In Ear Monitoring suggestions for Laptop Band

[Dysanfel]

My band consists of myself on 12-string acoustic (LR Baggs pickups), electric guitar, and vocals. I have a Bass player and second guitar player who both sing backups, plus a synth player who submixes his keys.

I run backing tracks through my MBP using a DAW and a Presonus FP10 (8 ins and outs). I process the vocals, and 12 string in real-time through the DAW so I can automate FX and such.

My line diagram looks something like this:

1) Drums (mono from FP10 + DI -> FOH)
2) Track (mono from FP10 + DI -> FOH)
3) Vocal 1 (from FP10 +DI -> FOH)
4) Vocal 2 (from FP10 +DI -> FOH)
5) Vocal 3 (from FP10 +DI -> FOH)
6) 12 string (from FP10 +DI -> FOH)
7) Gtr 1 (miced by venue)
8) Gtr 2 (miced by venue)
9) Bass (miced or direct by venue)
10) Synth 1 (submix to venue)

This setup works great; however, I am considering using in-ears because I feel I could be performing better if I could hear my vocals a bit more while gigging.

But here is where it gets complicated. If I run my in-ear monitor mix from the MBP I would not be able to hear any electric guitar, synths, or the bass guitar in my IEM since they are not going through the MBP. I probably could perform without these in my IEM, but is there a better way?

How would you approach this sort of live setup with an IEM solution given the equipment we have?

[bishopthomas]

You need to get the IEM mix from either the venue's console or bring your own console/splitter. If you're playing venues where there is a dedicated monitor console/engineer then I would go that route for simplicity. If monitors are run from FOH then you might think about adding a monitor console to your setup. The venue's mixer will not always have a spare pre-fade aux out. With your own mixer you can be prepared for when (when, not if) the other members of your band what to go IEM.

[Dysanfel]

Originally Posted by bishopthomas

You need to get the IEM mix from either the venue's console or bring your own console/splitter. If you're playing venues where there is a dedicated monitor console/engineer then I would go that route for simplicity. If monitors are run from FOH then you might think about adding a monitor console to your setup. The venue's mixer will not always have a spare pre-fade aux out. With your own mixer you can be prepared for when (when, not if) the other members of your band what to go IEM.

Wouldn't it be easier to use the mix from the DAW? I have a LM3204 Mackie line mixer that could be used for this as you suggest, but I still would have no bass, gtr, or keys in the IEM unless I split everything from the source. That sounds like a mess of cabling and a long setup.

I would rather leave the venues out of the equation because most of the places I are small to medium rooms with a single console running everything.
Damn this crap is confusing.

[bishopthomas]

Yes, you can use the DAW mix, but the only way to get the "real" instruments is to take a feed from the console or provide a split and your own console.

[Dysanfel]

Thats what I was afraid of. I guess I need a elegant splitting solution that is fast to setup and break down.

[-Noodles-]

Originally Posted by Dysanfel

Thats what I was afraid of. I guess I need a elegant splitting solution that is fast to setup and break down.

You could build a rack which has everything built in - and the outputs are labelled so that the guys in the venues only get the 2nd of the splits.

This does mean introducing some extra channels (you'd be mic'ing, but not using the guitars etc).
It'd also cost a bit, but would ensure that you've got monitoring control over everything.