iem help.. in ear monitors... wireless mic...

[robbyandlondon]

Hi, I'm in a bit of a bind.. I have to purchase a wireless IEM system, together with a wireless mic as soon as possible... because of the tight time frame, I'm not able to do as much research as I would have liked. I dont want to just walk into guitar centre with the little knowledge I have and walk out with an inept piece of kit... I'm really looking to make an investment... I was wondering if anybody could offer some advice as to what system to go with.. I'm a hard rock singer, with a loud four piece rock band. We'll be playing venues of all types with various sound men along the way... I'm very animated on and also off of the stage, I'll be running around each venue and therefore will require a really light, but strong, practical set-up.. by reading the posts before this I think I'll take people's advice and go with just one ear bud so I can hear the audience too.. My budget is anywhere from $500 to $1500 for the IEM system, as for the mic, the same $500 to $1500.. If possible I'd like to buy 'used' so I can save some money.. I'd appreciate any advice at all, I'm on a timeline! thanks so much, London.

ps. if there any system, at all, that comes without having to have a box clipped to your belt?
pps. is there an 'all in one' 'head' mic/iem system that would work for what I need?
Again, huge thanks!

[tINY]

I've been most impressed with the Shure IEM systems (though my experience is not extensive).

The Sony mic transmitters are probably the best, but the mics they come packaged with are limited - you may want to look at the Sennheiser systems too.

Stay away from head-mounted mics unless you really need them for some reason - you can not work them like a normal mic.



-tINY

[hey paulie]

Hey,
I recently purchased a Shure IEM and was very happy with it. This gives a bit of an overview and at least details the full RRP of each system (sure street price is a bit lower!).....
Overview of Shure in-ear personal monitoring systems

[brianroth]

For the folks in the UK, be sure to review:

Important Information on Frequency Allocation

A similar situation exists in the USA, but the affected frequencies are somewhat different. Read the various links here:

Shure - Wireless Systems

This is all happening because of the conversion of the television broadcasters from analog to digital transmission, and the accompanying changes in the RF transmission frequencies used.

Hence, some gear that was "OK" a few years ago may be subject to interference as the frequency allocations are changed; it is likely that some/many wireless mic/IEM/IFB systems will be unusable in the near future due to interference by new users that are allocated into the frequency spectrum previously used by the wireless mics, etc. which co-existed in the same frequency bands as the TV stations.

Another excellent resource is Lectrosonics, one of the "800 Pound Gorillas" in the USA, and also in Europe, for the television and motion picture production companies:

Lectrosonics, Inc. | Wireless microphone and audio conferencing systems for film, video, church, courtroom, boardroom, school and theater

(Somewhere on that website are "papers" which discuss the frequency issues, including that fact that the majority of wireless systems used in the USA are technically illegal, due to the fact that the frequencies commonly used are reserved by the FCC... STRICTLY for use by TV stations or motion picture producers, and NOT for touring rock bands or similar productions.)

Bruce Jones at Lectrosonics is my friend/guru on these topics.

A final (yes...repeating myself now...) "word to the wise"...a wireless system that operated perfectly-OK a few years ago *might* be/become unusable due to the shifting frequency allocations. Hence, beware of purchasing a slightly older system until you verify the RF frequencies it uses, and compare those frequencies in the "New World Order".

I've been "on the bleeding edge of this" in the USA with internet-based video and audio broadcasters, which are "neither fish or fowl" according to the current FCC regulations.

Best,

Bri

[tINY]

What a mess!

I get the allocations shifting, but restricting frequencies to "motion picture producers" and not allowing use by church PAs, theatrical productions, and music concerts is silly...


-tINY

[brianroth]

Hey I Don't make the rules...

Best.,

Bri

[justanalogue]

I work in a quite large theatre in the Netherlands and we also experience the problem with frequencies for wireless IEM and mic's.
Digital TV is taking bands away and they, even in our small country, vary from state to state...

So I also give you the advice: be careful when you have to invest in those products.

Willem.

[mixedupsteve]

In it's last order the FCC has given all of us who never got the license (because we couldn't as mentioned) to continue to operate until 6-12-2010. The FCC is seeking comments from users of low power wireless devices until then at which time they will issue another order. They seem ready to allow low power unlicensed use legally in certain bands which will not include the 700mhz bands.