Can you mix and master on headphones? The two problems to watch

A few weeks ago, I brought up the debate between headphones and speakers in the studio.

While some remain sceptical about headphones, mastering with them is a real alternative to using studio monitors.

In fact, if you’re equipped with high-end headphones and a quality interface and preamp, you can get results almost on par with studio monitors, leaving behind the common issues associated with cheaper headphones.

But…

If you know your headphones well, you can definitely achieve a clean, polished and well-balanced mix in terms of frequency distribution.

However, it can be a bit tricky to get the dynamics and stereo image right.

Issue Nº1: Dynamics

When using headphones you literally have an isolated speaker glued to your ear, which leaves insufficient space for dynamics to develop properly.

That’s why sometimes you may have trouble hearing compression, especially micro-dynamics. Whenever I’m using headphones, I definitely tend to overdo those subtle movements, and I have to keep myself in check.

Those dynamic adjustments are much more noticeable on monitors, which makes them easier to perceive.

Issue Nº2: Stereo image

Another thing I notice when I receive mixes for mastering that were fully done on headphones is the unusual stereo image.

All music tends to have central directivity. There is always going to be a bit more weight and presence in the center compared to the sides, but when people mix on headphones, it is hard to distinguish what is in front of them and what is on the sides.

As a result, some people tend to overpower their sides and lose that directivity. One possible solution is using crosstalk plugins or external amplifiers that have that capability.

Personally, I love what Acustica Audio Sienna did in that regard.

Mastering exclusively on headphones

“I use them [headphones] for everything. Every single record since 2018 has been mastered on Audeze Headphones. I have lived in 7 countries and travelled around the world since I closed my studies in Atlanta in 2012. Having headphones and portable equipment has endlessly enriched my life. I currently reside in Reykjavik, Iceland.” Glenn Schick

Glenn Schick, a well-known mastering engineer, has been mastering exclusively with headphones since 2018. He emphasizes how portable gear and a solid pair of headphones have given him freedom without compromising the quality of his work.

Now, this can sound like a selling point, right? But remember, Glenn works with some of the best mixing engineers on the planet, and in those cases the decisions made during mastering are definitely on the subtle side. Draw your own conclusions.

Mastering on headphones is a viable and powerful option, offering accurate frequency response and objectivity, but the choice between headphones and monitors ultimately comes down to personal preference, and especially your budget for proper acoustic treatment.