What path is your sound taking?

Kashi

Until now, I have almost exclusively been using headphones for ipad music-making. When I'm not using headphones, then the output of my ipad is going into my Volt audio interface, which is then connected via USB cable to my laptop, and into Ableton.

I am now thinking that I want to go from ipad to monitor speakers as directly as possible, to get the most "accurate" representationof the sound. If I go through my Behringer mixer (mx 602A), which has lo-mid-hi EQs then of course the sound is coloured in some way,...as it always is.

So basically I'm interested to hear about people's set-ups, and specifically advice and thoughts on the pros and cons of using mixers, audio interfaces, headphones etc.

Cheers!

Telefunky

I frequently use Sennheiser IE4 earbuds on the iPad for an overall impression of sounds.
In particular to get a mass-compatible bass image.
My regular monitoring is AKG 601 95% of the time and these have a tight, but not very prominent bass response. It‘s cool if you‘re used to it, but definitely no disco appeal.

Interfaces here are iConnectAudio4+ and Audient ID22.
The latter has (multiple) dedicated DA converters and is very precise... well, you might even call it unspectacular, but that‘s what monitoring mixes is about. It reveals details that the iCA simply swallows.
(it‘s a great interface, but a bad IOS choice for various reasons)

Tbh while I appreciate precise monitoring, if you just want to play (and enjoy sound), there‘s something left.
To make a long story short: I modified a studio grade impedance converter (ex broadcast gear) to a headphone driver that matches the K601 impedance perfectly and enjoy it
The much lower impedance IE4 fails miserably on that output stage.

Atm it’s driven by a Digidesign 888/24 (dedicated clock) output from Pro Tools TDM, which acts as a routing matrix for all my gear, so it‘s iPad into PT into headphones.
Other participants are Win7 DAW, MacMini Intel, MacMini M1, MPC4000.
Any source can be routed to any destination, even multistage like iPad into PT effects into MPC, 19“ rack synths/fx included, too.
Most connections are Adat based, it was a hell to setup... but eventually works

dreamcartel

I’ve become a synth head. With that my genre has shifted from rock and roll to synth and drone! Lol

Anyone who has heard my work has often called it some kind of arabesque trip hip. iOS had changed my total view of production and music and this forum especially has changed my view on composition and instruments. Gravitas is my biggest influence for sure but there are many people on here that have taught me a lot.

But my genre has gone from excluding digital and playing everything by hand /keys to now using most Audio Units and dRambo and sequencer and most of all.

*ROLAND S-1 *

I can only recommend what I use and that’s the Beats Studio , and I love the sound they make. It’s not flat but it is most definitely the common speakers for iOS users

I say do what many say to me and get Tb morphit for your headphones and use that

I use monitor and a interface for bigger songs but I rarely have done much with iOS without just my iPad and beats

People say beats are terrible but that’s because they are over priced. They are worth $200 not $350, but if you get them on sale you get them for $100-200

Or Sony XM5 are also great but I like to use apple with iOS now

Kashi

Thanks @Telefunky and @dreamcartel - really appreciate your thoughts

richardyot

IMO mixing on headphones is the most reliable solution for most people, especially those who don't have treated rooms.

I wrote a series of very detailed articles in this thread you might find interesting:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/47704/collected-thoughts-on-sound-reproduction-and-monitoring

Telefunky

@richardyot said:
IMO mixing on headphones is the most reliable solution for most people, especially those who don't have treated rooms.

Yes, lacking room treatment plus use at night are my main reasons for cans.
I‘ve been using (exclusively) AKG K501 for any kind of listening over decades, so I know them really well, another important aspect.
This applies to any quality brand pair of headphones, you just have to get used to them.

dreamcartel

I hear headphones and morphit are a “virtual FRFR” - if that’s true , get morphit! I would too

Kashi

@richardyot said:
IMO mixing on headphones is the most reliable solution for most people, especially those who don't have treated rooms.

I wrote a series of very detailed articles in this thread you might find interesting:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/47704/collected-thoughts-on-sound-reproduction-and-monitoring

This is great! Thanks @richardyot

jwmmakerofmusic

I'm a simple producer and just stick to my 3rd gen airpods. 😅

richardyot

@Kashi said:

@richardyot said:
IMO mixing on headphones is the most reliable solution for most people, especially those who don't have treated rooms.

I wrote a series of very detailed articles in this thread you might find interesting:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/47704/collected-thoughts-on-sound-reproduction-and-monitoring

This is great! Thanks @richardyot

Glad you liked it! ❤️

Kashi

@jwmmakerofmusic said:
I'm a simple producer and just stick to my 3rd gen airpods. 😅

This is good to know! Cheers man!

jwmmakerofmusic

@Kashi said:

@jwmmakerofmusic said:
I'm a simple producer and just stick to my 3rd gen airpods. 😅

This is good to know! Cheers man!

Cheers mate! Once your ears are used to a pair of monitors/headphones/earbuds, then the sky's the limit. When I switched from my Beats to my Airpods, took about a month of listening to tracks in my fave genres for my ears to adjust to the new spectral curve.

I haven't used monitors in years since I'd have to acoustically treat my room, and even on a budget ain't a producer got time for that. 🤣

raabje

I have some side information, I knew already there is a Harman target line when it comes to headphones, from reading reviews.

https://thenextweb.com/news/harman-curve-for-headphones-explained

I found out only recently that on the Qudelix Dac I own, there are preset EQ settings for a lot of headphones to get closer to the target line. I have to say that in most cases my headphones sounds better with this EQ engaged.

So if you find the right EQ setting, and you have an EQ (I think it is parametric) in your signal path, your average headphone maybe sound better or nicer. As always, that is a matter of personal preference and taste....

https://www.reddit.com/r/oratory1990/wiki/index/

And a disclaimer, I use this DAC with Harman target EQ for listening to music (from others), not for mixing or mastering, only because I never reach that phase. When I just make music, for the raw sounds, my headphone characteristic is not so critical.

AudioGus

I wear Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X headphones and they go beyond comfortable to actually feeling comforting. I look forward to putting them on in the morning and simply feel better when they are on. Best music related investment I ever made.