How do you keep your ears safe when mixing? Whenever I'm not mixing, I usually try to be uber-careful with my ears but I find that, in order to hear details and possible minor artifacts etc. when mixing, I need to listen on headphones at fairly high volumes at least some of the time. I am really concerned about the impact on my hearing. Does anyone mix while wearing earplugs? How is this different from just mixing at a softer volume?
― EveningStar (Sund4r), Monday, 16 March 2015 00:01 (nine years ago) link
take breaks. that's the main thing as far as I know is to remember to take frequent breaks. I don't think you can mix with earplugs in.
― The Complainte of Ray Tabano, Monday, 16 March 2015 01:52 (nine years ago) link
Never mixed on headphones, that seems ill advised...? Take frequent breaks is otm.
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 17 March 2015 01:24 (nine years ago) link
i always mix on headphones (both because my headphones are more accurate than my speakers, and to not annoy my girlfriend), and honestly i keep the volume relatively low. if a mix sounds good to me at low volume, chances are it will sound good loud (everything sounds good loud, unless there's something really piercing or waaaay too loud).
one thing that might help is that i usually keep a limiter on the master bus while i'm mixing, to simulate what mastering will do to the mix. not 100% of the time, but often. it can also bring out details that you might otherwise miss, even when the mix isn't turned up super loud.
― lil urbane (Jordan), Tuesday, 17 March 2015 14:14 (nine years ago) link