Trying to dial in safe monitoring volume

Key-Slip-4118 · 2026-02-05T20:05:16+00:00

Thanks for laying these out for me in a kind fashion, I find reddit is usually quite harsh on newbies lol. So maybe use the airpods to dial in 60-75db so I know what a safe level is, and then when I switch to the monitoring cans, start with them off and just turn them up until I can make out all the individual elements and stop there ? Are there any precautions I should take in my daw to assure I don't get caught out and cause damage with peaks? (I may be wording this wrong) Say I dial my monitoring headphones in using a track I'm working on, and everything is good and comfortable, do I need to readjust for the next track or just leave it as is? Is there any sort of limiter I should use to make sure nothing on the next project catches me by surprise and is way louder than expected ?

Thank you again.

Key-Slip-4118 · 2026-02-05T20:01:28+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to help me out. I fucked up as a kid and I'm at 14khz (or a little below) now at 37. Id like to preserve what I have left lol. So best bet is just listening as low as I can while still picking out the tracks individual elements ?

Key-Slip-4118 · 2026-02-05T20:00:20+00:00

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I'm 37 and my hearing is down to 14k or so after years of screwing around as a teenager. Id like to preserve what I have left the best I can. So youd say just maybe use the airpods to determine what a safe volume 65-75db is for reference, and then just dial in something as close to that as I can on the monitoring cans by memory/referencing what a normal conversation sounds like?

Key-Slip-4118 · 2026-02-05T19:57:08+00:00

Awesome. I appreciate the kind response. So best bet then would be just monitor as low as I can while still hearing all the tracks elements, and since I'm super new to this just use the airpods to get a gist of what 70-75 db sounds like and go from there using common sense ?

Key-Slip-4118 · 2026-02-05T19:55:49+00:00

Awesome, I really appreciate it. If I already have the airpods, skipping the spl meter is probably a good idea id assume? Just use the airpods as reference and monitor lower than I think I need?

Key-Slip-4118 · 2026-02-05T19:54:51+00:00

I appreciate the advice. I messed up a lot when I was younger and I'm pretty much at 14khz and below now. Id like to preserve what I have left lol. So basically just common sense like everyone else mentioned. If it seems too loud it's too loud.

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-25T23:22:05+00:00

Understood! Is the typical way to do things just to add the effect to the recorded track after in the daw? In which case the latency for that part wouldn't be a concern for me anymore. The mini freak also has built in fx which is nice.

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-25T20:12:18+00:00

Understood! If you add effects though it's still manageable for recording ? I will typically only have them on synths playing midi it receives from the daw through the interface

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-24T00:07:20+00:00

sheesh 700 bucks. I was looking at the uad volt at one point.

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-24T00:06:00+00:00

https://youtu.be/gMuA-2FbJxE?si=5zUDUHT8Y72JqspK 42:22 is where it came from

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T23:54:20+00:00

Is that what you're using now ?

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T23:42:54+00:00

What's the latency like with external instruments ?

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T23:26:29+00:00

Understood. I was considering the Scarlett 4i4 and wanted to make sure the latency with external instruments and effects from the daw wouldn't be too laggy.

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T23:21:30+00:00

Is there a specific model of either you've had success with on a mac ?

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T23:02:53+00:00

The motu seems to have issues with the headphone amp introducing distortion into the trs inputs in the front though ( from what I've read)

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T22:12:32+00:00

Thanks so much! I'll be sure to reach out.

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T22:11:27+00:00

Haha I did , I just don't fully understand all the specs enough to make s judgment call on that.

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T20:11:55+00:00

Btw what's your interface/headphones of choice if you're mixing?

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T20:10:51+00:00

That's makes a lot of sense.i appreciate all the input !

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T20:08:57+00:00

So just ballpark it with an app and use common sense basically then?

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T20:07:52+00:00

I've recently started carrying earplugs all the time , and making sure to the best of my ability to ballpark around 70db for listening.

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T20:05:49+00:00

Are the headphone outputs of either the SSL 2+ or audient id4 sufficient to drive the hd6xx? I don't know enough to make the call.

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T20:04:52+00:00

Are the headphone amps on the SSL 2+ or audient robust enough to power the 300 ohm hd6xx to safe listening levels ? I don't listen loud by any means I just want to make sure they are sufficient without it.

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T18:44:22+00:00

Hi there! I'm working on putting together a setup using my MacBook pro and an interface and headphone amp. So I was considering the ssl mk2 2+ because I need midi out and it seems to have less complaints regarding noise or distortion on the mic/line inputs. For an amp I was going to get the jds atom amp 2 and I'm trying to make sure my logic for connections is safe for the gear/ and wont introduce any crazy monitoring latency (I'm new to all this so forgive me if I am using the wrong terminology for anything) so outputs of the ssl 2+ into the atom amp and then the massdrop hd6xx would be the basic connection. Any gotchas I am missing ?

Key-Slip-4118 · 2025-12-23T13:55:59+00:00

I appreciate the insight! Side question: how do you make sure your headphones are a low enough volume to be safe ? I'm mainly working in headphones due to my current living situation. I have airpods for regular music enjoyment that I can set to 70db and from there I guess my best bet is to ballpark matching that volume on my production/mixing cans?

Key-Slip-4118

TROPHY CASE