Members Quarterwave Posted March 19, 2007 Members Share Posted March 19, 2007 Hi all, I've been playing blues/rock guitar and singing backgrounds for a few years, and have always used regular foam-type plugs to protect my ears - the ones that knock out about 30 db. However, as of about a year ago, I've started singing a lot more lead and a lot more denser harmony lines, and everytime I need to "hear" the parts, I have to pull out my ear plugs to hear the details - which obviously defeats the purpose of using ear plugs in the first place ! So, I was wondering what solutions any singers have out there to help them in this scenario.... Also, I've been considering "in ear monitors", but since I'm not @ the mixer, I always get worried that a high-pitch feed could go through the system, and instead of just going into my floor monitor (which I can turn away from), it'll be straight into my ear canal ! Do any of the IEM manufacturers have some sort of noise gate or limiter built into their systems to prevent a spike getting through ? B/c the other people that sing in my band will most likely keep using our existing stage monitor set up for a while.... Thx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GCDEF Posted March 19, 2007 Members Share Posted March 19, 2007 I'm a guitar player, not a singer, but obviously the single best thing you can do is control your stage volume. On our stage, cymbals is where the volume and hearing damage comes from. Keep the stage volume down and step away from the drummer. I had a bass player that plugs custom made for him that he swore by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JohnnyGraphic Posted March 20, 2007 Members Share Posted March 20, 2007 I know of the Shure brand of IEM's that have limiters that can be switched on/off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassred Posted March 20, 2007 Members Share Posted March 20, 2007 Most good IEM systems will have a limiter... you don't need to worry about the sound that's going into your ear canal being too loud, because that is the joy of using IEM's, the volume is far less than you'd think. by intelligent design the earbuds cut all the outside noise so you dont need to crank the volume. You could also try some realy ear filters. 15 dB of cut with flat response (those foam 30dB jobbies rob the high end from you) throughout the frequency range and usually in custom molds... cost a bit, but totally worth it if you are used to wearing plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members boomerweps Posted March 20, 2007 Members Share Posted March 20, 2007 I use the Etymotic er-15s. Cost about $12-15, even MF sells them under the Hearos brand. Ear FILTERs, NOT plugs. You can tell them by a clear plastic tube over a colored shaft. The generic fit silicone tree types work well for me. These allow some mids and highs through at a reduced level. For the $, it's worth it for you to try them. You can order them direct at www.etymotics.com in various filter colors and dB levels to keep your's separate from the bassists's. I have a set in each of my stickbags and I got my wife a set just for our overly loud movie theater ;>( Boomerweps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tremendo Posted March 20, 2007 Members Share Posted March 20, 2007 I used the ER-15's to lower volumes a bit, then got the audiologist molded version. Now I use them for overly loud concerts, not when I'm playing or singing. I needed to hear myself more and more as I also became the lead singer, I went with the Shure PSM200 wireless system. That's the cheapest I'd go, with a good limiter and all. I switched the buds for audiologist molded E4's and it works great for me. You sound like a good candidate for IEMs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassred Posted March 20, 2007 Members Share Posted March 20, 2007 Molded buds or filters are the way t go, easy in/out and the best redustion/focus available. I'm still using Shure E2c's for IEM, but I'm looking at the molded options for this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author Craig Vecchione Posted March 20, 2007 CMS Author Share Posted March 20, 2007 Hi all,I've been playing blues/rock guitar and singing backgrounds for a few years, and have always used regular foam-type plugs to protect my ears - the ones that knock out about 30 db. However, as of about a year ago, I've started singing a lot more lead and a lot more denser harmony lines, and everytime I need to "hear" the parts, I have to pull out my ear plugs to hear the details - which obviously defeats the purpose of using ear plugs in the first place !So, I was wondering what solutions any singers have out there to help them in this scenario....Also, I've been considering "in ear monitors", but since I'm not @ the mixer, I always get worried that a high-pitch feed could go through the system, and instead of just going into my floor monitor (which I can turn away from), it'll be straight into my ear canal ! Do any of the IEM manufacturers have some sort of noise gate or limiter built into their systems to prevent a spike getting through ? B/c the other people that sing in my band will most likely keep using our existing stage monitor set up for a while....Thx. Virtually all of the commercially available IEM systems have limiting. Use this with a pair of earbuds with custom-molded inserts designed for isolation...see an audiologist or hearing aid specialist to get them done. The cost for custom molds is about $150 plus the price of the earbuds, and well worth the protection and intelligibility you'll enjoy with them. Try to get your stage volume down anyway...it will improve the mix when you have less backline bleeding into vocal mics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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