Digital IEM system--anything coming down the pike?

Schizoid75 · #1 08-08-2011, 01:41 AM

Unless I've missed something, there are no digital IEM systems available right now. Well, there's Lectrasonic or whatever, but that's a god-awful expensive system.

It seems that IEM's are really popular these days and are popping up more and more for typical bar bands. Why hasn't Line 6, Sennheiser, or someone else produced a digital model? Am I missing something or overstating the demand? How much extra work would it take for Line 6 to make an IEM system since they already have used the technology first in the X stuff and now the Relay stuff?

I just got a very, very cheap system to try them out (first gig Saturday, loved it) and I know I want to go to a nicer system eventually. I just don't want to drop hundreds of dollars on a nice analog system and then have the digital system roll out the next month.

JKos · #2 08-08-2011, 05:29 AM

> Lectrasonic or whatever

Lectrosonics Quadra. You are right, though, quite expensive and seriously professional gear.

- John

Rocksolid · #3 08-09-2011, 08:39 PM

Yep - asked the same question here and on the Line6 forum a while ago and the silience was deafening...

stflbn · #4 08-09-2011, 08:45 PM

Per Rich Renken in the Line6 Sponsored forum a while ago in response to my comments that a Line6 IEM system seems stupidly logical:

"It is logical and not ignored. We have many artist who are using our wireless asking about it. Can't say anything but that. :-) "

Schizoid75 · #5 08-10-2011, 09:17 AM

Well, maybe my timing will be perfect for once. I don't have the funds to upgrade to nice, custom molded IEM's right now. So perhaps the Line 6 will be ready early next year when I do! NAMM's in January, right?

walterw · #6 08-12-2011, 07:43 PM

i suspect the slight digital latency (4ms or so for the relay) might be an issue with IEMs.

for an instrument, that's like standing 4 feet further away from your cab, so not a big deal. i wonder how that might affect singing or drumming, though.

JKos · #7 08-12-2011, 11:22 PM

The Quadra has less than 1 ms of latency!

- John

Schizoid75 · #8 08-12-2011, 11:29 PM

I can drop thousands on a bass, but I just can't see myself spending $4-5k on the Quadra. It's pretty new, so maybe prices will be better on the used market.

Schizoid75 · #9 01-19-2012, 11:49 AM

So, time to drag this out of the graveyard. Anyone got any new info? I was hopeful that Line 6 would add an IEM system at NAMM this year, but that doesn't look like it's happening since all their new products are on their page today.

ThirstyMonkey · #10 01-19-2012, 01:44 PM

What about this: WNAMM12: Finally - Affordable Stereo Wireless Pro Audio, Wi Digital Systems - 2.4gHz (Video) -Sonicstate.com.

My band's keyboard player is looking into them (I trust him on all tech issues). They're relatively inexpensive, but I don't like latency specs.

Schizoid75 · #11 01-19-2012, 02:00 PM

Kinda cool, but I don't know. I'd like to have something rackmountable and with a little more info available via the displays. It's nice as a solution for multiple problems, but seems a little lack compared to an IEM system designed specifically for that function.

Hactar · #12 01-19-2012, 08:09 PM

So, you have said that the Lectrosonic Quadra is expensive. (~$3.2K?)
However, I will go ahead and make my suggestion

.

Zaxcom makes some excellent equipment, aimed at the film sound industry.
If you were to get a Zaxcom TRX900, a RX900S, and an IFB100, you would have a killer bass wireless system and IEM system in one single set of gear. Range perhaps not stunning, but amazing audio quality, stereo TX and mono RX, incredibly light, and well-built.

Oh, and it would total something like $6000.

But it would be cool.

Anyway.... back on topic....