in ear monitors

[mike_c]

what's the scoop on in ear monitors? is shure the brand to buy? #do they work good? #how hard is it to hook them up with the soundmans system? i would need them for 2 -4 band members

[Steven Stone]

The trick with in ear monitors is to get the mix right. When they are put in your ear correctly they do an excellent job of blocking outside noise, almost too good a job - if the mix coming in isn't exactly right, you won't be able to hear what's going on around you.

I've been using the top-of-the-line Shures as recording monitor headphones for about a year. They are very accurate and very sensitive, but its a garbage in - garbage out situation. If your soundman isn't really good at anticipating your needs you will not be happy(and he may have to change the on-stage monitor mix for each song if you use different singers, and want different levels for the soloists)

Chances are you will either really love or hate in-ear monitors. Your soundman will most likely hate them.

[mike_c]

i was actually thinking of using the in ear monitors with our 1 mic setup..the monitor mix would be what is going into the one mic..that should simplify things

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

Let me know what model you decide on, Mike. Our band is also talking about that idea.

[jim simpson]

Ballpark price for these ear monitor thingees?

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I heard that for a mid-range model, you're looking at $150. apiece.

[mandofiddle]

In-ears can be good, if you're willing to put in the time to get used to them. #Personally, I think they're great. #I can hear the tone of my voice and mando SO well as opposed to floor wedges or no monitors. #We use a wireless Sennheiser unit. #I can't tell you price, because our guitar player got it when he was in a previous band. #It has 4 body-packs, and all runs off the same mix. #When we play at festivals and such where there is a soundman, we tell him/her to start out by giving us the main mix, and then after the first tune we can tell him/her to turn something up or down. #It's really easy to use at festivals. #I just go up to the soundman before our set, and run a 1/4" cable from either an auxilliary or monitor send, and then plug in the wireless transmitter. #I can turn on my body pack (receiver) at the board to make sure I'm getting a signal while the band before us is playing. #We all use the same mix so that we can hear how we are blending. #If we used separate mixes (i.e., my mando and voice louder) then I wouldn't know how I was blending to the audience.

<edit>
If I'm in a situation that isn't being mixed correctly (if I can't hear myself enough), I simply pop one in-ear out and just use one. Then after the tune say "Can I get more of XX please?"

[straight-a]

I feel that they would be great if they were set up correctly. I always end up pulling mine out because of NOT being able to hear what I am doing.

[mandroid]

Any good/adaquate dual mono arraingements ? one side for you (hearing yourself) and the other side for them ie the mix?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[mandofiddle]

Yeah, Shure does something with that. #My buddy used to use the Shure wired in-ear body packs (not wireless), and I've fooled with them too. #Basically 1 cable comes off the bodypack to 2 XLR connectors. #There's where you get your separate mix, main mix through 1 XLR, your own mix through the other. #On the body pack there is a balance know between the two inputs, and a separate volume knob...

I believe this one will do that.
http://www.shure.com/psm/models/p4hw.asp

[mike_c]

i see the ROLLS in-ear monitor is about $110.00 for the transmitter and one body pack with ear-buds..additional bodypacks with earbuds are about $70 (from music 123) has anyone used this brand? i read some pretty good reviews about them- it seems to have a mono mix--but that would fine with me

[earthsave]

I have trouble hearing myself over the rest of the band especially in tight quarters near the banjo player or with the bass behind me. #I always though something similar to a contact tuner that could just give me a semblance of what I am playing in one ear would be helpful to me.

I thought about sticking my old McIntyre back on and trying to run it through my ParaAcoustic DI and out through amp to earphones, but that seems like too much work. #Hmmmm... could I just output earphone through my DI? #Anyone? #Anyone?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Gibby]

Would someone please address in further detail the situation of a 1-mic setup with a wireless monitor system....and what exactly monitor system would you choose. We are about to buy an AT4033C/L and understand that our present floor monitor system will not work well with the single mic setup. We are a trio,...mando, banjer and guitar with 3 part vocal harmony.

I really would like to learn more. Thanks in advance.

[mike_c]

well actually,,,in many lower volume cases you could use #your floor monitors at low volume with your new 4033...however,,if you are after maximum volume on the mains-- you would increase the feedback potential if the mic "hears" the monitors..the idea of in ear monitors is so everyone in the band can hear the mix and blend that your band is putting out through one mic to the crowd., and also, so you group hears the full band sound- instead of the dry- stand together sound).the in ear monitors can be "wired"-- meaning basicly they are just headphones with wires going to a head-phone amp which is wired to the mixing board output...or "wireless" #meaning the signal is broadcast from a tranmitter that is wired to the mixing board, to a#receiver on your belt. wired earbud headphones are plugged in to this receiver..hope that helps explain them- mike

[Gibby]

Thanks Mike....

Is there a ear-piece based monitor system that is reasonably priced that is "good." I looked at several that when a base unit and 3 receivers were added it was over 1000. We are not cheap and want what will work best, but we ain't rich! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif