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In-Ear Monitors???

SanDiegoHarry

SanDiegoHarry

Inactive
Supporting Member
Aug 11, 2008
17,143
9,104
San Diego, CA
#1
So I have taken a sub gig for a wedding in 2 weeks. Yippee.

I just found out that they use a computer to provide keyboards and that they all "play to it" using in-ear monitors. Fine - I can play along with anything - but I don't have an in-ear monitor.

I don't know *anything* about these, having never used them.

1) Any recommendations for make/model - how much should I be spending?
2) Do I need to worry about the frequency of the broadcast station, or are they standard, like guitar setups?

thanks!
 
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#4
I've been pretty happy with my Westone UM Pro-30's - they'll come with a wide variety of ear seal types so you can find what fits best for you. They are 3-driver buds.
Others have reported good results with Shure 215's but I've also heard many say they are inadequate (but they're cheaper than the Westone's...)
Clearly, they seem to be adequate for some...
Both should be available for near-next-day delivery from Amazon or Sweetwater. IIRC, I got my Westone's from Amazon because they were available immediately but they were on backorder at Sweetwater. Still, they're generally available.
 
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#5
I'm guessing if you're subbing that means the regular bass players receiver should be "available" to you. If it's a sub gig and you don't want to invest, just bring your best ear buds and I bet you'd get buy for a gig.

If you want to spend some $$ and get nice buds, I love my Westone UM-2's. They aren't custom molded, but seal very well. They were about $250 but they also work great with my iPhone or whatever.
 
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#6
I just recently jumped into the IEM world (whole band did). I picked up this Shure PSM 300 set: PSM 300 Stereo Personal Monitor System | Shure Americas

It came down to those and the Carvin offerings. The Carvins had good reviews except for the buds. The ear buds that came with the Shures are good for bass...once the whole band kicks in they were okay, but I picked up some 3-way Westones for vocal clarity. The Westones are nicer, but as a bass player not night and day better than the Shure buds (SE215). Both blow away most floor wedges I have used. You just need to make sure you get a good seal for your ears.

IEM's=hear the bass fine, but the separation from the crowd is odd...we need to work with ambiance mics for future shows.
 
#8
Yeah, the band is not being terribly communicative about much of anything, nor is my buddy the bassist (turns out they rotate players quite a bit); I have good earbuds so I'll ping them about a receiver. If not, we'll make due with me following the drummer / listening to a wedge or something. I'm not spending $$$ for a single gig.
 
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#9
SanDiegoHarry said:
So I have taken a sub gig for a wedding in 2 weeks. Yippee.

I just found out that they use a computer to provide keyboards and that they all "play to it" using in-ear monitors. Fine - I can play along with anything - but I don't have an in-ear monitor.

I don't know *anything* about these, having never used them.

1) Any recommendations for make/model - how much should I be spending?
2) Do I need to worry about the frequency of the broadcast station, or are they standard, like guitar setups?

thanks!
Click to expand...
as a sub I would expect it to be provided for my use.
 
#12
As someone who uses In-Ears when I play drums and bass: Get at LEAST two driver ear bud or it will crackle like mad when the full band plays. If your pocketbook allows it, get a three driver. Four if you're feeling froggy. You'll love it. I use the AudioTechnica M3. It's a beast.
 
#13
As I only have an occasional need I went with the Shure SE215 headphones with the add on triple flange earbuds. just over $100 at Amazon. The triple flange earbuds are great for sound isolation and I have no problems hearing bass with a full band. Only issue I do have sometimes is the triple flanges take a bit of getting used to, but the SE215s come with other earbuds so you have options. If I were full time gigging I would probably invest in higher end, but these struck the balance between cheap and high end and so far the results have been great. the cable on them is also decently heavy and long enough to drop inside my shirt and connect at the end pin on my bass (and I am 6'5").
 
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#14
They should supply the receiver or headphone amp.
Unless you are jumping around and use a wireless for your bass, you don't need wireless IEM. Are you playing through a bass amp? If so the ear buds don't have to have much bass through them. You have the amp to do that. You need just enough to hear vocals, keys etc. Any decent set of ear buds should get you through the gig.
 
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#15
Surely they will be supplying everything needed. Even the earbuds.

If you have to supply your own earbuds, and this is a one-shot deal, I recommend just using a cheap set of buds, or just wear regular headphone, like Sony MDR7506's.

I actually have a similar gig situation coming up. I play bass for the Church of God district praise band, and next month the church we are playing at uses IEM's. To make matters worse, it is a Behringer system. I plan on bringing my rig as usual, plus my FutureSonics buds, and a headphone extension cord in case the IEM's are not wireless. I might even carry my pedal board in case they don't want me to use my amp. I do this gig every two or three months at different churches, and none of them every have a real sound tech. Can't wait. :headphone:
 
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#16
You could just use a standard monitor, or go DI & use your bass rig as your monitor. Or since it's just 1 gig, if you have multiple cabs for your rig use one as a monitor. You would need to power it, but if you have multiple heads use the effects return/power amp in to do that. I know it's a half-a**ed way to make it work but it's 1 gig & alot cheaper than buying stuff.
 
#18
cthomas5200 said:
As I only have an occasional need I went with the Shure SE215 headphones with the add on triple flange earbuds. just over $100 at Amazon. The triple flange earbuds are great for sound isolation and I have no problems hearing bass with a full band. Only issue I do have sometimes is the triple flanges take a bit of getting used to, but the SE215s come with other earbuds so you have options. If I were full time gigging I would probably invest in higher end, but these struck the balance between cheap and high end and so far the results have been great. the cable on them is also decently heavy and long enough to drop inside my shirt and connect at the end pin on my bass (and I am 6'5").
Click to expand...

Sorry. I saw a follow up and realized they may be asking you not just for earbuds but the whole IEM. I definitely agree with other posters they should supply you with the system (and potentially earbuds). I just bring my own in-ear monitors but plug into the existing system.
 
#20
mwbassace said:
You could just use a standard monitor, or go DI & use your bass rig as your monitor. Or since it's just 1 gig, if you have multiple cabs for your rig use one as a monitor. You would need to power it, but if you have multiple heads use the effects return/power amp in to do that. I know it's a half-a**ed way to make it work but it's 1 gig & alot cheaper than buying stuff.
Click to expand...
That's not going to work if there is a sequenced track with a click and/or song countdowns not intended for the audience to hear (or if the band leader is using a mic to speak to the musicians without going through the PA).
 

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