How To Build The PERFECT IEM-Rig Under $6,500

Step by step on how I built the perfect compact fly-able IEM Rig for right at $6,500.
Click Here for the full google sheet of everything I used.
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[@whitsettband]

Click Here to watch V2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aarPh6OJpMdoZ6M

[@jeffstauffermusic]

This is the best one of these IEM Rigs I've ever watched! Thank you!

[@whitsettband]

You should check out v2!

[@jeffstauffermusic]

@@whitsettband absolutely will!

[@whitsettband]

V2 of this rack coming 2024!

[@nachtlichtband]

That was very interesting, we are constructing one aswell so your video makes for a useful resource. We are looking forward to V2.

[@whitsettband]

Thanks! Hoping yours turns out well! V2 should be coming in January/ February!

[@christopherday4027]

Looks great Man! Good job!!

[@Extendia]

Where did ya get the screws to connect both receivers at around 1:45? Did those come with the system?

[@whitsettband]

Those come with new Sennhesier systems!

[@Extendia]

@@whitsettband damn it. bought the IEM g4 a while ago and it did not come with screws, lol. thanks bro!

[@whitsettband]

@@Extendia Search "Sennheiser GA 3 Rack Mount Kit" on sweetwater

[@Extendia]

@@whitsettband thanks bro!

[@andrediaz392]

Powercon is definitely more pro, although i always put a gray if I put a blue. Helps expand your rig later or makes working with other bands and limited stage power easier.

[@ryanward421]

On the V2 of the rack I added some grey!

[@FrozenCharlottes]

How heavy did this bad boy end up weighing in at? I just condensed our large 12U into a 6U for air travel but it still weighs close to 100lbs which I am not super happy about (we have two wireless mics, two vocal effects processors, 4 IEM transmitters jammed in there though)

[@whitsettband]

Like 70lbs on the dot. Luckily I have status with delta that allows the 70lb bag. But if the long fan was cut out and wired to a panel and just made it a fan to fan snake you could remove I think it would get it down maybe another 7-10 lbs. there’s probably a way to get it down to 50

[@practicallyparadise]

can you go over how you soldered the power lines into the ac power con?

[@straightlines2457]

Nice rig! Do you ever use the studio16r for FOH?

[@whitsettband]

We wouldn’t personally but you still could if need be.

[@KramAsylamStudio]

No antenna combiner?

[@whitsettband]

Watch V2

[@joemholt]

How much does this weigh?

[@davidpeterson8431]

Get some zip ties, ditch the electrical tape. It will turn into a sticky mess and let go in the heat. Thank me later.

[@whitsettband]

I don’t like zip ties long-term because of the stress they put on the cable. The real move would be the tech flex it.

[@davidpeterson8431]

@@whitsettband yes a combo of the two. just stay away from the evil electrical tape lol.

[@whitsettband]

I've never ran into an issue with electrical tape outdoor but, gaff tape in place of or over it could do the trick.

[@FrozenCharlottes]

Velcro for the win. Then you can reuse it and move it whenever/wherever as needed

[@88Nikoli]

​@whitsettband gaffer's tape is good for what it's made for , taping cables to stage to avoid trip hazards . Still a mess when you get it all over your wiring , a real bitch to remove .

[@christopherday4027]

Great information. Clear and easy to see. Sounds great! Dig the wine bottles, wedding pictures and your lovely bride in the back ground! But Dude, make your freakin bed!!!🤣 Or at least shut the door! Thank You however for wearing your drawers!😂

[@whitsettband]

😂😂😂. I’ll do better for v2

[@jasonhe6947]

really neat build. But I have a question, what's the purpose of MOTU interface for if the Presonus stage box can be used as interface with USB?

[@whitsettband]

Great question! I’ve had a few other people ask about the motu as well. I’m filming V2 next week and will be breaking down why I’ve got the motu and how I’m using everything!

[@jasonhe6947]

@@whitsettband for sure. Can't wait.

[@diegosandi1708]

Thannks for sharing this, im about to build a IEMRack for my band and this video was very helpful I wonder what you use the MOTU for?

[@whitsettband]

So we are using the Moto as the interface ableton splits out of (click,loops etc)

[@WutrUduin]

How many Ableton tracks are you sending to FoH? If only 2, couldn't you use the 16r as the interface? Send FoH from main outs and you've got 6 mix outs for your in-ears. And you free up your tracks and click inputs by bringing them over USB. You can finagle the headphone jack for a couple more outs if needed. Use that motu space for an antenna combiner. Better yet, mount the combiner in the rear and have space for a 4th iem when your band grows.

[@whitsettband]

@@WutrUduinso we’re sending Stereo loop and an aux instrument. So we’re using 4 min outs at a time but some times 5/6. Technically yes you could ditch the motu but having it almost acts a fail safe if one goes bad. It’s all about what makes the most sense for your rig. But I think this one is the best starting place to expand from.

[@rossmulhare1326]

If you put the sennheiser G4 in focus mode. Then on the belt packs, you can set one to left and one too Right… which means for every transmitter you can have 2 separate mono mixes… so nobody needs to share

[@whitsettband]

True, but in our case. And I would argue it’s better for most to do stereo and have cleaner mixes vs people having their own.

[@tanshaomala]

@@whitsettband I tried to do that too but unfortunately over time in a 6 piece band everyone just ended up arguing over the mixes. Went the mono route in the end and so far seems everyone prefers having their own mix over having stereo. If you have bandmates that don't care about sharing that's very lucky!

[@jobelewis6416]

Could have put the PreSonus under the power conditioner to not block the IEM transmitter, that’s blocking the Sync window etc. Props for separating the antennas though, you’re buddy is right

[@Elniniss]

No antenna combiner? I would at least combine 2 antennas with a passive combiner and upgrade the antennas to 1/2 wave.

[@whitsettband]

That’s in my plan for v2 of this. But a lot of bands build these on small budgets and having an extra mix us more important that the combiner

[@joelvandam]

How can you use the Presonus 16R with 5 guys if everyone wants a stereo mix?

[@whitsettband]

Hey Joel, So here's a few options of what I would do in that situation. 1. 4 Stereo Mixes, Drum & Bass Share a mix they are usually the closest in mixes. With this you run the main outs in the 16r as a stereo mix and use the main mixer as a aux if that makes sense. This obviously takes away your ability to use it as a FOH mixer but I like to keep those separate as much as possible. We are filming V2 of this video next week and will be doing this set up in v2. 2. I would swap out the 16r for the 24r that has 12 outs and allows for 6 stereo mixes.

[@ayeapprove]

The cheaper route would be to go Behringer XR18 + 2x ULTRALINK MS8000 and LD Systems MEI 1000 G2 - I think that's an option for people who are looking to spend less than 2k

[@whitsettband]

There’s plenty of people that makes those types of videos. This is geared toward a band at the next level from that

[@officialpoa3171]

*DUDE you guys need a SAC RIG!*

[@Kevinbabbmusic]

dude, id love to see a walk through of this system some day. Is the presonus operated from an app?(im an x32r guy) Is the MOTU simply for an output into the system for your click/tracks?

[@whitsettband]

I can probably make that happen soon! Yes the motu is just for the ableton side of things. And you can use the presonus via App

[@Kevinbabbmusic]

@@whitsettband is that seismic splitter reliable? I wanted BTPA to build me one but it’s like triple the price haha. I do the x32 with the Midas dn4816. No splitter needed with that setup but it’s music tribe platform so not too sure if it works with other boards

[@Kevinbabbmusic]

Also, your rf tech buddy. What’s his opinion on wireless workbench? I found out recently that many rft’s will use stand alone spectrum analyzers. This stuff is fascinating 😃🙌🏼

[@whitsettband]

@@Kevinbabbmusic Ah! so sorry I never got the notification for these comments! Yes its reliable but. This unit was over 10 years old and had bad channels that I found out after this build. That being said we've got V2 of this build being filmed as soon as our BTPA split comes in. The main reason we're doing it is being able to put the W2 fan in a different case to help with weight. Also RF tech friend gonna be in the next video! So he will be answering some questions!

[@Kevinbabbmusic]

@@whitsettband haha no worries man! I look forward to the coming vids! Congrats on a new build🙌🏼🤘🏼

[@DebraAudio]

My friends, I'm ben from Debra Audio. I would love to offer our 【ST-102】 stereo IEM system to you in the hope that you will try it out and review it.Its price and performance will exceed your imagination haha

[@johnmitchell6243]

Your like the Bob Ross of IEM builders!

[@whitsettband]

Hahaha I’ll take it!

[@iConnectivitySupport]

The PlayAUDIO12 would've gave you 12 outs and most importantly redundancy! I also don't see MOTU in the comment on your video, just saying, lol.

[@whitsettband]

Haha! I was close to choosing the PlayAUDIO12. If i'm honest, the only reason I didn't was because the fit is so tight with everything running through the front I was trying to eliminate as many cables on the front as possible. While I know the PA12 is the Nashville standard, I was worried about the USB cable fitting. But i'm already looking at doing a v2 of this rack sooo...

[@iConnectivitySupport]

@@whitsettband Look forward to seeing the video. This is a nice in ear and playback rig. Super compact for a band on the move. We also have the PlayAUDIO1U now. It's a 1U rack space but, worth the extra room.

[@maskedgamer1920]

Give me one less zero haha

[@BoyAditya]

LOL I misread for $500 😅😂

[@chrishalstead4405]

“Only” 6,500?? Maybe I’ll have four…🫤