Hey Justin. I was just curious about your preference for monitors? We've been using "ears" for about a year now and I've discovered it's either really great or really bad! And when it's bad, it's just so frustrating and distracting. Maybe it's the shows where we show up with our rack and tell the house sound guy we need in-ear monitor feeds and he gives us the eye-roll and the sarcastic "great." However, sometimes we have to roll with wedges and it somehow make me feel more connected to everything. When given the choice, what do you prefer?
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"In-ears" or wedges?
- Thread starter 3tsb
- Start date
Ears are bad when your monitor eng isn't up to snuff. Not surprisingly, they are less forgiving than wedges, because you don't have the ambient sound to mitigate a disastrous mix.
I prefer wedges if I can hear vocals enough in the wedges.
I prefer ears at huge festivals, cavernous arenas, or when the density of vocals/tracks requires lots of detail.
All in all, if wedges were mixed beautifully and super loud, I'd take that any day over ears. But I still sing better with ears, hands down.
JMJ
I prefer wedges if I can hear vocals enough in the wedges.
I prefer ears at huge festivals, cavernous arenas, or when the density of vocals/tracks requires lots of detail.All in all, if wedges were mixed beautifully and super loud, I'd take that any day over ears. But I still sing better with ears, hands down.
JMJ
my band has been using IEM for 8 years for 99% of the time.
I am convinced that if you go with IEMs you are forced to use your own monitor desk/splitter system. Ours fits into a 19" rack and we have been using it at every rehearsal and gig (but one) during the whole period: every time you start your performance, it starts with the IEM mix you had at the last gig or rehearsal. SO you don't have to start from scratch and you can refine it slightly (or just use it as it is, when there is no time to do a proper sound check)
You can't rely on someone outside the band giving you a decent IEM mix
I am convinced that if you go with IEMs you are forced to use your own monitor desk/splitter system. Ours fits into a 19" rack and we have been using it at every rehearsal and gig (but one) during the whole period: every time you start your performance, it starts with the IEM mix you had at the last gig or rehearsal. SO you don't have to start from scratch and you can refine it slightly (or just use it as it is, when there is no time to do a proper sound check)
You can't rely on someone outside the band giving you a decent IEM mix
A thing that IEMs are really great for (providing you have someone mixing them to sound good) is big stages where you're moving around a lot.
I'm really not one to be super animated on stage, but when my feet decide to dance over to the guitar player on a big stage, I'm thankful that IEMs negate the "oh ****. I walked two feet too far from my amp and wedges and can't hear anything" thing on a big stage. It never ceases to surprise me how directional speakers are on a stage even if they are loud.
I'm really not one to be super animated on stage, but when my feet decide to dance over to the guitar player on a big stage, I'm thankful that IEMs negate the "oh ****. I walked two feet too far from my amp and wedges and can't hear anything" thing on a big stage. It never ceases to surprise me how directional speakers are on a stage even if they are loud.
Oh. I got censored. I'm sorry!! I would have worded that differently had I realized. No offense to anyone!!
There are talks that a we're looking into a "split-snake". I'm hoping this takes all the "bad" out of the equation.
We just went to in ear monitors at the church I play at.... they are Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer. I hate them.... lol... I have my channel all the way up and I still have a real hard time hearing my bass. We went all DI and that doesn't bother me but I miss having the monitor on stage. We used to use amps on stage and just kept them down... I never had an issue with mine cause it was only 65 watts and it was a kickback style so that worked out nice But yea I am not a fan of in ear... at least not the ones we have.... I may be too old school
But yea I am not a fan of in ear... at least not the ones we have.... I may be too old school 
We too have the Aviom system at church. The bass runs into an Avalon U5. It actually sounds quite nice, but I still miss the movement of air when playing through an amp. I heard they were going to be adding "Butt Kickers". I'm interested to see how that works.
We just went to in ear monitors at the church I play at.... they are Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer. I hate them.... lol... I have my channel all the way up and I still have a real hard time hearing my bass. We went all DI and that doesn't bother me but I miss having the monitor on stage. We used to use amps on stage and just kept them down... I never had an issue with mine cause it was only 65 watts and it was a kickback style so that worked out nice
I hate to tell you this 3tsb, but it will simply not give you anything like the same experience of amps and wedges.
I figured that, but I guess if forced to use the "ears", Butt Kicker is better than no Butt Kicker?
When you do use amps and wedges, how do you protect your ears? Do you use plugs or is the stage volume at a reasonable enough level that you don't have to?
When you do use amps and wedges, how do you protect your ears? Do you use plugs or is the stage volume at a reasonable enough level that you don't have to?
With the Butt Kicker, it's comparable to getting a massage in a massage chair vs getting a hot chick masseuse to give you one
Hum...which one is like the kind you get down by the airport?
With the Butt Kicker, it's comparable to getting a massage in a massage chair vs getting a hot chick masseuse to give you one
I'm guilty of no plugs, but that's a no no. I should know better. I'm sure a Butt Kicker is better, but I've never used one, because I don't do any gigs where I'm sitting.
I recently started playing at a church with Avioms, in-ears, and little risers (about 4'x4'x1') with Buttkickers mounted to them. They make a HUGE difference. Still not like an amp flapping your pants, but the experience is much improved with a Buttkicker under your feet. Works great if you're on a stationary platform.
That doesn't help much on a big stage, though.
Regarding plugs, I have some decent ones, but they still create a weird mix that's difficult to distinguish dynamics. I also play a lot of fretless and the plugs make it very difficult to distinguish pitch. However, in-ears are great for hearing pitch on the fretless - as long as they are correctly fit.
That doesn't help much on a big stage, though.
Regarding plugs, I have some decent ones, but they still create a weird mix that's difficult to distinguish dynamics. I also play a lot of fretless and the plugs make it very difficult to distinguish pitch. However, in-ears are great for hearing pitch on the fretless - as long as they are correctly fit.
What phones are you using?
a 2 way system? fitted or generic?
a good fit and/or a multi driver setup makes a big difference!
I am using a fitted UE 7Pro system which has a dedicated low end driver.
I have had great experience with generic Westone UM2 drivers as well.
I am using a pair of Sony ear buds. They have good bass response when I listen to music or even use them on my headphone jack on my amp at home. they are generic. I am not sure on if it is a 2 way system... I don't know too much about them... just kinda got them thrown at me one Sunday when I showed for rehearsal... :/
you could always rig one around your waist so that you can experience the butt kicking whilst standing.
I agree. My band has been using IEMs for years and this is how we handle it. We have a stage mixer for the in-ears with splitters. Every instrument and mic on stage goes through the splitter to both the IEM mixer and to the snake for the FOH mix. That lets us control the IEM mix on the stage independent of the main mix. Using this method, your in-ear mix is consistent no matter what sound engineer you use.
This is another major benefit of IEMs. You are free to move around and still hear everything. With floor wedges, you have a limited "sweet spot" on the stage where you can hear the monitor mix correctly. The same thing applies to your stage amp. You don't have to stand right in front of it to hear yourself.
