Headphone mix
The balance of instruments and backing tracks that a performer hears in their headphones while recording.
A performer needs to hear themselves and the other parts clearly enough to play in time and in tune, and a bad headphone mix is one of the most common reasons a take goes wrong. In a studio the engineer builds a custom balance for each musician, usually with the player louder than the rest and with as little click bleed as possible. In live recording the same function is served by an in-ear monitor mix.
Example: A guitarist who asks for more of their own guitar and less drum overhead in the cans is adjusting their headphone mix.
See also
Related
- PageAux send
- PageMix
- PageMonitor
- PageAmp mic placement
- PageAudio interface
- PageBalanced signal
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley