In Ears

Much easier load in and load out. Less stage volume.

I was hesitant for a long time, and I’ll still take the Ampeg rig out from time to time, but they’ve worked out better than I thought they would.

The biggest surprise to me has been singing. It is so much easier for me to sing with the IEMs.

I have the xvive wireless system. Just plug transmitter into board and clip receiver on strap.

Did a lot of research on the actual IEMs. Got the KZ ZS10 Pros. Only $45 but they’ve worked sound good. I didn’t want something high end just starting out with them in case I didn’t like it.

The key is to order an upgraded thicker cord and get comply ear tips. Find the ones that give you the best seal. The less ambient noise getting in the better. A little is ok but you don’t want a lot of ambient noise because you’ll have to turn up louder and that’s not good for your ears. All in it was about $250 for the wireless system and around $80 for the IEMs.

My guitar player runs sound and sends me a mix like I want. Sounds like you might be doing your own mix.

I'm pretty convinced that switching to in-ear monitors saved my hearing. I switched in the Spring of 2005 and never looked back. The band I was working with then was all in-ear with the exception of the drummer, who used a wedge. There were no amps on stage at all. Early days of guitar/amp modeling processors. Everyone got their own mix. The board we were using could do 6 independent mixes.

Back then, I used a Shure wireless system with a separate little personal monitor mixer. I would mix my own voice and instrument into my ears and get a send from the board with what I wanted. (No drums in my mix because the drummer used real drums, no triggers, and my vocal mic would pick up enough of what I needed.) So much easier to sing when you can hear yourself. You just don't push as hard.

The last few years I played consistently, we used newer stuff where everyone can download the app and have their own individualized monitor mix. It was awesome. Once you dialed it in, it changed very little from venue to venue. That band used electronic drums, too. No stage volume at all.

I used custom Westones for a long time, but a few years ago I got custom Ultimate Ears because I found the connectors on the Westones to be flaky and the build quality lacking. It was well worth it, at least to me, to have custom molds done and have a perfect fit. They are far more comfortable, and the ambient sound dB cut is more pronounced.

There are no negatives, in my opinion, though it does take a little getting used to.

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There are no negatives in my opinion.

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Thanks for the response. As a singer only, what would I need to purchase in addition to the actual in ear monitors?

The xvive u45 I have is $270, a bit more, but it gets nothing but good reviews and smaller footprint, not as bulky. Plus it’s rechargeable. I see people using these all the time. Had mine for about 3 months and so far so good.

If you look in the $100 range, find as many reviews as you can and look for complaints about noise or drop outs.

I’m wireless now except for my mic and I don’t really feel the need to make it wireless but maybe down the road. My bass, IEM, and pedalboard are all wireless.

There are a few additional considerations with an IEM that you should be aware of.

Custom fit IEMs such as Sensaphonics, Alclair and Studio4 are worth the investment, especially if your'e a vocalist. Isolation (good fitting ears) is key to not turning the volume up to overcome stage volume from instruments or live mixes.

I would also recommend to add an audience mic to your mix - it can make a big difference in comfort and performance. Without them, IEMs can feel isolating, like you're playing in a vacuum. A carefully blended feed from an ambient mic will provide a sense of space.

Not sure why your sound company would want you on an app to manage, that's ridiculous and just lazy on their part.

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It's not ridiculous. Several of the apps are great and allow you to dial exactly how you want your mix...

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Our digital board has an option where I could do mine on my iPad, but I'm lazy and just my guy to do it.