Wireless Ear Monitor (nhc)

[DanT51]

Is anyone out there using in ear wireless monitors.

A friend of mine is wanting to get a system for his sons band and asked my .02 and I don't have a clue where to direct him..... HELP!

[anotherfreak2]

I have a couple of sets of SURE in ear monitors, I pull them out if our drummer cannot hear what's going on. Also when we had another singer she always wanted more of "ME"(her) in the monitor, so I bought another set for her so I didn't have to listen to her so loud in the monitors.

they are two channel, they can be wireless or wired, the wireless sounds great at over 50 yards(yes I put them on and went for a walk, tell me you won't do the same) ant everyone has there own volume control.

I don't use them, but they love them, and they are picky winey bastages

so they must be good!

[Jeff R]

I remember a few years ago an in-ear monitor opinion post from HHB that basically said he wasn't trusting any soundman to a speaker that's stuck inside his ear canal that made complete sense to me.

Unless your son's band has a "pro" soundman, I'd say invest in nice floor monitors.

[cloakerz]

well my experience with them has been they suck for reproducing bass and drums

but sound good for guitar, vocals horns etc. These where expensive shure E6 in-ears

not the cheap stuff. Just give me a good floor monitor instead anyday.

[Steve Haynie]

I have run monitors a few times. The only experience I had with bands with in-ear monitors was that not all the members had them. One of the benefits of in-ear monitors is that you can eliminate some stage volume coming from monitors. That means the monitors will not bleed into the microphones across the stage, and you can get a cleaner sound out front. If only a couple of guys have in-ear monitors while the rest are asking for something loud blasting up in their faces you don't need to bother mixing the two.

I've seen some groups use a combination of monitors because they had a reason for it. I've seen some groups that should never have monitors at all because they are too stupid to understand the concept of what a monitor is supposed to do.

I remember reading an interview with one of the members of Queensryche and it was mentioned that during practice sessions they got used to the low volume of in-ear monitors and when they went back on tour they had to readjust to the volume levels of the concert stage.

[m chops]

One of the benefits of in-ear monitors is that you can eliminate some stage volume coming from monitors. 

Hopefully that will also help protect their hearing, which is something I now wish I had done.

[Mobster]

I've used the Garwood systems for years. They are fantastic, I won't ever use monitor wedges.

Good in ear monitors protect your hearing, and give you a better mix (If you're picky about that).

You have your own individual volume control, and the units have hard knee limiters in them...the fear of feedback getting through is unfounded on the high end brands. They have way too many safeguards built in.

I had custom fitted (to my ear canals) earpieces made years ago, and it's great.

I am probably going to be switching brands of earpiece, at the recommendation of a friend, to the Ultimate Ears line http://www.ultimateears.com/

These are pretty much the bees knees now when it comes to earpieces out there.

You really have to get your entire band on board using them ,though when I played keys, I had my own set and the band still used wedges (although the custom fitted ear molds made sound bleed-through very difficult). It makes for a nice uncluttered stage, because you don't have to deal with extra cables and big monitor wedges all over. AND it protects your hearing because you don't need the volume as loud.

[sirDaniel]

using them in both ears makes you feel very "seperated" from the crowd. If you're into crowd interaction, you lose you edge. If singing/vocals are a big part of your show, they are an advantage...

[Bass Guy Dave]

As I understand it, a lot of people use the in-ear monitors to supplement the sound already present on stage. There's usually plenty of drums if you use and acoustic kit, plus enough bass rumble from either the amp or PA. The in-ears are good to add a touch of vocal or guitar or whatever you need a bit of clarity from (and keep the overall sound level down in your ears.) I do see where it might be a bit of a challenge to get a low-B to really ring through some earpieces.

The Shure PSM-200s that were mentioned earlier seem to get good reveiws and are fairly reasonable. Nady makes a cheaper set, and lots of people make nicer sets. (That vague enough for you? )

I've only demo'd a couple of sets--never used 'em live, so please keep that in mind.

Goregeous guitar, Dan....

Best Wishes