Headphones
Monitoring the sounds you are recording seems like an obvious thing to do, right? I use studio reference headphones most of the time, but will also use earbuds while out in the field. Click below to see what headphones I use.
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro
I am quite happy with the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro headphones in the field and in the studio. Their neutral sound quality accurately represents what the microphone is hearing. Other appealing features are their build quality, comfort and a price point that seems fair. I use the 80 Ohm version, which represents a balance between introducing additional noise and being able to drive the headphones with the amps used in portable field recorders. I also own the DT 770 model, which has been my favorite set of headphones for as long as I can remember.
Sony MDRXB55AP Earbuds
When I am traveling light, I don’t always carry studio headphones. This is especially true if I am backpacking or setting drop rigs over a wide area. In these situations, I will carry inexpensive earbuds. Until recently, I used whatever earbuds that came with my phone or cheap gas station sets of questionable quality. I am now using the Sony MDRXB55AP, based on a recommendation from Acoustic Nature. For the price, the Sony’s have impressive sound and are perfect for setting levels and general monitoring while out in the field.
