Have I been playing with ear plugs to long?

[mindseye]

I was wondering if anyone else notices/ experiences this, I love the way my amps sound when I have ear plugs in my ears but when I check my tones without them its just YUK!!!
I try to dial them in at a moderate volume without plugs but my ears fatigue really fast so its usually not to loud when I dial them in, problem is I think they sound pretty good but after playing with the ear plugs for a while at a gig level I take the plugs out for a second just to hear what everyone else is hearing and its shrill sounding....gross!!
Ive checked out live recording of our band and my tones always sit really nicely,is it weird that it sounds bad to me?

I guess the plugs filter out a good bit of high end and I just have not found the sweet spot for when I try playing without them.....any thoughts?

 

[midnightlaundry]

Save your hearing. Most people on here use way to much treble in their sound because their ears are blown out.

 

[RSRD]

What kind of plugs are you using? hopefully westones. That's what Ive been using and I dont hear too much of a difference. Sure some, but not enough to where I want to alter my settings.

Funny, my ears are blownout from pre plug days but Im the opposite. Treble KILLS my ears. so I can't stand amps with tons of highs.

 

[mindseye]

What kind of plugs are you using? hopefully westones. That's what Ive been using and I dont hear too much of a difference. Sure some, but not enough to where I want to alter my settings.

Funny, my ears are blownout from pre plug days but Im the opposite. Treble KILLS my ears. so I can't stand amps with tons of highs.

My ears are pretty shot to, I played bass in a band with two Triple Recto's and a drummer who went threw cymbals like I went threw bass strings for 5 years.
Treble frequencys kill me lately also!!

These are what I've been using for rehearsal's
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/produ ... A:11492938

I have hell with ear plugs that go inside the canal so these have been the only ones that I can actually stand to use other than shooting cans.
I guess I need to go to a audiologist and have some custom molds made.

 

[racerevlon]

I use Vater ear plugs and they're great. They have different insert filters that filter out specific frequencies that allow you to hear exactly what you want. Worth the $$$.

 

[ibenhad]

What kind of plugs are you using? hopefully westones. That's what Ive been using and I dont hear too much of a difference. Sure some, but not enough to where I want to alter my settings.

Funny, my ears are blownout from pre plug days but Im the opposite. Treble KILLS my ears. so I can't stand amps with tons of highs.

Where do you get the Westones and are they really almost $200?

 

[johnpace2]

I experience the same thing, but I think it's because when you play with ear plugs first, then play without, it always sounds more shrill. I think all you need to do is dial it in with ear plugs and maybe add a little more treble. I don't even do that (just eq with the ear plugs in) and my amps all have sounded killer (based on recordings) live.

 

[blackba]

I have practiced with ear plugs with the band for a long time and I do notice the highs of every instrument at painful with them out. I try to EQ with out them and then put them in. I use the hifi hearos and they have been fine. Most of the time I am the only member of the band using ear plugs.

 

[Red_Label]

Been playing with plugs for years... daily practice and gigs. I like to move some serious air... but my ears just can't take loud volumes any more. Turns to mush and the treble hurts my ears.

I haven't gotten around to spending the $$$ to get the Westones, or other custom fit plugs yet. But I've been using cheap rubber plugs like these (but flesh colored) for years and they work great to reduce the sound levels... without rolling as much of the treble off. They do roll SOME treble off, so I reduce treble and presence levels a notch or two when gigging. But Not NEAR as much as regular foam rubber plugs roll-off high frequencies. I can't even stand to wear foam rubber plugs any more.

 

[primerib]

I can relate to the OP thoughts. you do get used to your tone missing highs and clarity because of the plugs. I do use hi fidelity plugs once in a while but they don't bring the DBs down enough so I go back to my trusty foam type which don't sound great but bring the sound levels to an acceptable level

 

[Anonymous]

i use sonic 2 ear plugs. they work fine for me.

i dial my amps in without them in a band setting...then wear the plugs to mostly protect me from the cymbals and PA....since im in front of my amp anyways, it rarely hits me in the ears, but, even if, i have the plugs in.

can't jam live without plugs...it's painful.

 

[splatter]

what was that ? your gonna have to type louder cause i can't hear you.

 

[RSRD]

What kind of plugs are you using? hopefully westones. That's what Ive been using and I dont hear too much of a difference. Sure some, but not enough to where I want to alter my settings.

Funny, my ears are blownout from pre plug days but Im the opposite. Treble KILLS my ears. so I can't stand amps with tons of highs.

My ears are pretty shot to, I played bass in a band with two Triple Recto's and a drummer who went threw cymbals like I went threw bass strings for 5 years.
Treble frequencys kill me lately also!!

These are what I've been using for rehearsal's
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/produ ... A:11492938

I have hell with ear plugs that go inside the canal so these have been the only ones that I can actually stand to use other than shooting cans.
I guess I need to go to a audiologist and have some custom molds made.

Im really surprised at you all you will spend 200 on a pedal but wont spend 200 to save your F'ing ear drums.

Yes GO TO AN AUDIOLOGIST and get molds made for a pair of westones. Cost me $187 shipped and they are well worth it. You hear everything exactly like you would without plugs except at much lower decibels. Hell if you go to concerts these things will be worth their weight in gold as well.

$190 seems like a lot but considering how much you will use them over the years its soooo worth it. Dont be that old man that says "eh?! EH?! Talk louder you pipsqueek"

 

[D-Rock]

Stanely brand tethered worksite plugs work fine for me. $4.99