Muffled Voice in my IEM

[musicman7722]

Greetings

I hope you don't mind my posting this hear as I feel the most comfortable on TB.

I play bass and sing some lead and a lot of backups. I use Westone UM2 buds (stock). I like IEM but I have never been able too overcome the sound issue of my voice over everything else. Meaning it always sounds muffled while everything else sounds great. I realize this is due to the resonating of my skull etc which makes my voice sound odd. My real question is how do so many other singers rave about their personal experience yet I can never over come this.

I have used both wired (Rolls PM351) and wireless (Senn G3) as well as mono and stereo mixes. I do prefer the stereo mix for the separation factor but that doesn't solve my dilemma. I also find reverb helps but again no much.

Do I need better buds?

Any help or pointers is truly hoped for.

Thanks

Chris

 

[Eric Moesle]

The key is to get a custom mold that goes past the second bend in the ear, then you don't get that "finger in my ear" audio effect, if that's what you are referring to.

 

[musicman7722]

Hmm that is interesting too. I guess that describes it pretty well. I wonder why nobody else mentions the issue as there are a lot of folks using non customs right?

 

[Rocksolid]

This article may help some more: Invalid Link Removed

 

[TimmyP]

Try reversing the polarity ("phase") of you vocal channel to see if it helps (it might cancel some of the mud).

Split your vocal to a second channel that is EQ' to sound right in your IEMs.

 

[musicman7722]

Rocksolid great article thank you. Do you think customs would overcome the bone to sound issue?

 

[Rocksolid]

Rocksolid great article thank you. Do you think customs would overcome the bone to sound issue?

I hink a good seal does, and you are most likely to get that with customs.

Did you notice an improvement after cleaning your ears out?

 

[musicman7722]

I noticed a little diff after cleaning but haven't tried a live environment. I havecabgigbthisbweekendvand know then.

 

[Runnerman]

Another short term approach that I have found improve vocal feedback is panning your vocal strongly to one side. Then you will be able to more easily differentiate your head vs IEM.

 

[musicman7722]

Well the cleaning did it, had a great gig.

 

[AmpedSilence]

I'd like to improve my in ears without going custom just yet, what cleaning method did you use?

 

[musicman7722]

It was a solution from cvs and was posted here under a different thread, Sorry broke my arm last week and am practicing my typing.

 

[Rocksolid]

Well the cleaning did it, had a great gig.

Thats awesome! I feel like a genius for suggesting it!

Wishing you a speedy recovery. I have had a broken hand this year and 2 surgeries to fix it. 2013 can bite me.