Every time I do a major live session I run into the same old problem.

The headphones aren't loud enough.

The drummer wants his/her ears to bleed and the bassist can't get enough volume either.

Have any of you guys/gals found a system that gives quality/ volume/ value ?

I'd be very pleased with any advice you can offer.

I've got a couple of nasty 4 way h/p amps in 1U racks but they distort when you turn them up above halfway and they clip badly too.

A though has just occurred to me maybe the limitation is the poor wall wart type PSU.

Anyway, what do you folks use ?


Cheers

Lizardpoint

I use the Behringer Powerplay Pro. Seems to have sufficient headroom and volume for everyone I've recorded. It also has some nice features like aux inserts on each channel (so musicians can control their own instruments volume if desired), a mono switch, and separate left and right channel mutes. I use Sony MDR-7506's for monitoring during tracking by the way. I purchased this box from musicians-gear.com for like $130 I think. It's going for like $100 with the current exchange rate with Germany.

Brad

Nice one Brad,

I'll look into it
How do the Sony's caompare to the Beyer DT 100's ?

Cheers


Lizardpoint

I use the Furman HA6 Headphone Monitor/Amplifier and it works pretty well, has 6 lines each with their own volume pot, and is expandable with their satellite modules that can do 2 phones per box. Multiple outs for the amps which can be separated or used as R/L. The only thing I don't like about the Furman is the sound the unit itself makes when it's on - it kind of whines a little.
I've used the Sony MDR V6 headphones for years and recently bought a Beyer DT102 (1 eared model of the DT100), and a pair of Beyer D770's. I think the Sony's might be louder but the Beyers isolate better, and the DT 100's have replaceable parts. The D770's are really MUCH lower in volume than either of the others, but the Furman can make them loud enough so far... The D770's also have much more bass response than either of the others...

I also use a pair of Sony MDR-7506's for tracking. But I use 4 pairs of the Koss TD/65's for the visiting musicians to track with. They are the ones that were mentioned on this forum and they were dirt cheap (aprox $17 each including s/h).
When tracking vocals, I usually let the musicians use a pair of 7506's because they sound so much better. I've had guys go out and buy a pair of the Sony's after they have heard them.
I use a modified Crown D60 for the musicians while I use the DA7 built-in headphone amp for myself. Not a high tech setup, but it works for me.
Jim K.

[This message has been edited by jkruta (edited 04-14-2001).]