you're using these 'phones your in-ear volume will decrease radically and it will be much easier to balance your kit sound with any music or click you're playing to.

For my click I use one of two things: the click on my recording software (Logic or Studio One) when playing to pre-recorded music, or a Tama metronome plugged into my StudioLive mixer when playing live. Both methods allow me to adjust the click independently of the music.

There is one hiccup that you might encounter: applying a click to a click-less pre-recorded tune, and the click does not synchronize perfectly with the tune. This has happened to me on numerous occasions, and I think it's because sample rates and clocking are not perfectly synchronized. In any case, when I'm given a tune to practice to, I ask/demand that the click be provided on a separate track. This means that I'll be given at least a 3-channel audio file (stereo + click) and audio software must be used for this purpose.

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by CB_Photo

The best thing to do, IMO, is to isolate the actual audio from the headphone audio. This will save your hearing and greatly reduce general fatigue. For the best sound reproduction I recommend the G-K Ultraphones.

I 100% agree.
I use the GK phones.
The number one priority should be protecting your ears.