In Ear Monitor Convert

pbass62 · #1 10-19-2009, 03:08 PM

I just wanted to post that I am now a IEM convert.

For the longest time I have hated the idea of playing with buds in my ears or not feeling my Genz Rig behind me.

The church Im playing in went to an aviom in ear system.

I purchased a set of M Audio IE20XB ear buds plugging my Roscoe into a MXR M80 DI and was quite surprised. No ear fatigue from our acoustic drummer and our guitarist loud amp and actually loved the sound of my bass and rest of my mix.

I guess what I am trying to say is you can teach an old dog new tricks!

I am not going to give up my live rig but now know I can be satisfied with this new set up.

Vanceman · #2 10-19-2009, 03:50 PM

I'm in the process of converting, just ordered some sound isolating earbuds. Lately, the drummer has been playing too loud, so I can't hear everyone else.

It seems contradictory to what I read around here, but I can always hear myself, and I have been turning down so I can hear everyone else.

pbass62 · #3 10-19-2009, 04:23 PM

For me it was having to hear vocals etc because they are not using any floor monitors. I was 1st trying to go off of the ambient up front house main mix .

totallybacan · #4 10-20-2009, 07:14 AM

Are there any users that use both IEM and a bass rig? I don't see myself giving up the rig anytime soon, but I would like to be able to minimize hearing damage while at the same time giving me clear vocals

modulusman · #5 10-20-2009, 09:29 AM

I use a bass rig and IEMs. I also usually only wear the IEM in one ear. WARNING- if you play in a loud band do not do this. My band plays at fairly low volumes so we can get away with using one IEM. I usually only have the vocals and acoustic guitar in my my mix. When i'm not singing I keep it turned down low and turn it up some when I sing a song.

FretFree · #6 10-20-2009, 09:48 AM

pbass62--

Does your IEM/Aviom system include a Buttkicker? That made ALL the difference for me! It provides the missing feel of a rig moving air next to you.

It is sweet.

pbass62 · #7 10-20-2009, 02:40 PM

I have not tried the buttkicker. I would love to though.

jaywa · #8 10-20-2009, 05:17 PM

Yeah but the Buttkicker only works as long as you're standing on it. Not sure I'd like to be fenced in to a little square platform all night.

Now if the whole STAGE were a bunch of Buttkickers wired together....

Vanceman · #9 10-20-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modulusman

I use a bass rig and IEMs. I also usually only wear the IEM in one ear. WARNING- if you play in a loud band do not do this. My band plays at fairly low volumes so we can get away with using one IEM. I usually only have the vocals and acoustic guitar in my my mix. When i'm not singing I keep it turned down low and turn it up some when I sing a song.

Why is this bad? I currently plug only my right hear to block the noise from the drums. The bad part? I can't hear the rythem guitar because his amp is on the other side of the drums.

That's why I bought the isolation earbuds. I'll mic the guitar amp, only use one earbud and plug into the mixer's hearphone jack. The upside is I should be hearing everyone else too. I wasn't planning to put my bass amp into the mix, so I'll listen with my left ear so I could tell if it's loud enough. We never have FOH support btw.

fokof · #10 10-20-2009, 07:37 PM

There used to be a lot of buttkickers in churches up here too, in Canada.

jmain · #11 10-20-2009, 07:45 PM

I was playing in a church that provided E2's with the Aviom system, but I had to share a mix with the the guitarists and their rigs were still blasting on stage. Not good.

Now I'm at a church that provides E5's with the gutar amps in isolation boxes. The system is phenomenal and the sound guys are pros during the week, so it is sweet. But the youth service didn't have any to spare so I was bringing my 1x12 rig. Couldn't hear the keys or vocals b/c everything else was too loud.

I played a youth retreat with a heavy fisted drummer and cans and got punished. Next week I found some Westone UM2's here in the classifieds. I haven't even considered bringing a rig since.

So long story, but I am a convert too. I'm much rather bring the IEMs, bass and pedalboard (sometimes a stand if needed). Helps to have a good soundman. Also helps to have a drummer that knows what dynamics are and doesn't think if its loud its automatically good.

modulusman · #12 10-20-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanceman

Why is this bad? I currently plug only my right hear to block the noise from the drums. The bad part? I can't hear the rythem guitar because his amp is on the other side of the drums.

That's why I bought the isolation earbuds. I'll mic the guitar amp, only use one earbud and plug into the mixer's hearphone jack. The upside is I should be hearing everyone else too. I wasn't planning to put my bass amp into the mix, so I'll listen with my left ear so I could tell if it's loud enough. We never have FOH support btw.

From what I have read elsewhere on the internet if you are not careful you will turn the volume up too loud in order to hear your IEM over the band causing hearing loss. By using both IEMs the volume would be lower since it isn't having to compete with stage volume.

Longhornhombre · #13 10-21-2009, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanceman

Why is this bad?

Someone posted this article in another post. It's a great piece describing the pros and cons of in ears. About halfway down, there's a section that talks about the "one in, one out" approach.

http://www.audiologyonline.com/artic...rticle_id=2115

In short, you need to be careful:
"There is also a stereophonic boost (approximately 6 dB) in perceived volume when two earphones are used together....Therefore, using one IEM, means the volume must be 6 dB louder to get the same perceived volume, thus exposing the IEM ear to unnecessarily excessive volume. It also halves the listening time before the onset of hearing damage."

We only use in ears, and I love them. I do put my rig behind me to get that rumble though.

musicman7722 · #14 10-21-2009, 09:50 AM

Vanceman · #15 10-21-2009, 12:49 PM

Thanks, that is important information.

jaywa · #16 10-21-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmain

Couldn't hear the keys or vocals b/c everything else was too loud.

And this is a problem? I could only wish for mixes like that on occasion.

musicman7722 · #17 10-22-2009, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmain

I was playing in a church that provided E2's with the Aviom system, but I had to share a mix with the the guitarists and their rigs were still blasting on stage. Not good.

Now I'm at a church that provides E5's with the gutar amps in isolation boxes. The system is phenomenal and the sound guys are pros during the week, so it is sweet. But the youth service didn't have any to spare so I was bringing my 1x12 rig. Couldn't hear the keys or vocals b/c everything else was too loud.

I played a youth retreat with a heavy fisted drummer and cans and got punished. Next week I found some Westone UM2's here in the classifieds. I haven't even considered bringing a rig since.

So long story, but I am a convert too. I'm much rather bring the IEMs, bass and pedalboard (sometimes a stand if needed). Helps to have a good soundman. Also helps to have a drummer that knows what dynamics are and doesn't think if its loud its automatically good.

***
I use those as well. I'd like to leave my amp at home but as I'm the only guy using IME the band wouldn't hear me and my sound guy refuses to put my bass in the wedges.

CP

**Pacman** · #18 10-22-2009, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman7722

***
I use those as well. I'd like to leave my amp at home but as I'm the only guy using IME the band wouldn't hear me and my sound guy refuses to put my bass in the wedges.

CP

Sounds like you need a new sound guy.

Petebass · #19 10-22-2009, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallybacan

Are there any users that use both IEM and a bass rig?

Yep, me!

I monitor my bass and the band mix in my IEM's, and the bass rig is only on stage really so the band can hear me. It's also a fallback in case the IEM develop a technical problem or I forget to bring batteries

jmain · #20 10-22-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman7722

***
I use those as well. I'd like to leave my amp at home but as I'm the only guy using IME the band wouldn't hear me and my sound guy refuses to put my bass in the wedges.

CP

Yeah, what Pacman said.

Played at a church with less than stellar sound/crew (crap "hearbacks" and bad cans) and he wouldn't put the horns/strings in the cans. Sound was so bad I started bringing a VL-110. Argument ensued and I capitulated. Worship leader and choir missed the thump since they had no monitors to speak of - brought the rig back. Choir seemed to rock a little bit when I brought the cab.

Then the soundguy pouted and took me outta the house, so I brought the 410.

Different church now. Great soundguys and kicking a set of Westone UM2's and loving them. Great isolation and sound.

(Dang I'm long-winded...and the air is thick.

)