Debate Brewing Over Software

[dacalion]

Mildon Studios has released HC38 Headphone Calibrator for Windows VST.

HC38 Headphone Calibrator allows the user match the sound of their headphones to that of their studio monitors. It is ideal for field work, when studio monitors are not present, or to mix using headphones. It works by simulating several aspects of monitoring in a room environment. The user can adjust crossfeed, sound absorption, and room reflection.

Crossfeed is the merging of the sound coming from each speaker. The amount of crossfeed can be adjusted by choosing from three approximate speaker distances (3', 5', and 7') and fine-tuned using the crossfeed fader.

What's truly unique about the HC38 is its capability to simulate the room environment. The user can select from 6 representative flooring and room treatment materials that affect the way the sound is absorbed and reflected.
It also has the basic hi-pass and lo-pass filters so one can make adjustments based on the frequency response graph provided by the headphone manufacturer.

http://www.kvraudio.com/news/mildon-studios-releases-hc38-headphone-calibrator-for-windows-17560

There's a big debate brewing over the use of this very valuable tool. As you can see in the advertisement, you can imitate the room sound from your monitors - in your headphones! That would make this software priceless. The questions is...Will this destroy your mixes? Ofcourse, if you don't know what you're doing it can destroy your mix just as a basic EQ can.

So what do you guys think? Is this a Hit or a Miss?

 

[thedreampolice]

Well you should always do a real mix on studio monitors PERIOD.

But I can certainly see where this would come in handy. Especially field work.

 

[Krazyfingaz]

if you mix the way your comfortable in doing; I say if it aint broke why fix it?

 

[dacalion]

Well the 'benefits' would be field recording using headphones but with the acoustics of your personal studio and if it's setup perfectly, you can mix without monitors (even in your studio) yet have the same 'flaws'...lol.

My question is...how do you set it up accurately...by ear? or do you measure your room, then measure your headphones and adjust from there? lmao. I know it uses parameters to set it up but that seems to be very vague at best. idk?!?!

 

[dacalion]

Ok, here's my thoughts after further researching this tool.

1. They provide presets of different "well treated" rooms, and they admit that it's no replacement for a real studio setup and a good pair of monitors.

2. They also tell you that because there are so many factors that affect sound in a room environment, it's impossible to achieve a 100% simulation of your mixing room, but they provide a wizard that will get you as close as possible.

That in mind, I personally think this could be a very helpful tool. If you don't have a treated room and you use headphones to do your mixes, I don't see how can it hurt to hear and mix what your music would sound like in a 'simulated', well treated room. It's clear and understood that it's NOT a replacement for the real thing, and considering that most of us don't have the real thing, this could be a step closer.

I also agree what KF said..."if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Even if you are happy with your mix as it is, I don't see anything wrong with testing it, you can always turn it off.

I'm going to give it a try just for kicks and I'll keep you all posted on my results but if you're really interested, try it out yourself and post your results. I think that a lot of the debates on this are based on "perfect conditions" or "whats proper" but realistically, how many of us actually have "perfect conditions" or "follow a set of process guidelines" to the tee? I'm sure there are a couple...lol, but I'm even more sure that the majority of us don't.

 

[Sucio]

Is there a Mac version coming? Because I would actually cop that for references.

 

[dacalion]

It's in the making from what I've been told.

 

[Sucio]

Nice.


A Mac version would be sweet for me...considering that I'm breaking in these new cans and it's tough getting used to the big differences.

 

[dacalion]

Im gonna be honest with you...after playing around with it, I have my doubts. I'm using it with hard wood floors, full room treatment, with my monitors 5ft apart(all simulation). I'm gonna post them on soundcloud.

Here's the link...they are named A, B and C...one is with the HC, one is without but note that I mixed with the HC but the simulation is off, and one is mixed on monitors, close to the way I would normally mix. I didn't mess with the overall volume on any of them. Check them out and see which sounds best.

http://soundcloud.com/dacalionbeats

 

[Sucio]

B I think sounds the best, then C then A....


Going off my new headphones, but from what I heard, that's my opinion.

 

[dacalion]

Good ear!

B - mixed with HC on but recorded w/HC in standby.
C - mixed with monitors.
A - mixed and recorded w/HC.