Headphones for Multi-tracking!

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Hey guys!

So I finally went ahead and purchased a recording setup for my band, and myself at home:

Mackie Onyx 400F (comes with Mackie Tracktrion 2)
Shure SM57
Monster 6 ft XLR Cable
Boom stand, bought a taller one to use for micing and vocals

The rest of the guys will worry about their mics, and I will be purchasing a iBook in about a month to do all the recording with (it will be done on a PC in the meantime).....

As I was hoping to do this as a multi-tracking setup, I will need a pair of quality headphones (budget of about $100, give or take a bit) for band members to listen to the tracks already put down while they put their own down.....

What would you recommend? At the moment, I have found 2 that seem to be decent....

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Sennheiser-HD280-Pro-ClosedBack-Headphones?sku=242411

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vic-Firth-SIH1-Isolation-Headphones?sku=443954 (recommended by the drummer....he has used them and says they are good)

Opinions? Anything Else I should be considering?

 

[JamesD]

I have and use the Sennheiser headphones that you have listed. They were recommended to me by the guys at GC when i was purchasing my pro-tools setup. I like them, they have good playback quality and are very comfortable. I would recommend them, although i've never tried the VF one's you have listed.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

GC recommended them to me also....but my drummer praises the VF headphones quite a bit...

I always like to get a second opinions.

 

[barneyc4]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=422040

 

[fredster]

What will you use for monitors? You will need a good set of speakers to mix with. I have a set of these. It would be very difficult to get a good mix with computer speakers. Mixing in headphones is kinda dicey too.

 

[JamesD]

Yes, this is very true. Mixing in headphones will not give you a true sound. You will want to pick up some monitors for actual mix-down process. I have a set of these and like them!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-BX5a-70-Watt-Active-Studio-Monitors?sku=603707

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Why is mixing with headphones so bad? Not an accurate representation?

We are new to recording....if the monitors are a must, I might lay out for them......but for multi-tracking, aren't headphones also a must (member listens to tracks put down while putting his track down)?

 

[diamondschwin]

as far as the headphones go, the sennheiser cans have been my main headphones for a long time, VERY good isolation and very decent playback, as far as mixing on headphones go its def. not good, there is no real low end in headphones which can screw up a mix, youll also end up overdoing time based effects because headphones dont always accurately reproduce them.


my drum teacher is the drummer of a few famous and signed bands, he is sponsored by stick, cymbal and drum companies and has the VF headphones, and he has been using my senheissers alot recently when we practice etc. and really enjoys them, he says they isolate just as much as the VFs but sound very good considering they are an all closed back design

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

So, basically, for the actual multi-tracking, I need good headphones, but for the later mix/digital editting on the computer, I should get a pair of good monitors? Correct?

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Question....

How would a pair of noise-cancelling earbuds work to the situation? The isolations is amazing, as is the sound....I recently bought a $30 pair of phillips with active noise cancelling, and they are amazing! How would they work for recording?

 

[JamesD]

About the mixing and monitors. Yes, you will need the headphones for your multi-tracking so you can hear what you are playing to. Then you will want studio monitors to do your final mixing and mastering on. Hope this helps. My advice on the monitors is to go down to GC and go into their sound room, and have them A-B all the different monitors. See which ones sound best to you and go with it.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

If someone could answer the question in my last post, that would be great^^....I'm worried they won't keep sound out all higher volumes....(drums)

So thanks for all the help so far! You guys have been very helpful!

 

[JamesD]

that is what i meant by what i typed. When i said hear what they are playing to i meant so that they could hear what has already been recorded. Sorry for the confusion. As for your other question i can't be of any help.