Budget Friendly In-Ear Monitor Setup For Your Entire Band

This is my Budget Friendly In-Ear Monitor Setup that can outfit your entire band. Don't expect to have everyone running around in wireless units, but getting a good, consistent IEM setup shouldn't cost $10,000. Check out the links below for all of the products discussed in this video.
➡️ Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:31 - Overview
4:20 - Soundboard Setup
5:45 - Mixing Monitors
6:50 - Wireless IEM Trick
8:16 - Wired IEM Setup
12:01 - Analog Snake
14:16 - Headphone Extension Cables
➡️ Mentioned Products:
👉Shure PSM300: www.amazon.com/dp/B00ODU9EFK?...
👉Shure P3RA: www.amazon.com/dp/B00ODU9L6M?...
👉Behringer HA8000: www.amazon.com/dp/B06WRRB59R?...
👉XLR to 1/4" Patch Cable: www.amazon.com/dp/B0051IE05W?...
👉Headphone Extension Cable: www.amazon.com/dp/B07V1TPLYC?...
👉Analog Snake: www.audiopile.net/PSPX-16x4
➡️ Find the cables I talk about and other products I recommend here
amazon.com/shop/allamhouse
➡️ Need One-on-One help?
Fill out my contact card at sound.allamhouse.com

[@mikedonnellan4937]

Thanks Dave, returning to music and running sound after a 40-year layoff. Your shared skills, experience, and videos cut many many hours off the time required to relearn and learn what's new. Sound is still sound, music is still music, but the gear is far more sophisticated. The results delivered to the audience and performers were just dreams generations ago. Much appreciated, grace and peace.

[@AllamHouse]

No doubt. I’m glad you are finding value in the videos. Let me know if you have any questions.

[@KenMcCown]

Good timing. We are going to IEM's this year. Can you do a video on a tracks rig? That will be our next step. Happy New Year.

[@AllamHouse]

I actually do not currently run tracks, but usually people will start with a laptop and do Click on L and Tracks (premixed) on R and use a stereo DI to get this signal to the board. Past that you can grab a Focusrite interface with 4 outputs and then do Click, High, Low and percussion (or click, High L, High R and low). Past that you would grab a Motu interface which offers 8 outputs and you can then send tracks as you see fit to the board.

[@KenMcCown]

Thanks Dave. Do you have a video on routing outputs from the X32 to the S32 digital snake? Having issues. I have my inputs routed but cant seem to get the output signal on stage for monitors. Thanks.

[@AllamHouse]

I don’t have any videos specific to the S32, but I do have this video that covers the overview of the routing screen. For outputs, you need to go to Routing > Outs and set your desired mixes to an “Out”. Then, assuming you are using the ARS50a connection to the S32, go to Routing > AES50a and set your outputs (1-4, 5-8 are default). If you need to customize your output patching you can use the User Outs area, set the specific output mapping and then select User Out 1-4, 5-8 in the ARS50a section. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqHIooWrhaycaLs

[@donaldbundy3499]

Good video Dave. To clarify, your using TRS cables and TRS to XLR cables strictly for the headphone outputs and individual headphone arrangements. If someone misunderstands this and uses an XLR to TRS from the output of a console or digital stage box expecting to hear stereo, they will have issues. Because the individual XLR outputs of the console and digital stage box are balanced audio, mono sends and not stereo outputs.

[@AllamHouse]

Yeah, I tried to be clear that my connections were Mono and that we used the Mono button which sent the same signal to both ears. I also tried to be overdramatic that it is fine to offer mono mixes like I do for my team. The equipment has the ability to move to stereo if you have the outputs to support it, but mine is all mono.

[@KenMcCown]

Can you explain the prefader input and post fader output setup more?

[@AllamHouse]

Here is a recent video that you can check out. I do into depth about this topic. Let me know if you have other questions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3ixnoGNmbuKgck

[@joker71779]

I have the power play HA8000 and have been trying to set it up as stereo main mix and I can’t seem to get to work properly! Any suggestions I did purchased the y cable and set up my bus as stereo on the Wing

[@AllamHouse]

Based on your question, it sounds like you have built a stereo mix (or multiple) in the Wing. I assume you have the routing correct to send this out the desired physical outputs. At this point you would use a stereo XLR to 1/4” TRS cable (two mono XLRs to a stereo 1/4”). Select a headphone amp to work with (easiest to start with number 1) and plug the cable into the back input slot for this amp number 1. Now, set the mono switch to off and plug in some headphones to the from output for that amp 1 and make sure you have audio. Another way to test things is plug a phone or other device into this same input using an adapter and make sure you have the amp working, then troubleshoot at the console.

[@KenMcCown]

Are there 2 different bus mixes going to the wireless unit or 1 mix, split for two receivers?

[@AllamHouse]

Yes, one MixBUS goes to the left input and a different MixBUS goes to the right input. The body packs are then panned to the desired input side and then set to Mono mode so that the signal is heard in both ears for the performer.

[@KenMcCown]

@@AllamHouse My Shure PSM300 I have to run a mix to the left and a mix to the right, leave the transmitter in stereo and the receivers have a mixmode where I can pan them left or right to hear either mix one or mix 2. Make sense? Have to hold the group button when turning on the receiver to set it to mixmode.

[@cliffreynolds7199]

Would you recommend this set up for a wired IEM scenario over using P2's?

[@AllamHouse]

It is kind of personal preference. The P2’s take XLR input which is nice if you have to run really long distances, but the cost f three P2’s will cover the cost of the 8 channel headphone amp. I also like to consider the installation when making a decision about gear. I luck out because I rack mounted my headphone amp right under my digital snake so the connections were easy and clean. I then use analog snakes (sub snakes) to run from the digital snake to other parts of the stage and I bought ones that have TRS 1/4” returns which makes it easy to have the monitor sends pre-wired to the same spot that the instruments are plugging in their mics.

[@jaymorisset1409]

How would we change from a mono mix to stereo mix?

[@AllamHouse]

In this setup, a single BUS would be used to support your mono IEM mix. If you want a stereo mix you need to take two BUSes, link them together and then route them accordingly. Keep in mind linking BUSes are like channels meaning the left will always be on an odd number and link to the right (ie: 1/2, 3/4, etc)

[@bikerdad1973]

How do you setup prefader input and postfader output for your busses or iem

[@AllamHouse]

Here is a video that discusses the differences between the two locations for Pre/Post Fader kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3ixnoGNmbuKgck

[@bikerdad1973]

@AllamHouse thanks for quick response... I have been doing sound for wifes 5 piece band use to use xr18 and for past yr went to x32rack. Now i want setup proper iem for them and want make seperate rig for , gonna use xr18 as iem/mon rig and x32 as FOH that way if we ever do venues in future with a different sound engineer can just bring our iem/mon rig.

[@bikerdad1973]

@AllamHouse Also, if any suggestions would luv to hear... I haven't gotten all gear yet, however.... Gear have already was gonna use: XR18= iem/ monitor mixer PSM300 = Main Vox Iem stereo PSM300 = 2 Guitarist iem mono Anleon S2 = Bass iem mono Powerplay P1 = Drummer iem stereo Power Conditioner Gear was gonna get: 2 x MS8000 for my splitter 1 for vox and other for instruments & Drums 2 x Art P16 Patchbay 1 for iem rig & 1 for FOH rig Behringer HA8000 V2 for my iem's/monitors Of course, 16 ch snake for cabling I'm looking to do this cheapest but also the best way, so I don't have to redo it later unless I'm upgrading gear. Any help or suggestions is very much appreciated

[@AllamHouse]

I like your idea of having a separate rig, but keep in mind that the XR18 and the X32 do NOT speak to each other in case you wanted to try and use the XR18 as a stage box. Many people use the X32 Rack as a stage box (monitor console) and then feed across AES50 to a house board.

[@AllamHouse]

I think you are on the right track for building a stage rig that has splits included which will allow you to have a true IEM board that doesn't impact the FOH board. In terms of your gear, I have not used the Anleon S2 units, but it might be worth just having your bassist or one of your guitarists hardwired like your drummer... whichever one doesn't need to move too much. Good luck with the build.

[@arjay7588]

do your band experience some noise or signal lose with this wired monitor setup?

[@AllamHouse]

We have not had any issues, but I have worked with other groups that have had some noise using the wired units. They had their gain too low on the console which meant they had to turn up the headphone amp a lot to get the right volume in the ears. This raised the noise floor of the headphone amp and that was the noise. Get the gain right and you should not have any noise issues.