Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1475048
54 FA L L 2 0 2 2 I C A S Q U A R T E R L Y mixing 'chores' that can be achieved in isolation. These tasks can range anywhere from panning, to setting up reverbs, or just previewing the edited material. This process is an incredibly efficient use of your time when you don't have access to the main speakers. "There isn't one pair of headphones I would recommend over another. [The process] I've described could be handled with any 'good' pair of headphones. If you're working on the stage, you'll probably want [in-ear monitors] of some kind to block out other sounds, though I also have a pair of 'Ultraphones' (Sony 7506 components in a 29 dB passive isolation hearing protection muff). The only headphones I would cautiously avoid are any that have a digital processor. These could be dynamically affecting the signal you are putting into them. Maybe it's a good thing for the music consumer … but not for us. I had an opportunity last year to try it out and I'll definitely second the idea that binaural can be more of a hindrance to a dialogue pre-dub than a benefit. That said, there have been some really impressive advances in binaural technology. Without falling too far down the tech rabbit hole, I will say that the consensus seems to be that individually personalized HRTF profiles, while not perfect, are considerably more effective in translating the original intent of the mix to headphones than are their universal HRTF counterparts. Perhaps the most widely known of the universal HRTF technologies is Apple's Spatial Audio, while Smyth Research, Dolby, Sony VME, and Genelec Aural ID all utilize personal HRTF profiles. I had a great conversation with Kevin Roache CAS, who mixes FX at the Formosa Group. Going into it, I was particularly interested in his take on technologies that utilize personal HRTF profiles. Here's what Kevin had to say: "I've been mixing FX with headphones sporadically for the last two years or so. Mixing is a collaborative experience, so it's good to not get too carried away with any headphone endeavor. However, there are many Re-recording mixer Kevin Roache CAS The dearVR PRO monitoring setting.