• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Wireless, DI, can't hear myself

embellisher

embellisher

Holy Ghost filled Bass Player
Supporting Member
Apr 18, 2000
22,086
8,729
Heber Springs, Arkansas
www.facebook.com
#1
My church switched to a no amps, DI setup a few months ago. We all have wireless systems, and due to lack of infrastructure, only one monitor channel onstage.

I can't hear myself over the piano, drums, and vocals, but the level is fine through FOH.

What solution is there where I can stay wireless, and still be able to hear myself? I don't mind wearing headphones or earbuds. I am aware of the Rolls 351, but I would lose my wireless capability, and since I don't have a line level monitor available, don't even know if this would work.

Ideas, anybody?
 
#3
Stupid question but is there a separate monitor mix on the board. Just because your level is good in the FOH doesn't mean it is at the same level in the monitor mix. If you were using an amp you may have not noticed a lack of bass in the monitor.

Also are you using new headphones? Try a pair that you know handle bass frequencies well.
 
#4
embellisher said:
My church switched to a no amps, DI setup a few months ago. We all have wireless systems, and due to lack of infrastructure, only one monitor channel onstage.

I can't hear myself over the piano, drums, and vocals, but the level is fine through FOH.

What solution is there where I can stay wireless, and still be able to hear myself? I don't mind wearing headphones or earbuds. I am aware of the Rolls 351, but I would lose my wireless capability, and since I don't have a line level monitor available, don't even know if this would work.

Ideas, anybody?
Click to expand...
Get a small practice bass amp and point it (from nearby) at your head. If the wireless receiver is at the board you may have to forego the wireless connection to the amp and put the transmitter at the amp. How important is wireless to you?

If you absolutely have to be wireless, and you wear your transmitter, and the receiver is at the board, and they can't send you a signal for a bass monitor, then you may be SOL. Or if your church is adamant about no amps on stage, likewise. Some problems have no solution.

EDIT: Here's an off the wall idea. Maybe you could get another receiver on the same frequency as yours at the board (if that's where it is) and use it to power a stage monitor. Or maybe you could move the receiver to the stage end of the snake, assuming there is one, and split the output between the FOH and your small onstage amp.
 
Last edited:
#6
I guess I should have been more clear. The instruments and vocalists are wireless, but we are using wedges for monitors. We are eventually planning to get IEMs, but haven't gotten there yet.

I guess I can get my own IEM setup, but I can't really afford it. From what I've read in this forum, it appears that I'll need around $300 for a system such as the Carvin, and another $300 for a decent set of earbuds. Is that about right?

No idea how I'd come up with $600, perhaps selling a couple of basses that I don't really play.

Even if I go this route, I'll need my own free aux or monitor channel at the board, correct?
 
#10
If the mixing board is maxed out, you could use a more-me mixer at your stage position to combine your bass signal with the aux feed sent to the stage wedges. Attenuate the pass-through signal from one of the wedges, dropping it from speaker level to line or headphone level. (On a budget, combine a Rolls PM52 with a PM351, or have a look at RockOn Audio's RockBox or Tasty Blender. If you go the Rolls route, you'd also really need to add a limiter.)

You could feed that output to a wireless unit if you need wireless. But unless you move around a lot during services, I'd suggest wired IEMs to get started. (You mention headphones would be okay; that says "wired" to me.)
 
#13
embellisher said:
I'll check on the mixer...Is x32 a type of interface, technology, or model? Not up to digital snuff on pro audio.
Click to expand...
X32 is a Behringer Digital mixer - very common in churches these days.
It has MANY outputs.. not just main left and right to the house system. You might be able to tap into one of those outputs and have your own mix sent to wireless or a stage monitor... it all depends on the setup in your church.
 
  • Like
Reactions: flameworker
#15
Sounds like part of your issue is only one monitor mix through all of the wedges. Did I read that correctly? Of course, this one mix won't suit everyone, nor should it.

In this case, you can get a wireless IEM rig and run your bass into one side of the IEM transmitter (ASSuming that the bass signal is hot enough to drive the input of your IEM. Some are, some aren't) and a iine signal from the main console and mix them together at your transmitter. It could be a feed of the house mix, or it could be that same monitor mix, as long as it's a line-level signal. Your sound people should be able to take this information and know what to do.

Now, I haven't actually had to do this exact method. What I've had to do is to carry a small 4-channel mixer. I split the bass from the DI and into one channel, Then I split my vocal (with a hard-wired balanced Y cable, either made by your sound people or bought at Guitar Center or such place) into channel 2, and whatever house feed into a 3rd channel. This gives me a mix of my bass, my vocals, and the house mix in my IEMs. It's kinda crude, but it works in a pinch.

Again, your sound people should be able to help you with this, but unfortunately, the sound people are volunteers who can run the console and get a decent mix, but aren't well-versed at thinking on their feet to solve problems like this that crop up. So good luck with this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: flameworker
#17
For the price of an IEM system you could upgrade the main mixing board at your church. If they had an extra aux output and a power amp channel to go with it, you could get your own mix with more bass in it. that's assuming you have a wedge to yourself or share with someone who doesn't mind hearing some bass.

I have the Carvin IEM's and I use the stock earbuds. Of course you "have to" get better earbuds just like you "have to" fire the guitarist. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: flameworker
#18
Geri O said:
Sounds like part of your issue is only one monitor mix through all of the wedges. Did I read that correctly? Of course, this one mix won't suit everyone, nor should it.
Click to expand...
yeah, this is ridiculous! one monitor mix? i'll literally go without a wedge in front of me first.

do you sing? if not, this is easy; bring a bass amp, make sure it's not louder than the average monitor wedge volume, and they can keep their stupid monitors, it'll be none of your business :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: flameworker
#19
If you don't mind looking like a Spaceman, go to a hardware store and get those big headphone looking hearing protection things. Put them over your iem..

Or, split the line from your bass with a simple 2 to 1 mono 1/4"adapter, get a 2'-3'cable, then plug one lead into a battery powered headphone amp. Use one ear for the mix, and the other for your bass, or use full size headphones over your IEM.

An easy fix, that I just tested because of my profound love for all talk bass members, is to use "extra bass" ear buds, like Dr Dre beats.

Or go from iem box to your smartphone, and eq your signal.

Insist the sound man bring up your level in the monitor mix

See if you can add a small mixer to the monitor buss,? Maybe you could

Tell the guy in charge that won't work for bass aND use a little 10" combo against their wishes (be a rebel)

Can the drummer hear you? Please tell me he isn't the one leading you! Drummers can't ...they just. ..I feel for you .

Why only use ONLY IEM's? I absolutely love them for vocals, or if I can do my own mix (kick drum, my vox, bass, snare, hh, keys, rythm guitar, everything else, in that order)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back