Mix on Headphones/Pan on cheap monitors?

[Mrbassheavy]

Can I mix with headphones and pan with cheap monitors? I'm on a budget and I'm not in the best situation to mix on monitors all day. I was wondering if I can still achieve quality mixes with this method. I got some HD-280s and wasn't getting accurate imaging. If I pair these with some M-Audio AV30s is it possible achieve an accurate mix? (If my mixing skills are decent?)

[123kidd]

Yes. I cant speak for everyone on here, but for me its the way I work right now. I use the rokit 5's along with an AKG k240. I personally find with certain effects like reverb and compression etc, I use the headphones to dial it in and check on monitors finding a good balance between the two.
Also important to make sure that you use a reference track.I think more than mixing skills itself, its about knowing your monitors/ headphones and trusting your ears.

[Mrbassheavy]

Thanks dude I really appreciate it.

[Mrbassheavy]

Anyone else agree? I'm also open to other options or opinions.

[blinx]

I second always check mixs on a second and third system (even if its car/boombox). I also have that same set of headphones and have been using them exclusively for the last six months to do production on, mix and master on. The only feedback i got from another producer while doing a remix, was to add more reverb then i had on the original master i sent him to preview. Not sure if any of htis helps you lol but i htink your on the right track, dial in on the headphones, reference on a variety of playback systems and make the mix sound as good as possible across all playback sources.

[Mrbassheavy]

Cool cool thanks

[zosomagik]

I use the m audio av40's in conjunction with some ath m50's. The m audio's are pretty shitty, but the ath m50's hype highs a little bit, but other than that are pretty damn good. I highly recommend them. With this setup I'm pretty happy with my mixdowns, peep the track in my sig if you want. I also always play the song on my laptop speakers too just to get a good idea of whether or not the track is too bright or the bass needs some higher frequency content.

[Mrbassheavy]

Hell yeah dude, your mix sounds really good. The imaging sounds perfect. Really appreciate you guys confirming my rationale. What kind of reverb are you using?

[zosomagik]

Depends, I can't remember for that track specifically. But 75% of the time it's ableton's stock reverb and the other 25% I'll use a reverb guitar pedal.

[Kes-Es]

I personally only have access to Cheap headphones ATM, but before that I was working on a home theatre system I knew really well, to be honest, neither really affected my mixing even though the sound wasn't the best.
It'll help you get a good idea of what's going on in your track, and I definitely don't think it truly holds you back from making good music.

[blinx]

and I definitely don't think it truly holds you back from making good music.

+1 to this statement.

[Mrbassheavy]

I am pretty confident in my musical skills, but I will be playing my stuff in a club atmosphere with other commercial tracks. My tracks will have to have similar volume, presence, and dynamics.

[Kes-Es]

I think you'll be alright man. Just find out how those tracks sound on your setup, and do your best to match them.

[Mrbassheavy]

For sure, thanks man.

[blinx]

Make sure to match "gain" when you do mix your tracks in, id bet youll need to boost the signals atleast a bit to get the mix leveled out. Don't be discouraged if your tunes fall apart the first few times you play on them out. My first few tracks where disgusting on a real PA, now they are less ugly... lol

[outbound]

If you're looking for accurate panning, stereo image then make sure you're monitors are set up properly, equal distance etc (forming the equal triangle) that will get you in a good place!