IEM issue, sorta dumb technical question

[_Some Dude]

My band has newly acquired IEM, I’m doing the setup. I’m smart enough to plug things in, but I’m no electrical wizard. The issue I have is I’m only getting sound out of the left ear.

The mixer specs said it was a TRS send, it’s going into a stereo headphone amplifier, to the IEMs. Stereo cables throughout.

I tried replacing the cable out of the mixer with mono TS hoping it would short the left and right together, but no luck.

What is the correct way to solve this issue?

Many thanks!

Presonus Studio Live 16R mixer
On-Stage HA4000 headphone amp
Shure 215

 

[drpepper]

First, what is the intention behind using the On-Stage HA4000 headphone amp? Is that for multiple people to split the same mix for rehearsals? If not, I'd suggest that's probably not the best choice of headphone amp.

The TRS on the mixer for each aux out is balanced mono, not stereo. If your intention is to have a stereo IEM, that requires two aux outs and there should be a way to link them in your control app.

While there's probably some combination of adapters that would get two aux channels to a stereo TRS 1/4", before I'd go down that path, it'd be back to the initial question of why the HA4000?

 

[_Some Dude]

First, what is the intention behind using the On-Stage HA4000 headphone amp? Is that for multiple people to split the same mix for rehearsals? If not, I'd suggest that's probably not the best choice of headphone amp.

The TRS on the mixer for each aux out is balanced mono, not stereo. If your intention is to have a stereo IEM, that requires two aux outs and there should be a way to link them in your control app.

While there's probably some combinations of adapters that would get two aux channels to a stereo TRS 1/4", before I'd go down that path, it'd be back to the initial question of why the HA4000?

The HA4000 was because I couldn’t order in the brand I wanted and went with what the store recommendation. I’m not super happy with it, but I don’t want to beat this point to death. If it’s the problem, then I’m more than happy to return it and get the correct solution.

 

[drpepper]

The HA4000 was because I couldn’t order in the brand I wanted and went with what the store recommendation. I’m not super happy with it, but I don’t want to beat this point to death. If it’s the problem, then I’m more than happy to return it and get the correct solution.

Okay, then my suggestion would be to get a stereo headphone amp such as the Behringer P1, Coda Stereo Headphone Amp or similar and two 1/4" TRS to XLR M cables or adapter plugs.

 

[two fingers]

I would simply convert the TRS to XLR the easiest way possible and use a mono in-ear mix if it were me....especially if you are new to IEMs.

 

[Wasnex]

To make it work you need an adapter.

As @drpepper mentioned you need to use two auxes.

So you need an adapter that combines two 1/4" TRS balanced outputs into one 1/4" stereo unbalanced input.

The Rane Connection guide does not show an adapter for your specific purpose, but it shows two adapters that are relevant. See 9 and 11 below:

Ref: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

So some experimentation may be required, as the best choice depends on the topology of the output circuits in your mixer. I think #11 is probably the best choice though.


The images above show how to connect and balanced (mono) TRS output to an unbalanced TS Input.

Here are the same images modified for stereo.

 

[_Some Dude]

Reading through everything, if I want to use a mono monitor mix the easiest solution would be to get a headphone amp that’s designed to receive a balanced mono signal?

If I have that correct, I think that would be preferable than trying to patch together a bunch of adapters to make what I currently have work.



(The diagrams helped. My head was exploding until I saw the picture)

 

[drpepper]

Reading through everything, if I want to use a mono monitor mix the easiest solution would be to get a headphone amp that’s designed to receive a balanced mono signal?

If I have that correct, I think that would be preferable than trying to patch together a bunch of adapters to make what I currently have work.



(The diagrams helped. My head was exploding until I saw the picture)

You have that correct.

Most available headphone amps with IEM as an intended use have one or two XLR inputs and an 3.5mm stereo headphone jack. Many can be belt clipped.

Even if you're going to use mono now, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to get a stereo headphone amp to keep the option open...stereo models are switchable and can be used mono or stereo.

Personally, a mono IEM mix works fine for me...I do not find a stereo mix particularly helpful or meaningfully different for myself, but I wouldn't have any reason to discourage anyone else.

 

[_Some Dude]

I want to thank you guys once again for your advice. This is mildly irritating because I’d asked for the Behringer listed above, but was recommended this other unit as a suitable alternative as the shop doesn’t carry Behringer, and now it turns out that it’s basically incompatible. This isn’t my first issue with this shop over building this IEM rig, but it will be my last. Too many red flags.

I’m glad someone pointed out the TRS balanced thing, because I never would’ve picked up on that and we likely would’ve wasted more time/money chasing our tails listening to this guys advice.

Once again, many thanks.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Some of these shops guys would do anything to make a sale sadly it's frustrating when the companies use misleading buzzwords and marketing too I ran into quite a few issues along the way building my bands iem rack with this too initially. It takes awhile to learn how this stuff all works and unfortunately there isn't a whole lot of info online that is very helpfully for new guys trying to wire optimize and setup a fully independent iem rack it's very intimidating and can be abit confusing at first . There is a ton of routing that goes into these setups

 

[B Dax]

If you’re looking at something like the Behringer P1, then you might want to take a look at the “ANLEON S1 Personal In-Ear Monitor Headphone Amplifier” on Amazon.

It’s the same thing as the Behringer, but half the price by the time you add on a power supply for the Behringer.

The reviews and price seemed good. I just had one delivered last evening to try out myself.

 

[manny_drummer]

I ran into a similar issue, and tried a couple of things:

Use a Y Stereo cable, the red and white ends go to outs 1 and 2 of your mixer, and the stereo end (with adapter from 1/8 to 1/4) to the headphone amp.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If you really need to use just one of the outputs, you can use another adapter to combine both mono ends into one, and still get a mono signal (on both ears, not just the left) with this:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I have tried it, and it worked! It's not the best solution, but helped me when I ran into this issue.

Hope this helped

 

[_Some Dude]

Any opinions on the Behringer P1 vs P2 when it comes to compatibility? I’ve seen both mentioned in this thread and want to double check?

I’m leaning towards the P1 since I only need a mono mix.

Any alternatives that would be more durable?

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

P1m is mono and passive I believe and the p2 has a headphone amp and is stereo capable. The Behringer p1 is Abit larger too bulky for a body pack in my personal opinion a better platform for pedal board setups, mounted on or near a amp ,or in rack case ect. as you can use it stereo or mono and can power it with a power supply or battery. My band opted for a p1 for our drummer and the elite core passive body packs for everyone else as we used p16 m mixers on our pedalboards (we just needed quick volume adjustment no head phone amps) the elite core packs are more affordable, passive, and stereo capable and in my opinion more rugged/durable compared to the Beringer P1m we used these when we are rehearsing or as a plan b/ backup if our wireless units fail live.

 

[Lesfunk]

Any opinions on the Behringer P1 vs P2 when it comes to compatibility? I’ve seen both mentioned in this thread and want to double check?

I’m leaning towards the P1 since I only need a mono mix.

Any alternatives that would be more durable?

I keep one of these as a backup. P2
If you don’t mind mono and being tethered by a cable, it’s all you need.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

I keep one of these as a backup. P2
If you don’t mind mono and being tethered by a cable, it’s all you need.
View attachment 4757684

I believe the p2 has a internal switch for stereo and you may need a different trs to xlr cable I'm not positive on if the stock cable is stereo capable tho if not the elite core cables are stereo capable, robust, and affordable

 

[Lesfunk]

I believe the p2 has a internal switch for stereo and you may need a different trs to xlr cable I'm not positive on if the stock cable is stereo capable tho if not the elite core cables are stereo capable, robust, and affordable

Yes it does have stereo capabilities
I don’t bother with it. It seems to sound just fine in mono for me

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Yes it does have stereo capabilities
I don’t bother with it. It seems to sound just fine in mono for me

In my experience stereo isn't a huge need until you get bands with a really dense mix the added clarity in that scenario is a game changer

 

[Wasnex]

Any opinions on the Behringer P1 vs P2 when it comes to compatibility? I’ve seen both mentioned in this thread and want to double check?

I’m leaning towards the P1 since I only need a mono mix.

Any alternatives that would be more durable?

Apparently, they are both mono/stereo. The P1 has two balanced XLR inputs and is bigger.

Mono/stereo switch in on the front panel. Runs on 9V battery or walwart.

The P2 is smaller and has a combi connector that accepts balanced XLR or 1/4" TRS for mono. There is an internal switch to toggle between mono and stereo. Stereo uses the same combi connector, but now the connection is unbalanced, meaning it requires an adapter like the other device.

AFAIK, none of these devices have a limiter.


[This invalid link has been removed]
Mono/stereo switch is hidden in the case. Runs on two AAA batteries.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Apparently, they are both mono/stereo. The P1 has two balanced XLR inputs and is bigger.
View attachment 4757689
Mono/stereo switch in on the front panel. Runs on 9V battery or walwart.

The P2 is smaller and has a combi connector that accepts balanced XLR or 1/4" TRS for mono. There is an internal switch to toggle between mono and stereo. Stereo uses the same combi connector, but now the connection is unbalanced, meaning it requires an adapter like the other device.

AFAIK, none of these devices have a limiter.


[This invalid link has been removed]
Mono/stereo switch is hidden in the case. Runs on two AAA batteries.

Ah I got mixed up on the names the p1m is the passive mono version of the p2