In Ear Monitors

[Luis]

Has anyone used an in ear monitoring system during a gig? For example http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/P9TR-K1/.

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[congamyk]

In ear monitors work great.
I was in an 11 piece funk band that used them and they were indespensible.
There was enough noise and energy on-stage that you couldn't hear anything without the in-ear monitors.

[jorge]

In ear monitors (IEMs) are the state of the art in on-stage monitoring of live performances and have several advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are:
1) they reduce on-stage sound levels since on-stage speaker monitors are no longer needed
2) backline amps (eg, guitar & bass) can be run at much lower volumes since the musicians don't need to hear them directly. With a good PA system, the lower stage volume can greatly improve the overall sound of the band in the audience areas.
3) actual in-ear sound level for each performer can be much lower than with on-stage monitors and this can help prevent noise-induced hearing loss in the musicians. To me this is a very important advantage.

The disadvantages are:
1) expense (eg, $1K or more for each IEM transmitter/bodypack receiver/earpiece not including cost of custom earmolds), cheap units are notoriously unreliable. A separate radio channel (with its own transmitter/receiver/earpiece) is needed for each band member. Battery cost to keep fresh batteries in each bodypack each performance can become substantial.
2) you really need a live sound engineer who knows what he or she is doing at every gig
3) all instruments need to be separately mic'ed so the engineer can produce the appropriate custom mix for each musician and singer
4) complexity: many more channels and aux outs are needed on the mixer increasing complexity and expense of mixer, cables, and engineering and the time required for band setup time and sound check may be much longer. Many bands have a separate monitor engineer in addition to the front of house engineer, just to run the monitoring system.
5) some performers just can't seem to get used to playing or singing with IEMs in their ears
6) IEMs reduce ambient sound to the point that a good ambient mic system and engineer to performer talkback mic system is needed, or some performers feel very isolated and can't perform well
7) even with top engineers and equipment, reliability is not as good as on-stage monitors
8. the FCC has recently changed the legally permitted radio frequencies and many used units are now illegal (and being sold on Ebay and elsewhere to unwary purchasers)

Good engineers can sometimes use a mix of IEMs for some performers and on-stage monitors for the rest of the group, but this requires good cooperation of the members of the group. For most of us, who play small gigs in small venues with a few mics and one or two onstage monitors, and run our own sound from the stage, IEMs would require a substantial additional investment. Congamyk, do you have a sound engineer with your 11 piece band? How much did your IEM system cost for the whole band?

[congamyk]

Hi Jorge, good info on this subject.

When I played with the 11 piece band we had only 1 sound engineer/roadie.
He was competent and learned how to use the system and had it purring like a cat in no time.

A couple of things...

Cost: the setup is expensive because of the original cost of the transmitter, which is the expensive component.
I don't know what they paid for the original investment.
I came into the band after they bought the system so I only had to purchase my own personal in ear piece (around $300 I recall). After I left the band they bought the piece back from me for half.

Quality: I played sax, congas/percussion and sang lead & harmony so the system was GREAT for me!
No fighting over "turn me up in the monitor" and other issues like that. Since I play acoustic instruments we have to deal with the power of electric overpowering us and the political crap that goes with it. I could hear myself perfectly on all of my mics for each of my instruments at the exact level I wanted. I could also mix more keyboard and drums into my ear while eliminating the LOUD lead guitar completely.

Setup/Mic Check/Breakdown: NO heavy monitors to carry on off stage and LESS wires to run - plus MORE stage ROOM. The Mic check took far less time and went smoother because the engineer can "call" you directly by talking directly into your ear monitor while mixing your volume/levels. Only you can hear him and he can hear only you while he's mixing your mics. The engineer can hear you in his ear piece and you can hear him in yours while you're mixing levels. This was great - No screaming back and forth. Also, during a song/performance the engineer can even talk directly into your ear piece while you're playing in case you need to know something immediately like ..."your fly is open" or "check out the blond in that red dress stage left!"

Overall it's great for a really large and loud band and if you're making a lot of high-paying corporate and wedding gigs it's worth every penny.

[niallgregory]

Just finished touring with my brand new IEM system . Have used them on tour before but with generic headphones , this time with my moulded ears it was a total pleasure . Great sound every night with low levels on stage , in saying that we a great front of house and monitor guy .

[Luis]

Thanks for the info. The main reason for considering an IEM is to reduce noise levels. Sometimes we're in tight quarters at some venues and the noise can be too much for me. I would be the only one using the system because I don't think the rest of the guys are willing to spend the money...this stuff ain't cheap. Would you think that one player out of 8 using the system create a problem?

[niallgregory]

Thanks for the info. The main reason for considering an IEM is to reduce noise levels. Sometimes we're in tight quarters at some venues and the noise can be too much for me. I would be the only one using the system because I don't think the rest of the guys are willing to spend the money...this stuff ain't cheap. Would you think that one player out of 8 using the system create a problem?

It shouldnt create any problem tbh . It might be strange for you if you are right on top of the other monitors but there should be enough isolation from you ears to cope with this . I was very sceptical about in ears , have been for years tbh , but my last experience with them was the best i have had . I spent alot of money on the ear moulds but consider them to be a great investment ..

[Luis]

Thanks for the info. The main reason for considering an IEM is to reduce noise levels. Sometimes we're in tight quarters at some venues and the noise can be too much for me. I would be the only one using the system because I don't think the rest of the guys are willing to spend the money...this stuff ain't cheap. Would you think that one player out of 8 using the system create a problem?

It shouldnt create any problem tbh . It might be strange for you if you are right on top of the other monitors but there should be enough isolation from you ears to cope with this . I was very sceptical about in ears , have been for years tbh , but my last experience with them was the best i have had . I spent alot of money on the ear moulds but consider them to be a great investment ..

What brand of IEM equipment do you have?

[bdrbongo]

Hey all, I have not been on here in a long while, but had to share my thoughts....

I have used in ears for about 10 years in every situation....large stage/small venue/touring stateside and overseas/inside/outside, you name it. When there is a soundman available, it is important that they 'know' what they are doing...and these days I have yet to meet one who hasn't had at least some experience with them, and they are usually more than happy to eliminate a monitor wedge and reduce the noise on stage. Only one time did I have an 'incident' where the soundguy was not cooperative, but after a little polite conversation I 'helped' him figure out how to make it work.

On gigs where there is no soundman( i.e. the band is running sound from the stage) it's up to you to figure it out...and in those situations I always give myself extra time to set up and get my in ears working properly. On smaller gigs I've invested in a small board to use as a submixer of sorts, putting my drums/congas/vocals through them and then out to the main pa, even going so far as to set up a 'stage mic' to capture the mix off the stage and blending it in( but make sure that feed only goes to the in ear, not to the main mix or it's feedback city)...I also get a return line from the board as well so I have a board/stage/personal mix

They do take some getting used to, and I have not had custom molds made...yet...but once you adjust they are an invaluable tool that will only help you play, listen, react and have fun on stage.

You don't necessarily have to have wireless. I used a friends wireless system for about a year before I bought my own hardwired system. I love it! Being a drummer, I'm not jumping around(much) onstage so there is no need for wireless. Hardwired cost less and the wireless system had 'dropout' issues occasionally...once a venue was near a freeway and I kept getting radio chatter of some sort.

I currently use Westone UM2's and one of the first Shure PSM 400 hardwired systems and a Mackie 1202.

[caballoballo]

Friends, do not abuse your hearing. All that noisy sound on stage specially the Trumpets will affect your hearing soon or later so instead wear ear protection. You 'll be able to hear all . Just my humble opinion.