Headphone problems - Too quiet in my live room

[unit13]

Hi guys, I've got a cheap Behringer HA8000 feeding the studio outs from my ZED R16 to my multicore & through to my live room. This set-up usually is fine and if we're tracking a quiet band it's perfect or single performers doing overdubs etc... BUT when I had a punk band in wanting to track the music live I struggled to get the headphones up to a listenable level over the noise of drum kit.

Basically when I got the volume up to the right level they were getting mushy, distorted sounds through their cans. I'd separated the guitar & bass cabs into another room so they couldn't even track off the live sound in the room without phones.

Here's my question, would it be a good idea to get another cheap headphone amp in the live room to boost or double the level? in my mind it would also give them the option of setting their own individual phones levels.

Good idea? Something else that could be done?
Advice is very welcome

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

your room + that band = bad fit. Either they change how they record, or they record someplace else. Punk bands are already too loud for safe listening over long time periods, you want to make your phones louder than the band? So what happens when you get sued for causing an unsafe condition leading to permanent hearing loss?

Besides, recording that those levels usually leads to mush. I'd rather capture them live in their usual environment if I'm trying to get the energy and they can only do it by playing at top volume. The important thing to realize though is that neither you nor they are hearing what the music actually sound s like, because the brain protects the body and your ears compress the sound. What ends up on tape will be different. (And they'll blame you...)

[unit13]

It's just I've got another band wanting to do the same thing in a few weeks & I'm worried I'm going to be stuck in the same situation again. They want to do everything live as well although I don't think they'll be as loud in the room, I suppose I could keep the amps in the same room as the drums so that they don't need as much phones volume. It just might ruin things for me at mixdown time. I've got some homemade gobos that might help reduce spill.

[unit13]

My other idea was to buy some drummers isolation headphones, they're only a 3 piece & I've already got access to 1 pair.

[unit13]

Bump! Any other ideas?

[Beat Poet]

Originally Posted by unit13

My other idea was to buy some drummers isolation headphones, they're only a 3 piece & I've already got access to 1 pair.

Every time I've been in the studio, that's been the deal for everyone, isolation headphones, usually the classic Beyerdynamic DT100s. Regular headphones for general listening to music are no good, though getting the players to wear earplugs with the headphones over the top is a quick fix, though it won't sound particularly good.

I'm a drummer and find that simple earbuds are good enough, plus they double up as ear plugs. I never have the drums coming through the earphones though, they don't give you enough isolation for that.

[frans]

Isolation headphones do the trick. Works in my studio all the time, even with very loud bands.

[unit13]

Cheers guys! I'll try and pick up some cheap pairs

[Rick Sutton]

Maybe your headphone amp just doesn't have the horsepower to get the job done.
Real power amps designed to push speakers are what the big studios use on the cans= plenty of volume in all circumstances.

I use 3 Crown amps here for the headphone feeds.

[ProfessorNick]

Isolation headphones! Good closed back phones should be adequate too. I would ask why they are using phones at all if they are all tracking live...

[unit13]

Originally Posted by Rick Sutton

Maybe your headphone amp just doesn't have the horsepower to get the job done.
Real power amps designed to push speakers are what the big studios use on the cans= plenty of volume in all circumstances.

I use 3 Crown amps here for the headphone feeds.

I've only got a cheap Behringer HA8000, it's just a self contained unit.
How would I be able to add another amp to that?

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by unit13

I've only got a cheap Behringer HA8000, it's just a self contained unit.
How would I be able to add another amp to that?

You wouldn't add to it, you'd replace it.

[unit13]

Originally Posted by Rick Sutton

You wouldn't add to it, you'd replace it.

Ahh, sí sí!!

Maybe when I've got some more money! haha, I'm in the low end forum for a reason