IEM Setups

[SFW]

Are any of you guys running IEMs for stage and practice? My band is moving in this direction to take crappy monitor mixes out o the live equation. We figured now would be a good time to invest, as we are currently playing out. (Just like everyone else...lol!) We have our packs and transmitters on order. My drummer ordered all of that already. I'm trying to get some direction on IEM headphones. What I am trying to avoid is having my rig sound like a can of bees in my ears. Any recommendations on a good set of IEM headphones that would break the bank? I'm thinking $500 max. Thanks in advance.

 

[Manxmusicman]

I’ve been using IEM’s for about two years now and I’ve grown to love them. I got them mainly to save my hearing.

That’s a reasonable budget and at that price you’ve got some good options. The standard go to at that range would be the Shure 535’s, they’re widely acknowledged as class leading. Others to consider would be Westone UM 30 pros. These have the added advantage that they have a passive filter to allow some ambient noise in. If that ambient bit doesn’t matter then have a look at the westone AM pro 50’s.

Outside of that the Sennheiser ie series is getting rave reviews.

Bit of advice on iems, take the time to get your mix right, you’ll enjoy them a lot better. Also stick with them, they’ll feel a bit weird at first but you get used to them. I’ve found my playing has improved as I’ve had to learn to play cleaner now that I can clearly hear any mistakes or sloppy playing.

You do loose a bit of ambience with the audience but I’ve found adding a bit of drum over heads into the mix can bring some of this back but that depends on the size of the venue. When it comes to drums I often only go with a kick and overheads in my mix, keeps it simple and gives me what I need to hear from the drummer.

 

[Pentatonic Wanker]

I've been using IEM's on stage for a couple of years now. Both the vocalist and I tend to go with one in and one out, just so that we can pick up the stage vibe. The other band members go with both in.

I had a more difficult time with IEMs for the 2-3 months I was going direct (failed experiment). Definitely had too much high end from my guitar, with no way to dial it out. With my amp pumping behind me and one IEM out, I feel like I have the best of both worlds.

Is your $500 budget just for the in-ears, or do you need to purchase a radio and in-ears for that amount?

 

[SFW]

No, I have the transmitter and receiver. Just looking for some better headphones. At the moment, I have a set of Shure 215s. They are ok, but I feel like there has to be something better.

 

[Pentatonic Wanker]

Better two or three way drivers will give you better lows, but in my somewhat limited experience they won’t reduce harshness in the highs. Let us know what you settle on and how you like them.

 

[squealie]

If you're still using cabs onstage.. try using an earplug in the side facing the band and side-firing your amp. When I did this, I found I did not need a vocal monitor at all.

Then I used cheap earbuds that did not attenuate the stage volume much, and just put my guitar and vox in the IEM. This worked well.

Some guys like to use IEMs that 100% kill the stage volume, and crowd noise. And then set up mic's to put that same shit into their IEMs.

Guitarists love to find the most expensive and complicated solution to simple problems.

Godspeed.