Personal In-ear monitor

[drumbeat8u]

Has anyone used the Personal In-ear monitors? Do they work well for drummers?

[rus]

I dunno if that's a brand name, but I've used them before... They work great! Total isolation (with a quality pair) and you'll hear better than you ever have while playing. There's also the bonus of your ears not ringing after the show!

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[This message has been edited by rus (edited May 10, 2001).]

[Zigs]

Our band bought the Shure wireless in ear monitors but ended up selling them about a month after purchase. I kinda liked it b/c of the way I was set up. I used the Shure headphones directly in to the phones on my TD10 and then sent the monitor mix of the band through my mix in; that way I had separate controls over my drums and the mix. However the other band members did not like it b/c 1)Unless you get a big system with a separate receiver for each player they have to play with the same mix. But what happened is the Bass Player wanted his louder than the keyboard and the keyboard wanted his louder than the guitar etc; all so they could monitor their instrument. It should be noted that we had a small board to run the monitors separately so we could change each persons overall volume but not the individaul mix of each instrument or vocal. So we could never find a mix that everyone was happy with. 2) The band could not get used to the total isolation feeling. I guess the band was too used to hearing that full live sound. With these in ear monitors it really gives you a sense of isolation that you have to get used to. I don't sing (they won't let me for some reason????) but the singers seem to have the most trouble geting used to this. I, however am still happy with mine. I use only and in ear monitor in only one ear and then put the other in my shirt or something, so I get a mix from the outside and can monitor my drums and the band with the in ear monitor as well. Only thing that still sux is lugging those monitors and power amps around.
I don't want to be too hard on them I know of two other bands in the area who swear by them. Just a couple things to think about.
Good luck,
Rob

[mcconaghy]

Originally posted by Zigs:
Our band bought the Shure wireless in ear monitors but ended up selling them about a month after purchase. I kinda liked it b/c of the way I was set up. I used the Shure headphones directly in to the phones on my TD10 and then sent the monitor mix of the band through my mix in; that way I had separate controls over my drums and the mix. However the other band members did not like it b/c 1)Unless you get a big system with a separate receiver for each player they have to play with the same mix. But what happened is the Bass Player wanted his louder than the keyboard and the keyboard wanted his louder than the guitar etc; all so they could monitor their instrument. It should be noted that we had a small board to run the monitors separately so we could change each persons overall volume but not the individaul mix of each instrument or vocal. So we could never find a mix that everyone was happy with. 2) The band could not get used to the total isolation feeling. I guess the band was too used to hearing that full live sound. With these in ear monitors it really gives you a sense of isolation that you have to get used to. I don't sing (they won't let me for some reason????) but the singers seem to have the most trouble geting used to this. I, however am still happy with mine. I use only and in ear monitor in only one ear and then put the other in my shirt or something, so I get a mix from the outside and can monitor my drums and the band with the in ear monitor as well. Only thing that still sux is lugging those monitors and power amps around.
I don't want to be too hard on them I know of two other bands in the area who swear by them. Just a couple things to think about.
Good luck,
Rob

I swear by in-ears, both for monitoring my playing and my vocals. I bought it primarily for my vocals, as I was having problems with hearing my voice through the monitors and shouting against the sidefills. Once I went with the in-ears I found I didn't have to strain myself vocal-wise.
It's not everyone's thing, I know of a few bands we've played with who have called us anything from wussies to anti-Rock'n'Roll for using them.

Stu

[Mick Wade]

Originally posted by mcconaghy:
It's not everyone's thing, I know of a few bands we've played with who have called us anything from wussies to anti-Rock'n'Roll for using them.

Stu

Piss on 'em, Stu. Being deaf or suffering from hyperacusis or tinnitus isn't very "Rock 'n Roll", either. It's kind of difficult to experience the joy of music when you can't hear a friggin' note that being played, yes?

As for the isolation problem: if it's that big of a deal, do what the pro bands do and set up a mike to pick up audience "ambience". Personally, it doesn't bother me a whole lot to not have to hear such clever audience banter as:

1. "Play (insert here)!"
a)some Skynyrd, man
b)something slow
c)a drum solo
d)something we can dance to
e)some real drums

2. "Could you not play (insert here)?"
a)so damn loud
b)that heavy metal ****
c)so damn fast
d)while the dinner crowd's still here

3. "BBBLLLEEEECCCCHHH.....Anyone got a mop?"

4. "I know you guys play original music only, but could you play some Aerosmith?"

5. "Last call!"

6. "Grab my ass one more time and I'll mace you, ****er!"

7. "YAHOO! ROCK AND R--"(crash, boom, tinkle...)

Et cetera, ad nauseam, blah, blah, blah.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

In-ear monitors rule, and that's my final answer......

[Zigs]

Thats good Mick.
I will tell you another thing that you won't hear with in ear monitors is feedback.
Its amazing to me why singers always have to have the monitor level so high that it is always on the brink of feedback; regardless of how loud it is. I think sometimes our monitors are as loud as the main PA.
Anyway, (sorry about that rant) as I said before another benefit of in ears is no more feedback.
As for people saying they are not rock n roll. thats just stupid. I think they are cool and they look high tech. I think they make your band look more professional. They also clear room on the stage since you dont have 3 or 4 wedges sitting up in from of you. Oh NO forget that where is the lead singer going to hide his words?
Rob