Gaming headphones are unique for how they can help you hear many things in any video gaming environment. You can listen to audio and virtual surround sound with gaming headphones. Many models also come with microphones, which you’ll need when communicating with other players when playing online.
But you might be curious as to whether you can use gaming headphones for music production purposes. Unfortunately, these headphones aren’t ideal for music production needs. You’ll still hear the music well with gaming headphones, but they aren’t suitable for production demands.
This guide looks at how gaming headphones are different from studio headphones that often work for music production needs. You might find some beneficial effects from a studio headset, although it’s not going to be as effective for your use as you might wish.
Impedance Changes
The impedance in gaming headphones is the opposite of what studio headphones will use. The impedance here entails the resistance of a circuit on the inside. A low impedance level means that power will flow well through a speaker. The design puts added strain on the amplifier to create enough energy.
Gaming headphones have low impedance levels. They tend to exaggerate some of the sound features in the audio. It may emphasize the bass and other qualities in the audio. While this may be necessary for some gaming intentions, especially when trying to hear some sound effects, it is not an accurate representation of whatever audio you are trying to hear.
Studio headphones have a high impedance total. Since it requires less power, the amplifier is not put under excess stress. It can produce more accurate sounds when playing back music.
A Bass Focus
Studio headphones for music production do not produce lots of bass sounds. You’ll be hearing the audio as it was initially recorded. While you can adjust an equalizer to listen to how the bass would sound on a record, it is not as crucial in this situation.
But gaming headphones do well in producing bass sounds. It works well in handling heavy bass tones from video game sound effects. The headset does better in taking in the bass than other devices, thus making it more effective for gaming than production.
Equalizer Considerations
Studio headphones do not demand an equalizer. You will complete all the equalizer functions through a control board or computer. The studio headphones will help you hear the sounds after you adjust them through a more detailed equalizer.
Headphones for production produce a balanced sound. It gives you the actual sound you want to hear without any other forms of manipulation when hearing things. You can listen to anything with your headphones, plus the set works without having to boost the low end of sounds when you’re listening.
You’ll find an equalizer in gaming headphones to help you control how you focus on specific sounds while playing. You can use the balance to make your gaming experience more enjoyable. You could lower the bass sounds in the headset if you wish, although you’ll still notice some bass depending on what you hear with the setup.
But it is not going to help you adjust any specific features in the music. Studio headphones let you hear different things in the piece after adjusting them elsewhere, so gaming headphones will not suit this situation.
How Is the Connection?
Headphones for music production require a direct connection to a port. The port may feature a ¼-inch or 3.5mm link. The connection ensures you’ll get accurate control over your music and that you can hear how you adjust the sounds in real-time.
Gaming headphones are often made with wireless bodies. The wireless design is useful for gaming purposes, as you won’t risk losing control of your headphones while playing. But it might result in a delay in some cases.
The cord for studio headphones keeps you closer to a control panel. This point isn’t something you would get from a gaming headphone set. It would help if you had something easier to control without being too rough or rugged to use for the best results when playing back your music.
Physical Design
Gaming headphones often feature firm cushions that are comfortable and easy to use. The headphones will feature extra padding and protection to ensure they can stay on your ears while you play. The padding materials can also prevent sweating.
But the padding and other compounds in gaming headphones are often too thick for music production. The padding will add extra bulk to the headphones, making them tough to use at times.
Studio headphones for music production will feature better insulators that can cancel out noise. They produce a better seal that keeps the audio comfortable.
Active Noise Cancelation Functions
Gaming headphones often feature noise cancelation systems that help you keep outside noise from being noticeable. The noise cancelation signals may include small sound waves that will interact with ambient noise and will clear those external signals out, producing better results when managed well.
But while this works for gaming, it is not suitable for music production. You will require complete control over the audio, including the ability to hear everything in the music you produce. Therefore, there should be no noise-canceling features inside the headphone set.
The cushions and pads on the headset can keep outside noise out, but the headset itself should not generate any new sound waves that could cancel out ambient sounds.
Watch What You Buy
Gaming headphones can be very entertaining for many gaming purposes, but they aren’t for listening to music. The audio quality may be strong, but you won’t have as much control over your music as what you’d get from studio headphones.
Be sure to stick with a studio model if you want to use it for music production purposes, as gaming headphones won’t work for you.