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James Adamson Special user Deatsville - Holtville - Slapout, AL 945 Posts |
Does anyone use the Ear Monitors that have been out for a few years now rather that a floor monitor?
I know in the music industry the ear monitor seems to be used more and more. James Adamson http://www.seam2006.com
Be remembered for performing what looks like MAGIC, not skill.
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Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
Hi, James!
In my "straight" job, I'm "RF (wireless) & IEM (in-ear monitor) specialist". I've worked extensively with in-ears for 15-16 years, testing "beta's" for the three largest IEM electronics manufacturers, and I have about a dozen sets of custom-molded ear-pieces from several manufacturers. I even have a "second bend" custom mold for my cellular headset! I certainly don't know everything about in-ears, but I know a lot, and I have some well-earned opinions, and I'm always happy to help. What is it you're wondering about, James? Cheers! Dan.
Dan McLean Jr
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Frank Simpson Special user SW Montana 883 Posts |
I haven't gotten to use the molded in-ears yet, but in the band at my church we've been using in-ears for about 2 years now.
Purely from the standpoint of feedback elimination they're really great! My vocal quartet is planning on getting wireless in-ears so that we can all have our own monitor mix. Also for our acapella numbers we'll be able to get our pitches from the sound man, which will really streamline the beginnings of some of our tunes! No more pitch pipe or notes from the piano! They are also great for "talk-backs" since no one else can hear what's being said to you. |
Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
Hello, Frank!
As with most other challenges, there's more than one viable approach when it comes to ear piece selection and mixing style. Budget, available mixer inputs & outputs, and taste all play a role. You may already have a handle on what your options are, Frank, and what you want to do, but if you'd like to email me, I'll be happy to help. Cheers from Toronto!
Dan McLean Jr
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James Adamson Special user Deatsville - Holtville - Slapout, AL 945 Posts |
Dan,
I was just curious if anyone on The Magic Café used them. What brought it to mind was the thread on feedback. James Adamson
Be remembered for performing what looks like MAGIC, not skill.
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Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
James,
Do you have any questions? I'm sure there are at least a couple of us who can try to answer.
Dan McLean Jr
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James Adamson Special user Deatsville - Holtville - Slapout, AL 945 Posts |
Dan,
It seems to me that people are reluctant to go with in the in-ear as we have not sold as many as I would have thought. The people who have used them love them. Have you ran into this reluctance? James Adamson
Be remembered for performing what looks like MAGIC, not skill.
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Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-11 21:53, James Adamson wrote: Yep. I started into them in '89 or '90, shortly after the first marketed IEM electronics became available. Then, when more ear-piece manufacturers started, they started sending me all their models, custom-molded for my ears, in exchange for my comments and comparative evaluation. I had expected that IEMs would catch on like wildfire, but instead, their growth has been somewhat slow & very steady. Musicians that are accustomed to using stage monitors are also accustomed to hearing the environmental & reverberant sounds of the stage area and of the entire room. IEMs put the performer in an entirely different "acoustic space" in which they are isolated from the reverberant sound of the room. This isolation has practical & psychological ramifications. Practically-speaking, it's harder for the performer to hear the sound of anything that isn't mic'd. Psychologically-speaking, this acoustical isolation can translate to sensory isolation and detachment. A knowledgeable, capable, experienced IEM tech has a time-tested bag of technical & procedural tricks designed to minimize the otherwise difficult & disorienting transition. In other words, it's not usually as simple as just un-plugging your stage monitors and plugging-in an IEM system. The difference is dramatic, and success requires the intelligent application of considerable knowledge. Now, for magicians, the transition can be much more easy, because the application is usually much more simple. For example, if all you need to hear in your monitor is your music, then using IEMs with old-school, Walkman-style earbuds (see photo) will probably provide the necessary practical advantages while avoiding the difficulties. Same goes for the need to hear a backstage mic or an audience mic. Anyway, I hope that's enough for now! Click here to view attached image.
Dan McLean Jr
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James Adamson Special user Deatsville - Holtville - Slapout, AL 945 Posts |
"Psychologically-speaking, this acoustical isolation can translate to sensory isolation and detachment."
Yes, the isolation is a frequent response from the users initially. Some will just use one ear bud. Also, we have found that some performers just love themselves too much. James Adamson
Be remembered for performing what looks like MAGIC, not skill.
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Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-12 10:39, James Adamson wrote: If they're experiencing the isolation, they must be using molded (or otherwise tight-fitting) earbuds. They need to do a bunch of research on how to minimize the technical contributors to this sensation. There are many options, some more/less expensive, technical, complicated than others. As I said, it's not usually as simple as just un-plugging your stage monitors and plugging-in an IEM system. That's an unreasonable, under-researched expectation. By the way, using just one earbud can be dangerous in the long term. First, when using one sealed bud instead of two, most people run the bud 6db louder. Also, it's usually suggested that single-bud users switch ears every night or two in order to avoid asymmetrical hearing damage. In my opinion, based upon several discussions with the leading earbud designers, is that wearing just one bud is a bad idea, not only because of safety, but because it wipes out some of the greatest potential benefits of IEMs.
Dan McLean Jr
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Paul Arthur Regular user 196 Posts |
Psychologically, a magic audience might view an IEM as a method of feeding you needed information about what's going on onstage (i.e. mentalism). Even if that is not what it's being used for, an audience might find it suspect. I say this because I've witnessed this exact type of reaction. If you're not doing anything that relies on you seeming to be out of the loop on certain pieces of information, then by all means go with an earpiece, as they do work extremely well when set up correctly.
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James Adamson Special user Deatsville - Holtville - Slapout, AL 945 Posts |
Yes we have warned them about just using one molded earbud.
James
Be remembered for performing what looks like MAGIC, not skill.
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