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| Sennheiser ew 300 IEM G3 |
In the Not-So-Distant Future, wedges and sidefills could disappear from
stages large and small, ending up as museum
exhibits alongside Shure Vocal Masters and
Altec Voice of the Theater speakers. As in-ear
monitoring (IEM) systems drop in price,
more working musicians may opt for the
benefits of less stage volume, less feedback,
and clearer, cleaner monitor mixes. Good
affordable systems—meaning transmitter,
receiver, and earpiece for one musician—
include Audio-Technica’s M2 ($599 street),
Galaxy’s AS-1100 ($399 street), Sennheiser’s
ew 300 IEM G3 ($999 street), and Shure’s
PSM 200 ($599 street). If you desire custommolded
earpieces, Logitech’s Ultimate Ears
models start at $399 (retail). Here are some
things to consider before embracing IEMs.
Get Familiar
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| Shure PSM 200 |
IEM systems prevent volume wars between
the wedges and your backline as the monitor
mixer struggles to ensure band members
can hear their parts over the roar of the amps
and drums. Instead, earpieces isolate the performer
from ambient sounds and output the
monitor mix directly into the ear. This can
be a mixed blessing, however, as guitarists
typically dig being enveloped by the stage
sound of their amps, and vocalists often
feed off the exhortations of the audience. To
prep for the cut-off-from-everything sensation
of wearing earpieces, pop on a pair of
closed headphones, listen to a stereo track,
and critically assess whether you can hang
performing “in your own head.” If you purchase
a system, test it out at rehearsals long
before hitting the stage. And if your entire
band buys into the IEM concept, work out
learning curves, system refinements, and
other issues one member at a time.
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| Audio-Technica M2 |
Educate Your Sound Crew
Mixing for IEMs is quite different than
mixing for wedges. The good thing is that
you’re not managing feedback with EQ in
ways that can tank sound quality. The challenging
bit is that you’re practically mixing a
record with every show. You’ll have to bring
guitar solos up, and ride vocals so the singer
can hear soft passages and not get blasted
by screams. Featured vocals and instruments
should be compressed individually before
the master (safety) limiter to ensure nothing
jumps out of the band mix. Also, singers can
get too comfortable with hearing their voices
so clearly, and they may back off somewhat.
It helps to mix the vocal so that the singer
has to push a little to get on top of the mix.
Savvy panning can help separate and clarify
instruments, and a bit of reverb will add some
comfy dimension to the vocals and drums. To
negate aural claustrophobia, some pro mixers
even set up audience mics to feed the sound
of the room into the IEM mix.
Defend Your Hearing
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| Logitech Ultimate Ears |
IEM systems can help reduce stage volume
to relatively safe levels, but only if the musicians
don’t blast the levels hitting their ears.
If you can’thear something very well, discuss
the problem with the monitor mixer
before you pin your receiver’s volume knob
and risk hearing damage.