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New to IEMs

AmpedSilence

AmpedSilence

Feb 2, 2012
837
68
L'ville, GA
#1
So I am about to dive into the world of IEMs. From what little I've gathered so far is what kind of setup I can sort of make work.

Just as a starter, I was thinking of having our drummer use a Rolls PM50s and giving him his own mix from the mixing board.
I play bass and sing lead and while I can hear my bass fine I struggle sometimes to hear my voice and I'd like to have some more control of its volume.
I was debating on whether to get a PM351 or PM50s since we just got a bass amp+cab at church and I really just need to hear my voice better rather than in the wedges.
If this works out well, I think we'll ask if we can get more PM50s units for the guitarists and keys.

As for in ears, I don't have the funds for customs right now so I was considering the Westone UM2.
If I keep using the bass amp though, could I get by using the Westone UM1s? If this was the case, I'd have to leave an earbud off to hear the amp. I'd just pan the vocals to one side.

Does this sound like an ok setup?
 
#2
I would recommend using an in-ear system that has a limiters on the headphone output jack. I am not sure the Rolls do this. The reason why is because you will damage your hearing when feedback or any other loud noise comes through. Be careful with in-ears!
 
#3
We just changed over to IEMs at our church, to get rid of the stage volume from the wedges. We have used a Presonus 24:10 for the last 5 months and finally were able to get a computer so we can use Qmix on our Iphones, to set our individual monitor levels. I'm using a Rolls 351 for my bass level and the desk aux output for my other levels, our drummer and guitar are using the Rolls PM50. I think you would be best served with the Roll 351, as you can set your bass, your voice and the monitor levels separately for an awesome sound. Unless you have your volumes set at ear splitting levels, I don't think you need a limiter
I'm using Shure SE215 buds with some Comfy tips, which I found used on Ebay for $65.00
 
#4
praisegig said:
Unless you have your volumes set at ear splitting levels, I don't think you need a limiter
Click to expand...

Until there is feedback and the signal jumps 10-12 Decibel when your already pushing 110 decibels in your in-ears so you can hear your mix over ad rummer.. Seriously, its not a good idea to be blasting dynamic/transient signals that close to your ears. We need to protect our ears, they are our best asset. These days a digital mixer MIGHT be able to add that limiter to your aux send, but don't count on every mixer being able to do so.
 
#5
joelb79 said:
Until there is feedback and the signal jumps 10-12 Decibel when your already pushing 110 decibels in your in-ears so you can hear your mix over ad rummer.. Seriously, its not a good idea to be blasting dynamic/transient signals that close to your ears. We need to protect our ears, they are our best asset. These days a digital mixer MIGHT be able to add that limiter to your aux send, but don't count on every mixer being able to do so.
Click to expand...

I understand what you are saying, I don't want to loose any hearing more than what I have lost while working 30 years with jet engine aircraft. There is not a lot of stand alone limiter until you get up into the bucks for wireless systems. I was just saying that the volume level controls how much of the feedback/squeal level that will hit your eardrums. I've played many gigs that had those problems arise, and have never hurt my ears. Yes, annoying, but training the band in what causes them, will cut down on their occurrences
 
#6
i've been skating by without IEM limiting for a while now, and it's not been a problem because i use them like you're supposed to, which is as earplugs first!

the whole idea is to not have them loud at all, since they should be blocking out the stage racket. you should be able to pipe in what you need and still have the overall level well below where any limiter would be kicking in. (besides, the point is to ditch the vocal wedges, which is where surprise piercing squeals usually come from.)

don't skimp on the earpieces! even at the universal-fit level where i am, it was way worth it to get the triple-driver UM3-Xs, even though i wasted money over the years buying first single-driver, then dual-driver UEs.

each upgrade was a vast improvement, so buy once, cry once.

finally, never pull one ear out! that's a quick road to wrecking your hearing in both ears.
 
#7
I would definitely not plan on using only one ear bud. I have the Wi audiolink plus a set of sennheiser earbuds I've been using for seven months, about twenty gigs or so.
I do remove them from time to time as I switch instruments in this one band quite a bit and I need to check my levels are ok in the room. Removing only one earbud is terribly confusing and distracting. Both in or both out.
 

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