To answer the headphone question (the others did great with the first
part) - I use two types of headphones. I have a liking for AKG 240's
for when there is no open mic needed and Sony MDR 7506 for when I am
tracking with a mic. The reason for the change is that the AKG's let
sound out in a big way and the sony's don't blead much at all. The
AKG's I think are a better sounding headphone so I use both.

I think there are lots of headphones to pick from but mine are most
likely the choice of old guys like me because they the headphones have
been around a long time like us :-)