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Dealing with In-Ear Monitors?

#21
Been watching this thread...

I'm a struggling backup singer trying to get better, so I just got a set of these. Never used anything like them before. I'm most interested in preserving my hearing as well as getting a better personal mix so I can be more confident on the mic as I build singing experience (which also includes personal practice, so don't get the wrong idea).

I'm a bit concerned about the E2's. I know they're the cheapest, just because that's what comes with the kit, and that'll be good enough to get started... however... I know that'll end up frustrating me tonally down the road... especially as a bass player.

So my question is, what are the best headphones to use? I'm hoping to avoid the crazy stoopid priced E5's and find something that sounds great for no more than about 1/2 that.

Thoughts? Are the E3's just more expensive, and "better" than the E2's but still generally crappy?
 
#22
Vic said:
Been watching this thread...

I'm a struggling backup singer trying to get better, so I just got a set of these. Never used anything like them before. I'm most interested in preserving my hearing as well as getting a better personal mix so I can be more confident on the mic as I build singing experience (which also includes personal practice, so don't get the wrong idea).

I'm a bit concerned about the E2's. I know they're the cheapest, just because that's what comes with the kit, and that'll be good enough to get started... however... I know that'll end up frustrating me tonally down the road... especially as a bass player.

So my question is, what are the best headphones to use? I'm hoping to avoid the crazy stoopid priced E5's and find something that sounds great for no more than about 1/2 that.

Thoughts? Are the E3's just more expensive, and "better" than the E2's but still generally crappy?
Click to expand...

You can get ones that are more open or cheaper and just have you vocals in the In Ears and have you normal stage volume as a transition.
 
#24
We just switched to the same system at our church from wedge monitors, and I love it. Especially with the mini-console. I pan everything except bass, drums and piano either right or left and those three I bring up the middle. I talked to our engineer and the monitor sub-mix for the drums is kick, snare, and hi-hat heavy, with everything else way in the background.

I do miss feeling the bass on stage, but hearing everything has really tightened the band up, and it really cleaned up the FOH mix as well - maybe a little too much, as it has revealed some flaws in our house system, especially low end.

Another hint, use the group mix to turn everything else down so you can really boost the bass to hear yourself, without overdoing the overall volume.
 
#25
we use a splitter snake to the FOH and have a Mackie VLZ 1604 behind the drummer for our in-ear mix. It's great having four sub-mixes that let each band member hear only what he wants. We've looked at the Axiom system, but since we don't need more than the four sub-mixes we currently have, we'll just stay with the Mackie.
 
#26
Hey Vic,

I've compared E3s and the newer E4s and there is an audible difference between these two. Mainly the high and low separation. The E2 might just fall far behind the E4s.
Check out Ebay and see what you can find. I did see some companies putting it up for much less.

Brandon
 
#27
I use the E3c in ears and I enjoy them. I still have some volume comming from my amp so I do feel the "thump" just a bit. And while I would love to get some in-ears with dual drivers, I find the E3c work just fine (even though there is a slack lack of Bass). E2c just don't do it at all for me, I believe they came with the shure wireless system i have and they just don't cut it at all. The E3c are about $60 ($179 musiciansfriend) more expensive, but You can find them brand new for about $110 if you can find the right place online.

In the end though, its wonderful to not have that annoying ringing in your ears at the end of the night.
 
#28
lowfreqguy said:
we use a splitter snake to the FOH and have a Mackie VLZ 1604 behind the drummer for our in-ear mix. It's great having four sub-mixes that let each band member hear only what he wants. We've looked at the Axiom system, but since we don't need more than the four sub-mixes we currently have, we'll just stay with the Mackie.
Click to expand...

I do the same thing, only using a Allen Heath Mix Wizard. The Axiom would be a nice luxury as it would give members their own controller, but for a 3 piece, it's really not worth the added expense. I just tweak the ear mixes during sound check, if needed, and forget about it.
 
#32
theshadow2001 said:
I don't trust in ear monitors. I don't like the ida of the sound soure being that close to my ear. One bit of mad feedback and you won't be able to pull them things out fast enough. With moulded ear plugs everythings at a nice level and no sudden unexplained accidental noises to worry about.
Click to expand...

If anything, when I use them, I actually have the volume lower that if I had to rely on stage monitors and backline.

Never once did I even have my head blown off due to feedback or volume spikes.

My Steely Dan cover band used them exclusively live and rehersals.
Rehersals were the best. The drummer at one point had all electronic kit (he's a mad man, had all the best samples, dialed it in like crazy).
I'd pull one out and it was like "Plink plink, tap tap" and acapella vocals.
Plus, you could noodle between songs and the vocalists could pull them out and discuss what needed to be (like the next beer/pizza run! Important stuff:D) and we could still run parts or whatever.
 
#33
Absolutely right! I love going home from a gig and not having a ringing in my ears, like the old days. I keep my in ears at a very low volume, can hear everybody and it keeps our harmonies so tight, even after the guitar player has had too many shots.
Mike - I'm jealous about the Steely Dan cover group. That would be a dream come true! The Dan is my all time favorite!


MikeBass said:
If anything, when I use them, I actually have the volume lower that if I had to rely on stage monitors and backline.

Never once did I even have my head blown off due to feedback or volume spikes.

My Steely Dan cover band used them exclusively live and rehersals.
Rehersals were the best. The drummer at one point had all electronic kit (he's a mad man, had all the best samples, dialed it in like crazy).
I'd pull one out and it was like "Plink plink, tap tap" and acapella vocals.
Plus, you could noodle between songs and the vocalists could pull them out and discuss what needed to be (like the next beer/pizza run! Important stuff:D) and we could still run parts or whatever.
Click to expand...
 
#35
I have used them a TON but have never run or built a rig.

It looks like I am probably going to have to late this summer.

I am going to need 24 inputs, digital fx (though I could use an outboard effects processor) and feed 6 in-ears (at least 6 mixes).

Anyone care to help me build a very good/least expensive rig? :confused:
 
#36
I'm playing in the Atlanta shows of the broadway Wicked US tour and they use the Aviom system as well but with headphones. I bought some Ultimate Ears super.fi Pro 5 earphones and it's been a pleasure to play that way. Dual drivers are a must. The UE's cost me about $250.

I wish I could have a system like that on all of my gigs.
 
#38
robnatt said:
The custom molds came in today. I will be trying them with the Shure E3's at rehearsal tonight.

I'll let you guys know how it goes....
Click to expand...
If you also have some E2's i'd be very interested to hear a comparison, but from what i understand, the only diff is enhanced high end on the 3's vs the 2's. I think the 4's are the first appearance of enhanced low's.
 
#39
Vic said:
If you also have some E2's i'd be very interested to hear a comparison, but from what i understand, the only diff is enhanced high end on the 3's vs the 2's. I think the 4's are the first appearance of enhanced low's.
Click to expand...

That's pretty accurate. I gotta tell you though, their is a huge difference when you get the dual drivers. Trust me on this. It was like night and day.
 
#40
BigMikeW said:
That's pretty accurate. I gotta tell you though, their is a huge difference when you get the dual drivers. Trust me on this. It was like night and day.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I know, but it's also night and day on the money (about double). :(

If I was a lead singer, maybe, but I just can't justify it.
 

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