best earbuds and a Will this work question please

That setup is pretty much what we do, but we use a matrix monitor mixer (Shure Auxpander). It works great!
As far as in-ears go, I've been using FutureSonics Atrio M5's, very nice bass response! If you are thinking of going with custom molded, you may also want to check out these ( http://www.livewiresforyou.com/ or these http://www.freqonline.com/musicmakers.htm ) or go to headfi.org for lots more info.
We also have a couple of "live" stage mics running, (just for monitoring) that helps to lessen the isolation.
By the way, I run "hard-wired", I use a Variax bass, which uses a special Cat-5 type cable, so I just "snaked" a headphone extension cable along the Variax cable, it works well, and the price was right! I have tried a few wireless systems, was pretty unimpressed, even with the more expensive units. I prefer hard-wired, especially for bass frequencies.

 

The Livewires linked to in the previous post are probably your best bet for custom in-ears, unless you want to shell out the extra cash for Westones or Ultimate Ears, which are much more expensive. A lot of people have their doubts as to the Freqs durability (at least they did when I still frequented Head-Fi) now that they've been out for a while they probably have a better idea, I'd still go with the Livewires though.

(If you want to really know what I use I have a pair of Klipsch IEMs, not the most neutral things but they are pretty accurate and offer good isolation and decent comfort for universals)

 

We use a similar setup to what you described for our drummer. Works OK but ocassionally a twist of the knob during setup can cause some pretty bad feedback thru the PA. The slightest twist of the aux knob on your monitor channel can cause a pretty bad loop through the PA. Doesn't happen often, but enough to make you worried. Plus some mixers allow bleed even if the knob is twisted all the way down.

It maybe too late now, but you may want to look into one of these...



You basically send your DI into the MIC IN and your monitor signal into the MONITOR IN. Then you control the mix with the knobs in the front. The benefit with this box is that it has a MIC THRU. The MIC THRU outputs your DI signal with no chance of bleed from your monitor signal into your bass signal. At $45, I'd buy both and see what works.

 

If anyone has any experience using the above Rolls unit, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. Been looking at getting one for a while, but haven't committed yet.

 

You can drive your earbuds with one of the aux sends on the existing console (although I'd use a compressor as a combination driver and safety limiter). (Most electronics can drive earbuds directly, with no headphone amp required).

 

I have been using Shure E5's for a while for a few things--very happy with them. Their sonic character is that of flat monitors, no exaggerated bass or anything, meaning you'll "hear" what you normally hear, but the buds won't in any way make up for "feeling" the lowest frequencies. I feel the thump and vibe from my amp, so it's a good balance. It changes monitoring a great deal though--it's a lot easier on the singer, the guitarist takes it a little easier on the volume since he can get plenty of his volume in the buds, but the mix is very sensitive--the singer needs to keep his mic well clear of my bass cabs or the bleed causes havoc in the mix, we were joking that we'd need to tape the floor to mark off a monitor mix "zone of death".

I had one set fail, but Shure sent out a replacement pretty quickly, no problems in two years since. I was among other things also using them when working out on the cardio, what I get from that is to beware if you're in a situation where you sweat significantly. They do a great job of blocking out higher volume, and noise, especially on airplanes, etc (in that application I definitely prefer the buds to the active noise cancelling headphones). I think the ear buds are worth focusing some pre-purchase research time and cash on, you may get more use out of them than just on-stage.

Some reviews are pretty hard on the E5's and Shure in general, often with names of other "better" sets... Since I like my E5's so much, I wonder if (and what) I am missing out on? Maybe the customs somehow fit better, but for me, once the E5's are seated, they seem to have a great seal for me with the medium size earpieces, don't fall out. They just work.

I do need wireless, and was looking at the medium (plus) level Line 6 unit. The specs suggest signal reliability, and reviews are positive so far. I am running a cable off a board we use now, and it basically tethers me to a small area of movement. Even though the extra cable runs about the same route as my instrument cable, it seems like a lot more to manage... ready to get the wireless monitors up and running.

 

This is pretty close to what I've been planning this week.

I was thinking of using a Bass Pod XT, sending one output to the board, the other to my amp and the DI from the amp back to a small mixer. Using the mixer to mix the monitor signal from the board with my bass signal and having the option to add an ambient mic too, just so I don't feel too isolated with earbuds in!