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Another IEM thread...help me choose a system

Biggbass

Biggbass

Dec 14, 2011
5,629
7,961
Planet Earth
#1
We're looking at IEM systems and have narrowed it down to either the Shure PSM - specific model to be determined - or the Sennheiser 300 system.

six pc band with 3 vocals, 3 guitars (elec & ac) Roland V drums, bass & keys. we have a 16 ch mackie digital mixer with 2 aux sends, adequate FOH & monitor amps and a Drive Rack. We use our own system for about 75% of our gigs.

Our goal is to shed the wedges and mainly improve vocal monitoring with a mono band mix of the drums, bass, keys but not the guitars going into the IEMs. Planning on Aux 1 = vocal mics and Aux 2 = band mix.

For those of you who have been using IEMs for a while and are familiar with either of the systems we're looking at, can you share your recommendation and a brief personal performance review of either?

It looks like either system will work for us, considering our current set up and mixing capabilities but I'm wondering if we'll be able to hear the cost difference between the two systems in the ears.

thanks for your input!
 
#5
Using a PSM200, and have had it for the last 6-7 years. It's a decent system, and would probably serve you well. On the used market you can get them for 350-400 pretty regularly. I've heard that the Sennheisers are much better sounding, but I can't vouch for that. I don't consider my PSM200's to be great sounding...they get the job done, but I'm looking to upgrade to higher-end gear ($$$$$$).

It sounds like everyone is going to share a mix...which is really NOT the optimum setup for in-ears. They really shine when everyone can tailor their own mix. If you're using GOOD ear buds, not having guitars available in the mix could be a problem, as you won't hear much, if any from the stage volume. I think you should be considering the cost of a proper mixer if you're going to make the jump....something with at least 6 mixes available. Unless you get a monitor board, most analog solutions are only going to provide 4 mixes if you're using your FOH board (maybe 6 if you aren't using effects). A Presonus 16:4:2 is a great tool for this situation, because you'll have 6 mixes plus effects.

That being said, I think you're envisioning sharing two mix "components" (vocals/inst) and sharing a mix, possibly one transmitter and 6 packs? I'm not sure this method is going to offer much benefit over wedges as far as being able to hear what you want to hear while performing. It will quiet the stage, but I think chances are you won't be happy with the result.
 
#8
So many subjects.

1. I have owned both PSM200 and Senn G3. We use the Senn G3, 3 users 1 mix. It is much higher quality but then it should be it is what 3 times the cost. Also the shure has a compressor that kicks in early on and tended to shunt the signal. It's input seemed very sensitive.

2. Every user sharing the same mix must use the same type of ear buds otherwise you will not be able to tell what each other is hear. As in headphones no two are really alike.

3. Don't cound on the stage amps to bleed in enough to hear. We use Westone UM2's which are a very good off the shelf bud and they block out just about everything.

4. I agree whtih others about the number of people sharing one mix. Now there must be some people that can use a wired connection vs. a wireless connection. If so with two aux outs that would give you more abliltiy right there. Those uses could share a generic mix and then add a rolls pm350 (I think is the model) for more me in their mix.
 
#9
Biggbass said:
thanks for the input. All good info. Barisaxman -Would we benefit from an IEM system
that only sent us the vocals, thus eliminating the wedges up front and the feedback we have to fight in overly-live rooms?
Click to expand...

As another poster said...trying to share a mix among the whole band is probably going to lead to disappointment. Not saying don't try it if you'd like....but I've found that sharing a mix with any more than 1 other person leads to disagreements over what needs to be louder/softer in the mix so that each person can hear.

If you are using your own rig most of the time, what kind of wedges and microphones are you using? The money may be better spent now on refining your setup in that manner than trying to get into IEM's as cheaply as possible.
 
#10
JBL wedges, Klipsch mains, JBL subs, Sennheiser mics, Mackie mixer, QSC amps, DriveRack with feedback Wizard active. graphic EQs for mains and monitors. 3 wedges in front of each of 3 singers, 1 wedge at the drums.

Most of the time it works great for us. Other times, in very live rooms with all hard surfaces we work thru feedback issues that get tamed once we identify the frequencies that need reduction on the EQs.
 
#11
I think your best bet is to go with what you have, really try to get the offending frequencies notched ahead of showtime; until you can afford a used Mixwiz or similar mixer that can give you more mixes, and then go to in-ears. Biggest worry is you spend money on a less-than stellar in-ears setup, hate it, and go back to wedges...essentially wasting your money.

IEM's, done right, and you'll never care to use a wedge again!
 

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