Tech: Simple, inexpensive in-ear monitoring

Subject: Tech: Simple, inexpensive in-ear monitoring
From: GUEST,Susan-Marie lost my cookie
Date: 10 Jul 19 - 06:28 PM

I sing with a Celtic band but can't hear myself over the bouzouki, penny whistle, uillean pipes, etc. when we perform. Our sound equipment is an inexpensive mixer/speakers with two mic inputs and one floor monitor.

I know an in-ear monitor would help, but I want something very simple and I'm having trouble finding that. A guy who sells sound equipment is recommending things like the Fischer "Body Pack XL", but I don't need something that will give me a "personal mix" and stereo headphone output. I just want to hear myself alone in one ear. Anyone have something like that they would recommend?

Susan-Marie

Subject: RE: Tech: Simple, inexpensive in-ear monitoring
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 Jul 19 - 07:39 PM

UK shop Gear4music,
and Thomann in Germany [still cheap, and quick deliveries until brexit]
are big shops that do their own brand lines of reasonable quality budget live and recording gear...

They probably even get their products made in the same factories...???
Affordable copies of the expensive brand names..

They'd be worth a look...

Subject: RE: Tech: Simple, inexpensive in-ear monitoring
From: GUEST,Susan-Marie
Date: 10 Jul 19 - 10:58 PM

Gear4Music looks great, but I don't know what I'm looking to buy...

Subject: RE: Tech: Simple, inexpensive in-ear monitoring
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 Jul 19 - 11:26 PM

Sorry, I didn't stop to think which side of the Atlantic you are on...???

https://www.gear4music.com/PA_Equipment/In-Ear-Monitor-Systems


SubZero are their own brand.

If you are not in UK, you'll find similar budget versions
with different brand names
in the usual big internet music stores, or Amazon, etc...

Subject: RE: Tech: Simple, inexpensive in-ear monitoring
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Jul 19 - 12:39 PM

You could just stick your finger in your ear.

I'll get my Aran sweater...

:D

Subject: RE: Tech: Simple, inexpensive in-ear monitoring
From: Howard Jones
Date: 12 Jul 19 - 04:57 AM

Do you want a hard-wired system or wireless? Wireless gives more freedom of movement and need not be expensive. Wired probably gives better sound quality for the money, especially with a headphone amp.

You will want some control over the volume. With both wired and wireless the beltpack should give you volume control.

Using in-ear, even in one ear only, will reduce or muffle some of the sound you hear acoustically. Although your objective is to hear yourself better, you may find that you also want some of the rest of the band in the mix in order to hear everything clearly. If you are working against loud instruments such as pipes it may be an advantage to use well-fitting phones in both ears to reduce the volume of what you hear directly and have a more controlled sound in the foldback mix.

A good alternative to in-ear is a personal monitor mounted on a mic stand, for example: Behringer Eurolive B205D Active 150W PA/Monitor (I've no experience of this particular model, this is to illustrate what I mean)

How many are in the band? You may find that you all play better by investing in a bit more gear for the whole band, which would allow everyone to have the foldback mix which suits them.

Subject: RE: Tech: Simple, inexpensive in-ear monitoring
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Jul 19 - 08:49 AM

We have a 5-member band and we love our new set on in the ear wireless monitors. Once you get used to them they are far superior to on the stage monitors and individuals can adjust the volume of the incoming feed.

What kind are they? Hell, I don't know. I'm not the techie in the band.

Charlie