Headphones for location recording, classical music

[Green Hat]

- What headphones do you use for professional location recording of classical music, in the events that you need to be in the same room or in close vicinity of the musicians and can´t use a pair of monitors?!

I´m currently using a combination of Sennheiser HD600 and HD280PRO, but the former is open and thus can´t reject the acoustic sound in the room, the latter sounds crap but is very closed / good rejection...
- Is there anything great sounding but also closed and with good rejection?!

I´ve heard people use Sony 7505, 7506 for PA/DJ-use for the great power... but turning up level is not an option, as I value my hearing for the long run.

- Any recommendations?!

[evisto]

The best, without any doubt, Stax.
Another nor very expensive akg 701 or 702

evisto

[NorseHorse]

headphones Threads - Forum Tags by Zoints thumbsup

[John Willett]

Well, I'm on location now (backing up the sessions).

I use the HD 800 with Grace m902b in a quiet room and the HD 25-1 when I need closed cans.

[RMJAZZ]

Ultraphones

GK-Music.com

[Plush]

Get out of the room. Never record in the same room as the players.
I recommend the ones you already have, Senn. 600 type.
Ultimate is Stax.

Get out of that room. All you need to do it is longer cables.

[Green Hat]

Thanks to you all for great response!

- Norsehorse, I searched the forum and nothing but didn´t find anything on tracking classical on location.

Yeah, I know the HD600 are some sort of reference, but, they are open...

Has anybody used Audio Technica ATH-50?!

I´ll try out some Stax, just got to sell an arm and a leg first...

And, of course, getting out of the room is essential. I got the cables...

[MichaelPatrick]

Originally Posted by Plush

Get out of that room. All you need to do it is longer cables.

And another room nearby.
And a video camera / monitor.

[rumleymusic]

For a really good quality closed back design, Utrasone is probably the best at a high, but not astronomical, price.

[hbphotoav]

Originally Posted by rumleymusic

For a really good quality closed back design, Utrasone is probably the best at a high, but not astronomical, price.

Ditto. I've been happy with UltraSone ProLine 650s for keeping an ear on everything from quiet churches to small, ridiculously loud rock clubs. And they're very nice with the iPod on a long flight. Audition cans with AIF files of similar program material and a decent headphone amp. Go back more than once.

[Petrus]

Originally Posted by Green Hat

Has anybody used Audio Technica ATH-50?!

Yes, they are my standard location cans now, better than Sony MDR7506 and more comfortable than MDR7509.

Sennheiser HD800 for ultimate reference, but they are too open for monitoring in situ and too fragile (expensive?) to take everywhere.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by rumleymusic

For a really good quality closed back design, Utrasone is probably the best at a high, but not astronomical, price.

The only Ultrasound I have heard are the Edition 9 which I did find very nice - the new Edition 8 look very interesting as well.

Originally Posted by hbphotoav

Ditto. I've been happy with UltraSone HD650s for keeping an ear on everything from quiet churches to small, ridiculously loud rock clubs. And they're very nice with the iPod on a long flight. Audition cans with AIF files of similar program material and a decent headphone amp. Go back more than once.

Has Ultrasound chosen the same model number for a closed headphone as Sennheiser use for their top end open headphone? Most confusing.

Originally Posted by Petrus

Sennheiser HD800 for ultimate reference, but they are too open for monitoring in situ and too fragile (expensive?) to take everywhere.

Well - I have my HD 800 on location with me now.

[hbphotoav]

Sorry... my UltraSones are "ProLine 650". I really should sleep before typing...

HB

[Tom McC]

Originally Posted by Green Hat

Has anybody used Audio Technica ATH-50?!

On classical location recording I now use only the ATH-M50.
Robust and smooth, it gives me useful isolation compared to my semi-open cans when I'm obliged to be stationed in the same hall. (But I still always seek out a separate room if possible.)

And for the modest price, it would be churlish to expect it to be as comfy as the Beyer DT770.. :-)

[Plush]

Originally Posted by MichaelPatrick

And another room nearby.
And a video camera / monitor.

Plenty of times I've used a toilet, a closet, a hallway, a sacristy, a small table set anywhere, a floor or anywhere else. Just as long as it is not in the same room as the sound.

Also I have never needed to see the performers so no video is required. Just start the tape before show time and keep it running until the show is over.

I'd venture to say that the engineer's recordings and balances will improve by at least 50% once s(he) gets out of where the sound is being made.

[NorseHorse]

Best Headphones for Monitoring?

Headphone Suggestions?

High Quality Headphones -- What do you like best?

And also...

Headphones Isolation From Stage

IEMs for classical monitoring in the hall

Excellent Isolation Headphones

[rumleymusic]

I'd venture to say that the engineer's recordings and balances will improve by at least 50% once s(he) gets out of where the sound is being made.

Yeah, even with good isolating headphones, being in the same room and feeling the rumble of instruments and leakage into the cans can throw off the perception of what is really being recorded. Another reason why I multi-track and never mix to stereo on site.

At any rate, getting as far away as you can, backstage, or in a control booth is always a good idea if that is an option. Really long cables are one of the most important pieces of gear a location recordist can have.

[sonare]

Originally Posted by rumleymusic

Yeah, even with good isolating headphones, being in the same room and feeling the rumble of instruments and leakage into the cans can throw off the perception of what is really being recorded. Another reason why I multi-track and never mix to stereo on site.

At any rate, getting as far away as you can, backstage, or in a control booth is always a good idea if that is an option. Really long cables are one of the most important pieces of grear a location recordist can have.

NOTE: I do not have any financial connection with INSTASNAKE-- and having said that-- 250ft of insulated CAT5 is $75. That's 4 channels. The light weight and convenience makes the expense of the baluns painless--

see Faulkner array and insta-snake in action

Nothing looks as amateur as a guy in the corner with headphones.

Rich

[sonare]

Originally Posted by John Willett

The only Ultrasound I have heard are the Edition 9 which I did find very nice - the new Edition 8 look very interesting as well. Has Ultrasound chosen the same model number for a closed headphone as Sennheiser use for their top end open headphone? Most confusing.

I agree with the confusion! Is it UltraSone or Ultrasound? What are the actual models?

I assume you are not prego, John--

Rich

[joelpatterson]

Originally Posted by rumleymusic

... Another reason why I multi-track and never mix to stereo on site....

Plus thumb, man, it's wonderful to think you could seclude yourself in the secret chamber under the altar, but who wants that! I need to see and be seen!

Also-- the "hands-on" nature of contending with the oft-times improvisatory nature of performances nearly dictates that you be watching the action unfold, keeping a careful eye on the performers and your own gear, and not in that order.

The only point of having headphones on anyway is to tell that a clean, healthy signal is being captured-- you don't have to decide anything on the spot.

[rumleymusic]

I agree with the confusion! Is it UltraSone or Ultrasound? What are the actual models?

Ultrasone Pro 550, 750, 900 are the current ones. They all feature S-Logic technology which basically means the sound is coming at you at a forward angle and not directly into your ears, "mimicking" speaker placement.

Most manufacturers will use Ultrasone at trade shows to showcase their own products because they offer good sound isolation and sound fantastic.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by sonare

I agree with the confusion! Is it UltraSone or Ultrasound? What are the actual models?

I assume you are not prego, John--

Rich

Ultrasone - of course - sorry.

Posted after a very long day of recording sessions whole I was sitting alone and knackered while the computer is chantering in the background backing up the day's sessions before I went home.

Exactly as I am doing now the next day.




Sent from my iPhone using Gearslutz

[Mark A. Jay]

Originally Posted by Plush

Get out of the room. Never record in the same room as the players.
I recommend the ones you already have, Senn. 600 type.
Ultimate is Stax.

Get out of that room. All you need to do it is longer cables.

For location recording where I need isolation, I often use Audio Technica ATH-M50's just to monitor what's going to the recorder. I often mix with those, but also bounce over to the STAX electrostatics as well as speakers (but I never take the electrostats with me). Of course, that's all in post...

[boojum]

When I need the isolation on-site I use an old, old pair of Etymotic ER4's. They are in-ear, which creeps out some folks, and can be uncomfortable. But they do offer a very good sound and a claimed 35 - 42 dB of isolation depending on the sealing material you use, foam or three-flange rubber. If I want real isolation I have the industrial sound isolating earmuff. Those are also good for when I use the weed whacker outside at home.

Generally I just want to be sure I am getting the clean signal. I mix at home on the DAW.

I do use the Ety's and either a 722 or 788T connected to a pair of mics to find a sweet spot in a new hall. It is a quick and dirty but works OK. The search for the Snark was easier than finding that sweet spot. But search we must.

[Thomas W. Bethe]

Audio Technica ATH-M50's and Beyer DT 770 PRO are what I use on remotes. If space allows I set up speakers for monitoring. I have tried almost every headphone there is and still keep coming back to the ATs and Beyers.

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by rumleymusic

For a really good quality closed back design, Utrasone is probably the best at a high, but not astronomical, price.

Absolutely: +1!

[Mats H]

I use a pair of Sennheiser HD280's while recording in the same room as the source. They are reasonably isolated, so I can move the main pair to a spot that I like. I do very much prefer my Grado SR325IS' when monitoring or mixing on the spot. I use them when there is a separate room available as they are quite open.

[Don S]

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

Audio Technica ATH-M50's Beyer DT 770 PRO are what I use on remotes. If space allows I set up speakers for monitoring. I have tried almost every headphone there is and still keep coming back to the ATs and Beyers.

Another thumbsup for the M50's!

[Tommy-boy]

Originally Posted by joelpatterson

Plus thumb, man, it's wonderful to think you could seclude yourself in the secret chamber under the altar, but who wants that! I need to see and be seen!

Also-- the "hands-on" nature of contending with the oft-times improvisatory nature of performances nearly dictates that you be watching the action unfold, keeping a careful eye on the performers and your own gear, and not in that order.

The only point of having headphones on anyway is to tell that a clean, healthy signal is being captured-- you don't have to decide anything on the spot.

+1!

[hbphotoav]

Originally Posted by joelpatterson

The only point of having headphones on anyway is to tell that a clean, healthy signal is being captured-- you don't have to decide anything on the spot.

Agreed... but the enjoyability factor of the UltraSones over the old faithful Sony MDR-V6s (similar to 7506) is more than worth the price of admission.

And, I will say, they are helpful in deciding mic position in the space... what I hear from them does transfer nicely to the Tannoys, when I get home.