Got a MacBook Pro not long ago, and added the Apogee Duet audio interface and Logic Studio software ... big learning curve, but I'm finding that my Sony headphones don't really get the job done. Any recommendations for high quality studio headphones? Don't want to pay $1000 but don't want to necessarily go cheap, either. Quality at a reasonable price is what I'm after. I'll also probably be looking for a pair of decent studio monitors before too long--sometime after I recover from INAFA.

Dreaming of a CD but not ready just yet to post anything.

Paul

Hi Paul,

I have three pairs of these in my studio: Audio-Technica ATH-M40fs

They are only $69 a pair and they are fantastic all-around studio headphones (which is why I have bought several pair over the years).

Near field monitors are an interesting topic, and they are what you will want to use for mixing. What is your budget for monitors? I have a set of the Dynaudio BM5As and they are unbelievable quality for the price, but they are not totally inexpensive. Their quality to price ratio is very high, and they are worth every penny.

You've got some nice gear so far (Mac, Apogee and Logic). What is your "front end" like? What mic/preamp combo are you using, or are you just using the built in pres on the Apogee?

Add a good mic, a good preamp and some decent monitors to that set-up and the sky is the limit.

Sennheiser HD-280.. You can get them from about $80-$100. GREAT headphones.

Thanks, Geoffrey--and Jeff. Right now, I'm just using the Apogee preamps and an EV Raven dynamic mic. Might take awhile to add the other components, but as long as I'm here ... any recommendations for a good preamp?

Paul

Well.. assuming you mean low end, a "good" preamp can easily go over $1000.00.
I have a couple of the PreSonus TubePre amps. They work very nicely, especially when considering the price! They will give you all the boost you could need and will warm your sound nicely if desired.

Sweetwater PreSonus
Granted I have only worked with a couple of the other low end units. I definitely like these better than the ART units.

I did a lot of research at one point on trying to get the best possible pre-amps for the best possible price. I spent countless hours on pro-audio forums and listened in on discussions related to this topic.

What I came away with was the FMR Audio "Really Nice Preamp" (FMR RNP). A two channel pre-amp for about $475. The quality on this preamp is simply superb. As I heard one pro engineer comment: "If they had put this unit in an anodized aluminum case with some metal knobs, it would cost $1500." Great preamp. Lots of really clean gain.

Agreed.. but thats still a lot O' cash.. I will end up with one of those sometime in the next year.

Added it to my wish list ... thanks again.

AKG K271MKII !!

Even the older version of the K271 is awesome. they come with two sets of ear cup pads, sort of a leatherette and a soft fuzzy cloth, and they come with two cords, one curly, one straight. And since the cords plug into the headphones, if you damage a cord, all you have to replace is the cord. They also turn off when you take them off your head. They're really excellent.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--AKGK271MKII And I just noticed that the price just keeps going down. Not long ago, these were nearly 300 dollars.

And whatever you do, make sure the headphones are not open or even partially open. For recording work, you want a completely closed design to block as much sound from outside the phones.


For general listening, like to you iPod, it's hard to beat these: http://www.hificans.com/index.php?main_pag...p;products_id=1

Just ordered the Audio-Technica ATH-M40fs studio headphones from Sweetwater and opted, for now, for a Studio Projects VTB-1 preamp. The near-field monitors will have to wait.

That sweetwater tube preamp looks nice. I have a nice little tube amp for my grado 225's for just all around listening and tubes sure do make the music sound warm and sweet. Plus you can change the tubes for a slightly different sound.