Stereo mode — In this mode, the audio engineer creates a stereo mix and feeds the left and right signals to the transmitter. Then, the transmitter transmits the signal to your bodypack and you can listen to it through your earpieces. Both the signals will be identical. Mix mode — In this mode, the mixer mixes two different types of inputs and feeds two different types of audio signals to the transmitter. For eg. The singer would have to listen to the final signal in mono but it will offer additional control to the singer.
Typically, mix mode allows the singer to control the mix to a certain level and the volume level as well. They can even control the relative level of loudness between the two feeds with the balanced button. Setting up an in-ear monitoring system may seem complicated at first but the degree of control it allows each member of the band is worth the effort. There are also several advantages of using an IEM system instead of wedges.
Some of these are listed below:. Better sound quality — Modern in-ear monitors offer stunning sound quality. These are designed to create a seal inside your ears that block outside noise and can reduce sound levels by up to 30 decibels or even more. Thus, you can hear music in crystal clear quality without any unnecessary noise. Stage monitoring systems wedges can interfere with the rest of the sound system loudspeakers present on the stage.
Common problems include feedback and phase issues which can create acoustic problems and negatively impact the performance of the band. Using IEM systems helps to solve such live audio problems. Hearing protection — Stage monitoring systems often have to be cranked up to the loudest levels so that the artists can hear their performance over the crowd. The loud stage-volume can cause ear fatigue and even cause ear damage or hearing problems in the long-term.
In-ear monitors eliminate the need to use wedges and reduce the stage-volume by a lot. Also, due to their noise-cancelling feature, you can listen to clear and distortion-free music at a comfortable level. As a result, it relieves the strain on the ears and helps to preserve hearing.
Increased mobility — Stage monitors can take up a lot of space on the stage and clutter it due to the presence of wires. Also, you have to maintain a certain distance and direction from it to hear them properly. This limits the mobility of the singers by a lot. Most singers use wireless in-ear monitors which increases their mobility by a lot. Plus, they can move around the stage freely as they can access more areas on the stage.
Also, it is easier to pack and move around with IEMs instead of carrying wedges. IEM systems allow musicians greater flexibility to perform but they may also introduce a few drawbacks. A few of these are listed below:. Disconnection from the audience — The noise isolation feature of IEMs can make the musician feel a disconnect from the audience as they cannot hear them with the earpieces on.
So, why do singers ear earpieces on stage? Additional Benefits Of In-Ear Monitors Mix Customization Singers tend to rely heavily on one particular element of the arrangement in order to navigate the song effectively. Hearing Protection By nature, professional singers spend a lot of time in ear-splittingly loud environments. Sound Consistency The front of house sound is very dependent on the shape and size of the room a band or artist is performing in.
There are three primary reasons why a singer would take out their in-ear monitors during a performance: Poor monitor mix: Before a performance, singers will usually take part in something called a soundcheck.
This is where they run through a short portion of the show in order to set the front of house level and in-ear monitor levels. In this situation, many singers find it easier to perform with the live sound instead of their monitor mix. Faulty monitors: Occasionally, in-ear monitors will become faulty midway through a performance, leaving the artist unable to hear either their monitor mix or the live sound. To hear the crowd: As previously mentioned, in-ear monitors block out all external sound.
Similarly, they may simply want to savor the moment of thousands of people singing along to their music. Sometimes, an artist will only wear one earpiece in order to hear both their monitor mix and the crowd at the same time. Further Reading These backing tracks are piped out to the audience, as well as the performers. Often, the drummer is responsible for triggering these backing tracks, so they will have them cranked in their in-ear monitors. Many acts also use a click track for live performance.
This helps smooth out the tempo and helps the band play with backing tracks. It may also help with choreography and syncing up with lights and other performance elements.
This makes it much easier for her to lip-sync in time with the pre-recorded music. She is still an amazing singer and performer! Musicians and artists will debate the merits of in-ear monitors vs. What works for one artist, may not work for another.
If you are wondering whether to get in-ear monitors, here are some advantages and disadvantages to working with in-ear monitors. In-ear monitors are very advanced in Some of the professional models have eight or more drivers per earpiece and be specifically molded to your ear.
They sound amazing. They create a seal within your ear that can block more than 30dBs of outside noise. Getting crystal clear sound on stage is rare, as anyone who has ever played live will tell you. Stage monitors can cause feedback and phase issues. In-ear monitors never cause these problems. Stage monitors are often cranked up loud so that musicians can hear themselves play over the noise of amps and the crowd.
Long-term this causes ear-fatigue and hearing damage. You cannot reverse hearing damage. It is with you for life. This is why many artists switch to in-ear monitoring as their career progresses — they want to protect their ears. Stage monitors take up a lot of space, and they only work when you are standing right in front of it. They are also heavy and require a lot of extra wiring. With in-ear monitors, you can use a wireless system.
Your headphones are wired into a wireless receiving pack, and you can move around the stage as you please. Here are a few reasons why in-ears may not be right for you. Sound techs at small venues will tell you right away that it is annoying when some hot-shot band brings a full in-ear monitoring setup into their small venue.
Reason being, an in-ear setup usually requires completely rewiring the inputs on the sound board and setting up a new mic for the in-ears. Unless you have your own sound tech, this is tedious. Frankly, some venues are too small for in-ears. Partially, because they cause disconnection with the audience. Which brings me to my next point. Many artists and musicians complain about not being able to feel the energy from the crowd when they cannot hear them clapping or shouting.
Many professional in-ear monitor engineers will set up a couple of mics pointed at the audience to fight this feeling. This allows the engineer to pipe in the sound of the audience in the IEMs.
Wireless systems use radio waves to transmit sound — this can introduce issues with interference that can make the sound quality lessen or drop the signal altogether. In-ear monitors are an investment. You will need a pair for every member of the band. You also need wireless packs and a ton of batteries to go with them.
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