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IEM for Bass Players

#81
s0c9 said:
Couple of things.

If the stage noise is "messy" in your ears, then you are NOT getting good attenuation and have a lot of stage bleed. The isolation should be like standing outside in the middle of nowhere on a windless night. There should be indiscernible noise from the stage with a proper seal.

Deep sub bass in one's IEM depends on whether the BA drivers can handle it. I have 4 * LF drivers in each ear.. I can get plenty of tight sub bass! But mushy uncontrolled sub-bass IS worthless!

The band should not be relying on someone else to mix your IEM's - unless dedicated and familiar with ur needs!
If you have no control over your mix, then yes.. even the wrong level of effects in the mix can make it horrendous.
I've posted this pic before.. but this (or similar) setup - there are many variants, coupled with a splitter snake will support pretty much every situation I've encountered playing live.
Full control of your own mix - assuming you know how to correctly EQ instruments!
With an external "dual band" router you have the ability to control the IEM mix from on stage using phones, tablets, etc. and let FOH do FOH, not monitor mixes!!

The X32 Rack can be replaced with any number of similar consoles.
If the House has a stage box w/ a splitter, then hook the splits into the console
If not, one leg of your splitter goes into the console, the other goes into the House snake. It makes no difference whether the House stage box is analog or digital. Same process!

View attachment 4498495
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I've researched the mobile racks like this. It looks fascinating, but is a pipe dream for bands in my situation. The fact that I'm even using IEMs is pretty high tech. The rest of my band doesn't use them, and I only use them because I can't hear myself on most stages.
 
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#82
socialleper said:
I've researched the mobile racks like this. It looks fascinating, but is a pipe dream for bands in my situation. The fact that I'm even using IEMs is pretty high tech. The rest of my band doesn't use them, and I only use them because I can't hear myself on most stages.
Click to expand...
Understand.. but like many things.. if it's not done "properly" then there's all kinds of potential issues.
That whole rig - each owns their own wireless/wedge and buds - which includes the SD8, X32R, splitter and router was ~$1300.
That's the price of a decent active 12" speaker these days!
The benefits are enormous!
Good luck w/ your search.

And.. if you get time, read the google doc in my sig. I'm happy to answer questions!
 
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#85
claudel said:
Took the KZ plunge. AO12s on order.

I'll check back in.

Thanks to all who recommended.
Click to expand...

So.

Bought KZ AO12, better wire, Comply tips, and a nice case from the big A for ~$125

They're hear already!

I like them.

Still need to figure out how to wear them and which size tips will give me the best seal, then get used to them but I'm glad I did.

Hopefully I can get used to these without needing custom fit ones.

Thanks again to all who recommended these...
 
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#86
musicman7722 said:
I disagree, molded IEM can be very exp. Try a few other affordable brands to see if your ears are comfortable with off the shelf units. I did, then do some searching here for the "KZ" brand of ear buds here on TB (available from Amazon). They cost around $50. The come with multiple size and types of tips. If they fit try them for awhile. i have a pair now as a back up for my Westone UM20's. If you can't make off the shelf buds work then yes you need to go the custom route.
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Kz’s and CCA’s are remarkably good. They punch way above there price point.
 
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#89
I'll jump in here: after I JP'd my nephew's wedding, my sister gave me money for custom IEMs. Got impressions done yesterday at an audiologist for $50 so now I know what the inside of my ears looks like. I've got basically $500 to spend (can run over a little with my own money if I need to, but trying to keep it to that). I've been around the websites for the main custom companies, and for the money I think I'm feeling the Alclair Tours. Anyone have experience with these, or want to recommend a better buy at that price point?

https://alclair.com/product/tour/
 
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#90
hrodbert696 said:
I'll jump in here: after I JP'd my nephew's wedding, my sister gave me money for custom IEMs. Got impressions done yesterday at an audiologist for $50 so now I know what the inside of my ears looks like. I've got basically $500 to spend (can run over a little with my own money if I need to, but trying to keep it to that). I've been around the websites for the main custom companies, and for the money I think I'm feeling the Alclair Tours. Anyone have experience with these, or want to recommend a better buy at that price point?

https://alclair.com/product/tour/
Click to expand...
What are you using now?
 
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#91
hrodbert696 said:
I'll jump in here: after I JP'd my nephew's wedding, my sister gave me money for custom IEMs. Got impressions done yesterday at an audiologist for $50 so now I know what the inside of my ears looks like. I've got basically $500 to spend (can run over a little with my own money if I need to, but trying to keep it to that). I've been around the websites for the main custom companies, and for the money I think I'm feeling the Alclair Tours. Anyone have experience with these, or want to recommend a better buy at that price point?

https://alclair.com/product/tour/
Click to expand...
I think Alclair is hard to beat for this price point. I have their Dual XB (similar response profile, but one less driver and hence less expensive) and it's great - very clear and no problems handling lots of bass & kick drum.
 
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#94
hrodbert696 said:
I'll jump in here: after I JP'd my nephew's wedding, my sister gave me money for custom IEMs. Got impressions done yesterday at an audiologist for $50 so now I know what the inside of my ears looks like. I've got basically $500 to spend (can run over a little with my own money if I need to, but trying to keep it to that). I've been around the websites for the main custom companies, and for the money I think I'm feeling the Alclair Tours. Anyone have experience with these, or want to recommend a better buy at that price point?

https://alclair.com/product/tour/
Click to expand...
I just got a set of Tours this week. No gigs yet, but the first thing i noticed, even just in my practice space alone, was the isolation. The isolation brings down the noise floor so much that you notice a lot of subtleties in the music that are often masked. Of course, this is true of all CIEMs. They say that more drivers give you more headroom, but these get louder than I’m comfortable with while staying reasonably clean, especially on the bottom end.

Regarding the Tours specifically, I think they’re great for bass players. I’m listening to Aja at the moment and I’d say there is some “air” missing from the high highs. Not so much missing there that I’ll have any problem finding pitch when I sing, but a lead vocalist might want to look at a different, flatter model, probably with more drivers. The bass is solid, up through low mids. I wouldn’t say the bass is hyped, which was a relief to me. Mids are a bit scooped in a musical way.

I’m guessing you’d like the Tours quite a bit, coming from 215s. Most of the benefit comes from the isolation, but they do sound quite nice if not mind blowing. Personally, I am satisfied with sound and the overall quality of them. I’m looking forward to not having to push my old universals back into place constantly on gigs!
 
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#95
hrodbert696 said:
I'll jump in here: after I JP'd my nephew's wedding, my sister gave me money for custom IEMs. Got impressions done yesterday at an audiologist for $50 so now I know what the inside of my ears looks like. I've got basically $500 to spend (can run over a little with my own money if I need to, but trying to keep it to that). I've been around the websites for the main custom companies, and for the money I think I'm feeling the Alclair Tours. Anyone have experience with these, or want to recommend a better buy at that price point?

https://alclair.com/product/tour/
Click to expand...


I went from Shure SE425’s to some 4 or 5 driver custom Alclair’s. No complaints in regard to the sound. In my opinion, the isolation alone is almost worth buying customs. I would buy those Alclair Tours any day.
 
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#98
claudel said:
So.

Bought KZ AO12, better wire, Comply tips, and a nice case from the big A for ~$125

They're hear already!

I like them.

Still need to figure out how to wear them and which size tips will give me the best seal, then get used to them but I'm glad I did.

Hopefully I can get used to these without needing custom fit ones.

Thanks again to all who recommended these...
Click to expand...


Would someone be kind enough to give me some tips on how to get these fitting better.

My left ear doesn't get a good seal with the stock tip, or with the small & medium Comply ones. Large ones are way too big.

I've tried inserting them with my mouth open, as suggested.

I was sort of expecting this. I've had trouble in the past with earplugs in that ear.

They sound great as long as both stay seated, but I can't hold them in and play bass at the same time. :^)

TIA!
 
#99
claudel said:
Would someone be kind enough to give me some tips on how to get these fitting better.

My left ear doesn't get a good seal with the stock tip, or with the small & medium Comply ones. Large ones are way too big.

I've tried inserting them with my mouth open, as suggested.

I was sort of expecting this. I've had trouble in the past with earplugs in that ear.

They sound great as long as both stay seated, but I can't hold them in and play bass at the same time. :^)

TIA!
Click to expand...
Spinfit twin blade make a medium/large size ear tip inbetween sizes. Another option is a set of medium triple flange eartips. Something to consider too is you may need to use two different sizes some people have one ear larger or smaller then the other.
 
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#100
Las gig I wasn't hearing myself well so I decided to join the forces of progress and go IEM. Since my bass is already wireless, IEM should be wireless as well. As is the custom, my first attempt is for the cheapest solution possible, so I've got Takstar WP-202 wireless system, TRN-MT1 headphones and a set of memory foam tips. Total cost around $50.
Hadn't try this onstage yet, only at home. Well... transmitter and receiver work OK, foam tips too. The earphones not so much. Definitely not enough lows. Gonna try some KZ or CCA next time.
 

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