How to protect your ears

[Apostata]

Hi guys,

I came across a good article today, because I have been working on some pretty distorted bass sounds, too loud, too long and my ears feel numb now. So I went on the net, to find out which levels I should use, so that I can comfortably work for hours.

This one pretty much covers it and I think anyone who cares about music and wants to be able to listen to it at the age of 90+ (assuming one lives to get so old), should know how much even a subtle difference in volume, can damage the hearing.

http://music.tutsplus.com/articles/how-to-protect-your-ears--audio-3415

 

[Dark Lizardro]

And that's why I compose, mix and master my tracks at a very low volume.

@ManuForti can corroborate this to you: once I sent him a track I was working that was so low in volume he had to put a limiter and crank up the gain volume knob to be able to listen to anything.

 

[Apostata]

How do you hear subtle differences when mixing on such a low volume? Unfortunatelly I live in an old building and I have quite some background noise from the street, so I have to turn the volume up, but I was thinking about buying a decibel meter, to leave the volume at just the right amount.

 

[Dark Lizardro]

How do you hear subtle differences when mixing on such a low volume? Unfortunatelly I live in an old building and I have quite some background noise from the street, so I have to turn the volume up, but I was thinking about buying a decibel meter, to leave the volume at just the right amount.

You just get used to it. I live in a quiet street, but my headphones are open, so I basically can listen my neighbor yealling at her dog while doing music.

also, mixing at low volumes help you to know if things are in the right levels and all.

 

[Apostata]

Can you recommend any open headphones? I have two, but both are closed and I can't work with them for too long, really want to get some open headphones with a wide frequency range.

 

[Dark Lizardro]

Can you recommend any open headphones? I have two, but both are closed and I can't work with them for too long, really want to get some open headphones with a wide frequency range.

I use the Beyerdynamics 880DT Pro. Very good, flat response. You have two versions: 32ohms and 250ohms (or 280, can't remember). The 32ohms is driven very well by your computer, but you'll probably need an interface for the 250ohms.

 

[Apostata]

I do have an interface, so that should work, thx, will have a look at them.

 

[Manu Forti]

And that's why I compose, mix and master my tracks at a very low volume.

@ManuForti can corroborate this to you: once I sent him a track I was working that was so low in volume he had to put a limiter and crank up the gain volume knob to be able to listen to anything.

its true... quiet song but ive heard the masters and thyere very good.

 

[Unknown Entity]

Here's a free plugin that is designed to help protect your ears

http://www.cerberusaudio.com/Software/Products/Ice9/