In ear Monitors for Vocalists

Amandy

Hi

Just seeking some advice. Am singing with a full rock outfit and it's pretty full on! I've been advised to look into getting in ear monitors. Not very in the know about them and wondered if there's any singers out there who use them, and if so do you find them useful and what's the best type, and the additional requirments like the receiver or whatever it is you need with them too? I'm a bit clueless!
Before spending out money I'd like to know if anyone finds them of use. Currently in the bars we play at, the drummer (without being mic'd) is way more powerful than the venue will allow us to drive the PA, ("TURN it downnnn!") so I am finding it a strain to hear myself.

Thanks in advance if you can give me some advice.

Savman

We have a few of them, by far the best value is the Sennheiser pack just make sure you get the E band as the D band is illegal to use in Ireland. As long as you keep your E band system between 863-865mhz you wont need a license.

http://www.thomann.de/ie/sennheiser_ew_300_iem_g2eband.htm

Our Vocalists say they take a bit of getting used to but once you go IEM you never go back, especially as a singer.

Also, tell your drummer to chillax because buying an IEM for yourself is not a full solution in itself to keeping volume down.

Amandy

... Thanks a million. Will check that out now. Yep I know....I told them all to lower down, but the loud fairy just keeps turning it all back up. Merry Crimbo!!

Fingers Mcginty

Amandy wrote: »

... Thanks a million. Will check that out now. Yep I know....I told them all to lower down, but the loud fairy just keeps turning it all back up. Merry Crimbo!!

We have the same issue with drummer....maybe lighter sticks?

Gaspode

Fingers Mcginty wrote: »

We have the same issue with drummer....maybe lighter sticks?

you got in before me Fingers. I was going to suggest you hide all your drummers sticks and replace them with brushes!!
suggestion 2 - electronic drums (vol button included!)
suggestion 3 - Drum machine (vol button included!)
suggstion 4 - New drummer (find someone skinny who looks less likely to beat the crap outs those skins)

Fingers Mcginty

yeah...sorry to steer a little off topic here a little but i've had issues for years with loud drummers. My amp sits at around 4 which is plenty loud and the vocalist and bassist can all hear each other...happy days.
Then the drummer comes in and overpowers everything. If i turn up then the singer is straining and mics strat to feedback etc etc.
Have had the pleasure in the past of playing with decent drummers who don't beat the drums to a pulp and it's great cause you can hear the subtleties in the music.

colmoloughlin

i wouldnt personally recommend in-ear monitors unless you really trust the sound engineer to do a good job with them! because if he accidently turns sumtin up you could find yourself on the ground with blood pouring from your ears and that'd be your hearing gone!! They can be really good but without your own engineer that knows wat you want and knows exactly wat he's doing then i would just recommend trying to get a good monitor mix on stage before you play. you'll notice they get better the higher up the venue market you go! x

unclebill98

Have to say i've only started using IEM's. I play bass and there are fab. Yes get the legal ones and most defo you gotta trust 100% the person sending you your mix. I'm lucky enough to have someone who knows what there doing ;-)

I've heard molded IEMS are better but very expensive. So far the ones that came with the unit are doing a good job...

cornbb

colmoloughlin wrote: »

i wouldnt personally recommend in-ear monitors unless you really trust the sound engineer to do a good job with them! because if he accidently turns sumtin up you could find yourself on the ground with blood pouring from your ears and that'd be your hearing gone!! They can be really good but without your own engineer that knows wat you want and knows exactly wat he's doing then i would just recommend trying to get a good monitor mix on stage before you play. you'll notice they get better the higher up the venue market you go! x

Should be safe enough as long as you use a brick wall limiter along with the monitors, this is designed to stop such unexpected noise

Savman

Both the transmitters and the receiver packs have on board volume control, so keep it nice n low on the receiver pack and you'll be in no danger whatsoever.

Amandy

Hi

And thanks for all the advice. I may give them a go in the new year, (if it gets no better I'll end up singing like Marge Simpson, so either that, or go back to doing chilled out lounge duets, nice and soft!!) take care for the now.