Guys Who Don't Run Your Own Sound and Use IEMs

rockstarbassist · #1 09-16-2011, 09:00 AM

How much pushback do you get on this? I'm pretty fed up with the "Monitor mix" (or lack thereof) for our shows, and want to get my own in-ears system. There's some pretty decent scores for some Shure gear to be had specifically the PSM200 which is plenty for me, but the issue is getting the "soundguy" to give me my mix/feed to my transmitter.
My drummer takes the speaker signal and plugs it into a DI, which then goes out to his transmitter. However I think most of the time those are only 1/4" plugs so it's not an issue. Most monitors here are run with Speakon connectors. Is there a female Speakon connection to male 1/4" adapter available? I think that's what I would need to just unhook the monitor and go for it.
I figure it's not worth arguing about a FOH mix that's going to suck for me anyway, so might as well be able to hear better onstage!

jaywa · #2 09-16-2011, 09:26 AM

My band runs 100% IEMs, and we do our own sound from the stage about 80% of the time.

On gigs where we use a 3rd party sound company, we bring our IEM gear with us and have them patch it in to their system. It can be a bit of a PITA but honestly, we have gotten much less pushback from sound guys than you might expect. I think they realize how much easier IEMs make their job at FOH and so they're willing to accommodate us.

Also, our BL is adamant about the use of IEMs and he also handles all the bookings, so he usually puts that right out there during the booking process and if it looks like the IEM thing is gonna be a big issue we're prepared to just pass on the gig. As far as I know that's never happened though.

meycom · #3 09-16-2011, 09:33 AM

We work with a lot of different sound companies and IEM's have never been an issue.
I just make sure I have a nice supply of different cables.

projectMalamute · #4 09-16-2011, 09:33 AM

Supplying a feed for an IEM is trivial, I do it all the time. Just unplug the cable from the snake to the monitor amp rack and plug in the IEM unit. Now aux 3 is the IEM instead of the house left sidefill or whatever. Push the bypass button on the 31 band EQ I have for killing feedback on that mix. Takes all of 5 seconds

Granted everyone here seems to have a trouble getting the soundguy to do pretty much anything, but it really is an objectively trivial process.

rockstarbassist · #5 09-16-2011, 09:37 AM

Thanks guys. I think i'm going to go ahead and do it.

Like I said, my drummer already insists on it at every gig and so it really shouldn't be an issue. I'm just going to basically make them work with me on it, as agreed, it's a very simple/trivial process that I would think they'd want to do more of, since they won't have to push my wedges at all.

jaywa · #6 09-16-2011, 09:47 AM

One point of clarification... a single IEM feed for the whole band is a piece of cake.

It's when several people in the band each want their own mix (as is the case in our band), that it has the potential to get a bit hairy but even with that we've never had a big problem.

rockstarbassist · #7 09-16-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

One point of clarification... a single IEM feed for the whole band is a piece of cake.

It's when several people in the band each want their own mix (as is the case in our band), that it has the potential to get a bit hairy but even with that we've never had a big problem.

Everywhere we play locally (thankfully) has at least 4 monitor mixes, so we're all used to our own Aux mix anyway which is good. I'm always afforded my own "mix" except for the places that claim any bass in the monitors make subs feedback, so yeah...

If we had to make due with 1-3 I wouldn't even be worrying about it truth be told. But I know it's an option so may as well get to it.

jaywa · #8 09-16-2011, 10:06 AM

Yeah, 4 submixes seems to pretty much be the standard.

We have a 5-piece band so that breaks out as one for the lead singer, one for the lead guitarist, one for the utility guy (guitar/sax/fiddle/vox) and one that the drummer and I share.

pbd · #9 09-16-2011, 10:09 AM

if you need to you can use a spitter just out of the return from the FOH snake to feed you in ear

my 2 cents,
Todd

rockstarbassist · #10 09-16-2011, 10:23 AM

Hey Todd,
Thx for the input man! I'll have to see how much of an option that is. I really don't pay much attention as to how all that stuff is sent from the desk and to the stage and back, but that could possibly work as well. Would you basically just need a "2 to 1" or "Y" cable and still send the Aux feed to the monitors, and just use the other "half" of the signal to the transmitter? I would just have to see how available/accessible the snake return is. However for most of our gigs we should up at least 2 hours early, so there's no reason I couldn't get that handled ahead of time.

pbd · #11 09-16-2011, 10:41 AM

where the aux feeds the monitor amp would be a good place to split, you could do it at the stage box or at where the amp is, unless its a powered signal, that would still work but you would need a different type of Y cable and a transformer to convert the powered signal to line or mic level.

good luck

Todd

rockstarbassist · #12 09-16-2011, 10:52 AM

My drummer just uses my JDI as the transformer to take the powered signal and feed his in-ears.
Our next gig isn't for a month or so but I'll see what I can do and hopefully get all this resolved! Could you make me the Y cable for either application here? Just PM me or I can and we can get together.

**iriegnome** · #13 09-16-2011, 12:03 PM

I love my IEM's! Don't bother with the Shure 200's. You get a better deal and a better quality of monitor with the Carvin EM 900's! I actually think they are made by Shure, but they are imports. Mine have been working fantastically for about 6 years! Always a great thing.

rockstarbassist · #14 09-16-2011, 01:04 PM

I like the Shure stuff..

Actually I just want something entry-level that I know works and if/when I need to upgrade, I can look elsewhere. I used to use one of the higher end Sennheiser units but all that gear was band owned so didn't get to take it with me when I left.

pbd · #15 09-16-2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

My drummer just uses my JDI as the transformer to take the powered signal and feed his in-ears.
Our next gig isn't for a month or so but I'll see what I can do and hopefully get all this resolved! Could you make me the Y cable for either application here? Just PM me or I can and we can get together.

not a problem on the Y cable, I'll PM you my email address

jad · #16 09-16-2011, 01:15 PM

PSM200 has xlr pass through. Download/read the manual first. You probably don't need Y cables.

rockstarbassist · #17 09-16-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jad

PSM200 has xlr pass through. Download/read the manual first. You probably don't need Y cables.

Will it take a powered signal, though? That's definitely an obstacle/hurdle I'll have to address at some of these venues where the snake or Aux Sends are back in the booth and the soundguy refuses to help you out at the board and plug you in there.

I read a lot of the stories here and some are pretty fantastical, but I can assure you mine are even WORSE than I've let on!

**iriegnome** · #18 09-16-2011, 02:04 PM

Gotta say, if you compare the specs on the Carvin, you will find they are more like the PSM400 and have way better specs than the Shure. Also, you all should know that Shure does not make these. They are made by someone else and their name is just put on them. Not an uncommon thing, but they are no higher quality than any other item that is produced this way.

rockstarbassist · #19 09-16-2011, 02:08 PM

Cool well if this deal falls through that I have working on the 200's I will definitely give them a look!

walterw · #20 09-16-2011, 07:12 PM

i couldn't imagine trying to use IEMs without a real dedicated mix of my own.

i'd rather use a wedge with vocals in it, or nothing at all.