Orchestral playing with a recording

coraltrpt · Regular Member Joined: 18 Oct 2016 Posts: 88

Over the years, I've tried playing orchestral parts along with recordings using studio headphones. But, lately I've thought about speakers. (Note: I have to practice in a very small Wenger practice module)

Does anyone have any suggestions that might make the experience feel more lifelike? I might try setting up some cheap surround sound speakers in the module.

Just seeing if anyone has any better ideas. Thanks - might be a stupid question.

chrisf3000 · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 8:50 am Post subject:

I also love playing along with recordings. The problem I've found with most headphones is that they block out your sound. If you have studio headphones, they might make the orchestra sound great, but you're not getting a true representation of what you need to do to blend better.

Over the years, Apple has changed the design of their headphones but I still like the original iPod/iPhone in-ear buds. I know that they're not studio quality, but you can adjust them so that they sit only slightly half in and half out of your ears. That way you can get the "mix" that you like.

If you're set on using studio headphones, maybe someone else has some suggestions, but perhaps a small mixer box and a good microphone might do the trick. That way it wouldn't matter if you're in a Wenger or not, you could mix the sound as if you're in your own personal studio, adding reverb as necessary.

kehaulani · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 9:02 am Post subject:

What is your budget and what is your maximum space?
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jcstites · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 9:27 am Post subject:

Get some open backed headphones as they allow you to hear your sound much more than regular headphones. I suggest Grado SR60i as a starting point or any of the more expensive models. Sennheiser also makes some open backed headphones that sound great. To get speakers that will compare in sound quality will cost much more than quality open backed headphones. I have a set of Paradigm towers and a Marantz amplifier that sounds great for playing along with recordings, but often prefer to use my Grado headphones.

coraltrpt · Regular Member Joined: 18 Oct 2016 Posts: 88

Thanks for the feedback! I ordered some open backed headphones, we'll see how this works out.

All the best!

Shark01 · Veteran Member Joined: 10 Jun 2017 Posts: 283

Trying to understand what OPEN BACK means.....would this qualify?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013OWPV4/ref=psdc_12097479011_t5_B0006DPMU4

Don Herman rev2 · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 10:14 am Post subject:

No.

Look at these for examples (may be out of your price range, just for illustration):
Grado SR60
Sennheiser HD650

The usual solution to too much isolation is to pull one earpiece off so you hear the click track or whatever in one ear and speakers/rest of the band in the other (uncovered) ear. That way you can get whatever headphones you want.
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Shark01 · Veteran Member Joined: 10 Jun 2017 Posts: 283

Don Herman rev2 · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:00 pm Post subject:

Different makers, different point in the line, different price points.

For play-along usage I would get the Grado SR60's and call it a day.
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mcstock · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 8:38 am Post subject:

Our horn professor turned me on to Ivasi a few years ago. It's been a big help learning new pieces before the first (and normally only) rehearsal. He uses it regularly with his studio.
http://www.ivasi.org/dvd-systems

Best,
Matt
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