Weird one - Forbidden to use in-ear monitors....

[And I]

I applaud you for your patience and flexibility, but I personally would not have agreed to it even if I were not the one providing and running the PA system. If there was an ultimatum like that I would have walked. Then again I'm not trying to pay my bills playing music these days so that informs my perspective for sure.

 

[waveman]

Tell the band leader, Pops, to hire a sound man if he doesn't like the amount of attention you are "not" providing. I doubt in-ears will make any difference in this situation anyway. Kindly explain why you use them and if that is a problem, and if he is unwilling to hire a dedicated sound man for situations like this, then he will need a new bass player and sound man.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Two points:
1. Protecting and preserving your hearing is much more important than anyone else's petty objections to your doing so.
2. Quit the band.

Small time nobodies trying to dictate to the hand that feeds them.
Run, don't walk. Leave for your ears and sanity. Seasoned bass players are a commodity. Especially those like you who are willing to provide more than just the bottom end.

 

[DWBass]

You book all the gigs and provide the PA? Why do you need a band manager? And why is he making ultimatums? The 2 band members need to discuss what their problem is. Not have a go between. What, are you guys not friends?

 

[LanEvo]

Dude's criticizing your bass playing, your mixing, and he wants you to go deaf? Tell him to take a hike.

 

[cool breeze]

I haven't read the whole post but like many of us here I have hearing loss and tinnitus in both ears which I totally regret in not following the warning signals. With ringing in your ears you're well on your way so stop before it's too late. Tinnitus is horrible and your hearing will never come back to normal.

 

[WardEarth]

Have you bought decent ear plugs? It will give you 1 more option if you haven't.
I like these:
Amazon.com: ETY-Plugs High Fidelity Earplugs, Standard Fit, Frost Tip: Health & Personal Care

Anyways I'm interested to hear your opinion on ear plugs.

 

[Johnny Crab]

I refuse to use a wedge, why do we need more little screaming boxes on the floor spewing more volume onto an already loud stage volume?

You almost owe me a keyboard LOL!!!

It's even more fun when you have a player with 2 JBL full range cabs on the floor pointed at his knees while you get the full 135 dB of face-peeling and hearing destroying noise at ear level when you stand anywhere near the drummer. Even at my vocal area it's loud as <deleted curse word>. I used earplugs but got real tired of putting them in and out and still having a "too loud" thing going on....see below.

The above prompted JC to purchase and IEM 3 space rack with MiPro909(wireless transmitter), Samson SM10(get mixes from venue FOH or our BOSE stuff), and Behringer SPL3220(brick wall limiting and smart compression....no accidental feedback deafening you).

@Geri O : your call. Take charge or leave.

 

[Drucifer]

Since I am using IEMs almost exclusively since beginning of this year I am getting similar complaints from my band. My drummer has summarized it within his statement: "When you play with your amp, you are playing for the band. When you play with IEMs, you play for yourself." Of course the sound of IEMs is much better, focussed and defined, but as I became or less isolated from the stage sound, I lost somewhat of musical communication with my band. Atm I got back to where I was before using my amp on stage to improve musical communication and performance on stage but I need a better solution for monitoring too. I still have no idea how to solve that dilemma. Maybe I will add ambience drill holes to my IEMs.

I have had similar experience, both from feedback from band mates and observing it in others. It's especially problematic where you can customize your mix. The guitar players (not to paint with a too broad brush, but they are usually the biggest offenders in my experience) tend to mix down everyone else and themselves up, so they end up not playing with the other folks but just playing their parts and expecting everyone to follow them, or expecting everyone to play separately and for it to all be tight. Our whole band just went away from in-ears at rehearsal because of that.

 

[Buster Brown]

This is a little risky, as I know there's folks following this forum that knows my situation, but the frustration level has grown to the point that it may not matter...

A few months ago, I was called out of the blue on a Monday morning by one particular band's manager (also the star's father) and told that the band had decided that they didn't want me to use my IEMs any longer. They say I don't play properly with the IEMs in, although I have several multi-track recordings that prove this is hogwash (but reveals other issues elsewhere that shall go un-mentioned, of course). I think it boils down to the fact that when I play bass AND provide the PA, I may not be as attentive when two particular people want monitor changes during the show. It's claimed that I'm cut off from communication with the rest of the band, but with 4 vocal mics and a little drum overheads in my ears, I hear everyone and everything fine. And it turns out that it was only two people with this problem, not the star of this band who wears in-ear monitors themselves, and not the entire band. The situation was put to me as "non-negotiable" and "I have to please the majority and you're the minority". So I came back with "being the guy that books a lot of the gigs, provides a lot of logistics, and provides the PA when necessary, I'm putting YOU guys on probation to see if I can manage without the ears". I refuse to use a wedge, why do we need more little screaming boxes on the floor spewing more volume onto an already loud stage volume?

This has rocked along now for a few months, but as I figured, I'm getting tired of ringing ears and not hearing the bass well unless it's at a hideous stage volume. Not to mention, getting pounded with 2 guitar amps and the aforementioned hideously loud monitors. At 59 years old, I still hear pretty well. I depend strongly on good ears to play music, tune pianos, and occasionally, mix for an event. It's my living.

I really don't see another solution except to exit the band, which will be two bands since the same rhythm section plays with two different artists (one originals, one cover materials). But with 3 other bands, getting other opportunities to play, and involved with the church band (where the use of my IEMs is perfectly fine with everyone of these other groups), it's getting very hard to justify staying in this particular situation. So I have a decision to make and soon.

Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with a similar situation and how you did or didn't handled it. I'm not certain that there is a good way to deal with it. I don't think for a second that I can make the case and these guys will say "oh, now I understand, then fine, feel free to wear your IEMs". I fully realize that IEMs aren't for everyone, it solves certain problems while causing others, but I know how to deal with those problems.

I believe that, at this point, it may be time to "exit stage left". When it gets to the point where IEM's are not welcome, it's past time to bid "adieu".

 

[AltGrendel]

...i understand that it's fun to play, and especially with good players, but c'mon; if she's really "up and coming", what does that mean for you as a "middle aged" player in her local backing band? if she somehow makes it big you're not gonna be on an album and you're not gonna be on a tour, so what's even in it for you?

This says it all for me.

 

[jwilson67]

This is a little risky, as I know there's folks following this forum that knows my situation, but the frustration level has grown to the point that it may not matter...

A few months ago, I was called out of the blue on a Monday morning by one particular band's manager (also the star's father) and told that the band had decided that they didn't want me to use my IEMs any longer. They say I don't play properly with the IEMs in, although I have several multi-track recordings that prove this is hogwash (but reveals other issues elsewhere that shall go un-mentioned, of course). I think it boils down to the fact that when I play bass AND provide the PA, I may not be as attentive when two particular people want monitor changes during the show. It's claimed that I'm cut off from communication with the rest of the band, but with 4 vocal mics and a little drum overheads in my ears, I hear everyone and everything fine. And it turns out that it was only two people with this problem, not the star of this band who wears in-ear monitors themselves, and not the entire band. The situation was put to me as "non-negotiable" and "I have to please the majority and you're the minority". So I came back with "being the guy that books a lot of the gigs, provides a lot of logistics, and provides the PA when necessary, I'm putting YOU guys on probation to see if I can manage without the ears". I refuse to use a wedge, why do we need more little screaming boxes on the floor spewing more volume onto an already loud stage volume?

This has rocked along now for a few months, but as I figured, I'm getting tired of ringing ears and not hearing the bass well unless it's at a hideous stage volume. Not to mention, getting pounded with 2 guitar amps and the aforementioned hideously loud monitors. At 59 years old, I still hear pretty well. I depend strongly on good ears to play music, tune pianos, and occasionally, mix for an event. It's my living.

I really don't see another solution except to exit the band, which will be two bands since the same rhythm section plays with two different artists (one originals, one cover materials). But with 3 other bands, getting other opportunities to play, and involved with the church band (where the use of my IEMs is perfectly fine with everyone of these other groups), it's getting very hard to justify staying in this particular situation. So I have a decision to make and soon.

Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with a similar situation and how you did or didn't handled it. I'm not certain that there is a good way to deal with it. I don't think for a second that I can make the case and these guys will say "oh, now I understand, then fine, feel free to wear your IEMs". I fully realize that IEMs aren't for everyone, it solves certain problems while causing others, but I know how to deal with those problems.

I don't know if this has been said yet but....The "star's father"? This person is a "star" and you book a lot of the gigs and provide the PA sometimes? I call MAJOR B****t.

This person isn't a star yet. Sorry.

 

[okcrum]

I would definitely be a few months into a new band at this point. The situation is sad all 'round, and gets sadder by the day.

 

[jwilson67]

I would definitely be a few months into a new band at this point. The situation is sad all 'round, and gets sadder by the day.

In my realm of perception a "Star" is someone who has made it and has backing for a tour and hires a band and professional sound company. It is then, and only then that they get a say on issues like this.

 

[jwilson67]

Since I am using IEMs almost exclusively since beginning of this year I am getting similar complaints from my band. My drummer has summarized it within his statement: "When you play with your amp, you are playing for the band. When you play with IEMs, you play for yourself." Of course the sound of IEMs is much better, focussed and defined, but as I became or less isolated from the stage sound, I lost somewhat of musical communication with my band. Atm I got back to where I was before using my amp on stage to improve musical communication and performance on stage but I need a better solution for monitoring too. I still have no idea how to solve that dilemma. Maybe I will add ambience drill holes to my IEMs.

When you are all 60 and having a conversation with your hearing aids and trying to find aural relief from the tinnitus you will remember why you wanted to use IEM's and the "communication with the rest of the band" wasn't as important as it seemed at the time.

I'm only 50 and part of the way there.

 

[Wesley R]

It may well be time for an open honest discussion with everyone present. I would probably be developing a back up plan.

 

[s0c9]

I have had similar experience, both from feedback from band mates and observing it in others. It's especially problematic where you can customize your mix. The guitar players (not to paint with a too broad brush, but they are usually the biggest offenders in my experience) tend to mix down everyone else and themselves up, so they end up not playing with the other folks but just playing their parts and expecting everyone to follow them, or expecting everyone to play separately and for it to all be tight. Our whole band just went away from in-ears at rehearsal because of that.

Why should you cater to just the [star] guitar in your band? The benefits of IEM use far outweigh some individual who cannot adjust to using them. I see it and read about it all the time.. If the IEM user wants to krank up "more me" in their mix to the point where they miss their cues and are not keeping up with the band, dropping IEM's is a solution? Really?
Maybe a replacement musician is the better choice?

 

[joenoone]

I would suggest you tell them you'll just use one ear of the IEM so you can hear the others, and use an earplug in the other ear to protect your hearing.

At the church I play at we have a guitarist who can be quite loud so we give him an IEM so he can crank himself up there and he uses his wedge for his mix. Everyone was much happier after that. He only uses one ear of the IEM.

 

[LowNloud1]

So, does daddy do sound? Does he play? If not, he sound more like a 3rd party enforcer than someone who actually makes the music.

If it was me, I would have packed up and left as soon as the words "non-negotiable" were said. It won't be the last time you hear this if you stay.

 

[skwee]

Forbidden. HA. Bye, fellas.