PA & Amps IEM In-Ear Monitoring

[Stevie]

Playing on a stage with a couple of electric guitars (with amps), bass (amped), drums behind perspex and keyboards, plus monitors, I was thinking of IEM. Maybe something like this
http://www.thomann.de/gb/db_technologies_iem_600_uk_band.htm
with a stage mix and me run through a small mixer, with perhaps upgraded earbuds - maybe Etymotic mc5 or 6i
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/epcomp.html

Anyone used wireless IEM?

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[Woodyeyes]

Yes, I do. Its great.....so much better than floor monitors. You can control volume from belt pack, and the in ears plugs block out a lot of noise from those pesky drummers and guitars.

 

[saxnik]

The drummer in our band uses IEM and swears by it - he does BV's too, and therefore needs clear monitoring. We like it too since there's no need for a massive system of drum monitors!
I however just use a set of moulded attenuated earplugs - I can hear myself very well, both playing and singing (squeaking?) internally, and can still hear everything else (conversation, boo's, etc), just quieter. No wires, no fuss, no batteries.

Nick

 

[johnboy]

Nick, which brand of plug do you use. I'm fed up with having to bounce the sound off of the back wall to get the key.
Looking at prices, you can spend a small fortune on some of them.

John.

 

[Taz]

Only just seen this thread, I, like Nick use a set of ear plugs. Mine are made by Alpine. I find these to be great once your used to them, they do feel a little alien to start with, but they are great. They have interchangeable filters (the silver and gold bits in the picture) so you can block out more sound if you need to. And the bonus is, you can hear yourself "internally"

 

[AndyG]

I have started using IEM too but mine are just sennheiser earphones with the lead running down under my shirt and clipped under my belt. This then plugs into a 10 meter lead and plugs straight into the phones socket on the pa mixer.
I find the earphones such a good fit that they block out nearly all background noise and I can hear myself and the backing much better, I just have to remember not to walk off when I'm plugged in as I have done a couple of times.

 

[daveysaxboy]

Save your cash people.I now use this.Got mine for about £24.00 off ebay.Its great
BEHRINGER MA-400 MICROMON HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER MA400


The Micromon MA400 from Behringer is an ultracompact headphone amplifier for both studio and stage applications. Features Mic In and Mic Through XLR connectors with an integrated Ground Lift switch, high-power headphone outputs with 1/4" and 1/8" jacks, Mic and Monitor Level adjustments, and Mono/Stereo switch.
Specifications:

Ultracompact headphone amplifier for studio and stage monitoring applications.
Personal "more me" mixer — mix a mic and a monitor signal and hear them via headphones.
Flexible Mic In and Mic Through XLR connectors with Ground Lift switch.
Stereo Monitor input with dedicated Monitor Level control and Mono/Stereo switch.
High-power headphone output on 1/4" and 1/8" jack connectors.
DC 12-volt adapter included.
High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life.

 

[daveysaxboy]

Behringer Micromon MA400 Headphone Amplifier4.5 12 ReviewsWrite a Review SKU #187201000000000Best Selle

link failed,DERRRRRRRRRR.This thing is great size of a box of cigs.You are in charge of how much band you get from the desk,i have none as i like ME,ME and me.You also have your own volume control.You control the lot.

 

[Sunray]

Here you go mate ... [Linky Thingy]

 

[daveysaxboy]

Here you go mate ... [Linky Thingy]

Sorted.You are connected to your moniter cable but the moniter cable is not very thick but i jump all over,in the crowd,on my knees etc.Dance moves.Dont stop me.I used a few kinds over the many years but for shear price,your in control,size and ease this ittle box is king.I gig heavy in my wedding funtion corp band and this serves me great.At times i just use 1 earphone and 1 side with a Alpine ear bud but for LOUD full on i use both earphones,strange at 1st but it comes.

 

[saxnik]

I have a fear of anything with Behringer written on it - used to live with a sound technician, and he generally muttered incantations if anyone mentioned the brand!

I also couldn't be doing with a wire for the monitor mix - seems a lot of hassle and will extend the already interminable soundchecks. Most of the gigs I do have a random monitor engineer and some of them are a bit fader-happy, so I'd be forever fiddling with my own balance. With my plugs in I can just move closer or further from the floor monitor if the sound changes, and there's always plenty of me! No wires, no batteries, no problem.

John, my plugs are Exinore - the expensive ones you found! But they are great and since they're moulded, a perfect fit. Sorry for the late response.

The Alpine ones are probably fine though.

Nick

 

[daveysaxboy]

I have a fear of anything with Behringer written on it - used to live with a sound technician, and he generally muttered incantations if anyone mentioned the brand!

I also couldn't be doing with a wire for the monitor mix - seems a lot of hassle and will extend the already interminable soundchecks. Most of the gigs I do have a random monitor engineer and some of them are a bit fader-happy, so I'd be forever fiddling with my own balance. With my plugs in I can just move closer or further from the floor monitor if the sound changes, and there's always plenty of me! No wires, no batteries, no problem.

John, my plugs are Exinore - the expensive ones you found! But they are great and since they're moulded, a perfect fit. Sorry for the late response.

The Alpine ones are probably fine though.

Nick

I got a bunch of Behringer pedals.Never had any probs with them.As for as hassle setting up its 1 lead from desk to box,1 lead to you.Simples.As for floor moniters they are a hassle i find.Feedback nightmare.Not so bad if your the only blower but in a loud section i like my own.I stand next to a trombone and loud trumpet.I dont do the blow ya brains out stuff now,getting to old for that as 50 gets ever closer.The easy life now for me.

 

[saxnik]

I got a bunch of Behringer pedals.Never had any probs with them.As for as hassle setting up its 1 lead from desk to box,1 lead to you.Simples.As for floor moniters they are a hassle i find.Feedback nightmare.Not so bad if your the only blower but in a loud section i like my own.I stand next to a trombone and loud trumpet.I dont do the blow ya brains out stuff now,getting to old for that as 50 gets ever closer.The easy life now for me.

Horses for courses! Surely you need two leads - mic out and monitor in?! Plus your headphones of course.

I used an SD systems clip mic for a while, just the one lead, but I decided I'd put up with having to deal with batteries and things to get rid of it. I'm still very happy with that decision, the Shure pack I use gets at least four gigs out of a set of rechargeable Ni-MH batteries and I have two sets and a charger with me at the gigs. I generally don't have any issues with feedback from the floor monitors, and didn't with the SD either. I can get within about two feet of the speaker cone before there's a problem, it's a really good mic capsule.

I considered IEM, but it would mean another pack and another set of batteries if I were to go wireless.

As for the brand, a band I played in used to use a Behringer mixer and it seemed fine but very quickly developed crackles and pops on the individual channels, not so good for live sound. Other brands usually make each mixer channel removable so you can replace any dodgy components, but the mixer in question was just one PCB, had to replace the whole unit. When grumbling about this we heard many more similar stories of slightly shoddy stuff and low build quality from the same manufacturer. Glad your pedals are OK!

Nick

 

[daveysaxboy]

Horses for courses! Surely you need two leads - mic out and monitor in?! Plus your headphones of course.

I used an SD systems clip mic for a while, just the one lead, but I decided I'd put up with having to deal with batteries and things to get rid of it. I'm still very happy with that decision, the Shure pack I use gets at least four gigs out of a set of rechargeable Ni-MH batteries and I have two sets and a charger with me at the gigs. I generally don't have any issues with feedback from the floor monitors, and didn't with the SD either. I can get within about two feet of the speaker cone before there's a problem, it's a really good mic capsule.

I considered IEM, but it would mean another pack and another set of batteries if I were to go wireless.

As for the brand, a band I played in used to use a Behringer mixer and it seemed fine but very quickly developed crackles and pops on the individual channels, not so good for live sound. Other brands usually make each mixer channel removable so you can replace any dodgy components, but the mixer in question was just one PCB, had to replace the whole unit. When grumbling about this we heard many more similar stories of slightly shoddy stuff and low build quality from the same manufacturer. Glad your pedals are OK!

Nick

1 XLR to jack which goes from box to desk.1 thin moniter cable that goes from box and plugs into your headphones.Thats it.If thats not simple i dont no what is.No belt box ,nothing.I level my volume at check and can also change how much band i get,takes about 5 seconds.Thats it.As for mic i use a Samson airline wireless.No leads to me,no belt box.Just a great sounding clip on mic.I use a power supply for box so no batterys there,i use a triple AAA pencil battery for my clip on mic that lasts a good 8 gigs.If this is not an easy setup i better start learning the bag pipes.

 

[dave mainland]

Found my monitor mic from a company called Inerear in Oxford, they've not gone into marketing these big style. Clip on mic to a belt box, box has an earphone plug and tr 1/4 socket. Earpiece to ear with volume control just for monitoring on box, comes with a tr plug to xlr lead for your mixer.
I use mine just as a monitor, the mic picks up a bit of key noise but chiefly I prefer a mic on a stand as well so I can step up for solos and back off to keep balance when backing. Having had the experience of playing live with an engineer who loved drums and guitar so much I couldn't hear myself at al it's been a good solution, no need to worry about engineers getting monitors right. they are about £160 new - they had ex hire ones when i got mine.

 

[daveysaxboy]

Stick with my micromon,£24.00 cant go wrong.Seen them for £18.99.

 

[Taz]

Found my monitor mic from a company called Inerear in Oxford, they've not gone into marketing these big style. Clip on mic to a belt box, box has an earphone plug and tr 1/4 socket. Earpiece to ear with volume control just for monitoring on box, comes with a tr plug to xlr lead for your mixer.
I use mine just as a monitor, the mic picks up a bit of key noise but chiefly I prefer a mic on a stand as well so I can step up for solos and back off to keep balance when backing. Having had the experience of playing live with an engineer who loved drums and guitar so much I couldn't hear myself at al it's been a good solution, no need to worry about engineers getting monitors right. they are about £160 new - they had ex hire ones when i got mine.

It's nice to see someone else using Inerear monitor mic. In my opinion, it's a brilliant idea that works excellently! I've had mine about five years now, it was repaired once under their lifetime guarantee without any fuss or bother.