Part V: Headphones & Monitoring
Headphones, Studio Monitors, & More
When it comes to evaluating your mixes properly, you’ll want both headphones and studio monitors.
And not just any headphones.
Good ones.
REALLL good ones.
Headphones
To be able to pick apart a mix and judge it objectively, you’ll need open, clear headphones with excellent resolution. No buts about it, mister.
Trust me; I would know about mixing on headphones. It’s basically all I used to do when I was younger, and at this point, I have experience with over 135+ of them.
Over the years, I’ve heard an array of different types, but I’m here to tell you that most of them can be safely discarded like last night’s pizza box when it comes to any serious studio work.
This is because many companies sell atrociously tuned products that would be a disaster to try and mix with. Bloated mid-bass, scooped-out mids, overly dark treble and more are all commonalities in poor sound signatures.
And, even the headphones that are tuned well don’t necessarily translate to a good mixdown.
What we’re looking for is a flat or somewhat rolled-off sub-bass, flat mid-bass, rolled off mid to high bass (200-300Hz should be cut), a mild boost in the presence regions of 2-3kHz, and a somewhat bright-ish treble.
This allows us to comfortably mix down any track quickly and effectively by adequately picking apart and critiquing the audio without any issues.
- For a full list of good options, check out The 12 Best Studio Headphones For Mixing, Mastering, And Music Production.
The headphones should also be comfortable and lightweight enough for extended listening sessions. This allows for a fatigue-free experience in the studio while you’re mixing tracks into the wee hours of the morning.
This can only happen with a good set of reference headphones, but you’ll also want to snag a good pair of studio monitors as well.
Studio Monitors
One of the most important things to remember when starting a home studio is that you’ll want both studio monitors and headphones.
This way, you can go back and forth and determine what needs tweaking.
While I primarily mixed on headphones in my younger years, I think a good pair of monitors gives me a more accurate representation of what’s going on. This is because the stereo imaging is a lot wider, deeper, and much more immersive. You really get a sense of how and where to pan instruments according to the track in question, as separation tends to be better (as long as you’ve got the right monitors, of course).
As good as studio headphones can be, nothing can replace a good pair of monitors, in my opinion.
Moreover, mixing on studio monitors is a lot less fatiguing, but if you have roommates or a wife, you’ll need a good pair of closed backs.
- Related: Closed Back vs. Open Back Headphones
This ensures you’re not disturbing loved ones during those times when let’s be honest, your ass should be sleeping.
When it comes to monitors, you don’t have to run out and buy the most expensive pair. Starting small is completely fine, especially since there are some fantastic budget monitors out there.
The Presonus Eris e3.5 or Yamaha HS3 are both excellent choices for around $100-$200.
From there, you can upgrade to a JBL LSR305.
After that, a Yamaha HS7 was one of the best purchases I’ve ever made for my studio.
In case you were wondering, I’ve used all 3 of these (haven’t owned the HS3) and recommend them without reservation. If money isn’t an object, I’d go straight for the HS7.
My very first serious purchase in audio came in 2010 when I bought a pair of Sony MDR-7506s.
This marked a big leap in progress for me and is one of the main reasons I still recommend the headphones today.
And I still have a pair!
In fact, I have 3: The MDR-V6, 7506, and the MDR-CD900ST, which I just picked up recently overseas from Japan.
After purchasing a 7506, my beats started to sound better because I could now make better decisions based on what the headphones were telling me.
I wasn’t relying on a pair of Logitech speakers anymore, and in many ways, they completely changed my perception of music in general.
That was in 2010.
It wasn’t until 2014 that I decided to take the plunge on some monitors.
In the 4 years leading up to it, I didn’t have the funds available to spend on a decent set, but I wanted my purchase to be a well-thought-out, well-researched, and ultimately informed decision.
I scoured the internet for weeks trying to narrow down my choices. I had heard a lot about the ever-popular KRK Rokit Series, but after more digging, I found them to be over-hyped in the low end, and generally just something that an amateur would buy on impulse. That said, I believe KRK has improved tremendously since then so I’m in no way dogging them.
Anyway, I kept digging and eventually stumbled upon a peculiar name: JBL. Huh? Surely, this no-name company (in my own mind) didn’t have much to offer.
Wrong again.
I kept reading review after review from as many sources as I could, trying to find a negative word about them. I couldn’t find one.
The rest is history. I ended up purchasing a pair and enjoyed 5 amazing years with them until I had to sell them for some quick cash.
This experience illustrates the importance of not making a knee-jerk reaction when it comes to buying something. It will save a lot of headaches in the long run, but fortunately for you, I’m here to point you in the right direction.
Investing in a good set of monitors is a must. Don’t skip this step!
I was able to get by just using my PC’s internal sound card for a while, but it’s not recommended. I could have progressed a lot faster than I did had I just invested in some amazing monitors.
Let’s move on!
What You’ll Learn In The Next Section
- ✅ MIDI Basics – Learn what a MIDI keyboard/controller actually does, how it communicates with your DAW, and why it’s one of the most useful tools for music production and beat making.
- ✅ Choosing The Right Controller – Understand the differences between 25, 49, 61, and 88-key layouts, and which size makes the most sense for your workflow, desk space, and production style.
- ✅ Pads, Knobs & Workflow – Explore how drum pads, transport controls, knobs, faders, and DAW integration can speed up your creative process inside FL Studio and other DAWs.
- ✅ MIDI vs. Synthesizers – Clarify the difference between MIDI controllers and standalone synthesizers, including when you may want one over the other.
- ✅ Beginner vs. Advanced Setups – Learn which features actually matter for beginners, and why many producers can make great music with a simple controller and solid workflow.