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Are you still digging the rig you're using?

Discussion in 'Ask Justin Meldal-Johnsen' started by JimmyM, Jan 14, 2009.

  1. Jan 14, 2009 #1
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Hey Justin, a few months ago you were talking about your NIN rig with the IEM's and preamps vs. the two 810's and how you always went back to the two 810's. Now that you've got a few months under your belt with this current setup with the pre's and IEM's, any temptation to go back? I know your main purpose was creating better sightlines for the video, but you also talked like you were enjoying it. Are you still enjoying it? I'm asking because a couple acts we work with just went to IEM's and they claim to be loving it so we're actually batting around the idea of trying them after years of hating them just on principle ;) I don't know if I could go to an all-pre setup and IEM's, but I am tempted after a weekend of getting my head blown off by monitors run by incompetents.
     
  2. Jan 15, 2009 #2
    jmjbassplayer

    jmjbassplayer Justin Meldal-Johnsen Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 25, 2005
    It's all quite good, but I really need some "thrust" from cabs. Going over that right now, and very likely adding at least one 8 x 10. We shall see!

    In your circumstances, you may want to avoid my type of rig. We have fully automated, recallable monitor mixes for every song on every night, and our own monitor guy...so I would not rely on that sort of rig, unless you are very much in control.

    Also, let me be very clear with this thought: I really actually think this type of rig is better than amps if you REALLY, TRULY NEED MANY DIFFERENT SOUNDS AND SOME PROGRAMMABILITY. Other than that, I don't really get the point, except easy load-in and tidy stages. I'm much more of an amp guy in normal circumstances.

    JMJ
     
  3. Jan 15, 2009 #3
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Yeah, I'm not feeling the warm fuzzies from your answer since we do work with a lot of different soundmen. We have a semi-regular guy but we can only use him on a quarter of our gigs. We're not really high demand to where a decent soundman couldn't handle it but we do want things right. The main problem we're trying to cure is a singing guitarist and drummer who aren't happy with their monitors unless they're so loud and shrill they're on the verge of feedback at all times. My concern is I like hearing the music out of amps and from the drums directly and not through monitors, and I'd have to run music through the earphones to be able to enjoy it. Wish it was easier to try out than dropping a few grand. That's why I asked you...you're a hardcore amp guy and just switched over, and if you can stand them, maybe there's really something to them. I'm picking up the vibe that you're not entirely happy, though...maybe it was the big disclaimer at the end ;)
     
  4. Jan 15, 2009 #4
    stoneboy26

    stoneboy26

    Jul 11, 2007
    Melbourne, Australia
    Endorsing Artist: Thump Music
    Hey Jimmy,
    Get your singer and drummer IEMs and you can then have the monitors all to yourself. :p
     
  5. Jan 15, 2009 #5
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    That's actually not a bad idea.
     
  6. Jan 16, 2009 #6
    mattq

    mattq

    May 23, 2006
    Santa Cruz, CA
    in my opinion, iem's were made so that amps and whatnot could be as loud as they need to be and the singers would still be able to hear themselves. and don't be surprised AT ALL if your drummer gets iem's, plays a few shows with them, then wants iem's AND a floor monitor because he "can't feel anything"
     
  7. Jan 16, 2009 #7
    jmjbassplayer

    jmjbassplayer Justin Meldal-Johnsen Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 25, 2005
    IEM's and backline amps are not mutually exclusive.

    In other words, I feel IEM's are always a good idea (particularly to help with vocals). It can be done quite inexpensively these days as well, without a monitor engineer, even. I've seen baby bands do this with their own Mackie mixer and IEM's. The mixer and rack stays on stage with you guys and you set it up yourselves daily during soundcheck. Settings will seldom change anyway.

    Along with that, amps.

    In my situation, the only thing I'm unhappy with, if you can call it that, is the impact of an amp near me. Which I might be about to remedy as soon as next week.

    Best,
    JMJ
     
  8. Jan 16, 2009 #8
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Very good, Justin. Yeah, I'm hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't like IEM's once they try them. OK, thanks for your opinion and everyone else's.
     
  9. Jan 19, 2009 #9
    theoldmiami

    theoldmiami

    Mar 9, 2008
    Charlotte, NC
    I've been playing with IEM's and an amp w/4x10 behind me. I love the combo. Sometimes you just need to feel that air blowing up against you!