Lesser of two evils?? Headphones vs PC Speakers

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Lesser of two evils?? Headphones vs PC Speakers
Posted on: 26.08.2011 by Aracely Mcalvey
Okay, so I've got a decent set of logitech PC speakers with a sub...and I've also got a really nice set of sony heaphones (over the ear, for DJing).

Given that I have neither the time, nor the money, nor the sound treatment for studio monitors, I'm wondering: Which would YOU use to make beats if these were, essentially your two options?

The PC speakers give me an idea of how it sounds in the entire room. The headphones really let me hear the little nuances of the entire mix.

YOUR THOUGHTS?!
Maricruz Mouw
27.08.2011
Originally Posted by padi_04
Volume is not the problem with production, accurate frequency reproduction is.
i believe what he is talking about is making sure he has enough headroom
Nedra Fresneda
27.08.2011
Originally Posted by Swanny.NZ
what's a can? lol.

Yeah Logitech speakers are good for just playing normal music for if you're partying or chilling, but they still don't go as loud as you'd want imo. I have the biggest logitech PC speakers, and they're hella loud and sound pretty good, but they also start to distort and pop around 60-70% of max volume which is pretty average. They're good as computer speakers, but not as production speakers I don't believe. They're just not built for it.
Volume is not the problem with production, accurate frequency reproduction is.
Aracely Mcalvey
26.08.2011
Okay, so I've got a decent set of logitech PC speakers with a sub...and I've also got a really nice set of sony heaphones (over the ear, for DJing).

Given that I have neither the time, nor the money, nor the sound treatment for studio monitors, I'm wondering: Which would YOU use to make beats if these were, essentially your two options?

The PC speakers give me an idea of how it sounds in the entire room. The headphones really let me hear the little nuances of the entire mix.

YOUR THOUGHTS?!
Lizzie Hoesley
28.08.2011
You get a peak meter in almost every daw, if you're worried about headroom.

ANYWAY

Cans is the way to go - not only did OP mention acoustics, but money as well.

After it's mixed, check it on the speakers, check it on your TV (in a dvd player or xbox or whatever) and check it in the car. TV might sound shite depending on your audio setup, but most people listen to music in headphones and in the car. So make sure your mixes sound good in those places, and you should be good.

Also headphones are cheaper than monitors - if you're looking to upgrade your headphones (Sony is good, but DJ headphones are not flat freq response), I recommend AKG K240s they're semi-open, quite flat, freq response 15Hz-25KHz and they're extra comfy for extra long sessions.
Maricruz Mouw
27.08.2011
Originally Posted by padi_04
Volume is not the problem with production, accurate frequency reproduction is.
i believe what he is talking about is making sure he has enough headroom
Nedra Fresneda
27.08.2011
Originally Posted by Swanny.NZ
what's a can? lol.

Yeah Logitech speakers are good for just playing normal music for if you're partying or chilling, but they still don't go as loud as you'd want imo. I have the biggest logitech PC speakers, and they're hella loud and sound pretty good, but they also start to distort and pop around 60-70% of max volume which is pretty average. They're good as computer speakers, but not as production speakers I don't believe. They're just not built for it.
Volume is not the problem with production, accurate frequency reproduction is.
Glennie Hoppenstedt
27.08.2011
what's a can? lol.

Yeah Logitech speakers are good for just playing normal music for if you're partying or chilling, but they still don't go as loud as you'd want imo. I have the biggest logitech PC speakers, and they're hella loud and sound pretty good, but they also start to distort and pop around 60-70% of max volume which is pretty average. They're good as computer speakers, but not as production speakers I don't believe. They're just not built for it.
Tatum Ansaldo
26.08.2011
You'd have a hard time producing anything accurately on logitechs. Cans are the way forward for you.
Alica Mccaden
26.08.2011
a headphone isn't even evil. it isn't bad at all to produce with headphones, I do it too a lot and I have great studio monitors. just be sure to check your mixes on the logitechs from time to time, and mixing over headphones can be tiring and not always so good for your ears, even if you don't crank them up super hard. also, most heaphones are pretty decent, it's difficult to have really bad hp's imo and sony headphones most surely will do the trick

btw, monitors being a waste of money because of acoustics is imo pretty bullshit, room treatment can help a little but most rooms really aren't so bad that they need treatment and studio monitors would still work very well
Nedra Fresneda
26.08.2011
Get some flat cans. Getting decent monitors would be a waste if your room has acoustic problems.

Don't forget to check your material in different places and take notes about how it sounds. It should sound well in the outside world, not only your room.

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