In ear monitoring

[jonas]

I had a gig yesterday where I was constantly frustrated with not being able to hear myself properly in the monitor (that I shared with two other guys, and with one of the guitar players' Fender Twin Reverb just behind me drowning almost everything else). It was not the first time I've experienced this problem, and it really takes away alot of the fun from playing.

Lugging around a monitor amp of my own is out of the question as I need to be able to travel by train or bus, so I was thinking about getting some in ear headphones to monitor myself. I'm not talking about a wireless in ear monitoring system here, just connect them to the headphones output of my small mixer that I use on stage anyway so that I can control how much of my own sound that I hear while also isolating the sound just as regular ear plugs.

Is anyone else using this method for monitoring your own sound? Is there anything in particular that I should consider when buying a pair of in ears?

[elektromin]

I can surely recognize the frustration! I find it really hard to play tight/correct if I don't hear myself properly.

I usually bring a small behringer monitor (http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/B205D.aspx) as a backup solution. It's small and light weight, and fits easily in a backpack. Of course the sound isn't that good, but it has definitely saved my life a few times!

I'm curious about the in-ear solution, but would you still hear everything else on stage? It seems to me that they would isolate too much? Of course, if you would take a monitor signal from the main mixer console, then you could get it all. But that also complicates things, as you are dependent on the sound guy and that the mixer has enough aux buses. Another scary thing with in-ears is what would happen in case of feedback!?

[analogika]

Real in-ear solutions mean that everybody is on in-ears, and all monitoring is done through them. There is no feedback, because there are no monitor speakers on stage.

In addition, in-ear monitoring systems have limiters built in.

In this case, he's just talking about using normal in-ear earbuds with his own signal, and counting on them working just like the earplugs he would normally be wearing for all signals other than his own. There is no danger of feedback, since the only signal going through them is his own keyboard signal. I know people who work like this.

[pablomastodon]

I switched to in-ears some months ago and they are GREAT! Biggest problem we have is talking to one another -- have not yet implemented a talk-back system...

Pablo

[spradders]

Hi, I use in-ear. I have a small mixer specifically for the earphones; it takes a feed from the mixing desk (I use an aux channel so can create a decent generic mix which I share with our singer) and has another input that you can use in-line with your keyboards so you can turn them up as loud as you like in your ears without it changing what anyone else hears. Our singer has the same little mixer so she can add lots of her own vocal mic to the generic mix.
The monitor mixers we use are approx £50 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MyMonitor/ There are plenty of others around.
It's not an elegant solution (extra wires and bits) but it is cheap; it lets you hear yourself as loud as you like and balance that with the rest of the band.
Most importantly - I use this because I was worried about hearing damage. Protect your ears! Even with earphones, only have them just as loud as you need.

[Johannes]

In this case, he's just talking about using normal in-ear earbuds with his own signal, and counting on them working just like the earplugs he would normally be wearing for all signals other than his own. There is no danger of feedback, since the only signal going through them is his own keyboard signal. I know people who work like this.

Interesting, but could you specify how people use normal earbuds? Given the very low degree of shielding noise from stage, I fear that one would has to crank up the volume of the piano quite a bit resulting in dangerous levels of overall volume. Tried it once and got really loud so I dropped it. Proper IEM with limiter and mix from the console is best, but really most effective only if everyone is using it.
For now I also zuse the B205D as a monitor mounted on a mic stand so and never had problems (sound is good, apart from Accoustic Pianos)

[spradders]

I agree about normal earbuds, although lots of medium quality earphones come with a variety of inserts, including foam / flanged etc. It may be possible to get decent isolation with off the shelf buds. For example, have a look at the variety of bits available for the Shure e2c (which are a pretty cheap earphone, under $100):
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=shure ... c&tbm=shop

I ended up getting custom moulds done; more comfortable and better isolation.

[jonas]

Thank you for the help! I think I'll buy a pair of in ears and try them at my next gig.

[analogika]

In this case, he's just talking about using normal in-ear earbuds with his own signal, and counting on them working just like the earplugs he would normally be wearing for all signals other than his own. There is no danger of feedback, since the only signal going through them is his own keyboard signal. I know people who work like this.

Interesting, but could you specify how people use normal earbuds? Given the very low degree of shielding noise from stage, I fear that one would has to crank up the volume of the piano quite a bit resulting in dangerous levels of overall volume. Tried it once and got really loud so I dropped it.

I'm talking about in-ear earbuds, specifically — the kind that come with (usually) silicone muffs and actually close up your ear.

[DanielD71]

Hello
We use the shure se-535 inear, they are great !

Regards