IEM for singer?

melissa82 · 16th December 2008

Hello Everyone,

A few of you advised me to get IEM after problems with feedback. (soft voice etc..)

I was wondering, as there are so many options out there:

-How do IEM sound on stage? Is it as if youre in the studio? Same kind of clarity?
Are they hard to get used to?

-What are the different kind of IEM. Not in terms of the brand but more so in terms of functions and quality, especially in the way the sound is perceived?

-Whats the big difference between the expensive systems and the cheaper ones?

-Do custom molds make a big difference?

and then finally

-What are some of your favorite brands ? (molds and or the actual system

Thanks so much!

All the info out there is soooo confusing

M.

tINY · 17th December 2008

They sound as good as the engineer running the system... The gear in the system (mics, board, signal rack, etc) makes a difference too. The actual IEM system is only a part of it.

You can get wired or wireless cue systems.

For the actual IEMs that go into your ear, there are quite a few. The Shure E3 series is a good start. I believe that some of the Shure wireless monitoring systems are bundled with teh E3 type earphones.

-tINY

jamesosullivan1 · 25th December 2008

I just wanted to say I am interested in this section aswell as I am looking for an IEM system for playing along with backing track of bass. Basically just looking to see what the different types are and if a wirless is needed really on drums?

Any advice would be much apprecaited.

MBishopSFX · 31st December 2008

An In-Ear Monitoring system absolutely requires someone that knows what they're doing to set it up properly. You have the potential of doing permanent ear damage with an IEM run amuck! I suggest working directly with a reputable live sound PRO in your area. Talk to some of the well-established gigging musicians around and the better studios for some recommendations for such a person. Unless you're dealing with a pro-audio retailer, please take any advice from your local guitar center, etc. with a BIG grain of salt.

In-ear monitors can be a great tool when setup and used properly, but extremely dangerous when NOT.

MBishopSFX · 31st December 2008

Additionally, long before considering in-ear monitoring, I strongly suggest looking at these things FIRST:

1. Are you presently using a really good vocal mic?
2. Is the stage monitoring system set up, positioned and run properly by a skilled mixer?
3. Is the house sound system set up, positioned and run properly by a skilled mixer?
4. Does your live sound mixer really know what he/she is doing?
5. Have you perfected your performing and microphone-use skills?

Tacking-on a piece of technology will not correct for any weaknesses in the above areas. Until all these points are fully addressed, in-ear monitoring is not going to help. I know this doesn't answer the questions you asked, but why go down the wrong road with no direction?

.

mixedupsteve · 31st December 2008

I do live sound and recording and I love when performers use IEMs. They allow reduced stage volume which helps everything.
The wired ones are fine if you can deal with the wire.
Wireless units made by Shure and Sennheiser are great and real popular right now.
They take some getting used to. The isolation is a problem with many performers but it can be partially offset by puting ambience mics on stage and mixing in a little audience mic too.
If you only need a couple mixes then you can probably use the FOH board auxs for your Inears. If you need alot then you might need a separate monitor mixer.
Purpose built IEMs aren't dangerous unless there is a total failure of the unit. They have limiters built in to protect your ears.

I would reccomend you rent some and see if you like them. Some people just can't ever get used to them.

BTW: I agree with Mbishop. You might not even need them.

ericbridenbaker · 6th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBishopSFX

An In-Ear Monitoring system absolutely requires someone that knows what they're doing to set it up properly. You have the potential of doing permanent ear damage with an IEM run amuck! I suggest working directly with a reputable live sound PRO in your area. Talk to some of the well-established gigging musicians around and the better studios for some recommendations for such a person. Unless you're dealing with a pro-audio retailer, please take any advice from your local guitar center, etc. with a BIG grain of salt.

In-ear monitors can be a great tool when setup and used properly, but extremely dangerous when NOT.

Be VERY CAREFUL, and do what you can to control the sound pessure onstage... the performance, and sonics will be better overall for all involved. Most of the units I've come across do have a limiter built in to help keep levels safe.

Shure Notes Issue #8 - Turn it Down!

Well implemented IEM's give the performer a consistent sound and reduce the need for loud volumes in the monitor wedges, which is good for everything. Molded earpieces can be more expensive, but won't fall out easily and form a seal in the ear which can significantly block out the environmental sound. This can help keep things sounding clean at lower volumes. In some cases, monitor engineers will add in an "ambient" mic signal to the in ear mix to provide the overall sound of the stage/venue. What's right for the performer is the key here. Other factors to consider might be single driver vs multi-driver earpieces (the jury still seems to be out on which is better), battery life and the distance the wireless can cleanly cover.

Regards,
Eric

wordstew · 9th April 2009

I recommend LIVEWIRES in ear monitors with the freedom back system they are one of the best in ear monitors for the $$$. I use them on live gigs all the time.

Although for the best performance sound be sure and do a sound check without the in ear monitors then put them in and do another to make sure you are getting an accurate representation of your vocals.

fallforward · 9th April 2009

I have the cutsom molds, the regular ones always fall out. I've been on plenty of gigs where guys are perfectly happy with the regular ones. I also have my fitted to where they will stay in with out being totally jammed in my ear so I can still here myself naturally, this is less of an issue singing or playing piano, as it is playing sax.

And make really good friends with the monitor engineer before you start.

16th December 2008	#1
melissa82 Gear interested Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 4 Thread Starter	IEM for singer? Hello Everyone, A few of you advised me to get IEM after problems with feedback. (soft voice etc..) I was wondering, as there are so many options out there: -How do IEM sound on stage? Is it as if youre in the studio? Same kind of clarity? Are they hard to get used to? -What are the different kind of IEM. Not in terms of the brand but more so in terms of functions and quality, especially in the way the sound is perceived? -Whats the big difference between the expensive systems and the cheaper ones? -Do custom molds make a big difference? and then finally -What are some of your favorite brands ? (molds and or the actual system Thanks so much! All the info out there is soooo confusing M.

31st December 2008	#4
MBishopSFX Gear addict Joined: Feb 2005 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 391	An In-Ear Monitoring system absolutely requires someone that knows what they're doing to set it up properly. You have the potential of doing permanent ear damage with an IEM run amuck! I suggest working directly with a reputable live sound PRO in your area. Talk to some of the well-established gigging musicians around and the better studios for some recommendations for such a person. Unless you're dealing with a pro-audio retailer, please take any advice from your local guitar center, etc. with a BIG grain of salt. In-ear monitors can be a great tool when setup and used properly, but extremely dangerous when NOT. __________________ With Best Regards, Michael Bishop Learn why Everything's Better in 5/4! http://Recording.Pro

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17th December 2008	#2
tINY Gear Guru Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 10,233	They sound as good as the engineer running the system... The gear in the system (mics, board, signal rack, etc) makes a difference too. The actual IEM system is only a part of it. You can get wired or wireless cue systems. For the actual IEMs that go into your ear, there are quite a few. The Shure E3 series is a good start. I believe that some of the Shure wireless monitoring systems are bundled with teh E3 type earphones. -tINY

25th December 2008	#3
jamesosullivan1 Gear nut Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Cork, Ireland Posts: 110	I just wanted to say I am interested in this section aswell as I am looking for an IEM system for playing along with backing track of bass. Basically just looking to see what the different types are and if a wirless is needed really on drums? Any advice would be much apprecaited.

31st December 2008	#6
mixedupsteve Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Chestertown MD USA Posts: 969	I do live sound and recording and I love when performers use IEMs. They allow reduced stage volume which helps everything. The wired ones are fine if you can deal with the wire. Wireless units made by Shure and Sennheiser are great and real popular right now. They take some getting used to. The isolation is a problem with many performers but it can be partially offset by puting ambience mics on stage and mixing in a little audience mic too. If you only need a couple mixes then you can probably use the FOH board auxs for your Inears. If you need alot then you might need a separate monitor mixer. Purpose built IEMs aren't dangerous unless there is a total failure of the unit. They have limiters built in to protect your ears. I would reccomend you rent some and see if you like them. Some people just can't ever get used to them. BTW: I agree with Mbishop. You might not even need them.

9th April 2009	#8
wordstew Gear interested Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 19	Try LIVEWIRES I recommend LIVEWIRES in ear monitors with the freedom back system they are one of the best in ear monitors for the $$$. I use them on live gigs all the time. Although for the best performance sound be sure and do a sound check without the in ear monitors then put them in and do another to make sure you are getting an accurate representation of your vocals.

9th April 2009	#9
fallforward Gear addict Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 426	I have the cutsom molds, the regular ones always fall out. I've been on plenty of gigs where guys are perfectly happy with the regular ones. I also have my fitted to where they will stay in with out being totally jammed in my ear so I can still here myself naturally, this is less of an issue singing or playing piano, as it is playing sax. And make really good friends with the monitor engineer before you start.