[DaxOnTheSax]

Hi all,

I'm looking for in ear monitoring systems for gigging all different styles of music. I need good sound insulation to save my ears and something reliable.

I'm playing loud funk, even louder sax/DJ sets and some jazz and really suffer with using monitor wedges and ringing ears after gigs. So something capable of handling all different sorts of jobs.

I'm on a reasonably tight budget, but you can't put a price on saving your hearing and having a good gig so any suggestion welcome. Plus it's my birthday soon so perhaps I'll be in luck!

Thanks for any help!

D

 

[BbBoy]

check out the Shure range, works well and not mega expensive. you can upgrade the actual headphones if you wish, maybe at a later date

 

[Tony aiello]

Greetings! Shure 425's. A great value!!!

 

[JCBigler]

If you are going to be serious about in-ear-monitors, then you need to go down to your audiologist and have them make some molds for you, then send them off and get something like the Sensaphonics 2X-S or the Westone AC2.

 

[saxbass]

I have now used in-ear type monitors for years. Back in the 70s and 80s it was rare to hear myself well, and in some bands I used my own amplification. In one band I had an Acoustic 6/10 that rocked; another band a Yamaha PA cabinet. Then floor monitors became more prevalent and sometimes I could get myself heard in them. I'm lucky I still have hearing. I finally went with in-ear monitoring. The dilemma for me was being able to monitor the band, especially vocals, while still protecting my ears and getting a realistic sound off my rack (horn+effects). Most bands I played with didn't use in-ears, so I didn't have access to a full-band monitor send to mix with my sound. And even if I did, it complicated the setup too much for some sound guys. I did go the route of getting a custom ear mold, but on stage I was so isolated from the band and from any verbal cues on stage-as well as comments or requests from the audience- that it proved to be unworkable. I eventually went with the type of earbuds that either hooked over my ears or were in the form of sport headphones. The buds blocked enough of the stage volume that it effectively protected my ears, and I could still hear the band mix/vocals/stage cues...and any requests or comments from the audience. Okay, so they look a bit dorky. I honestly don't care, and I get to really hear myself and still hear and play well with the ensemble. IME, IMO, YMMV. Good luck!

 

[heckstall]

Hi Dan,

There are pretty much IEM's usable but I have good experience with Westone UM1 and UM2. I built the (5.8GHz) sender myself so I cannot advice you in that, but I believe in buying the monitors and sender/receiver seperately you have more possibilities to choose from. Besides that you could first try things out without being wireless and using universal foam tips. Later on you could deside for going wireless (preferable!) and buy yourself custom tips (UM56) if you want more isolation. I played too long without a IEM so it is a good idea to do so however you should pay attention several aspects (which you probably allready know of):
1) To avoid the so called occlusion effect, you'll have to use rather long foam tips or use custom-fit IEM. Occlusion: vibration (resonance) of the ear canal by closing one end of the canal. You can experience this by blocking both ears with your fingers while talking. By using long foam tips this boomy effect will be minimized. However still you have to turn your volume up in order to mask this effect and the R&R growl even than will still be heard through the bones of your head.
2) (Later on) you probably want yourself to hear as when playing in a living room with nice ambient sound. Therefore you need a good reverb. I found out that the “cheap” ones even with having good reviews sound artificial because you hear its direct sound without room reflections being added. I “temporarily” use an old Yahama DSP1 with good results.
3) In order to hear “the rest” I use a PZM (omnidirectional) microphone (Samson CM-11B) for picking up this sound and mix it myself in a small mixer with the sound of the sax. When doing gigs I got most of the time a line back from the mixing console with everything I ask for on it.

Using IEM is nescessary for me but it took some time to get used to it! BTW; happy birthday!

 

[Chipperjones]

For a while i was using these pretty horrible F38 headphones, after i made a few bucks i upgraded to a pair of UE in ears that were molded to my canal! Some seven hundred dollars later i am a happy man and i will never ever look back. In short - spend good money and get solid results

 

[Alastair Grant]

I can't offer advice on radio systems but a good start for moulds and IEMs in the UK would be ACS. You can find there website here. I have no connection to them. They have provided good service to me and several colleagues.