Headphone sound vs Live sound

You're asking for trouble, but if you must, it will probably sound brighter and the FX will be less audible through the PA in a band context. So in your cans make it sound a bit darker and wetter than you would like. At least that's been my experience with HD280s. YMMV a lot depending on what PA you use.

 

My experience exactly! I've been trying to mix through my K10, which I use live, and jam/record though cans knowing that they don't sound ideal.

I coul dial in for can use, but it would be too dry and bright live.

 

I agree 100% about asking for troubles!!
Even if it is not enough at all, my suggestions are:
- if you can: switch to mono when you edit your sound with the headphone (because I suppose you play mono in the mixer)
- the gain level you adjust with the headphone will be too high for live playing
- reduce treble frequencies (and probably bass freq too) because the PA at higher volume will enhance them; that is to say: you'll need more mid frequencies (and a lot of!)

 

My solution:

Take the red line on this graph, and adjust your PC EQ accordingly. Get it flat (which is what a PA ought to be).

Mix every patch mono (if you don't already), and expect it to sound really wet.

That will get you much much closer. The difference will still be there.

After that I'd either get in the tech's grill and ask him for his very honest opinion, and/or get another musically inclined buddy of yours to sit in for a few songs with the express purpose of critically listening to you in the mix.

 

Most people either use a Creative sound card or RealTek onboard audio.

In both cases, the manufacturers' websites have software that will invariably include an EQ. YMMV. Let me know what you have and I can find something for you if you aren't super comfy with your computer.

 

Ah, I was assuming that you were getting sound from the computer while plugged in via USB. Sorry, been recording a lot lately.

In that case, best of luck to ya. The headphone environment is "perfect" acoustically, which is a far cry from any space you are likely to find yourself in.

 

+1 as I am just coming to the slow reality of all of these layers. I play at a church venue as well and do these things in order:

1. set up my rig and dial in the tones I want from my amp.
2. place the mic'd amp in a back room where it sent to the front of house.
3. I go out in front of the PA to hear what is going on out front.
4. Put the headphones on and dial in the mix I want to hear.

I have noticed that the gain seems higher coming out of the front of house than in does in my headphones and even more than above in step 1. (Man the learning process sure is slow!)

 

One more suggestion about the different equalization between headphone and live.
Often I used the 4x12 cab simulations, because with the headphone or at low volume it seemed to me that they were fuller, richer and more neutral.
On the contrary, playing live or anyway at much higher volume this full sound is not ideal at all, specially in a band mix context.
I found out that changing the cab simulation to 1x12 cabs (or 2x12 sometimes for cleaner tones) gives immediately a sound that cuts better without being too harsh in the high frequencies. So, before tweaking the eq too much, I'd suggest to try different cab simulations or even the mic simulations if your modeler can, when you want to readjust your tweaked tones.

 

Here are some tips I've found during my tweaking time:

1. Get the right headphones!
I've tried many headphones. Sennheiser HD25, AKG K271 and Beyer DT-880 Pro. Some of them sounded good but pretty far from my studio monitors or/and PA system.
The only one I've found with an approaching sound was the DT-880 Pro.

2. Try your preset everywhere
At the beginning I was used to make specific presets for my headphones, PA and recording. With the time, I've found out that it wasn't really the right approach. I make a preset and try it on different setups, headphones, recording, PA, Hi-Fi system, amp, etc… I tweak it until it sounds acceptable on every system and perfect for the main use.

3. Don't tweak your sound with only the guitar
You can have a good standalone sound which doesn't cut thru the mix or sound muddy when you play with the band. I always tweak my tones with a backing track to be sure that it will sound right with other instruments.

Hope it helps…