Why Should You Wear Headphones When Recording ASMR?

For the past couple of years, ASMR has been taking the world by storm, and for good reason. Now more than ever, people need to find ways to relax and escape from our crazy busy world, and ASMR provides just that. However, people have noticed that some ASMRtists (as they are called) wear headphones while they are recording and are wondering if it is necessary to wear headphones when recording ASMR.

You should wear headphones when recording ASMR to ensure the quality of the sounds are recording, be aware of what sounds the microphone is picking up, and stop any auditory issues as soon as they arise. This way, you can ensure that the viewer has a pleasant ASMR experience.

Throughout this article, we will be discussing what ASMR is and why it’s so popular, whether or not you should wear headphones when recording ASMR, and which are the best headphones to wear. Now, let’s dive in!

What Is ASMR?

First of all, before we get into the nitty-gritty of recording ASMR, we need to talk about what it is. While many people have heard of ASMR, not a lot of people actually know what it is. ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response, and it can create a tingling sensation in the person listening to it. It is made to help a person relax and does so by creating an experience that is known as “low-grade euphoria.”

The experience of ASMR is created in a variety of ways. Still, the most popular way is through audio and visual “triggers” like whispering and soft speaking, tapping, scratching, hand sounds, and other repetitive sounds. It has been said to decrease stress and help people get to sleep and has the potential to help with depression.

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Why Do People Like ASMR So Much?

ASMR videos have been the biggest trend on YouTube in recent years (and perhaps in its entire existence) and don’t seem to be going away any time soon. Some people love them, and others just can’t seem to understand why people love them. In this section, we’ll briefly go over what makes ASMR so popular and what benefits it can have for people.

ASMR videos on YouTube have been watched millions of times, and some people even earn their living by regularly making these ASMR videos. People use ASMR to help them relax, fall asleep, and reduce the stress they feel from their daily lives. Several studies have been conducted to determine whether the benefits people claim they get from ASMR are actually real.

These studies found that ASMR can trigger a positive emotional and psychological response. It is also associated with increased calmness, excitement, a decreased level of sadness and stress, and a decreased heart rate. People have mostly reported the great mood-boosting benefits they get from ASMR, but some have also said that it has helped them get some relief from the chronic pain they have.

While ASMR is still quite a new area of study for scientists and researchers, they have found so far that many potential therapeutic benefits can be had from it. In the section below, you will learn whether or not you should wear headphones when recording ASMR.

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Is It Necessary to Wear Headphones When Recording ASMR?

If you’ve watched a few ASMR videos, you’ll have noticed that some people wear headphones while recording and others don’t. So, you may be wondering whether or not it is necessary to wear headphones when recording ASMR or not.

It is not necessary to wear headphones when recording ASMR. Still, it can be beneficial, especially for people who are new to the world of recording any audio, and ASMR audio in particular.

The main reason ASMRtists wear headphones while recording is to hear everything that the microphone is picking up, and ultimately what you will hear. This way, they will know if there are any high-pitched, overly loud, or annoying sounds being recorded and will be able to make the necessary adjustments to ensure that viewers will have a pleasant ASMR experience.

People who make ASMR almost always like consuming ASMR content, so wearing headphones while recording might allow them to experience ASMR as they create it for other people.

More experienced ASMRtists may no longer feel the need to wear headphones, as they know how to set their microphones up and use their selected triggers to create the experience they want. It may also be a personal preference not to wear headphones so that they hear what they’re saying and doing through their own ears rather than through the microphone.

Essentially, wearing headphones while recording helps ASMRtists prevent or solve issues in real-time. Musicians and sound engineers also do this for the very same reasons. It also makes the post-production process a lot less tedious if there aren’t a bunch of unwanted noises that creators need to edit out of an ASMR video.

If you are thinking of starting your own ASMR channel but don’t have a lot of previous sound production experience, it is better if you wear headphones while you are recording. That way, you’ll know if what you’re doing is being picked up by the microphone or if they are too loud.

In the next section, we’ll go over the best headphones to use when you are recording ASMR.

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The Best Headphones to Use When Recording ASMR

While there may be many great quality headphones available on the market and newer models coming out yearly, the truth is that the best headphones to use to record ASMR are the ones you already own. All you need to be able to do is hear what your microphone is recording.

Of course, some headphones will allow you to hear what you’re doing better than others, but to start out, you can just use any pair that you have lying around the house. Truth be told, you don’t even need a microphone to start recording ASMR; you can just use the built-in mic in your smartphone. So, starting to make ASMR doesn’t need to be daunting. Just start with what you have and upgrade your equipment over time.

While the headphone world is starting to become more wireless every year, you will need to have headphones with a wire and an audio jack to be able to connect them to your microphone to hear what sounds it is picking up while you are recording. They don’t even need to be an expensive pair; even regular earbuds will work just fine.

However, if you feel that after a while, you’d like to upgrade to a different pair of headphones, with perhaps better sound quality, depth of sound, or noise-canceling properties, by all means, go ahead! Both these Sony MDRZX110/BLK ZX Series Stereo Headphones and these Vogek Earbuds are relatively inexpensive but still boast exceptional sound quality.

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However, if you’re just starting out and can’t afford the best headphones out there, that is okay because you really don’t need them.

Conclusion

ASMR is a prevalent media form right now, and many people have claimed that it brings them many benefits, including relaxation and stress relief. Some ASMRtists wear headphones while recording, and others don’t, so is it necessary for you to wear headphones if you decide to record your own ASMR video?

No, it is definitely not necessary, but it will help you control your sound quality and mitigate any issues that may arise as you are recording. This will be especially helpful if you are newer to sound recording. In any event, good luck recording your ASMR video or audio!

Sources

• Wikipedia: ASMR
• Dave Asprey: What Is ASMR and Why Does It Make Some People Feel So Good?
• ASMR Blog: Why Do Some ASMR Artists Wear Headphones?