IEMs... Please edjumicate me.

[Joe Nerve]

As some know, I've recently been asked to play with in a wedding/corporate band. I auditioned for them using amps and a PA in a studio, but they told me they now rehearse and perform using IEMs only. No other monitors. And they play to loops and tracks, so the monitors are 100% necessary.

First and most importantly - my main concern. I have HORRIBLE tinnitus. It's easily set off by certain frequencies, and when it is, it lasts for days. I never perform or go anywhere there's live music anymore, without stuffing my ears with the thickest earplugs available. Even a quietly played drumkit will set me off and make me miserable for days to come.

Is that going to make this gig an impossibility for me? Or might it make life easier?

Do IEMs function like earplugs cancelling out outside noise, or do they blend with it? I'll be using ones they purchased as part of a system. Also, I know they make custom IEMs. Would I be able to get ones that WOULD block out everything else? And if so, what kind of investment would I be looking at, for ones that would really work well?

Please tell me anything else I might need to know, remembering that my main concern is the tinnitus. I don't care about getting used to the lack of punch, stage volume, or any of that.

 

[elgecko]

Done right, they block outside noise, allowing your IEM level to be quite low. Under optimum situations, you will be in complete control of what goes into your IEM feed. You can get admirable results with double/triple flange silicon or Comply isolation tips but maximum isolation will come from custom IEMs.

 

[Grumry]

I'm a monitor engineer for a band on all ears. They all hear what they want and don't complain. If I forget earplugs I'll just wear my IEMs, as they reduce everything by like 30db.

I've never heard of anyone getting tinnitus from using ears properly, but if you get a spike of signal or something gets boosted by a crazy amount, it can certainly cause some damage.

If you have a good mix at a reasonable level, it should seem much quieter than having your ears open to 100+db of stage volume.

 

[elgecko]

BTW, if you do decide to go custom, today/this weekend is the time to do it. It seems to be the one time of year when the makers offer a discount. 20-25% off is significant when you're talking hundreds of dollars!

 

[Bodeanly]

I suffer from drum-side-tinnitus (left ear). My biggest gripe with IEMs is how far away I feel from the audience when using them. Playing in a wedding band, you're not really there for interaction as much as to provide dance music, yeah? In most cases, the IEMs I've used are just like listening to tunes on your iPod; you control the volume and most other crap is canceled out (including the audience, which is why I said what I said).

 

[Mr-Bassman]

I have mild but noticeable tinnitus that comes & goes and iem's haven't caused me an issue. When popping buds out during a set break I usually get the "holy carp it's loud out here" just from ambiant crowd noise & break music. I as most others find buds that come with systems pretty worthless. Shure 215 sound "ok" although sound quality way below what would make you happy. I had trouble keeping a good seal with the supplied tips. If they were in tight & sealed good sounded ok but lose seal bad sound.

 

[s0c9]

When popping buds out during a set break I usually get the "holy carp it's loud out here" just from ambiant crowd noise & break music.

Same here.. I try to keep my IEM levels as low as possible, to the point where I get PA bleeding in ..

 

[delta7fred]

Re tinnitus - You have my condolences Joe (and everyone who has it). I have it bad in my drum side ear.

I guess that you currently play with plugs in (because of your tinnitus) so playing with IEMs is just the next step from that. You can get the same amount of attenuation with the right buds, just with your preferred IEM mix in your ears.

I use triple flange buds which do a pretty good job of blocking the stage noise. This means I can run the IEM volume pretty low. They are probably not as good as custom fitted but are readily available and cheap, if I lose one I always have plenty of spares.

 

[AndyPanda]

I've not used IEM for bass (I'm a new bassist) -- but I've used IEMs a lot playing keyboard/sax. Here are some things I discovered, figured out:
Stereo mix makes it easier to distinguish the individual instruments than a mono mix - if you can get stereo, but that all depends on how they are getting the mix to you. You rarely get this - so it's not a deal breaker, but nice if you can get it.

Your first tendency will be to play them way too loud - don't. Try thinking of them as -30db earplugs that don't muffle the high frequencies like earplugs do. I like to turn the volume completely down to start and then bring the volume up until I can just make out the instruments at a comfortable level (my ears are almost 63 years old and badly abused from 40+ years of stage volumes). A few hours with IEMs too loud will not only damage your ears - you'll be lucky to get to sleep that night for all the ringing and headache.

If you don't have a real pro setup and sound guy for your IEM mix, I've gotten by with doing my own IEM mix by putting a omni condenser mic out on the stage and mixing that in with my own instrument (I generally move the mic a little closer to the drums as that's mainly what I need to hear). That way I can hear the BL call out a change in the set order and hear the audience etc. I really like to be able to hear the audience and hear my band mates when they call out a change.

 

[WayneP]

I've gotten by with doing my own IEM mix by putting a omni condenser mic out on the stage and mixing that in with my own instrument (I generally move the mic a little closer to the drums as that's mainly what I need to hear).

Now that is a cool idea!

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

As some know, I've recently been asked to play with in a wedding/corporate band. I auditioned for them using amps and a PA in a studio, but they told me they now rehearse and perform using IEMs only. No other monitors. And they play to loops and tracks, so the monitors are 100% necessary.

First and most importantly - my main concern. I have HORRIBLE tinnitus. It's easily set off by certain frequencies, and when it is, it lasts for days. I never perform or go anywhere there's live music anymore, without stuffing my ears with the thickest earplugs available. Even a quietly played drumkit will set me off and make me miserable for days to come.

Is that going to make this gig an impossibility for me? Or might it make life easier?

Do IEMs function like earplugs cancelling out outside noise, or do they blend with it? I'll be using ones they purchased as part of a system. Also, I know they make custom IEMs. Would I be able to get ones that WOULD block out everything else? And if so, what kind of investment would I be looking at, for ones that would really work well?

Please tell me anything else I might need to know, remembering that my main concern is the tinnitus. I don't care about getting used to the lack of punch, stage volume, or any of that.

Lord, I know the feeling. Tinnitus *stinks*.

I found IEMs to be okay - they feel unnatural to me, but they do block out racket - so that's good. Just don't turn them up too loud.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

I use triple flange buds which do a pretty good job of blocking the stage noise. This means I can run the IEM volume pretty low. They are probably not as good as custom fitted but are readily available and cheap, if I lose one I always have plenty of spares.

Can somebody fill me in a little more regarding buds, and custom made IEMs? I don't think the custom ones will be necessary for me, as all I'm looking to do is block out as much outside noise as I possibly can. I currently use the thickest, over the counter earplugs available. If it's possible to get big buds that block everything out, that's what I'm looking for.

Also, apologies for being a total newb on this and not doing any research (I thought it would be better to ask here), can any buds be used on any IEM setup?

And of course - MOST IMPORTANTLY - which nobody has yet chimed in on--- what kind of $$$ am I looking at. I'm pretty clueless. They have the setup and said they have everything I need. What will it cost me for my own big thick block everything out buds, should I decide I need them? Thanks in advance.

 

[BPhillips]

Joe,

I have been around the block on this topic. My cover band is currently considering switching to IEMs to help us with harmonies and to reduce our practice volume. I too suffer from tinits after a career flying helicopters. I believe IEMs will actually help you in that area ESPECIALLY when it comes to drums and cymbals.

Unlike my cover band members, I have been using IEMs for about 4 years playing for a large worship band. We have high quality IEM systems due to the fact that the venues (2500 plus seats) like to minimize stage volume so that they can better control the mix. Some of our amps are backstage or under trap doors in the floor. We all use IEMs. I started out with cheap Shure 215s. They work OK initially but you may soon reach their limits. Too many signals will cause distortion and you won't "feel" the bass as much as you would probably like. They also don't fit perfect. I moved on to Ultimate Ears Triple-Fi because they had an additional driver that allowed me to further separate bass from the higher frequency vocals and guitars. Eventually we all moved to custom molds from 1964 Audio (1964 EARS In-Ear Monitor Design). I purchased the quad drivers which were designed specifically for bass players and drummers. I can not stress enough how much better these are than any universal IEMs. They block out ambient noise and allow me to control exactly what I want to hear. They have so much headroom, I could probably literally melt my brain before they start distorting. The bass is THICK if you want it to be. I only use my amp enough to create some vibrations to accompany the more-than-adeqate audio in my IEMs. These are just headphones by the way. They will plug into any wireless (or wired) IEM system that bands use. It is the headphones that come with the IEM systems that are low quality. This is what I'm trying to convey to my cover band guys. They can't get enough volume in certain frequencies without distortion. Just not going to happen with single-driver in-ear headpones. Vocalists can and do get away with lesser IEM headphones because they have the drums and bass frequencies much lower than their own etc., etc.

Anyway, I hope this helps. I just saw that 1964 Audio and other have some Black Friday deals going on. Good luck man. Rock on.

Brandon

 

[BPhillips]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated.



Can somebody fill me in a little more regarding buds, and custom made IEMs? I don't think the custom ones will be necessary for me, as all I'm looking to do is block out as much outside noise as I possibly can. I currently use the thickest, over the counter earplugs available. If it's possible to get big buds that block everything out, that's what I'm looking for.

Also, apologies for being a total newb on this and not doing any research (I thought it would be better to ask here), can any buds be used on any IEM setup?

And of course - MOST IMPORTANTLY - which nobody has yet chimed in on--- what kind of $$$ am I looking at. I'm pretty clueless. They have the setup and said they have everything I need. What will it cost me for my own big thick block everything out buds, should I decide I need them? Thanks in advance.

Sorry. I missed your last post because I just scrolled to the bottom and started chiming in. Yes. the buds work with any system. Customs will cost between $500-$1000. Some are even more but certainly not necessary.

 

[Manticore]

After writing about the gig I kinda figured it would be a band using IEMs. Yes, when properly fitted they block out sound. Assuming everyone gets their own mix, I think you'll be very happy with IEMs once you get used to them. If your band is using a digital board, you will likely be able to control your mix with your cell phone, so it will always sound precisely how you want it to sound. They are MUCH easier on your ears than having a a backline blaring away. It will seem a bit odd at first, but you'll learn to love going home without ringing ears!

 

[AndyPanda]

I tried many different IEMs (none of them custom molds though) ... and I find that all of them cause my ears to start itching after a couple of hours. I've tried the triple and double flange and they make me itch the worst of all. Now you may not have the same issue - this may just be me. I've been really tempted to get the custom molds but just haven't done it yet.

I'm having the best luck with Shure in ears and the "olive" type foam buds. They are comfortable and isolate really well.

 

[BPhillips]

I tried many different IEMs (none of them custom molds though) ... and I find that all of them cause my ears to start itching after a couple of hours. I've tried the triple and double flange and they make me itch the worst of all. Now you may not have the same issue - this may just be me. I've been really tempted to get the custom molds but just haven't done it yet.

I'm having the best luck with Shure in ears and the "olive" type foam buds. They are comfortable and isolate really well.View attachment 996150

I forgot to mention comfort. Although I used Comply foam tips, which are great, the universal buds irritated my ears after an hour or two. I was also constantly pushing them back in deeper. I didn't realize this until I saw videos of me on stage messing with my buds more than I would've thought. It became an unconscious habit I guess. The custom molds fit perfect and I literally forget they are there until the music stops and I realize I can't hear the guys talking to me.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I tried many different IEMs (none of them custom molds though) ... and I find that all of them cause my ears to start itching after a couple of hours. I've tried the triple and double flange and they make me itch the worst of all. Now you may not have the same issue - this may just be me. I've been really tempted to get the custom molds but just haven't done it yet.

I'm having the best luck with Shure in ears and the "olive" type foam buds. They are comfortable and isolate really well.View attachment 996150

I forgot to mention comfort. Although I used Comply foam tips, which are great, the universal buds irritated my ears after an hour or two. I was also constantly pushing them back in deeper. I didn't realize this until I saw videos of me on stage messing with my buds more than I would've thought. It became an unconscious habit I guess. The custom molds fit perfect and I literally forget they are there until the music stops and I realize I can't hear the guys talking to me.

Prices!?!? For these buds. Are we talking $20-$30, or hundreds? Do they fit over the existing IEM mechanisms, or are they complete units that plug into the system? I have earphones with different size buds... is that what you guys are talking about? Or will I have to buy my own monitors to plug in. I'm fearing it's the latter, hoping it's the former.

Now please tell me $25 and I'm good to go .

 

[buldog5151bass]

I just joined a band that uses IEMs (guitarists don't even use amps). One thing they have that is really nice is each member has a small digital mixer mounted on their mic stands, so everyone has complete control over their volume and mix.

 

[AndyPanda]

The cost for the foam tips is low. But you need to make sure you buy foams that will fit the brand of IEMs you have. $20 should get you several foams - and you want more than just two - they get lost and get dirty, torn etc. My left and right ear canals are VERY different in size so I have to get small and large sizes. Also - this rarely happens but when it does it's embarrassing and awkward - you can pull out your IEM and the foam stays in your ear. So make really sure you have the foams tightly on the IEMs. It sucks trying to figure out how to get a stuck foam out of your ear during a show

Looks like 10 of the Shure "olive" foams (5 pair) is about $17 on Amazon