Mixing With Headphones Options

[japanarian]

I dont have the $$$ for good monitors yet, so I'm working with a pair of headphones for the time being. Anyone have any tips on how to make up for some of what is lost working without them?

Thanx,
The J.

[AlexeyMohr]

Really the best advice is "don't use them." Even bad monitor speakers are a much better choice than mixing on headphones.

That being said, the best you can do is spend a LOT of time checking your mixes on other sound systems. Burn frequent CDs and try them in your car, in your home stereo, even thru your TV using your DVD player. If you can learn how your mixes translate to other playback systems, you can figure out what needs to be done when mixing on headphones.

As for specific tips, keep your mixing conservative. When using EQ, don't boost or cut by huge amounts. Also keep compression under control. It may sound nice and loud in the headphones, but it'll sound squashed on any other system. Spend the majority of your time establishing levels between the various elements; that'll be the most productive thing you can do on headphones.