Who uses IEM’s plus a backline amp/monitor?

[Baker69]

I’ve gone amp less for several gigs now, but sometimes I like to have a small combo behind me. My IEM’s are not totally sound isolating and the combo is set to a fairly low volume so I can just hear a touch of bass from my amp and a slight feel of the cab on certain stages.

I would like to know if I am not alone in this? I know I don’t really need an amp with using In Ears. Are there very many guys who use a backline or monitor as well as using IEM’s?

 

[jeffb28451]

That is something I have been thinking about and plan to do.

look forward to hearing from other folks. Of course, if our sound guy could set monitors and leave them alone, I would not be considering this, but he just can’t help twiddling knobs after sound checks.

 

[Chickenwheels]

I’ve gone amp less for several gigs now, but sometimes I like to have a small combo behind me. My IEM’s are not totally sound isolating and the combo is set to a fairly low volume so I can just hear a touch of bass from my amp and a slight feel of the cab on certain gig

I would like to know if I am not alone in this? I know I don’t really need an amp with using In Ears. Are there very many guys who use a backline or monitor as well as using IEM’s?

I always use an amp in addition to IEM. I don’t use moulds because they don’t allow you to adjust the amount of “spill” in your ears to get a satisfying sound.
In the past I have gone without an amp, but these were huge stadium gigs with a dedicated monitor engineer side-stage.
I recently dig a club gig where the engineer and sound was such a disaster that I just pulled my ears and had my amp there to get it done old-school.

 

[Baker69]

I always use an amp in addition to IEM. I don’t use moulds because they don’t allow you to adjust the amount of “spill” in your ears to get a satisfying sound.
In the past I have gone without an amp, but these were huge stadium gigs with a dedicated monitor engineer side-stage.
I recently dig a club gig where the engineer and sound was such a disaster that I just pulled my ears and had my amp there to get it done old-school.

I’ve pulled my IEM’s out a couple of times (when I’ve experienced bad interference in them) but our drummer was so loud it was painful and it was not a good musical experience at all. I think he may not have his IEM’s quite loud enough (or a poor instrument-vocal balance) and he could be over-compensating by hitting his drums louder (to hear himself better!)

 

[Lowfader]

I do this all the time. An amp behind me or bass in the floor monitor. My tinnitus prevents me from having a lot of bass in my ears. I use Sensaphonics 3DME in ears so I can open them up a bit if I need more ambient.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I'm using the Markbass CMD 121. The XLR DI out is fantastic.
EVO 30 towers are not really enough for bass without a sub, this amp is only 26 lbs and honestly was a no brainier.

 

[_Some Dude]

I play with IEM and amp.

I can go without, however my bandmates complain about it. Best I can figure out they don't want a lot of bass in their IEM, but they still want to feel it.

 

[DRay521]

I also use an amp and IEMs on most gigs, although one corporate band I work with requests no amps on stage. I like having my ideal live sound going to the house. I’ve got a decent amp-less sound as well, but nothing beats the real thing for me.

 

[instrumentlevel]

I do an amp and in-ears regularly. We have a small pa, so the amp contributes to the overall sound. But the in-ears cut down the overall volume and allow me to hear the acoustic guitar and vocals to do harmonies. Win-win. Or win-win-win. Or somethin’…

 

[Lync]

I use IEM’s and always use an amp except for gigs where minimal stage volume is a must. The amp gives a little feel to not only me but to the drummer and the other musicians on stage. It is also a backup for when my iems are weird (which happens now and then).

 

[Geri O]

I prefer no amp at all, but if the band (or the guy signing the check, more to the point), prefers me to have an amp, I have a very nice Mesa Subway rig that I can bring.

I gotta say, though, I love my IEMs and I'll never go without them. But this past weekend, we were on a huge stage for a country music festival. We elected to not bring our monitor and FOH rig, deferring those duties to the production company. Not the best idea we've ever had.

I looked over the production situation and it seemed dicey. In those situations, I defer my needs to the artist and the rest of the band, hoping they can get it together to cover their needs. I played with the supplied backline (Ampeg SVT Classic, 410 HLF cab) and NO monitors at all. Once we started, I walked up to the front line (downstage right edge) as there was an unused vocal mic there and I sing a good bit of BGVs.

Our most excellent FOH guy had the mains PA and subs a-rocking. And hearing my bass coming from seemingly everywhere was awesome! It felt great! Definitely addicting. The best 30 minutes I've enjoyed in a long time. And no IEMs or monitors of any kind.

Oh, well. I enjoyed it while I could. It was great.

 

[Rootbeer]

I use an amp on stage with PA support and IEM'S. I have not been able to achieved a suitable mix without an amp behind me. At church it's an ampless stage and I have pulled out the IEM'S in frustration just to get through it. So many other musicians mess with that mix!

 

[pisces_bass]

I’m in the small PA club. Typically only use it for vocals and guitar. My amp is for the room. IEMs let me support the singer and guitar better. Drummer has custom molded plugs and no interest in IEMs so going ampless isn't happening.

I walked out in front of the stage during sound check at the last gig and pulled my IEMs to hear the mix. Surprisingly decent for how simple we run things.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I am doing that now. I play small stages and venues and I like a little stage fill. Depending on the venue, I will use it to carry the room as well.

 

[Barticus]

Yup I use both, my amp is always low volume but is there for feel and the drummer mostly. Love my IEMs as they block and provide a perfect mix that I can control.

 

[Flog]

IEM's and my own app to mix PLUS Amp. What happens when the in ears go down? Alot can go wrong...network down, inputs plugged in wrong, soundman doing other things.
Plus it evens out the balance for the audience in front of the stage. They are not hearing just drums and guitars.
Also nicer to play if you "feel" the bass a bit onstage.

 

[fauxtoe]

IEM's and an Eich Bassboard. I've been rocking that for a good 5 years now and it never disappoints. I have a Mesa Subway rig for when I'm off IEM's and need to be amplified, but depending on the venue I might add the Bassboard into the mix as well so I can keep the rig at a slightly lower volume but still have all of the feel.

 

[Zbysek]

I do it sometimes-not often.

I don’t do it for my monitoring though.

My IEM and bassboard work well. I would bring an amp on stage while on IEM for two possible reasons: 1. Either PA is weak/lacking subs, or 2. There are people standing close to the stage and there are no frontfills…

 

[Mastermold]

I use IEMs a little as possible, but in the church band I play in they are required even though our stage volume is too loud for them. I rely mostly on amps for bass and guitar, and acoustic stage volume for the drummer and horns. I use IEMs for click and vocals and that's usually it.

 

[baxter_x]

I use IEM but always with a real rig behind me.
I tried once just IEM and or was one of the worst live experience I went through. It was lifeless, I felt I was playing at home.