using headphones

Using headphones while performing

If you are only used to live performance, trying to perform for the first time with a pair of “cans” clamped to your head can prove trying. As ever, a little understanding can go a long way to making things easier.

Why do you need to wear headphones in the first place? IF –

a layered multi-track recording is being made (ie, one where different groups of instruments are played and recorded at different times before being combined to make up the whole) or,
though playing together, different instruments require separate acoustic treatment such that you may even be playing or singing in a different room from other performers or,
you are over-dubbing a faulty part in an earlier take

you will need to hear the other parts of the recording in order to sing or play your part in time and in tune. If loudspeakers were used to play the other parts, the microphone that is recording your contribution would also record this sound – destroying the separation that is the purpose of multi-track recording or ruining the over-dub.

The engineers can provide a good degree of control over the monitoring signal you hear through the headphones. The relative volume of your voice or instrument can usually be varied in relation to the rest of the mix and, of course, the overall volume can be altered as well. Take the time to feel comfortable and achieve a mix between your part and the others that sounds natural to you.

Vocalists may prefer to sing with only one earphone covering an ear, leaving the other open to hear their own voice. If you prefer to do this then by all means do but please ensure that the other earphone remains firmly sealed to your head behind your ear or on your cheek or ask the engineers to turn down the sound in that channel – even the tiny amount of sound escaping from an open headphone will be picked up by a very sensitive and close vocal microphone.

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Last modified: 30 July, 2002