If you happen to be a musician in a band or even a solo artist, then you already know how important it is to have the right equipment and why it should be the best quality as well. Things like microphones, speakers, amplifiers, and instruments all play a vital part in how well the music will sound. Whether you are an amateur or a professional that plays in clubs or other venues, you always want to sound your best.
It is also important that a performer be able to hear the music as they are playing it on stage. This is referred to as monitoring. There are two basic ways a performer can hear their music by using a stage monitor or an IEM (In-Ear Monitor). Stage monitors have been used for quite some time. They are generally wedge-shaped and are placed on the stage facing the band. This way the audience can’t hear them, but the performers can. These wedges often clutter the stage and can damage the ears due to the high volume needed to hear them. These are a couple of the reasons that many artists are choosing to go with the more modern and convenient IEM earphones.
How Do IEMs Work?
There are 3 components for an IEM. The receiver, the transmitter, and the earphones or earbuds. The transmitter for the IEM set up is placed on one side. The transmitter is what sends the audio to the receiver and into the earphones. Musicians wear the buds in their ear and what is known as the receiver is worn on a belt at the waist in some way.
The way this works is also known as the monitor mix. This system allows the musician to hear themselves much more clearly than the stage monitor wedges. The receiver will have a volume control so the musician can set it to have the best volume for them at the time. The monitor mix offers clear audio quality and cancels out any background noise.
Why IEMs Are A Better Choice
When stage monitors are used, the wedges might have to have the volume cranked up loud to drown out enough crowd noise for the performer to be able to hear themselves. All of this high volume performance after performance is what has caused many musicians to eventually suffer hearing loss.
Stage monitors also use wires, which can be hazardous for a performer while on stage. Too many wires cluttering the stage can cause trips and falls. A performer can be distracted from their performance if they must move around and navigate these wires. IEMs don’t cause any of these issues.
One of the top priorities of musicians is their audio sound quality. To have the best sound quality, you need the best equipment. IEMs can do away with many of the live audio issues performers can run into on stage. IEMs won’t interfere with speakers and cause feedback like a stage monitor and wedges can do.
A musician’s worst nightmare is feedback and other issues that can make the performance look less than professional. Investing in a top of the line IEM is the best way to ensure you don’t have unnecessary audio issues while on stage.
Greater Freedom On Stage With An IEM
One of the greatest thing s for musicians today is the ability to go wireless whenever possible. Since the wireless microphone came along, singers have had a much easier time being able to perform and dance at the same time since they don’t have to worry about tripping over mic wires. The same can now be said when it comes to using an IEM instead of a wired stage monitor. The fewer wires there are on the stage the better!
With a wired stage monitor, a performer couldn’t move around much on stage without risking losing the signal that allowed them to hear themselves. This could mean singing a note off-key or losing their place in the song they are singing. As long as a performer has their earphones in place, they can move around the stage however they like without worry.
Also, the more room a performer has on their stage, the better they can take full advantage of the space. With the old wedges removed, it leaves more free space to maneuver around. IEMs are not only space savers on the stage, but also when traveling. The entire IEM system can fit into a small case and that means no large wedges to be moved and loaded after every show.
Reduce Damage To Hearing Using IEMs
As was mentioned before, performing with speakers at tremendous volumes can eventually damage your hearing. Many artists have suffered hearing loss after years of exposing themselves to such loudness time after time on stage. Protecting your hearing is a vital issue since you depend on it so much when you perform. A singer that can’t hear will have a very difficult time hitting the right notes.
Since IEMs have noise-canceling technology, it makes it so much easier to hear the monitor mix. It will also help better protect your hearing from being damaged by the speakers that are needed for the audience during concerts. Using an IEM can incredibly cut down the strain on the eardrums.
How IEMs Are Set Up
The ease of setting up electronic devices today has become a much more simple process in many cases. An IEM system is fairly simple for those that know a bit about audio electronics. Since most of these systems work wirelessly, it is similar to using a smartphone (transmitter), to play music connecting to a Bluetooth speaker (receiver). However, with an IEM system, it will pass through a mixer before it continues to the earphones the performer wears.
Like all audio equipment, it needs to be set up and tested before every show, All instruments and microphones must be connected to the mixer. Each item used must be assigned an output so that all items can be heard individually. When the outputs come from the mixer, they are connected to the transmitter. From there they go to the audio on your belt pack and then straight to your headphones.
Can You Afford A Custom Fitted IEM?
It is not necessary for a performer to have a custom-fitted microphone, because it is not something that you wear. However, an IEM headphone, or earbuds, might be a different matter. If the earphones don’t fit into your ears well, moving around much might cause them to fall off or move out of place. This can be quite annoying when you are on stage.
It is possible to have your IEMs custom-fitted, but that will cost you a pretty penny. It could go into several thousand dollars to have these made. However, the generic models are usually fine for most performers and they can be purchased for $100 or more.
Wired IEMs May Be Alright For Some
While it is obvious that wireless IEMs are the best thing for a singer that wants to move around on stage and be able to dance as well if they choose to, a less expensive option for other band members might be a set of wired IEMs. For example, A keyboard player or a drummer has a fixed place on stage and may not need the ability to move around. The quality of wired IEMs can be just as good or perhaps even better than wireless, and depending on your budget, they can be a better money-saving option.
Check out these great IEM options below:
CCA C16 In-Ear Monitors
These are wired IEMs and they sell for $139.99. They feature ergonomic design with the cavity based on the shape of the human auricle. They are lightweight with noise-isolating silicone soft earbuds. They make for comfortable listening. They have an ear-hook design that will keep the earphones where they should be and keep the cables out of your way. It has a 3.5mm audio jack with professional wire. They will work with most iPhones, iPads, Android phones, MP3 players, and laptops.
Yinyoo KZ ZS10 Pro Headphones
These wired IEMs are affordable for anyone at $43.99, yet still have great reviews. They are noise-canceling with ergonomic design for comfortable wearing. The coverings are made from high-quality aluminum alloy. The cavity is made of imported resin material. They provide deep, solid bass with clear mid-range and sweet high frequencies.
Shure SE215-CL Earphones
These wired IEM headphones sell for $99.00. They are lightweight and offer a low-profile shape so they don’t stand out. The optimized nozzle-angle fits comfortably in the ear for easy listening pleasure. They have enhanced bass that provides professional monitoring. The durable reinforced cable allows for easy customization or replacement. The formable wire provides secure placement with over the ear configuration that helps keep the cable out of your way. They are noise-canceling so you can hear the music you are listening to clear.
SIMGOT MT3 Hi-Res IEM Headphones
These IEM headphones sell for $69.99. They come with a detachable cable and noise-canceling technology for crystal clear sound. They come equipped with 3 different ear hooks and tip sizes to ensure a perfect fit for you and helps to reduce noise even further. They work with smartphones and other audio player types. They are clear so they are not that noticeable in the ear. These headphones will outperform conventional dynamic drivers because they have a 10mm high-magnetic circuit coil driver. The high purity copper core reduces distortion and signal loss.
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RevoNext RX8 IEM
These IEM earphones are very affordable at $25.99! If you don’t need a fancier, more expensive set of earphones, these could suit your needs well. They are designed with dual drivers that can deliver great bass, clear mid-range, and crisp treble sound. The ergonomic design allows for comfortable wearing without them falling out. The cables use 3.5mm 0.78 2 pin detachable cable that is suitable for most smartphones.