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More IEM questions. But really...

#21
I had some moulded hearing aids made after an accident in 2001. Move forward 20 years (sheeeeeeet! Is it that long) and I have dismantled them and modded them to take normal ear buds. (in my case cheap and nasty Samsung phone buds) They actually work way better than I could have expected. I even use them when riding my motorbike on the open road and stuff that is almost unrecognisable owing to wind noise even becomes legible.

All that means:- Get some moulded IEMs and you'll never look back!
 
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#25
I've got Ultimate Ear UE11s - good clarity, plenty of bass extension, very good isolation... I really don't know what to say beyond that. They sound good - I have more of the band in my IEMs than I would in a wedge because they don't muddy up as quickly/easily as a wedge does, it's not a HiFi mix (I don't want that I want the parts of the band I want/need) but it's incredibly clear.

When I got them the UE range went from the single driver "budget" ones straight up to the UE11s. The range is more differentiated now and there's now a model in the middle which, if I was buying today, I'd be very tempted by. I got a pair of custom plugs made at the same time from the moulds - for going to gigs etc and shows where, for whatever reason, IEMs weren't able to be used. Worth thinking about.


PS if you've got a backline amp and IEMs... why do you also have a wedge? That's just pumping out more volume and making it hard for your isolation to work. Yes, I know... safety net and all that... but it might be making things worse not better.
 
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#26
Joe Nerve said:
I NEED YOUR HELP!

I'm currently using Westone UM PRO30s (triple driver) with Comply (and/or Westone) Noise Isolating tips.

I'm OK with the sound, but my band seems to be getting louder and its become a problem. I have to crank the bass in my IEMs, and I'm having a really rough time because I have hearing problems, plus tinnitus that kicks in once I start pushing the volume.

Everyone in my band is telling me I really need to get ear impressions made and take the plunge for customs. I'm going to get impressions made this week, but then I'm lost.

Talked to everybody in my band and hear things like, "These are heavy in the bass," "These have more high end," "You should go for as many drivers as you can afford," "Mine are great and only cost me $600," bla, bla, bla... HELP!!!!!!!

I don't want crazy highs, nor crazy lows. I want a very clear even mix and I'd like to spend somewhere around $1000.

Can people please help me out with recommendations and maybe links where I can research this and hopefully make this my final IEM purchase?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Is everybody using IEMs and sharing the same mix? Are there live amps and or a drummer playing a real drum kit?

if you are sharing the same mix, cut back on the uber lows, and boost your low mids. If there are live amps and or real drums, what is the point of IEMs?

Finally, if you have to crank your IEM to the point your ears ring you likely damaging your ears. Pete Townsend has been quoted that using IEMs was a significant factor with his hearing loss.

Also, if your band mate will not cooperate in lowering their volume, you may want to mention you saw a really nice SVT and cab for sale….

I use Shure 215se earbuds with sound isolation tips for years and for playing bass, they do the job. I will say this, if you really have to have those Uber lows, build a Buttkicker platform to stand on. Go to Airturn.com for details.
 
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#27
Hey, Joe! I forgot to mention I tried something the other night that worked out for me with regard to guitar (and other things) bleeding over into vocal mics.

Turn your whole mix up. In other words, crank up your belt pack. Even had the sound guy goose up my mix gain a little. Then I turned down the individual channels. I don't know why I had never tried it before.

We tried a different stage setup Saturday night. My guitar player wound up right behind me. He uses a really weird setup. (Freaking amazing player and good guy so I don't give him too much crap about it.) He runs a Line 6 Helix and no guitar amp. BUT, he runs a wedge in front of him with everything in it and one behind him straight off the Helix. It was pretty loud and bleeding into the vocal mics.

I turned my whole mix way up. Then I started turning down individual channels. That cleared things up tremendously. Turning down the vocal mics in my ears meant that the ambient guitar wasn't as loud, and vocals shined through only when singers (myself included) were eating their mics (like they're supposed to). It also helped a lot with drums bleeding over. I actually had to add a little guitar and drum overhead mic back into my mix.

I have the exact same IEMs you do (except 5 driver... I think) and use the Comply tips as well. And this worked well for me... so much so that I plan to run it that way moving forward.

But, like you, I'm still itching to try "the real thing" in IEMs. Maybe this will be better until you get to best.
 
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#29
@Joe Nerve , There is some great advice here.
I got my first impression done in 2015, haven't look back.
The custom molds isolation and comfort are a big plus for myself, even used them for ear plugs for band WITHOUT IEM.
Been using Westone UM-20 since 2018 with the silicone mold tips and gone my second impression done last month.
This setup works

So try that route, like you said in post #9
 
#30
dbsfgyd1 said:
Is everybody using IEMs and sharing the same mix? Are there live amps and or a drummer playing a real drum kit?

if you are sharing the same mix, cut back on the uber lows, and boost your low mids. If there are live amps and or real drums, what is the point of IEMs?

Finally, if you have to crank your IEM to the point your ears ring you likely damaging your ears. Pete Townsend has been quoted that using IEMs was a significant factor with his hearing loss.

Also, if your band mate will not cooperate in lowering their volume, you may want to mention you saw a really nice SVT and cab for sale….

I use Shure 215se earbuds with sound isolation tips for years and for playing bass, they do the job. I will say this, if you really have to have those Uber lows, build a Buttkicker platform to stand on. Go to Airturn.com for details.
Click to expand...

In my band, everyone has their own mix. Musicians all have stereo mixes (drums, bass, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, keys), and up to 6 singers each have a mono mix.

In my personal studio and with my 4 member band each person has a stereo mix.

The key is to have a mixer that supports that number of Aux channels. For a smaller band, the XR18 has 6 aux outs, for 6 mono or 3 stereo. My RCF M 20X has 10 aux outs. 4 stereo, then the last stereo pair is a copy of the main L/R mix.

In each instance, each person has a Monitor app on their phone so they can control their own mix.
 
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#31
So I made the plunge for custom IEM from CTM and they sound great. The issue is my band is too loud to use them.

Honestly 26dbs or whatever custom IEM block out is not enough for a loud band. I continue to use ear plugs or else I get crazy tinnitus after gigs. If I played every once in awhile I would suck it up but we play 100 gigs per year and that is too much exposure for hearing health.

you’re not going to like it but I would recommend buying foam and custom ear plugs. If they want things quieter on stage buy a 2x10 bass cab that tilts back and a QSC speaker. Have both as monitors pointed at you and wear hearing protection.
 
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#32
Acoustic356 said:
In my band, everyone has their own mix. Musicians all have stereo mixes (drums, bass, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, keys), and up to 6 singers each have a mono mix.

In my personal studio and with my 4 member band each person has a stereo mix.

The key is to have a mixer that supports that number of Aux channels. For a smaller band, the XR18 has 6 aux outs, for 6 mono or 3 stereo. My RCF M 20X has 10 aux outs. 4 stereo, then the last stereo pair is a copy of the main L/R mix.

In each instance, each person has a Monitor app on their phone so they can control their own mix.
Click to expand...
We have the XM18(?). The Midas version. Best bar/dad band mixer out there in my view.

And, yes, having an individual mix is a must.
 
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#33
Slpbass81 said:
So I made the plunge for custom IEM from CTM and they sound great. The issue is my band is too loud to use them.

Honestly 26dbs or whatever custom IEM block out is not enough for a loud band. I continue to use ear plugs or else I get crazy tinnitus after gigs. If I played every once in awhile I would suck it up but we play 100 gigs per year and that is too much exposure for hearing health.

you’re not going to like it but I would recommend buying foam and custom ear plugs. If they want things quieter on stage buy a 2x10 bass cab that tilts back and a QSC speaker. Have both as monitors pointed at you and wear hearing protection.
Click to expand...

-26 not being enough simply means your band is stupid loud. IEMs aren't magic. They can't fix..... well.... you know.
 
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#36
TrevorR said:
I've got Ultimate Ear UE11s - good clarity, plenty of bass extension, very good isolation... I really don't know what to say beyond that. They sound good - I have more of the band in my IEMs than I would in a wedge because they don't muddy up as quickly/easily as a wedge does, it's not a HiFi mix (I don't want that I want the parts of the band I want/need) but it's incredibly clear.

When I got them the UE range went from the single driver "budget" ones straight up to the UE11s. The range is more differentiated now and there's now a model in the middle which, if I was buying today, I'd be very tempted by. I got a pair of custom plugs made at the same time from the moulds - for going to gigs etc and shows where, for whatever reason, IEMs weren't able to be used. Worth thinking about.


PS if you've got a backline amp and IEMs... why do you also have a wedge? That's just pumping out more volume and making it hard for your isolation to work. Yes, I know... safety net and all that... but it might be making things worse not better.
Click to expand...
The wedge us because we use a lot of different horn players, and none of them have IEMs.
 
#37
Joe Nerve said:
I do, but I'm getting lots of sound from stage monitors and have a really rough time adjusting. My band never, and I mean NEVER ever stops during a set. I can tweak before and after only. The horn guys are playing with their settings throughout. Its incredibly frustrating, and everyone in my band is telling me that if I get customs, it'll block out a lot of that outside interference.
Click to expand...
Horns not using in ears when the rest of the band is?
I’ve always thought that in ears keeps stage volume at a reasonable level.
 
#38
Acoustic356 said:
In my band, everyone has their own mix. Musicians all have stereo mixes (drums, bass, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, keys), and up to 6 singers each have a mono mix.

In my personal studio and with my 4 member band each person has a stereo mix.

The key is to have a mixer that supports that number of Aux channels. For a smaller band, the XR18 has 6 aux outs, for 6 mono or 3 stereo. My RCF M 20X has 10 aux outs. 4 stereo, then the last stereo pair is a copy of the main L/R mix.

In each instance, each person has a Monitor app on their phone so they can control their own mix.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the prompt response. I’m not so sure what the problem is. If your band mates are too loud keeping you from hearing your parts, just turn them down in your mix. As for your EQ, try adding a bit of 165hz and rolling just a touch of your low bass. That should clear it up a tad.
 

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