Is it possible to create a good mix on cheap headphones?

[rcb4t2]

Because low bass is so critical in that genre, and because headphones have a hard time reproducing low bass accurately, it will be more difficult. Also as far as imaging goes, headphones don't give you the crosstalk between sides that occurs naturally in the air with speakers. So that can make it harder to judge as well.

The quality of headphones, as well as the choice of headphone type (open back tends to win for mixing, whereas closed is usually a better choice for tracking because it limits bleed to the mics) will matter, of course, like with everything else. Almost equally important, though, is the quality of the DA converter and headphone amp. Basically, there's no free lunch.

[rcb4t2]

Just read your other thread, where you seem to have already received most of the advice pertinent to your question. The "arrogant smartass" is a really smart member of this forum with very helpful contributions. The way I read the thread he was far calmer and less incendiary than you.

[-tc-]

Originally Posted by helloskoodle

Would you say that it is possible for a track to be well produced using only headphones?

Yeah, but even if you're headed in the right direction you might not realise when you get "there" ... continue on and mix over the edge of a cliff, and not notice ...

Lots of things are possible but unadvisable Mr Eq is well worthy of taking advice from - try to read past what you perceived as arrogant

But, it's not a dogma or anything - we've all done it at some point. The worst thing you could do would be to stop working at it just because it's going to be harder - you'll learn valuable skills if you go about it with a good attitude.

[Aisle 6]

You can try, but most likely your mixes will sound good only on those headphones. The ability for your mix to translate well across many different systems will be very poor.

[NikJennings]

Originally Posted by rcb4t2

Because low bass is so critical in that genre, and because headphones have a hard time reproducing low bass accurately, it will be more difficult.

Agreed, this is going to be your biggest pitfall when mixing on headphones. In terms of EQ and processing, you'll be able to get some good results providing you mix in mono. I can't remember which one, but there's a plugin in PT that lets you playback stereo tracks in mono. If you can get a good mix in mono then your mix should sound really good when spread across the stereo field - just try to find an hour or two during the day when using monitors is socially acceptable and get the panning balance just right. Although you could try it out, I'd avoid processing like compression on headphones as that is where the problem of "it will only sound good on those headphones" will really stand out. So that's my best tip - get a good mix in mono and then spend time with monitors spreading the sound across the stereo field

[junya-eskimo]

Yes you can.. ( Mix on shitty headphones).

Learn how to read a fast Spectrum analyser. RME DIGICHECK is a great one for LOW end monitoring... (This is only avalable to people who own an RME Fireface 400 or 800 I think).

Looking at other tracks you know are mixed well, you will be able to "MIX" you tracks to the same volumes as thiers..

Sure, Its not a very "passionate" way to do it. But in critical situations, you need to do what you gotta...]]

It will give your mix a fast hard shunt into the right direction.. The rest will be upto you..

John

[Pedantic Sound]

You would have to get good at mixing to meters.

[Clay]

Originally Posted by helloskoodle

Is it possible to create a good mix on cheap headphones?

NO!
but a good mix will sound fine on any cheap set of headphones...

[psycho_monkey]

Skull candy are designed to hype and flatter, not sound truthful.

Mixing on headphones and getting it to translate is HARD. Headphones are good for checks. You can do it...but get a better set of cans, and spend a lot of time cross referencing on other systems.

[SoSueMe]

Yes, if you're only listening back on the same headphones.

That said, it can be done depending on your amount of persistence, eventually learning what it takes in the mix to make them translate over a wide range of systems. But this is much more difficult than mixing by more conventional means.

However, if those headphones do not adequately cover relatively the entire range of human hearing, then you won't be able to adjust things you can't hear. Bumps and dips can be compensated for if you are really used to them and know the phones very well and can offset such anomalies.

Do you have access to a wide range of systems to check translation? If not, then you'll never know unless you can somehow fix problems in the mix based on what others you trust are telling you what they're hearing. Perhaps you may not be able to hear what someone may suggest is a problem because your headphones are lacking in some area, which is very likely. In that case you will not be able to fix the issue(s).

[4damind]

There are a lot headphones with some kind of bass optimization. So it could be difficult to transfer such a mix to other headphones or speakers.
I would not completely mix with headphones but it's possible. But I would use a analyzer with some reference curve to check it.

[Atak]

Try the VRM box with some flat response headphones. That will definitely work

Sent from my MOTWX435KT using Gearslutz App

[payne104]

Anything's possible man