[MartynRich]

As a family man I have to keep the noise down. I'm gonna invest in a great pair of headphones designed so I can hear my mixes at the best quality.

Any suggestions?

[Boydie]

I absolutely LOVE my KRK KNS 8400 headphones - if they broke I would get another pair straight away!!

https://www.thomann.de/gb/krk_kns_8400.htm?gclid=CjwKEAjw7svABRCi_KPzoPr53QoSJAABSvxfrq7gJ9q81C6G3L05EebVI89Yj8SGjsnpVsxnWSYFuRoCkqbw_wcB

Great "flat" sound and AMAZINGLY comfortable

If you can find a Focusrite VRM box you will have headphone mixing heaven!!

[MartynRich]

Ooooohhhh....they look good and not too pricey!

A what box?

[delb0y]

Ooooohhhh....they look good and not too pricey!

Look pricey to me  

I need a new pair as my Tesco specials are only working on the left hand channel these days. But I won't be running into double figures if I can help it [Cheap Del]

On a similar vein, I tried out a set of in-ear monitors at a rehearsal this week. My goodness they were brilliant! Could hear my singing without having to strain or shout. No need to worry about on-stage wedges. Everyone can set their individual ear-set to their preferred volume. It was an outstanding experience.

Alas, the set I was using cost, I was told, over £400.  

That said, I will be looking at what can go on eBay because the experience was so good. Telecaster anyone?

[Boydie]

I can help you with that one as well DELBOY...

I have been using in-ear monitors exclusively for around 3 years now and have never looked back

Not only do you get ear damage protection but as you have found you can tailor your monitor mix

Hear is the route I have taken...

In-ear "earphones" I use are Shure 315s

https://www.thomann.de/gb/shure_se315cl.htm

I got mine from eBay as I wasn't going to use anyone else's ear tip...

To get the true "in ear monitor" experience you really need to have custom moulded earphones so that they fit your ear canal perfectly - this gets really expensive and is what the pros use

However, if you get the shure earphones you can have custom ear tips made that can be put on the shure monitors to give you a full custom in-ear monitor setup for a fraction of the price of the pro sets

The best company in the world making these happens to be literally down the road from me:

http://www.puretonemusic.net/personal_moulds.html

If you don't want to come down to Kent then I think a local audiologist can take the mould impressions and send them to Puretone

If you do want to go down this route let me know and I would be happy to help out

I will probably go for a mega set if/when mine break - in ears are awesome!!!

No monitors to fall over, less volume on stage (no monitors), hearing protection, better monitor quality, individual monitor mix etc.

I love 'em

I know our sound guy did a lot of research into the wireless packs, which weren't too expensive, but I can't remember what they are called

I am gigging in Chatham, Kent tomorrow (if anyone fancies coming down) so will check

[Boydie]

A what box?

Unfortunately this magic little box has been discontinued - I heard it was because of a lack of compatibility with USB 3 as it uses USB 1.1

It basically uses trickery to make your headphones sound like monitors sitting in front of you

Not only that it even recreates different speakers in different listening environments

This allows you to compare mixes in different virtual environments on different speakers

I can't speak highly enough of it:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Focusrite-VRM-Virtual-Mixing-Monitoring-Box-/162237498324?hash=item25c61bc3d4:g:H4UAAOSwCGVX~z9~

There is a new WAVES plugin (Waves NX) that does something similar that may be worth checking out

Here is a shootout of some different options:

http://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2016/5/3/mixing-on-headphones-the-headphone-monitor-plug-in-shootout

The SomarWorks is not a room/monitor emulator - it is meant to "correct" your monitor headphones for better monitoring

I tried the SonarWorks (which has a profile for the KRK KNS 8400) but I didn't think it was very good so didn't bother with it

If my VRM box ever broke (and I don't snag that eBay one as a spare) I would check out the WAVES NX

[MartynRich]

ok Boydie, I have gone for those headphones and the Waves NX Plugin. If my future mixes sound rubbish I know who to blame 

[The S]

I've got the NX plugin too, haven't started with it though, so I'm grateful when and if you've got some pointers, tips and tricks.

I'm gonna try it out a bit later today. I can imagine, just like monitors, it will require some amount of time getting to know how it works and sounds until proper results.

We'll see.

[MartynRich]

I've got the NX plugin too, haven't started with it though, so I'm grateful when and if you've got some pointers, tips and tricks.

I'm gonna try it out a bit later today. I can imagine, just like monitors, it will require some amount of time getting to know how it works and sounds until proper results.

We'll see.

Yup...I was planning on looking for a video tutorial...usually the quickest way to get your head around it.

[MartynRich]

I got the phones today...all I can say is "wow"

[jacksimmons]

I got the phones today...all I can say is "wow"

Good to hear! After Boydie's post they're on my wishlist.

[Boydie]

They are super light and comfy aren't they!

And they sound great 

[MartynRich]

Im actually going through the Spooky or What entries now and it is bizarre are how different the mixes sound...they really make a difference.