Members RoadRanger Posted May 12, 2014 Members Share Posted May 12, 2014 Well, I done wacked my ears again a week ago - rehearsal with a new band I joined. I stopped carrying my earplugs as I haven't really needed them lately - that was stoopid <facepalm>. Anyways I'm looking at the latest in protection. I've not had any issues with "generic fit" and in the past loved the Etymotic ER-20's which are also sold under the Hearos name. Macks has a similar high-fidelity unit too. Now I found these $300 actives: http://www.etymotic.com/hp/mp915.html Has anyone tried them yet? BTW for reference I was running an Ampeg Micro-VR head into a single SVT210AV cab and had it full in the red, master and gain on "10" - that amp has a defeatable limiter and an analog MOSFET output amp that comes pretty close to a tube amp sound when overdriven, rated 150wrms into that cab (probably closer to 250 watts overdriven like that). I added a second cab this weekend so I could dial the gain back to 2 o'clock. That amp on 2 o'clock with the one cab is as loud as we should be rehearsing at without ear protection IME . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WynnD Posted May 12, 2014 Members Share Posted May 12, 2014 Does it drive you nuts to have someone tell you to turn up? I'm much rather they turn down instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Art Flood Posted May 12, 2014 Members Share Posted May 12, 2014 Ron those actives sure look good. Pricey but money well spent if they protect your ears and assuming they work as advertised. Anybody using them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author Craig Vecchione Posted May 12, 2014 CMS Author Share Posted May 12, 2014 Regarding not having protection with you; I've been carrying an extra set of Hearos in my truck, so it's much less likely I'll be without protection, either in a band situation or a work environment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted May 12, 2014 Author Members Share Posted May 12, 2014 Ron those actives sure look good. Pricey but money well spent if they protect your ears and assuming they work as advertised.They look to be significantly "flatter" than the <$20 passive "hifi" ones - perhaps even good enough to mix with? The fairly cheap batteries are good for 300 hours, over a year of gigs for a typical "weekend warrior" soundguy. OTOH the passive ones emulate fatigued/damaged ears better I suppose . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted May 12, 2014 Author Members Share Posted May 12, 2014 Does it drive you nuts to have someone tell you to turn up? I'm much rather they turn down instead.As long as I have earplugs I don't mind turning up at a rehearsal - if the others want to destroy their hearing it's really none of my business. I do let them know that I'm putting them in and why. At a gig that I'm mixing it's different - I've only mixed in earbleed territory once over the last year and that was a special case where I knew ahead of time that the drummer was insanely loud and it was a favor for a friend of a friend. That one took me two weeks to get my ears to quiet down - 115dB measured at 20 feet . Hopefully my ears will (mostly) recover this time in another week. I first had to start using earplugs back around 1980 - fortunately my "normal" tinnitus is mostly white noise and part of that is just hypersensitive hearing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted May 12, 2014 Author Members Share Posted May 12, 2014 Regarding not having protection with you; I've been carrying an extra set of Hearos in my truck, so it's much less likely I'll be without protection, either in a band situation or a work environment.Yah, I have like four pair around here somewhere if I can just find them LOL. I ordered a couple more pairs anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WynnD Posted May 12, 2014 Members Share Posted May 12, 2014 Ron those actives sure look good. Pricey but money well spent if they protect your ears and assuming they work as advertised. Anybody using them? Have you looked at the price of hearing aids today? My Mother-in-law just got a couple at a total price of $3000. These would be a bargain to help extend your hearing in comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted May 12, 2014 Author Members Share Posted May 12, 2014 Have you looked at the price of hearing aids today? My Mother-in-law just got a couple at a total price of $3000. These would be a bargain to help extend your hearing in comparison.Rather interesting that these have two modes, a -9 and -15 db mode. The -9db mode actually boosts quieter sounds by 6dB - possibly good for those who have already damaged their hearing. I'd probably find that level of reduction about perfect but would rather not have the boost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members monthlymixcd Posted May 12, 2014 Members Share Posted May 12, 2014 I use the $20 HiFi Hearos that RR mentioned... and keep them in my vehicle so I'm never more than another 5-10 min. walk to hearing protection. Funny, when I think about it I was never as resolute when it came to packing another kind of protection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SpaceNorman Posted May 12, 2014 Members Share Posted May 12, 2014 I have a couple pair of check "hearos" that I keep handy (there's one pair in my rolling case along with all my miscellaneous stuff) - and a second pair that now lives in my little iPad carrying case. They're not the most "transparent" hearing protection that I've used - BUT, when I need something, I need something. Just curious ... why are rehearsals at such a deafening volume? Is it simply a case of too much stuff in too small a space? Bad placement for you personally in the rehearsal space (too close to cymbals, somebody else's amp next to your head, etc.)? I can't imagine adding cabinets when the volume is already over the top. You've obviously been around the block enough times to recognize the danger - and have the knowledge of what's needed to avoid it. Is the road you're trying to head down solving the right problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted May 12, 2014 Author Members Share Posted May 12, 2014 Just curious ... why are rehearsals at such a deafening volume?In this particular case it was mostly the two Peavey PR15's on an XLS2000 set up on stands pointing back at us - the singer wanted the vocals LOUD and those aren't the flattest speakers in the world. A limiter would have helped a lot IMO, it was mostly the peaks from that drilling through my ears. The drummer wasn't all that bad for a rock drummer. Strangely enough - and against stereotype - the guitarist is with me on trying to keep it down and wasn't a problem at all. There's only one guitarist and the keyboard player is fine too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members loco_p_man Posted May 16, 2014 Members Share Posted May 16, 2014 I use custom-fit passives (had never heard of actives until now) from ACS http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/ With their ER series, you choose protection of 9db, 15db or 25db. I tried 15db and found that 9db is just right, but I don't play in a REALLY noisy environment. An educational moment came after playing a set with one plug in (next to the drums) and one out. When we took a break, I took out the one I had been using and was startled at the difference in sound from the protected ear compared to the unprotected one. Since then, I use them for all but acoustic practices and all gigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members nousername Posted May 17, 2014 Members Share Posted May 17, 2014 With my custom set, I use ER-25 filters when mixing. It's not complicated mixing, by any stretch. I'm simply adjusting vocals for balance between them and whoever is creating the most stage volume. It's a real fun time... Soundcheck is done without hearing protection, plus I remove the plugs every ten minutes or so for a quick check. Works for me and my ears don't complain. I'm only ~35 feet from the mains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WynnD Posted May 23, 2014 Members Share Posted May 23, 2014 I'm interested enough to buy a pair. I can use the slight increase at low levels. I went skeet shooting with my Son and he had gun muffs that included a similar feature that killed off high level noises while allowing normal conversation. I didn't know that even existed before, but it's pretty easy to live with and adds a lot to the safe operation at a gun range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StratGuy22 Posted May 23, 2014 Members Share Posted May 23, 2014 I keep a pair of etsy's in my truck. And a pair for my GF as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StratGuy22 Posted May 23, 2014 Members Share Posted May 23, 2014 Don't need them at practice. Our practice PA is a fender passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Axisplayer Posted May 23, 2014 Members Share Posted May 23, 2014 I went skeet shooting with my Son and he had gun muffs that included a similar feature that killed off high level noises while allowing normal conversation. I didn't know that even existed before, but it's pretty easy to live with and adds a lot to the safe operation at a gun range. I have had a pair of these for over 20 years. They work, and they are not muffs. Much easier to wear. http://www.earplugstore.com/health-enterprises-acu-life-shooters-impact-ear-plugs.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted May 24, 2014 Author Members Share Posted May 24, 2014 Don't need them at practice. Our practice PA is a fender passport.How can you possibly have a rehearsal without at least 1000 watts straight into you faces? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FormerlyBassred Posted May 24, 2014 Members Share Posted May 24, 2014 I use the Planet Waves Pacato ones. Good little filter, for less than $20 you can still have regular conversations and still hear a good blend of high frequencies and mids (so no blanket over your head) and if you lose them you arent going to cry (my bass player had $300 customs stolen from his car once - ouch) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Koopdaddy Posted May 27, 2014 Members Share Posted May 27, 2014 I use the ACS17's for louder events. I put them in after sound check and after the first song or two to make sure the mix is on target. After that I take them out every so often to make sure everything is ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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