do you use earplugs during a gig?

[tfernandez]

So after years of loud music and drumline/ punk shows, I decided I better protect my hearing so I'm not deaf by age 30. Well I went out and bought some really nice Vater earplugs (came with a case, different volume filters, and a strap to connect them.) The last gig I played left me hearing that buzzing noise, so I decided I would use them during my gig last night.

well the earplugs worked wonders in terms of cutting the volume and allowing me to still hear after, but during the gig I just kind of felt "eh" about the sound. after our last song I took the plugs out and someone asked us to play one more song for their friend. we did, and everything sounded WAY better in terms of feel. just to clarify, the mix was extremely good and everyone played amazing so it wasn't the band that was causing my lack of being "into the moment." as much as I love not losing my hearing, I might have to put playing before health since I absolutely love my band

point of this story is, how many of you use earplugs during your gig, and do you find it distracts from the feel of the show?

EDIT: I guess it's worth noting that the earplugs cut 21db at 40hz IIRC AND they are the vater design that claims to only lower volume

[kreider204]

Back when I used to play in rock bands, I usually put a bit of cotton in my ears. It cut the volume without dulling the tone (or the feel).

[Joe.shaffer]

Yes I do, the little orange foam ones. I'v never felt that keeping my hearing has taken away from the show.

[KillerQuebec]

impossible for me to sing with ear plugs.

[pasta4lnch]

if it's a loud band I wear my form fitted plugs. . .

[BbBlues]

I have found that pieces of cotton works best. I try to use it in just one ear if I can get away from it.

[colcifer]

yep

[unit11]

I always use earplugs when I play with full band. We used to just play quieter at practice, but I find it helps to practice at gigging conditions. When setting up tone and sound checking, no one has earplugs in, though. We always set up our sound before we play, often doing one song or something like that to make sure it is all mixing right if anyone's made changes, but otherwise we just concentrate on playing.

Earplugs will make sure you can play for a long time, right?

[shawshank72]

Never

[Joe Nerve]

Get used to them. End of story. Always hated earplugs, wouldn't wear em, when I saw my hearing was starting to get affected I wore ones that I could still hear the music through, and now I lost even more hearing. and the tinnitus is unfreaking believable. Lots of us have tinnitus, I lived with it for years but trust me you have no clue how bad the ringing can get. A mild constant ringing was something I was able to live with. Now if a siren passes me on the street (which happens all the time in NY), or any other loud noise surprises me, I have to live with days of screaming ringing in my ears. A flute and piano concert, in a church, with my ears stuffed w toilet paper was enough to set it off. Music is a completely different thing for me these days, and I had to work hard at getting used to it with what my hearing does to me now. If I'm listening to a mix in a studio now I always have to tell them to lower the volume... :/

Earplugs can be gotten used to. If you don't, you may have no choice in what you have to get used to. And a final note, loss of hearing and bad tinnitus doesn't just mean you can't hear things as well (like if you just turn it up it will be fine). All kinds of crazy stuff goes on and you can't turn it up cuz the ringing gets louder. So you're basically f*** ed.

Wear earplugs.

[Jim Carr]

I have used ear plugs since 1968, and I still have suffered some noise/music related hearing loss. That said, it is never too late, and I shudder to think how impaired I would be without the efforts I have made to protect myself.

I have no trouble nailing a groove with ear protection on, but then again it seems normal to me. In fact, if I don't have protection, I am distracted by worrying about the sound level I am being exposed to.

I might also add that headphones pose a big risk, too. Believe me, I know. Custom made ear plugs are great, but even the drugstore foam plugs are better than cotton or tissue.

[Lesfunk]

I should but I never could get used to the feeling of detachment I got.

[Groovin]

Two very bad peices of info being stated here.

1. Cotton in ears.
2. Wearing one plug only.

Do some research. Cotton does little to nothing to suppress sound and you're missing the fidelity you get with proper plugs.

Wearing one only is HORRIBLE for your hearing.

We've all spent $$$$$ on gear. Spend $200 and get custom plugs done. Best money I've ever spent. I can hear BETTER with them in. Kind of tightens up the whole sound stage. Without them, I find everything bleeds together.

[Jefenator]

I got these Westone plugs custom-molded for my ears. $100 or so (in 1996) that's my best gear investment e v e r. They're designed to sound as natural as possible. Might take a bit of getting used to but I'd rather deal with that than wind up hearing funny 24/7.

The good news is, if you prefer to go without, there is an alternative. I just talked to a guy last night who blew his ears out, running a chainsaw w/o plugs and is stoked with his hearing aids. He says they work really good and are only $2500 a side. (Now they have a newer, better model and he wants to upgrade.)

[tfernandez]

anybody have any feelings on in ear monitors? do they cut outside volume as well?

[Billnc]

Every gig I've ever done, I keep foam ones in various gig bags etc in case I forget the better ones. Hearing protection was highly emphasised in the army, with my job (Morse and radio HFDF) and I've used plugs for every chore invovling motors or saws etc. When in doubt I put them in.

[ExaltBass]

I've been using Etymotic plugs (too much sound reduction), just ordered Westone -9db Musicians Plugs, good investment.

[TrevorOfDoom]

i never gig without them, (unless i'm using in-ear monitors). i used Hearo's for a long time and loved them, but they stick outta the ear and look funny, so i upgraded to Earpeace and i've nothing but good things to say about them.
the trick is to find a plug that brings the level down enough but doesn't kill the feel.
or you could just try feeling the groove for once ("ah snap!")

[MooseLumps]

+1 for getting used to them.

It's going to be something that you have to learn to appreciate. Took me forever to learn to sing harmonies with plugs in, you have to develop a sort of muscle memory for the song. same goes for playing. initially, I thought I couldn't hear anything, but I now realize that it's helpful because i develop a better sort of "passive listening" when I'm focused on my part. your perception of the way you play music changes, and it can't just be better overnight.

+1 to the tinnitus thing. My girlfriend hates that if there is any other speech frequency sound in the room, she has to raise her voice or all I hear is garbled mush. Forget the clubs, if it's loud, she just sends me a text. No fun at all.

[tfernandez]

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

i never gig without them, (unless i'm using in-ear monitors). i used Hearo's for a long time and loved them, but they stick outta the ear and look funny, so i upgraded to Earpeace and i've nothing but good things to say about them.
the trick is to find a plug that brings the level down enough but doesn't kill the feel.
or you could just try feeling the groove for once ("ah snap!")

well played sir, well played.