Monitoring on headphones, at least from time to time during recording, is important to establish the quality - not just the level - of the audio you’re getting. At least one customer has told us that the meters looked fine during recording, but found out later that all that meter movement had been squeals and squeaks, and not clean voice.
With digital recorders monitoring is even more important than with tape, as recording at too high a level will chop off the highs and leave you with distortion you can’t lose.
Good headphones are also really vital to hear all the detail in your audio, to cut out annoying background noise in office environments (and avoid annoying your colleagues.)
We keep several types.
The BEYER DT 250 has been specifically designed for all professional monitoring applications. Its tailored frequency response makes it especially ideal for studio playback and film monitoring.
FEATURES
Compact, lightweight low-profile design
Reference-quality closed ear monitors
Advanced ear cushion systems
Neodymium magnet assemblies
Detachable cable
3.5mm mini-jack and 1/4” plug
Use for recording, and with iPods, iPhones, laptops, radio and on aircraft.
SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency response 10 - 30,000 Hz
Nominal impedance 80 ohm or 250 ohm
Nominal SPL 100 dB
Nominal power rating 100 mW
Ambient noise insulation approx. 16 dBA
Cable length 3 m
£149
AUDIO TECHNICA ATH-ANC7b
Many
of us have heard of Bose noise-cancelling headphones. Bose ads are in
the weekend supplements of the better newspapers, and they never tell
you how much they cost. I once wore some at an Apple show, where they
were demonstrating early iPods - they were stunning, but so is their
price.
There are noise-cancelling ‘phones from JVC and Sony too, but
they are consumer products, and I’m not convinced by their audio and
build-quality.
But now there are the new ATH-ANC7b’s from Audio Technica - a proper manufacturer of pro audio equipment and we have noise-cancelling headphones for discriminating customers. You can turn off the noise-cancelling circuitry and use them as ‘ordinary’ headphones for monitoring or listening; you can take off the headphone lead and use them just for noise-cancelling.
£155
£155
SENNHEISER HD202 HEADPHONES
Closed ear headphones designed for extended listening and for an especially good bass response. Good isolation from external noise, leaving you to concentrate on listening to the source.
Comfortable and with detachable earcups.
£42
£42
SENNHEISER HD201 HEADPHONES
Good quality day-to-day headphones for general monitoring and listening.
£22
£22
SONY MDR-V150 HEADPHONES
Good basic headphones for monitoring and listening - better than the in-ear ‘phones from your iPod.
£22
£15