Choose the correct headphones. Headphones are either open-backer or closed-back. Open-back headphones provide a fuller sound and should be used. Choose headphones based on sound and comfort. Avoid using inexpensive headphones designed for portable listening devices.
Test the headphones. Get use to using headphones for mixing by listening to commercially produced CDs. Tonal qualities of a recording sound different when heard through headphones because the sound is going straight into the listener's ear. Note the differences in equalization or tonal quality. This allows compensations to be made when mixing down the recording.
Plug in the headphones. The majority of headphones designed for recording use have a ¼-inch male plug. Mixing boards are designed with ¼-inch jacks. If using this type of headphone with a computer, a ¼-inch to 1/8-inch stereo jack adapter will be required. Purchase a stereo adapter, not a mono adapter.
Remove any effects from the mix. Before using any effects, such as delay and reverb, the recording's levels must be set. Effects can alter the recording levels, especially through headphones. Turn any effects off. If using a software program for the recording, drop the effect's level to its lowest setting or delete the effects after making a note of their settings.
Check sound levels. Headphones have a lower distortion level than monitor speakers. This means that the overall mixing level should be reduced. Set the individual track levels at 80 percent to start and the master level at 65 percent. If the recording being mixed is bass heavy, lower the bass track down to 65 percent. Readjust the remaining tracks and to reflect the level change in the bass track.
Adjust the mix's panning. One of the major problems with headphone mixing is panning. Panning allows individual tracks to be heard on the left or right sides of stereo sound environment. Without panning, the individual tracks would be stacked on one another creating a flat overall sound. Panning is more pronounced in headphones and must be compensated for by pushing the pan settings higher than they would be if monitor speakers were used for mixing.
Add any effects. Another problem with headphone mixing is setting the effects levels. Because of the close proximity of the headphone's speakers to the ear, effects are more pronounced through headphones. Set any effect levels slightly higher than they would be if mixed using monitor speakers.