It took me quite a while to acclimate to IEMs.
For a long time I would only wear one (VERY VERY BAD — DON’T DO THAT).
I’m not just a singer, but a guitar player as well… and we won’t even go into what THAT means in terms of ‘feeling the air from my guitar amp’, although some would say that’s code for loud… but moving along let’s just say I didn’t become an in-ear monitor fanatic without kicking and screaming along the way.
However, after using them for at least a year, the benefit to my voice completely out-weighed any challenge I had with the “change of how my on-stage sonic experience” was. I really think that at the end of the day, that WAS the issue. I needed to start looking at it as trying to make it feel like a recording session in front of people… but without big ‘can’ headphones… just decent in-ears.
My personal benefits were and still are these:
- Rarely loose my voice
- No need to over-sing
- Hearing myself breathe is a huge help in controlling my breath
- Intonation is much easier to control and maintain
- For ‘Group-Singing’, it can make it easier to blend *
* In group singing, it’s best to hear all singers equally in your ears… maybe a slight bump for your own volume.
In-ear monitors (IEMs) offer several advantages for singing, including:
- Improved Sound Quality: IEMs provide high-quality audio that is customized to your ears, reducing the risk of feedback and delivering clear and accurate sound.
- Better Hearing Protection: IEMs reduce the need for high volume levels, which can protect your hearing during performances.
- Increased Stage Control: With IEMs, you have more control over what you hear on stage, allowing you to focus on your performance and stay in tune with the music.
- Greater Comfort: IEMs are designed to fit inside your ear, providing a comfortable and secure fit for long periods of use.
- Increased Portability: IEMs are lightweight and compact, making them easy to transport and use on the go.
Dis-advantages:
- Comfort: In-ear monitors can be uncomfortable for some singers, especially if they have to wear them for long periods of time.
- Sound Isolation: In-ear monitors provide great sound isolation, which can be good for singers who want to focus on their own performance, but it can also be a disadvantage if they need to hear the rest of the band.
- Volume: In-ear monitors are designed to deliver sound directly into the ear canal, which can result in very high volumes. This can cause hearing damage if the volume is not properly controlled.
- Cost: In-ear monitors are generally more expensive than traditional monitors, which can be a disadvantage for some singers who are on a budget.
- Technical Difficulties: In-ear monitors can be complex to set up and use, which can be a disadvantage for singers who are not technically savvy.
- Dependence on Technology: In-ear monitors are dependent on technology and can fail during a performance, which can be a major disadvantage for singers who rely on them.
Overall, IEMs can and do provide singers with better control and comfort on stage, improved sound quality, and greater hearing protection.
Custom Molds can improve the in-ear monitor experience on several levels. These molds tend to be close to air-tight, which improves bass response and all but eliminates outside interference. They also help to keep your IEMs in place. There are several great companies out there that make custom molds that require seeing an audiologist first and having a mold of your ear taken. There are also some DIY ways to make things that hold your IEMS in place.
A low-cost alternative for custom molds is what we provide at InYourEar.biz. Check our ‘ABOUT’ page for more information.
#singers #bands #musicians #performance #InEarMonitors #InEarMonitorsForSingers #InEarMonitorsCustom #InEarMonitorsWireless #InEarMonitorsCustomMolded #InEarMonitorsCustomSleeves #InEarMonitorsCustomMold #InYourEar