You may want to try the ER-20's that Mike's selling first. Mike says that the custom plugs and ER-20's are practically the same. I got to try the ER-20's in practice on Tuesday and they are surreal. The mix of lower volume and clarity was unbelievable.
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Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs
- Thread starter Boplicity
- Start date
You may want to try the ER-20's that Mike's selling first. Mike says that the custom plugs and ER-20's are practically the same. I got to try the ER-20's in practice on Tuesday and they are surreal. The mix of lower volume and clarity was unbelievable.
Thanks rabid,
but I got a good deal on customs at the hearing and speech clinic at my university, $100. I got the molds done today and it will be another 2 weeks before they come in. I'm trying the ER-15 filters first, since that was recommended in this thread. If that's not enough, I can exchange them for 25's as long as I do it right away. And now...
a well deserved BUMP for this thread.
i've been using a pair of the ER-20's at weekly practice for the past few months and they work great while the music is playing... i obviously have to say, "what?" when someone's trying to talk to me though.
the two negative about the ER-20's are:
*the fagility of the plastic end cap handles. on mine the clear end caps seem shattered/cracked but they're still in one piece.
*the plastic end caps often separate from the plugs.
Invalid Link Removed
i definitely will want to buy a couple of pairs at a time in the future.
the two negative about the ER-20's are:
*the fagility of the plastic end cap handles. on mine the clear end caps seem shattered/cracked but they're still in one piece.
*the plastic end caps often separate from the plugs.
Invalid Link Removed
i definitely will want to buy a couple of pairs at a time in the future.
My band is loud, and our stage volume is just stupid. I use inexpensive foam earplugs with a very high (29db) noise reduction rating. I love them. My ears feel fine at the end of the night.
Of course it does not sound the same when we play -- the high frequencies are dulled, and whenever I sing my voice sounds disproportionately loud. But it only took a few weeks to realize that I CAN hear the rest of the band just fine. It only took some getting used to -- the brain fills in the blanks for you once you get used to it, and the music honestly sounds good, full, and dynamic. I can hear myself sing every time regardless of monitor mix.
I got my earplugs on ebay and paid less than twenty dollars for 200 pairs. I use one or two pairs each night; when they lose their resiliency they don't work as well.
I tried the Sonic earplugs, the little 6db peak-reducers with the diaphragms you can get for 12-15 bucks at a music store. They were awful -- ineffective and uncomfortable at the same time. I wore them twice and threw them away.
I may try a form-fitted pair someday -- I used to believe that was the only kind worth trying, after my bad Sonic experience.
But for all you guys who don't want to try earplugs because, like me, you thought they have to cost a lot to be any good -- try the high-rated foam ones for a month to get used to the new sound. Maybe, like me, you'll find they are all you really need.
Of course it does not sound the same when we play -- the high frequencies are dulled, and whenever I sing my voice sounds disproportionately loud. But it only took a few weeks to realize that I CAN hear the rest of the band just fine. It only took some getting used to -- the brain fills in the blanks for you once you get used to it, and the music honestly sounds good, full, and dynamic. I can hear myself sing every time regardless of monitor mix.
I got my earplugs on ebay and paid less than twenty dollars for 200 pairs. I use one or two pairs each night; when they lose their resiliency they don't work as well.
I tried the Sonic earplugs, the little 6db peak-reducers with the diaphragms you can get for 12-15 bucks at a music store. They were awful -- ineffective and uncomfortable at the same time. I wore them twice and threw them away.
I may try a form-fitted pair someday -- I used to believe that was the only kind worth trying, after my bad Sonic experience.
But for all you guys who don't want to try earplugs because, like me, you thought they have to cost a lot to be any good -- try the high-rated foam ones for a month to get used to the new sound. Maybe, like me, you'll find they are all you really need.
My friend recommended me to get them and I am now definitely going to take his advice. If my band plays medium sized gigs(200-500 people) what ear plugs will I need deciable wise? I was thinking 15 db, but I'm not positive.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=950497#post950497 could you please tell me what you think of this? i decided to make a new topic so i wouldnt disrupt this one
Now that Ive had my costoms for long enough to be used to them. WOW! thier Great!
Spend the money
AJ
Spend the money
AJ
I got the 15's and I was happy originally. But it seems that buying the earplugs sent a message and everyone seems to play softer nowdays. I'm just about to get the 9db pads because at the newly reduced volume, the 15dB pads seem to block too much. I find myself wearing one plug only or worse, none at all. SO the 9's are on the way!!!!
BTW.....I'm not complaining. the bands sound better nowdays IMO.
my earplugs are 12. THey rock, they are effective and my ears arent damaged, and there is absolutly no ring after a huge jam. but there low enough to hear the band and everything fine. So not only does it do the job or an ear plug perfectly, it still allows me to be at my best.
- w00t
- w00t
O.k. I'll add my experiences to this already HUGELY important thread.
I'm 36 and I've been playing bass for 4 years and a hi-fi enthusiast for 20 years. I've had my share of loud stereos and concerts and now loud bass rigs and bands. fortunately I've played mostly in church type groups, but that doesn't mean comfortable volume levels all the time either! I recently got into a band situation where the main speakers are at ear level, five feet away. I think on average we run about 100db on stage because we are so close to the mains also.
I wore industrial strength foam cylinder earplugs for a while, but felt disconnected from the band. recently I realized that I had been playing too softly because foam plugs cut mid and high frequencies pretty good, but the lower frequencies can still be 6-12db louder, so i would turn down to balance with the band. bad idea. so I decided to go with the ER20 earplugs from Invalid Link Removed
The mix in my head is better and I can play with them in even on quiet songs. the response is more balanced too!
IF YOU DOUBT YOU CAN FIND EARPLUGS THAT SOUND GOOD, BUY A PAIR OF ER20's!!!! I'll never play with foam plugs again, unless I forget my er20s
I'm 36 and I've been playing bass for 4 years and a hi-fi enthusiast for 20 years. I've had my share of loud stereos and concerts and now loud bass rigs and bands. fortunately I've played mostly in church type groups, but that doesn't mean comfortable volume levels all the time either! I recently got into a band situation where the main speakers are at ear level, five feet away. I think on average we run about 100db on stage because we are so close to the mains also.
I wore industrial strength foam cylinder earplugs for a while, but felt disconnected from the band. recently I realized that I had been playing too softly because foam plugs cut mid and high frequencies pretty good, but the lower frequencies can still be 6-12db louder, so i would turn down to balance with the band. bad idea. so I decided to go with the ER20 earplugs from Invalid Link Removed
The mix in my head is better and I can play with them in even on quiet songs. the response is more balanced too!
IF YOU DOUBT YOU CAN FIND EARPLUGS THAT SOUND GOOD, BUY A PAIR OF ER20's!!!! I'll never play with foam plugs again, unless I forget my er20s
In rehearsal, I use generic foam ear plugs.
But -- I also wear those ear-muff type protectors on my head. It looks dorky but one of the guitarists does it too.
On stage, just generic foam ear plugs. I don't pretend that it doesn't affect my playing -- it does -- but I'd rather have my hearing.
But -- I also wear those ear-muff type protectors on my head. It looks dorky but one of the guitarists does it too.
On stage, just generic foam ear plugs. I don't pretend that it doesn't affect my playing -- it does -- but I'd rather have my hearing.
I didn't start wearing plugs until it was almost too late. I was young, dumb and invincible. I guess now I'm older, a tad less dumb (debateable I know
) and vincible. My left ear is fine, but I experienced high-end loss in my right. So I'm very protective of what's left. I wear the foam "shooter" plugs. I spent years playing in VERY LOUD bands. A word to the young bucks... Wear plugs, because if you don't all the volume WILL catch up with you. The egg of the ear is very delicate. Please wear plugs.
) and vincible. My left ear is fine, but I experienced high-end loss in my right. So I'm very protective of what's left. I wear the foam "shooter" plugs. I spent years playing in VERY LOUD bands. A word to the young bucks... Wear plugs, because if you don't all the volume WILL catch up with you. The egg of the ear is very delicate. Please wear plugs.
Good man! Don't listen to anyone calling you a wimp or something. They won't be able to hear anyone calling them wimps someday. It will take you a few weeks to get used to them but after that you will not be able to go anywhere and hear any band without them. You'll love it!
The best way to use ear plugs is to put them in right away. That is, right when you enter the club or right after a soundcheck (if you playing). This way it takes no "getting used to" the difference in volume with ear plugs. If you put them in halfway through a show you will no doubt be disapointed with the cut in volume because your ears have adjusted to the loudness.
Very cool stuff. I'm gonna look into some ER-4S for usage with our in-ear system. I'm not really happy w/ the shure E1's that we have.
