Headphones in Post?

Curtis.Laronde

Curtis.Laronde

Active member
Is it ok to use headphones instead of speakers in post? Just because I work nights and people are usually sleeping when I have a chance to edit.
 
I also find headphones alot more fatiguing than speakers, and I'd swear I make better edits with a good set of monitors. Just makes everything easier to imagine for me or something. But yeah if you're just trying to keep the noise down and are simply just making video edits then headphones will work. As everyone else has said though mix with a good set of monitors, not headphones.
 
Headphones will tend to exaggerate certain aspects of the track (noise, sibilance, reverb, etc.) This can be both a problem and a useful quirk; as long as you keep these differences in the back of your mind, you can take advantage of headphones to clinically examine your tracks in detail.

You'll certainly want to do an editorial pass on monitors, though.
 
You can do rough mixes at night or when it needs to be quiet but the mix needs to be checked on speakers for an accurate balance.
 
Why not use your headphones at night and mix on your monitors during day. Be proficient on both ends. Also consider this ... if you're mixing in a not so soundproof room during the day, you get a much higher ambient noise due to daytime noise pollution. Even if you're in a very quiet neighborhood, the noise floor is higher than night.
 
I Agree with Alan's suggestion: Make sure, however, you have top studio headphones. When editing, however, look at the audio level's display religiously to avoid clipping and to manage overal balance. Good studio Headphones are a good way to monitor. DOn't forget, if you use top of the line speakers for monitoring, the sound you're hearing will not be the sound the average consumer will get (obvioulsy this applies for DVD and consumer TV displaying).

Use the Speakers for checking regularly, but don't be affraid to use (the best possible) studio headphones available.

This is what I've been doing professionally for the past 5 years, anyway :)
 
SPZ is right--if you use really high end monitors no one except other engineers will hear what you are hearing. A pair of B&W speakers will work well, but then again many end users for video will have various kinds of computer speakers and surround setups in Home Theatre systems. Unfortunately, you have to play your final mix on a couple of different "typical" systems, including the TV. If it is audio only, include the car on the list of preview systems.
 
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