In Ear Monitors

[flig_chris]

Any one use In Ear Monitors? If so what do you use? Like? Etc? I have smaller ear canals...I have a set of Shure E2's which I like, but they are a little big and don't stay put too well if I'm moving around. Any suggestions?

TIA.

[Snap]

Well I play in a lot of churches and similar venues where stage volume is an issue. I currently use E2's, but I've been scoping ebay for some E5's.
You can even get custom ear molds for most models (even E2's) for around $100 (which seal and fit better than the foam or rubber ends).

The triple driver earphones will normally sound the best, the Shure E500, Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi and the Westone ES-3 all are top notch.

If there is time for a good soundcheck I usually like getting my ears from an aux send on the sound board (preferably stereo, but this doesn't always happen).
The Avioms are pretty nice, but they can sound a little different if you don't have time to set a good mix and because they are pre-EQ.

Unless you're in the $1000-$2000 range of wireless products, wireless ears can sound a little funky because there usually is some tone loss. But that's me being really picky, the lower end ones still work great.

IRT: Your question
Normally the E2's come with a few different sizes of foam and rubber ends, if the smallest ones don't work for you then I recommend getting custom molds.

[TShafer]

i have had the same pair of E5s for probably two years now of constant use (playing an average of 4 dates a week plus iPod use and ProTools etc) and they've been great to me. I see no reason to change for now. I will be getting molded earplugs in the near future to deal with venues that use wedges and I'm sure I will upgrade to in-ear molds in the distant future. But for now, I'm fine with the E5s.

Tom

[TheBus36(Retired)]

Man, I'm glad I came across this thread. I'm sorry, I love music, but am in no way someone who could play it. I've always wondered what those things are in peoples ears, and why? Thanks.

[rhjanes]

Click on Artist (I have to click, and then click again), then, click on "full artist list)
check out page 14 of the Full Clientelle list.... :D

http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/community/clientele.php

[Tony Trout]

Answer me this:

What are the advantages of "In Ear monitors" versus the (what would now probably be referred to as "old-fashioned") floor monitors?

I've never used "In Ear" monitors....hence the reason I'm asking....

[rhjanes]

Answer me this:

What are the advantages of "In Ear monitors" versus the (what would now probably be referred to as "old-fashioned") floor monitors?

I've never used "In Ear" monitors....hence the reason I'm asking....

Lots. Saving your hearing (stage is about the quietest place, with no wedges). Mix, while still controled by the monitor mix guy, YOU have volume control. My soundman, even has some limiter set, so even on "10", the IE's are still below the hearing damage level. If you get the custom made one's, you almost forget they are in. They block out something like 90 percent of the ambient noise. If you notice, Mac will reach up an yank one out, when he needs to hear the crowd, wants to talk with someone, is delivering a message.

Even the cheaper UE's (IE brand being favored by a lot of pro-bands), are great.

You also get away from "Competing wedges" on stage (includes church). I worked one church, the worship leader was about 40 percent deaf, his monitor BLEW everyone off the stage. If you had a change made in your wedge, then that would mess him all up. Some churches, have gone to Headphone monitor systems. This can help a lot. You get rid of all stage noise from wedges. Soundman is then free to mix the room. That church I just memtioned, 50 percent of the room sound, was actually wedges from the stage! So if you sat in the hall to the left, you heard tons of the bass, if you sat on the other side, nothing but keyboards.....

[surfdaworld]

<grimaces>.....

same problem here--our pastor (who is also our back-up keyboardist) is deaf in one ear, so the keys' monitor is cranked to insane levels most of the time. :|

I'm just waiting until I can invest in a set of Shure E2's--heard mostly good stuff about them