Headphones, need advice

Phil Bambridge · September 26th, 2009, 11:08 AM

I was a bit concerned that having soft overcovers such as the Garfields would allow more ambient sound to sneak in- is it that noticeable?

OP- you don't say if you have a particular need for attenuating exogenous noise (i.e. filming on an oil rig or at a rock concert).

There are things sold that are tantamount to ear defenders with 7506s retro-fitting to them. Don't know if this changes their sonic characteristics, but if not, might be an option. Probably heavier though. Or there are the in-ear canalphones- there are some made for on-stage performers that might be worth a look.

However, for occasional use in loud environments, where you just want a sanity check (is it really recording?), I would have thought it quite useful to have a noise-cancelling set.

Rick Reineke · September 26th, 2009, 11:31 AM

The sonic difference and isolation characteristics using the Garfield Softies is negligible IMO. I use in-ear HPs for high SPL situations
Though I think Trew Audio offers a modified high iso version of the 7506.

K.C. Kennedy · September 26th, 2009, 03:43 PM

Thank you so much.

Dean Sensui · September 26th, 2009, 06:25 PM

I have a friend who is a recording engineer/songwriter/singer and he recommended the Audio Technica AT-M50.

"WAY better on the ears than the Sonys. Accurate and easy on the ears in the treble range. Also, well made."

I have yet to buy an M50.

I use a pair of in-ear Sennheiser CX-380 earphones. Sounds OK. Keeps stray noises out fairly well. They're also compact and allow me to wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep my head out of the sun as much as possible. Conventional headphones, with the overhead band, requires that I wear a ball cap which isn't as protective.

Pete Cofrancesco · September 26th, 2009, 09:19 PM

I own a pair of 7506, which are the standard for field work. My only complaint is when I wear them for long periods of time my ear lobes get sore pressing up against the insides. I've felt more comfortable high end headphones at the apple store but they boost bass too much, are too expensive, and aren't durable enough for field work.

Zack Allen · September 27th, 2009, 03:23 AM

I personally use a pair of MDRV-900's that I don't think are even in production anymore. I got them about 8 years ago and have been using them since. They're so comfortable that I forget to take them off during downtime.

Rick Reineke · September 27th, 2009, 09:41 AM

I have not tried the AT-M50 yet, but I have read favorable reviews, Including our own reliable source Ty Ford.
I also see that Shure has released it's own version of the 7506 style. The SRH440 & SRH840 is priced accordingly to compete with Sony and AT. Has anyone tried them yet? Ty?

Shaun Roemich · September 27th, 2009, 04:39 PM

I use audio-technica ATH-M40fs cans with my field mixer and I'm quite happy.

Dan Jones · September 27th, 2009, 05:55 PM

I notice the 7506s come with a screw on 1/4" adapter. Does this mean you can't use standard (non screw-in) adapters?

Jordan Block · September 27th, 2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Jones

I notice the 7506s come with a screw on 1/4" adapter. Does this mean you can't use standard (non screw-in) adapters?

Normal adapters work just fine.

Dan Jones · September 27th, 2009, 06:59 PM

Another matter that came up during a recent V.O. recording was the talent wanted to wear the cans so he could hear himself. Fair enough but any movement he made, even simple gesticulating would cause the headphones to creak and click, which the mic picked up mercilessly! We pressed on without him wearing the cans so he could stay 'in character'.

How are the 7506s for this?

Is that to be expected with any 'phones

And has anyone else encountered / solved this?

Thanks

Steve House · September 28th, 2009, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Jones

Another matter that came up during a recent V.O. recording was the talent wanted to wear the cans so he could hear himself. Fair enough but any movement he made, even simple gesticulating would cause the headphones to creak and click, which the mic picked up mercilessly! We pressed on without him wearing the cans so he could stay 'in character'.

How are the 7506s for this?

Is that to be expected with any 'phones

And has anyone else encountered / solved this?

Thanks

It is incredibly difficult for voice talent to do their job properly without wearing cans and insisting your talent try to work without phones is seriously crippling his ability to deliver an optimum performance. Wearing headphones is the normal practice and virtually all professional voice-overs, narration, or ADR are recorded using them. Virtually all studio music recordings are made with the talent wearing phones as well. The Sonys and other professional quality phones are made with this in mind and in my experience are completely noise free in use. I've used both Sony and Sennheiser and never had a problem with mechanical noise from the phones per se, though bleed can be an issue if you use open-backed phones at high volumes. Computer headsets or cheap consumer gear might be another story.

Dan Jones · September 28th, 2009, 08:00 AM

Yeah that's what I thought - the headphones while probably fine in their day are due for replacement. A set of 7506s is probably what I'll recommend.

It hasn't been that uncommon that an actor will prefer to work without wearing phones - maybe they feel less restricted or something - but my line of work is character animation which sometimes involves recording actors more than dedicated VO guys or singers - and as long as the signal coming through is clear & strong, I just let them work however they're comfortable.

Its all good until they start full-body convulsions to pretend they're being electrocuted or grunting out dialog to convince you they're fighting 50 enemy swordsmen at the time!

Steve House · September 28th, 2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Jones

Yeah that's what I thought - the headphones while probably fine in their day are due for replacement. A set of 7506s is probably what I'll recommend.

It hasn't been that uncommon that an actor will prefer to work without wearing phones - maybe they feel less restricted or something - but my line of work is character animation which sometimes involves recording actors more than dedicated VO guys or singers - and as long as the signal coming through is clear & strong, I just let them work however they're comfortable.

Its all good until they start full-body convulsions to pretend they're being electrocuted or grunting out dialog to convince you they're fighting 50 enemy swordsmen at the time!

If they're moving around THAT much I'd expect problems keeping them on-mic would override any headphone problems. Good VO talent should be able to get all that inflection while keeping their mouth a fixed (close) distance from the mic.

Jeff Kellam · September 30th, 2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K.C. Kennedy

I'm on a $100 budget for a set of good noise cancelling headphones I'll use with Sony HDR-FX1. Thank you in advance.
KC.

K.C.

The 7506s are not only great for your use but they are nice for portable music and video players or anything they will plug in to. Im always having to find where the kids put them when they listen to the Zune or something.

Pretty well built for under $100USD

September 26th, 2009, 03:43 PM	#18
K.C. Kennedy Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 80	You guys are amazing. Thank you so much.

September 26th, 2009, 06:25 PM	#19
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	I have a friend who is a recording engineer/songwriter/singer and he recommended the Audio Technica AT-M50. "WAY better on the ears than the Sonys. Accurate and easy on the ears in the treble range. Also, well made." I have yet to buy an M50. I use a pair of in-ear Sennheiser CX-380 earphones. Sounds OK. Keeps stray noises out fairly well. They're also compact and allow me to wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep my head out of the sun as much as possible. Conventional headphones, with the overhead band, requires that I wear a ball cap which isn't as protective. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

September 27th, 2009, 03:23 AM	#21
Zack Allen Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fresno,CA Posts: 42	I personally use a pair of MDRV-900's that I don't think are even in production anymore. I got them about 8 years ago and have been using them since. They're so comfortable that I forget to take them off during downtime. __________________ www.soundgeekproductions.com

September 27th, 2009, 04:39 PM	#23
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	I use audio-technica ATH-M40fs cans with my field mixer and I'm quite happy. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

September 27th, 2009, 06:59 PM	#26
Dan Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 34	Performers wearing headphones... Another matter that came up during a recent V.O. recording was the talent wanted to wear the cans so he could hear himself. Fair enough but any movement he made, even simple gesticulating would cause the headphones to creak and click, which the mic picked up mercilessly! We pressed on without him wearing the cans so he could stay 'in character'. How are the 7506s for this? Is that to be expected with any 'phones And has anyone else encountered / solved this? Thanks

September 26th, 2009, 11:08 AM	#16
Phil Bambridge Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bristol, England Posts: 78	I was a bit concerned that having soft overcovers such as the Garfields would allow more ambient sound to sneak in- is it that noticeable? OP- you don't say if you have a particular need for attenuating exogenous noise (i.e. filming on an oil rig or at a rock concert). There are things sold that are tantamount to ear defenders with 7506s retro-fitting to them. Don't know if this changes their sonic characteristics, but if not, might be an option. Probably heavier though. Or there are the in-ear canalphones- there are some made for on-stage performers that might be worth a look. However, for occasional use in loud environments, where you just want a sanity check (is it really recording?), I would have thought it quite useful to have a noise-cancelling set.

September 26th, 2009, 11:31 AM	#17
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	The sonic difference and isolation characteristics using the Garfield Softies is negligible IMO. I use in-ear HPs for high SPL situations Though I think Trew Audio offers a modified high iso version of the 7506.

September 26th, 2009, 09:19 PM	#20
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	I own a pair of 7506, which are the standard for field work. My only complaint is when I wear them for long periods of time my ear lobes get sore pressing up against the insides. I've felt more comfortable high end headphones at the apple store but they boost bass too much, are too expensive, and aren't durable enough for field work.

September 27th, 2009, 09:41 AM	#22
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	I have not tried the AT-M50 yet, but I have read favorable reviews, Including our own reliable source Ty Ford. I also see that Shure has released it's own version of the 7506 style. The SRH440 & SRH840 is priced accordingly to compete with Sony and AT. Has anyone tried them yet? Ty?

September 27th, 2009, 05:55 PM	#24
Dan Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 34	I notice the 7506s come with a screw on 1/4" adapter. Does this mean you can't use standard (non screw-in) adapters?

September 28th, 2009, 08:00 AM	#28
Dan Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 34	Yeah that's what I thought - the headphones while probably fine in their day are due for replacement. A set of 7506s is probably what I'll recommend. It hasn't been that uncommon that an actor will prefer to work without wearing phones - maybe they feel less restricted or something - but my line of work is character animation which sometimes involves recording actors more than dedicated VO guys or singers - and as long as the signal coming through is clear & strong, I just let them work however they're comfortable. Its all good until they start full-body convulsions to pretend they're being electrocuted or grunting out dialog to convince you they're fighting 50 enemy swordsmen at the time!