Welcome to RO Wane,

What kind of headphones are you using? With what kind of headphone amp?

Impedance of the headphones can make all the difference in the world.

WaneTango wrote: He is complaining I cannot get the levels in the headphones loud enough for him.

Which levels? Does he want his vocals more prominent, or does he just want the whole shebang loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss so he can live the dream of a deaf rock star?

If he's complaining that he can't hear his vocals monitored against the roar, then that's a monitor mix problem, and can be fixed by simply turning him up against the mix. If the mix is OK, and he just thinks he needs it louder...and it's "blistering" to you, then he's either half deaf already, or just plain crazy.

If it's the latter, a real professional wouldn't want to damage their most valuable instrument. You should mention that to him.

Kapt.Krunch

I agree dvdhawk, ohms are significant here, akg's can sound quiet as they have a higher impeadence vs similar costing AT's, what is the budget also?

AEX-Labs wrote: I agree dvdhawk, ohms are significant here, akg's can sound quiet as they have a higher impeadence vs similar costing AT's, what is the budget also?

That's not entirely true.
The K240Ms have a rather high impedance. However, the K240S and many of the other K2xx line have a 60 ohm impedance. I've got about a half a dozen pair of both the M and the S and the lower impedance one wins out for most things, but ultimately, the higher impedance one seems to be more accurate.

I would also urge, as already stated, to try raising only the vocal and perhaps putting a reverb (short) on it as well. If all the levels are maxed, regardless of impedance, your singer will be deaf in short order. Sometimes this can be a blessing - your call.

Cucco wrote: ,,, the K240S and many of the other K2xx line have a 60 ohm impedance,,,

oops, forgot they made those 60ohm'ers, just so used to the m's, thanks Cucco

this reminds me of when i was in a metal band in high school. our singer (screamer) always wanted more level, and never wanted himself in the monitors. when he could hear himself his confidence went down and so did his ability to scream well. he thrived off the live performance, and with screaming its more in how it feels than sounds. at least in my experience.
you might want to try putting him in a room with a PA blaring at him instead of a headphone mix. its easier to jam when you feel the mix. Ask him if that is the case, and maybe try taking him out all together of the mix. more comfortable singer = better performance = better recording.

Cons - bleed from speakers, and if he goes off key, you have to smack him yourself cause he doesn't know.

also remember with metal, a little "live" sound isnt terrible.

maybe im totally off, but its worth a shot.

I would check out the extreme isolation headphones. They will shut out the external sounds and you won't need to turn it up as much.

"Cons - bleed from speakers, and if he goes off key, you have to smack him yourself cause he doesn't know."

RemyRAD, I think it was, described a technique she had used once in this situation... for a full ensemble of something. More than there were pairs of headphones.

After the take, you ensure that the mics don't move, not even one quarter of an inch!
Clear the musicians out of the room (not the instruments).
Then record another track, with the monitor mix playing.
You can then mix that in (with inverted phase) at the right volume to cancel out the bleed.

^^ not my idea, of course.

Codemonkey wrote: "
You can then mix that in (with inverted phase) at the right volume to cancel out the bleed.

genius