ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the performing environment for the musicians, and describes the constant voltage distribution systems. It then presents the types of headphones. A very important aspect of any recording studio is its monitoring environment, as this is the means by which all the studio proceedings are ultimately judged. However, it should not be forgotten that there is another very important monitoring environment: the foldback system. In large studios, 'tracking loudspeakers' are sometimes used, but only certain types of room lend themselves to being optimally usable with this form of foldback. To quite an alarming number of recording personnel, foldback is simply something via which musicians keep in time and in tune with other musicians, or to a backing track, and little else. The time-honoured tradition of providing foldback in many large studios has been to use a power amplifier as a constant voltage source, and to use medium impedance headphones to bridge the line.
