Accessory 9 of 9

Monitor headphones — the studio standards

You can’t record what you can’t hear. A pair of closed-back headphones for tracking is the cheapest, most universally-needed accessory in audio.

Tracking standardSony MDR-7506 ($120)

Studio favoriteAudio-Technica ATH-M50x

MixingOpen-back Sennheiser HD 600

Two flavors

Closed-back for tracking, open-back for mixing

Closed-back headphones. Fully sealed earcups. Sound doesn’t leak out, outside noise doesn’t leak in. Used while tracking — recording vocals or instruments with a click track playing into your ears.
Open-back headphones. Open vented earcups, partially or fully exposed to the room. Sound a bit like a small speaker on each ear. Used for mixing — they image more naturally and don’t fatigue your ears as fast. Useless for tracking because the click track will leak into the mic.

Famous monitor headphones

Sony MDR-7506 — closed-back. The studio standard since 1991. ~$120. Almost every studio has at least one pair.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x — closed-back. The most-recommended pair under $150.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO — closed-back. German-built. 80-ohm and 250-ohm versions available.
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO — open-back. The mixing companion to the DT 770.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro — closed-back tracking standard.
Sennheiser HD 600 / HD 650 — open-back reference for serious mixing.
AKG K371 / K712 — closed and open AKG options.
Audeze MM-100 / LCD-X — premium planar magnetic for serious mix engineers.

Should you buy a pair?

Get a closed-back pair ifYou record yourself. You need to hear what you’re recording, and the click track or backing music can’t leak out of the headphones into the mic. The Sony MDR-7506 and Audio-Technica M50x are universal recommendations.