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In-ear systems-BOOYAH!!!!!

songwriter21

songwriter21

I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
Jul 31, 2005
6,786
9,722
Baltimore-ish, MD
#1
:help:So who likes them and who knows about them?

One of my band's soundmen has an i.e. system (Shure PSM 400), and after a while I bought my own earphones, because his stock ones were basic Shure E1's. I got M-Audio IE-40's, and last night at a gig, it was the most tonally orgasmic sound ever. Combining the clarity of those with the rumble from the PA, it was insane!! I might be done with bringing cabs to shows, unless I absolutely have to (like tonight...ugh).

But, my question is what receiver's and transmitters do all of you i.e.'ers prefer? I was thinking of getting the same Shure system like our soundman's, since it sounded great. The prices aren't the cheapest and yet I've seen Carvin's system for $250. Carvin supposedly has a great reputation for pro audio, so should I go with them?

Oh, and I got a big fat discount on my earpieces (not going to say how much), so I don't want to thin my wallet out TOO much. :help:

Thanks, guys!

P.S.-does anyone recommend a Buttkicker, or is that just for drummers? If we can use them, then how do they hook up?
 
#2
songwriter21 said:
:help:So who likes them and who knows about them?

One of my band's soundmen has an i.e. system (Shure PSM 400), and after a while I bought my own earphones, because his stock ones were basic Shure E1's. I got M-Audio IE-40's, and last night at a gig, it was the most tonally orgasmic sound ever. Combining the clarity of those with the rumble from the PA, it was insane!! I might be done with bringing cabs to shows, unless I absolutely have to (like tonight...ugh).

But, my question is what receiver's and transmitters do all of you i.e.'ers prefer? I was thinking of getting the same Shure system like our soundman's, since it sounded great. The prices aren't the cheapest and yet I've seen Carvin's system for $250. Carvin supposedly has a great reputation for pro audio, so should I go with them?

Oh, and I got a big fat discount on my earpieces (not going to say how much), so I don't want to thin my wallet out TOO much. :help:

Thanks, guys!

P.S.-does anyone recommend a Buttkicker, or is that just for drummers? If we can use them, then how do they hook up?
Click to expand...


Tried them a few times. Under your own control or with the right soundman they are nice, but with the wrong set up they can literally be a headache.

If you are looking for a great stage sound try playing in an all bose L1 band like I do. No monitors, no backlines,everything is direct in with pods. Even our drums are electric straight in. The stage sound is awesome and you hear the whole mix like the audience would. Literally every practice and gig sounds like we have a professional soundman, but the mix is done by us within just about a minute.

But, if I was still using a traditional PA and backlines I would probably want in ear monitors instead of the usual floor monitors.
 
#3
I currently have a the Shure PSM 400 system with some Westone dual driver ears. These sound great, but If I were to reccomend a system it would be the Sennheiser ew300IEM G2 Wireless system. These are stereo and all around bad-to-the-bone! Sennheiser makes some of the best in-ear systems on the market. The only problem with them are there actual ears....they are not worth crap. If you get the G2 system with some Westone dual drivers (or triple drivers if you can afford them) you will never go back to floor wedges.
 
#4
I hate them. I think my ears are screwy as even after trying all size foam and rubber "ends", they almost always end up falling out. Drives me nuts.

Also, I did a gig where we had PA problems. Nobody could hear the vocal mics except us. We kept on playing but the audience couldn't hear any singing. Pretty embarrasing.

We only use them for recording and rehearsals when we don't feel like lugging cabs and amps around.
 
#5
aeaves said:
If I were to reccomend a system it would be the Sennheiser ew300IEM G2 Wireless system. These are stereo and all around bad-to-the-bone! Sennheiser makes some of the best in-ear systems on the market. The only problem with them are there actual ears....they are not worth crap.
Click to expand...

I am using the Seinheiser ew300iem. It is a great system. I have used it for about 4 years now with out any problems. It is made of gun metal and will withstand a lot of abuse. We don't have enough open aux sends on our board to run stereo. But the system still sounds great. I use Sensaphonic molded ear pieces.
 
#6
We occasionally use them...but they will spoil you!

Most soundmen don't want to bother hooking them up, so at a show, you don't hear anything how you are used to.

If you do use them, be sure to occasionally put them asside so your live experience won't be a problem.


.
 
#7
I use them and I love them (Shure PSM200). I have a Behringer MX882 mixer/splitter stuffed into the back of my rack and actually bring two SM58's with me. If the soundguy brought his A-game, i use a feed from him if available and skip setting up my stuff. if not, I mic the drums (normally somewhere to pickup bass drum and snare) and the guitarist's cab with my own setup. Sounds like a lot of work and not worth it, but I like to get out and get freaky with the crowd, so it really helps....
 
#8
kansas666 said:
I am using the Seinheiser ew300iem. It is a great system. I have used it for about 4 years now with out any problems. It is made of gun metal and will withstand a lot of abuse. We don't have enough open aux sends on our board to run stereo. But the system still sounds great. I use Sensaphonic molded ear pieces.
Click to expand...

I also use this EW300iem system but with Ultimate Ears UE7 Pro ear pieces. I have an Ashley SC-40 Compressor limiter and a Dual 15 Band EQ in my rack along with the IEM receiver. I use half of the Dual 15 Band EQ to set the compression frequencies (everything below 180 Hz) via the side-chain on the Ashley and then I EQ the whole compressed mix using the other side of the Dual 15 Band before it goes to my ears. By doing it this way I have found that I can get a good deep and rich bass tone without any distortion but also still hear the other singers so I can ad my harmony parts. It works quite well.
 
#10
We use a Hearback System, I do not use wireless IEM because it's basically a "pit gig."
I use SkullCandy earbuds (consumer product, about $30).
My bass tone is exactly what I desire it to be.

I keep scratching my head over the comments on the wireless earbud systems, I wonder if the thin tone is a result of the wireless instead of the IEM technology?
 
#11
atlbass said:
Have you found any in-ears that have some of what I would call "meat" to them? In all of the ones i have tried the bass just sounds very "thin".
Click to expand...

A lot of times you need to amplify the signal a little to get the most out of headphones. Some devices just don't drive them enough. Check out the Headroom or Chu Moy amp.

http://www.headphone.com/products/headphone-amps/the-mobile-line/headroom-total-airhead.php
http://www.dansdata.com/cmoy.htm


I would recommend looking through that Headphone site.

For the non-molded type, I've really enjoyed:
Shure E2c
Shure E5
Shure SE class
Etymotic ER4S
M Audio IE 30

And then these:
http://www.livewiresforyou.com/index.php
 
#12
TL5 said:
We use a Hearback System, I do not use wireless IEM because it's basically a "pit gig."
I use SkullCandy earbuds (consumer product, about $30).
My bass tone is exactly what I desire it to be.

I keep scratching my head over the comments on the wireless earbud systems, I wonder if the thin tone is a result of the wireless instead of the IEM technology?
Click to expand...

Agreed to an extent. Especially if you get less headroom out of one over the other. That's why I've always preferred the Sennheiser systems. The batteries might not last quite as long (2 AA v 9V) but in terms of your ability to choose a good frequency, get better headroom and overall build quality, I'll choose their stuff.
 
#13
After many years of messing around with wireless monitors (and bass transmitters) I finally decided to keep myself "hard-wired", both the bass and the in-ears. What a huge difference, especially for the in-ears. I use a pretty nice headphone amp (Rane, don't remember the model)and everything sounds wonderful. I made a little cable snake with my bass cable and headphone cable, so it's really not much of a bother. Then again, I don't run around on stage very much anymore.
I tried the Carvins, thought they were awful. The top of the line Shure wireless were okay, but I much prefer being plugged in.
 
#15
Thanks for the your suggestions, but getting more specific, we use the Aviom system. I have tried the M Audiio IE 30 a couple of times and, like I stated earlier, the bass just sounds thin through them to me, so I keep going back to the enclosed headphones, which look goofy on stage. If I turn up the volume & bass on the system it makes it sound overdriven. I don't know about you guys, but I can't play well when what I am hearing is not at least reasonably close to what is coming out in the mix and what a bass hould sound like. I would appreciate thoughts. I looked at the FREQ sitethat was suggested,and that looks pretty interesting and a possibility. Anyone have any experience with them?
 
#17
I have not had a good experience with in-ear monitors yet. All the devices I've tried sound like you are playing a ukelele. The only thing that gave me decent low-end were some $250 DJ style (over the ear) Sony cans that looked dorky as heck and made me feel like I was in a studio and not on stage. I guess I'm just old school. I see no excuse for deafening stage volume but I still do like a bass amp and a wedge moving some air when I play.

Some people really like the Aviom systems but my opinion is that I have enough to worry about with my playing; I don't need to be futzing with my monitor sound as well.

Word of caution, if you are in a situation where you have ANY questions about your sound tech's competence, I would stay far away from in-ear solutions. Our church used them for awhile and there was a "technical snafu" that sent feedback through our drummer's ears and cost him some of his hearing. That was the end of that, the wedges were back on stage next Sunday and we have used them ever since.
 
#19
jaywa said:
Word of caution, if you are in a situation where you have ANY questions about your sound tech's competence, I would stay far away from in-ear solutions. Our church used them for awhile and there was a "technical snafu" that sent feedback through our drummer's ears and cost him some of his hearing. That was the end of that, the wedges were back on stage next Sunday and we have used them ever since.
Click to expand...

OUCH! Oh yeah, rule #1 with in-ears:
Yoiu must use a Volume Limiter! Even a cheap one will protect your ears.

That said, Iv'e been using in-ears for about three years now and have never had a feedback (or any volume) incident. Can't say the same for wedges.
 
#20
My little outfit just upgraded from no monitors to hotspots. I can't imagaine in-ears being practical for our small setup.

Our first gig with the setup was in a large space, and my DB tone was all boomy mud onstage, but apparently fine out front. I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and get my own monitor cab set up.

Overall, having a hotspot filled in enough information for most of us in the band to make a big difference.
 

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