Monitors/Headphones for EQing?

[BrentOnTheSynth]

Ok, this is just kind of a simple question, and its probably obvious or something but anyways... You guys may have seen posts from me before and as you can tell I'm really new (I'm trying really hard but I'm only 17) Well I haven't started mixing music yet because I'm still learning but I had FL Studio (I know, its noobish) on my computer for a while and so occasionally I hop on FL to try stuff I've learned. Well they have a really nice Parametric EQ on there that has great visuals and it made it a ton easier to understand, but when i find a Kick or Snare or something and try to EQ it (using normal like ipod type headphones) I try doing a frequency sweep from what I've learned and every time I think that I have found the offending frequency and I boost or cut it, by the time I'm done it doesn't sound like it worked so I assume I missed the frequency.

(Sorry for the big Intro but I kinda like to set up a scene for people so they can understand what I mean better)

So Simply put, I was just wondering if I really need Studio Headphones/Monitors to do equalization and if they would help a lot, or if its just I need to practice more?

Thanks in Advanced!!!

 

[Plendakor]

I had FL Studio (I know, its noobish) on my computer for a while

This means you downloaded it off a torrent.
I know pros that use that program.

 

[BrentOnTheSynth]

oh, no I have the demo edition (I hate when people steal programs that people spent a lot of time making ) I just know a lot of people usually talk a lot of crap about FL so I dint wanna get on here saying it was the best DAW or something.

 

[LiberaScientia]

Mixing with ipod earbuds. wat. A good pair of headphones or monitors will help you absolutely massively.

 

[BrentOnTheSynth]

thank you! i was really wondering that but everytime i searched it on google or something i could not find any answers

 

[blue_fAng]

You don't really need those things to begin with but it depends on how pro you want to get and how much you want to spend, the most important thing you need is experience mixing at this time. I prefer the monitors+room treatment but if your room is too bad which might your problem then get the headphones, get both if your wallet allows you. In mixing the better equipment you have the easier it gets. I started with my room without any treatment i don't even have monitors and I'm practicing for two years with noob equipment and pc speakers with subwoofer, my mixes have improved a lot with the same things from two years ago. I'm using fl studio too, its really simple and easy, excelent for starters but it has a lot of limitations for what I want to do, the compressors and eq work very well if you know how to use them but now I'm am trying different DAW's that are more profesional and fill my needs. DONT GET STUDIO MONITORS IF YOUR ROOM IS BAD OR VERY SMALL. And eq isn't everything. First have a vision on you want, then get there. EQ helps but you have to consider other things too like compression, automation, etc. Why don't you share a clip of what you wanted to get right with us don't be shy if you think it sucks

 

[SethTheGreat]

So Simply put, I was just wondering if I really need Studio Headphones/Monitors to do equalization and if they would help a lot, or if its just I need to practice more?

Thanks in Advanced!!!

It's a combination of both. I wouldn't ever mix with a pair of apple headphones though. You don't necessarily have to go buy expensive headphones or monitors, just buy some better headphones than apple branded ones. I don't even like to listen to music with those things. They sound terrible.

BUT I'm sure if you spent enough time with them you could learn how to mix with them. It has to do with teaching your brain to compensate for the shortcomings of your listening situation. Everyone has shortcomings in their listening situation. A good engineer has learned to compensate.

Do some searches here and on gearslutz and try to understand the pros and cons of high-dollar monitors, room treatment (acoustic treatment), training your ears, etc...

Some keywords to help your searching:
Acoustic Treatment
Bass Traps
Superchunks
Acoustic Panels
Owens Corning 703
Owens Corning 705
Diffusers

Just remember that after reading through all of this stuff that the most important thing over all else is the practice/training/learning to compensate thing. People on forums will act like high dollar monitors and bass traps is all you need. They do help A LOT but you still have to learn to tell the difference.

 

[TheDustbowl]

http://www.thedustbowl.net/1/post/2012/04/headphones-the-sound-inside-your-head.html

 

[BrentOnTheSynth]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I didn't want to seem to noobish or anything but as a beginner I felt I should ask that since I had been trying to find the answer on google for a long time haha