Korg Forums

michelkeijzers · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 9:52 am Post subject: In ear monitoring

I am using keyboard monitors for about 25 years now to amplify my keyboard for rehearsals and gigs and this works well.

However, I noticed that my ears are getting worse because of too hard sound. Of course the obvious solution is to use ear plugs (without any amplification, just for reducing the total amount of sound).

However, since I also have in ear plugs, I used them during a rehearsal, by using the headphone output. By not putting the in ear plugs fully in my ear, but slightly 'loose' I still could hear the rest of the band.

The result is that the overall sound volume is a bit less, I can hear almost everybody quite well, except for the guitars slightly. However, with ear plugs to reduce the volume I had the same problem. Myself I hear of course with 100% good quality since I get the output of my synth directly in my ear. I cannot hear others by the same means, since they are not connected to a mixer.

I even used it during a gig last time and worked out quite well.

Is this method more used or has it other disadvantages?
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Derek Cook · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 11:19 am Post subject:

I've just ordered a set of "proper" ACS IEMs as the ones that came with my wireless monitor system are not very comfortable and keep falling out.

I've had the moulds of my ears taken (involves having silicon putty shoved in your ear canal!), and am just waiting for the IEMS to be made and delivered; they should be with me in a week or so. Will be interesting to see how good they are.

Not a cheap option at around £350, but the advantage of these ones as well is that they contain mics as well, so if you lash out for the special ACS belt pack, you can get both your monitor sound and the ambient sound as you would hear it normally on stage

As I said not a cheap option, but what value do you put on protecting your hearing?

I'm lucky in that I don't play in a particularly loud band. The guitarist probably even thinks that 5 is too loud! Wink

The advantage of playing Pink Floyd is it is more about dynamics than all out sonic attack! Very Happy

But even so, because I now need to use IEMS more often (I am taking on singing duties as well), it's an option to get the right set that will help protect my hearing.
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michelkeijzers · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 11:27 am Post subject:

Derek Cook · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 6:55 pm Post subject:

These are the ones I have gone for

http://acscustom.com/uk/product/acs-evoke-live-custom/

This is without the ACS belt pack that gives you the ambient stage sound from the ear piece mics, but they will work with a standard belt pack as well (monitor only). In the first instance, I'll just monitor in one ear (what I have done with IEMS in the past) and get the belt pack when I can afford it
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michelkeijzers · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 10:02 am Post subject:

Looks cool, but I don't know if I would buy it soon, since it's quite pricey (as expected). But it is good to know something like that exists.
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SanderXpander · Platinum Member Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Posts: 7860

I don't know about mic'ed ones but normally you get a mix from the main desk. If you use your own mixer too, you can get everything but yourself and have your own volume control. If you're really lucky they use a digital desk and you can make your own mix with an iPad or Android pack.

The best value for money and high quality molds in Holland come from Cinepac I think. Worth checking out. Although since the molded ones close even better, you get even less ambient sound than you do now.

michelkeijzers · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 10:40 pm Post subject:

SanderXpander · Platinum Member Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Posts: 7860

By the way monitoring with one earbud out is worse than actually going altogether without. The reason for this being that your ears natural "defense" mechanism doesn't kick in fully. Or so I've been told.

michelkeijzers · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 10:58 pm Post subject:

SanderXpander · Platinum Member Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Posts: 7860

I use a cable by the way, I plug it into my own small mixer and get a bandmix from an aux on the main desk of everything except keys. When they have a powered monitor, they almost always also have an unpowered line.

Akos Janca · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 3:15 pm Post subject:

Hi Michel,

We have an old discussion about it here (some links are not working).
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=49506&highlight=shure

Years ago I had very good experiences with Shure SLC3 and SLC5. I’m sure they have an updated model now. Don’t buy any cheap solution.

I agree, you need a small mixer, an approx. 8-track with EQ-s, depending on your needs: the stereo bandmix from the main desk, your stereo synths directly, your singing voice from main desk, a click track, an ambient mic etc.

But always be careful and don’t set the volume too high in your ears (it's easy in a loud band). Practically, use it as low as you can. Unfortunately, rock and roll needs to be loud! Wink

An interesting article:
http://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearthemusic/2011/rock-and-roll-needs-to-be-loud-but-it-doesnt-need-to-be-intense/
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michelkeijzers · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:45 pm Post subject: