How to use in ear monitors?

[@SalAvenueNJ]

I'm a NYC subway busker, and I'm very glad I started using in ear monitors. First of all they protect my ears from the subway noise. Another reason is I play with recordings of me playing acoustic guitar. With these monitors I can hear the tracks playing even when a train is flying by me.

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

@@SalAvenueNJ That is sick! Yeah that’s something I never considered for buskers, the noise must be insane especially when you cannot hear yourself! Glad it’s worked out for you 🙌🏼

[@mrskint55]

Trains flying wow lol 😂😂😂

[@steveNWUK30]

Good Video mate. We are in the verge of using a full IEM system but we pride ourselves on a live energetic performance and we are worrying that it will take away from that live stage sound we get from backline and wedges. Also, I never see anyone who uses cues looking remotely like they are performing like they should on stage. Looks like they are plying in their bedroom to a KZbin video.

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

Yeah very good points man! The cues in my experience have been good for like when I’m jumping on a gig, not really for when I’ve learned something inside out. I’m so busy in and out of different shows it gets confusing sometimes if you get me? But, what you can do is introduce maybe a stage microphone and blend that into your in ears to get some of the crowd sound or use wedges as well as the in ears, thanks for commenting dude appreciate it!

[@steveNWUK30]

@@DavidMarkThomasMusic Totally get your angle when performing in different bands mate and the cues would be vital then. Thanks for the tip on the stage mic and wedges to create more of a live sound. Much appreciated

[@martinclayton7260]

It seems very complicated. I just always followed the drummer. I've played live in a few bands over the last thirty odd years, and we've just always belted it out!

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

Yeah it is pretty complex but you get used to it! That definitely keeps the elements live

[@MrTwulf]

I use customized in-ears in my hobby rock cover band, but I usually only have them in my left ear so that I'm not completely isolated. As I also sing, I have my microphone and guitar relatively loud in relation to the other voices and instruments. I don't want to play without in-ears any more because, depending on the position on stage, a wedge wouldn't be enough.

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

Hello there! Yeah absolutely same here! Louder vocals and guitar and one ear in, against my better judgement sometimes I think 😂 Do you ever struggle when you come off stage with feeling a bit dazed when one ear has had all that sound going in? I know I do

[@MrTwulf]

@@DavidMarkThomasMusic Yes, sometimes it whistles in my ears - but I have adjusted the volume on the in-ear to the overall volume.

[@officialWWM]

That’s very bad for you hearing to only use one ear. People tend to turn up that single ear too loud and it causes damage.

[@nuthinbutlove]

Great info. Thanks

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

Thanks for your comment and glad it was helpful!

[@georgepoutine6843]

cool, thank you

[@GingerNinja1]

Great video! 👍

[@johannesdebeer]

Can you set your left right levels separately if you have one ear that has some hearing loss.

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

Great question! So in my example in the video I’m using mono in ear monitoring. However. You can use stereo in ear monitoring by using a stereo in ear transmitter and by using 2 auxiliaries instead of the 1. This would give you flexibility between having more things in one ear or the other. Hope that makes sense or helps 😌

[@johannesdebeer]

@ thank you.

[@johnkilpatrick2343]

Yes, but not with every setup. Are you solo, backing tracks, in a band, using a mixing desk?

[@johannesdebeer]

@@johnkilpatrick2343 none of the above yet. Just wondering if it's possible when someday I get to play with others.

[@johnkilpatrick2343]

@@johannesdebeer it's possible but you might need a couple of extra bits & bobs. It'll depend on your exact setup what extra would be needed... but totally possible.

[@chucksaeger7500]

Excellent video dude!

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

Thank you very much man I appreciate it!

[@neilmeehan1305]

Hi David, What software were you using to set up and control your mixer?

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

Hello there! It’s called the Behringer X-Air app which is used for the Behringer X-Air line of mixers! Great thing about it is you can actually download it without needing the mixer to have a play around and get familiar if you wanted to 😌

[@scottb721]

How do you initially sync your personal cue track with the song/rest of the band? (Not a muso but a band photog)

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

So basically I’ve purchased a cue pack online that has a lot of the cues there but you can record them yourself. And usually you’ll load them up in any recording software and then put them the same side as your click track and then make sure they’re fairly audible and then when the click track gets fed to your in ears the cues come and the same time too. So you basically pan all instruments the audience is going to hear one side and then you pan everything just the band is going to hear the other 😌 hope that explains it and thanks for commenting!

[@PabloLaFrossia]

@@DavidMarkThomasMusic Can you provide a link to the one you purchased? Thanks!

[@BenAEMT]

You mentioned worship bands - I've noticed they use queues a lot. Thoughts on that?

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

Sometimes worship bands will have Musical directors with a talk back that speaks to the band directly but queues are very helpful if you’re new on a gig! Sometimes they can be hit or miss they need to be done quite well I find to be effective!

[@BenAEMT]

@@DavidMarkThomasMusic interesting. Thanks for the reply and video! Growing up I would watch my dad perform from the sound booth, concert accordionist. Nothing like this was used but I have always been fascinated by everything behind the scenes. I will have to ask him if he ever used one of these systems.

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

@@BenAEMT that’s fascinating! Because I wouldn’t know a lot about his world either, isn’t that interesting? So many musicians although alike have so many different paths and things they’re used to! Yeah absolutely! Thanks for the comment 😌

[@michaelhall9138]

I absolutely LOVE the clicks and cues for our worship music. The lyrics/music sheets leave a lot to be desired! We have a worship leader that likes to go rogue on occasion and the cues keep him on track. As a bass player, I can set my mix much better than dealing with wedges; I like to hear myself above everyone else, the drums a little lower, e & acoustic guitars a little lower than that and the vocals the lowest. I only have the vocals in in case I start daydreaming and get lost 😊

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

@@michaelhall9138 Love this! They definitely are a life saver on gigs. I recently had a theatre show with little to no time to prepare and having the cues on there really really helped! Thanks for commenting :)

[@sl1ght]

Cool video! but be careful with 1 IEM out bro - it is going to wreck your ear drums permanently if you do this regularly during shows

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

Thank you very much! Totally agree man! It’s one of my weird comforts during shows 🤦🏻‍♂️ Usually I keep all brass instruments and drums to my left (the ear I keep in all the time) but yeah it’s definitely something I need to work on!

[@keithsnowdon8672]

Sorry gave up. The background noise/music?,was a bit overbearing

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

So sorry there was any issues! Basically, we head loads of fun cool stuff!

[@officialWWM]

Yep and totally unnecessary.

[@brianwallington9744]

You need in ear monitors mam 🤗

[@officialWWM]

Hmmm, maybe I could have a little voice in my head telling me the chords so I don’t forget all the time 😂

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

You know what, I've never thought of that, that's genius 😂 There's definitely a market for something like this

[@officialWWM]

@ lol, you’re welcome 😂

[@officialWWM]

Personally, I hate them. They take the fun out of live playing and make it feel like you’re playing in a studio. And god forbid if someone from the audience should try to stop you, cause you won’t be able to hear them!

[@MichaelSorensen-bl3ec]

Only used them once. Didn't like them. Found them distracting actually.

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

They’re absolutely not for everyone. I struggled for so long with mine and to be honest, I actually use in ear in and one ear out (which is very bad for your hearing) but it’s my happy in between you know! Thanks for commenting 😌

[@EdithHazel-g9o]

Hall Lisa Anderson Dorothy Jones Ruth

[@rjgrp]

Xvive and Behringer…. the cheap route!

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

That’s it! I will say reliable though!

[@RoostRider]

Yeah, next time you make a video about professional sound and your mic goes out, REDO the video!!!

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

Just something I have a lot of experience in, I am a professional guitarist that uses them week in week out, but I’m not a professional video maker 🤷🏻‍♂️ sorry I’ve upset you x

[@themerlinsnest]

Lmao he should have just laughed in your face and told you to get over it.

[@DavidMarkThomasMusic]

@@themerlinsnest you’re my kinda folk. I wanted to deep down 😂😂