| Author | Message | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 768 Registered: 1-2008 |
Does anyone have experience with In Ear Monitors??? Everyone in my band (except the vocals) are running direct (the drummer uses electronic drums); therefore, we have a "quite" stage. I'd considered running the main mix thru some side fills for monitoring (and I may still do that), but in ear monitors may be an even easier way to do it. Are they able to handle drums and bass OK??? We just had an AWFUL experience at a multi-band gig where our set (everbody's set actually) was absolutely sabotaged by an incompetent sound man. For future gigs (where we can't control the PA), I'm going to take our board and monitors (In Ear?) and just give the FOH the main output from our board. As long as our monitors reflect what going to the FOH we can mix from the stage. I understand that's not ideal, but I'm NEVER putting myself in that situation again!!! | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 876 Registered: 5-2002 |
I run in ear monitors nightly. I have a splitter snake that goes to two ULN-8s and a 2882 made by Metric Halo (mhlabs.com), which is like carrying a 24 input 80 bit digital mixer with eq, compression, gates etc. on each channel. The downside is that the investment is considerable and the learning curve is at least moderately steep, but given that I have 25 years experience as an audio engineer and the gear pays for itself with my location recording business, there is no reason not to do it. I only really recommend using in ears when you can either do it yourself or have an engineer who is known and trusted. If you are working venues who deal with at least lower level national acts, you should have no trouble. I love the sound I get with Futuresonic Atrios using their softerwear sleeves. The headphone out on the ULN-8 can drive anything and the overall sound is spectacular. In fact, I much preferred the bass sound I got with my in ears to any amp I've been using until I got my fEarful setup. It's that good. The cheap stuff, not so much. As far as giving the FOH a stereo channel, I advise against it. No matter how good your in ears and how good their isolation, your mix will always be a compromise for them. They will bring it up, shrug their shoulders and let it suck if it does. Which it well might. I'd at least work out a way to give them submixes: kick, the rest of the drums, bass, vocals, guitars, keys, you get the picture. If you give him no control and act as if he's a more of a problem than a solution, no matter how subtly, he will be even more of a problem. The soundman is your friend, so even if there are issues, act as if he is. An incompetent soundman has nothing on a pissed off soundman when it comes to really screwing things up. Just my 02c from long experience. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1639 Registered: 5-2009 |
Pro Audio Technology and trends and practices have vastly changed since I leaped into the pro audio engineering world in the 1970's . One of the many trends that have changed is live sound artist monitoring technique. I remember back in the days of Winterland and and "Days On The Green" with FM productions and BGP ( Bill Graham Presents) what common practices were then , long before 'WIRELESS IN EAR MONITORING" It is a "Brave New World " now that can be a nightmare if botched. More variables to consider with the RF / wireless technology. One thing that remains closely the same is what is commonly requested in the monitor mix's signal content. But It can also be a WILD CARD from artist to artist . On major touring acts there are engineers that are monitor mixer specialists. I would concur with Edwin regarding signal content and sub-mixes etc... Here is a link regarding " IN EAR MONITORS "http://mixonline.com/searchresults/?ord=r&terms=in+ear+monitors+&x=0&y=0 | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 769 Registered: 1-2008 |
I tried the Shure PSM 200 unit and was quite pleased. I've decided to run a set of full range cabs for side fills (they will have the same mix as the FOH) and if anybody want their own monitor mix... they get an in-ear unit. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1651 Registered: 5-2009 |
I like side fills . Sometimes for full range side fills an equalizer (graphic , etc .. ) before the side fill monitor amp works well for spectral control use such as feed back , etc ... ... In other words ; discrete EQ for FOH and side fills. Just my 2 cents ...... | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 770 Registered: 1-2008 |
We have several Behringer Feedback Destroyers. Instead of running them on the main mix, I'm running them as inserts on every channel with a mic. They actually work... and don't color the sound too much!!! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1653 Registered: 5-2009 |
Cool ! |
