I like a lot of others, wet into inears kicking and screaming, but, we have been lined out to the pa for 20 years, The amp has always been very much a stage monitor, but now, I still use the small amp on low volume, mostly pointed toward the drummer, send my bass EQ's to the pa, put on the IEM's get a little of everyone in my mix, I am able to turn volume up or down on my receiver, no blaring or feedback monitors, It's great, Like playing along with a CD, and you are saving your hearing!
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Ok Folks, lets have it. IEM's or Backline
- Thread starter dbase
- Start date
In ears solve a lot of problems.
The need for ear plugs because the drum cymbals and/or loud guitar... The in ears act as earplugs, this is no longer an issue. No ringing or pain unless you had your monitors up too high.
Having Ear Plugs even with the good ones you can still struggle to hear some of the softer instruments or vocals in the mix.
Sound man puts too much of one and not enough of another in your monitor, that is it.
With in ears you can make the mix yourself. The keyboard player today is annoying, I can turn him down enough to hear and that is all that is needed, when the good one comes back turn keys up. Guitar is perfectly mixed just below the drums, Jenny's vocals are no longer ear piercing because she sings too high for my ears and Angie's vocals are sitting in there nicely.
Through all this I can hear myself fantastic.
It is the same mix every time. When needed, cut or boost someone.
The bad.
You will not hear the audience.
If you do not get in ears that can reproduce your bass well or are poor fitting it will not be fun.
Great point about also serving as earplugs, Us bass players are always set next to the drummer with the crashing cymbals
For me ... NO to both, no muscles and no roadies
At practice last night I had to the left of me a very loud guitar player, 12 stomp boxes and tube amp with 4 12's, then me with an Ampeg with 8x10's, then the drummer with his cymbals then the singer I cant hear, then the lead guitar with two Marshals. Is it a wonder I cant hear. But I love the power of the total sound. I guess I'm addicted to Sound. Did Robert Palmer sing that song?
Yeah, I don’t get why OP did that either. I didn’t start to “get $$$$$” in any real amount until I answered an ad where one of the requirements was “must have IEM’s.” But whatevs. If people need their bass amp behind them for some reason, it’s none of my concern.
Both of my bands are in the 'partially using IEM but everyone still has amps on stage' phase. As I look back at my experience, the value added by the IEMS is immeasurable. I sing as well - and for vocal monitoring, IEM is SO much better than a floor wedge. I have not played ampless yet - I'd really love to get at least one band all the way there to see what it's like. I do know that even if amps always stay on the stage, my IEM's aren't going anywhere. I greatly prefer them to any wedge I've ever used (and I've been monitored through some pretty high end/large regional festival type stuff)
wintremute
mediocrity at its finest
- Oct 16, 2014
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- Endorsing Artist: Langstrom Carrot Farms
I just thought it was funny that in the video used as an example for not wearing IEMs so that you can hear the crowd...pretty much everyone in the band is wearing IEMs and they seem to be able to hear the crowd.
Ok everyone, we get it. IEM's are the only way to go, have zero downsides, and their superiority is indisputable. Yay.
Keep in mind, I pay most of my bills by writing a check, I still listen to vinyl records, still like driving manual transmissions.... and I guarantee I won't change just because of something you say here - keep up the good work [c:
Keep in mind, I pay most of my bills by writing a check, I still listen to vinyl records, still like driving manual transmissions.... and I guarantee I won't change just because of something you say here - keep up the good work [c:
p.s. - I am reviewing videos on IEM's for beginners - at least I am trying to educate myself in a subject I am unfamiliar with.
Any discussion or justification of NOT using IEM's is met with opposition and challenge, by the forum members who clearly believe they are the only way to go... and I'm ok with that . I've already said what I have to say.
I don't care either way, personally. As long as I'm playing (and I can hear myself), it matters very little to me what I'm playing thru
I don’t see opposition and challenge. An opinion was asked for and opinion was provided... from both camps quite equally. While I personally love IEMs it really doesn’t matter to me if you use them or not. Our decision paths do not cross so you can do what you feel best and I won’t harbor ill will or hard feelings either way.
Yeah, I don't see anyone bashing anyone's opinion.
And I don't see the need for anyone to educate themselves about amps because we've (presumably) all been there.
DBase is one of the funniest people on TB - so yeah, he was having fun playing with the poll questions. I found it quite funny - although I forgot to actually vote....
I guess I just don't get bassist humor, having come to the instrument after 30 years on keyboards. On the other hand, it fits with my theory that life-long bassists are two ticks above the right when it comes to sense of humor. I think another poll is in order.
