Taking a $200 Wireless In Ear System on a PRO GIG

In ear monitor systems have been such a craze over the past few years, but most of them are too expensive for the normal musician to buy. But! There has been a few companies in the past couple of years that have made a budget friendly or cheaper version of these wireless systems that pack a good amount of the same quality for less than half the price.
I've seen a lot reviews of these wireless in ear systems, but hardly any videos that actually show if this can be used in an actual live concert setting. So today I'm taking a $200 budget in ear monitor system on a PRO Gig to see if it can withstand the rigors of the road.
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[@matt_nyc_audioengineer]

I am a professional live sound engineer. I run 3 Phenyx antenna distribution systems! Great gear. Just bought my wife one of their 4 channel mic systems. I was really surprised how well it works. Not the best but certainly better than most other 4 in 1 systems I've seen in that price range.

[@JMMinistries]

We use this System All The Time for our Ministry gigs and worship Tours. It's amazing! We are also Endorsed and sponsored by Phenyx Pro Audio

[@leesbassment6393]

That’s the transmitter. Receiver is on your hip, powering your ears. Glad the gig went well

[@randytimbol]

Bro, SUCH a relevant topic and a potentially huge ($$$) game-changer for teams looking to migrating multiple musicians/vocalists to wireless IEMs. Well done!

[@mosesangel1383]

loved this style of video. thanks for sharing this budget friendly option. for people like me who do smaller gigs but could benefit from monitoring systtems like this but can't afford PSM-1000 standard. This opens the doors for us. a real game changer.

[@krazykat60]

Great vid Travis .. always so informative ! Love you’re editing almost as much as I dig your playing ! Onward and upward bro !

[@linecheckaudiosessions]

I purchased 6 of these for my small company to get me through a couple years of working with agency bands all with IEMs. For the price, they definitely got the job done until I could upgrade to Sennheiser EW series IEMs. With that said, there are a few things I was pretty unhappy with about them. - Metal clip on pack WILL break and you may find yourself buying a new pack since you can’t repair it. - Interference was pretty consistent with these and they were not reliable for musicians that needed a clear enough sound to get through the gig. - Pieces off the pack like the antenna would just break off after some time. - These do not scan but I wouldn’t expect that from an inexpensive system. - These will not keep up with other pro level IEM systems but if you’re just using 1 or 2 for your band, you may be able to make it work but the difference between the Phenyx Pro systems and a Sennheiser EW system is day and night (You get what you paid for). - Also, this frequency band is illegal in some places in the US.

[@hellsq]

I use this IEM and M-vave iem (wireless 30$ IEM system) - and phenyx has much more noise, much more interference issues, and power consumption of bodypacks is awful, set of new batterys can last for 2-3 hours max, when tiny little m-vave lasts for 5 hrs on one charge. dropouts is usual thing with phenyx, but I have never experienced it with m-vave. only issue with m-vave - that 3 or more transmitters kills any other 2.4Ghz wifi routers in area.

[@xenoblader4521]

I love your video and how informative it is, but man you are living on the edge xD I was so stressed seing you read the manual at sight, but I am glad it worked out :)

[@navevets]

Great informational info! Confirms a lot of my struggles on my (10) PTM-10’s and the hurdle I have now is doing an antenna combiner to eliminate interference with those tiny antennae’s. Thanks for your time putting this together!

[@joshgriffin5240]

I love these videos Travis! Keep up the GREAT work!

[@huntereubanks1325]

I’ve been using the Phenyx pro PTM-10 since 2015 at my church! Actually I’m Still rocking the same pack and receiver. It’s held up well! Love that company!

[@DanCistone]

You're lucky. We've had 3 of these and they all crapped out after 6 months. Our singer went through 2 body packs and still crapped out. They had lots of static, loud popping. the LED on my unit died, I couldn't see what was going on. When they worked they we're great but long term for most. Nope

[@IfSwineFlu]

I have had two of these units and ran them for 4 mono mixes for my last band for a few years and they mostly held up through light gigging and a small tour. The only real issue we ran into is that one of the receivers stopped being able to pair to different channels using the RF pairing. Other than that, they are super solid for the price.

[@fenderjose401]

We’ve been using four PTM-10 units for about over a year and for the price point, it’s hard to find another unit that is better based on its features. Our 2.4Ghz spectrum is too crowded, so trying out cheaper digital ears caused issues with our mics in the past so we decided to go analog RF. Setting proper expectations is key, yes we have also had occasional drop outs but not frequent enough to even consider unusable, sonically not as nice as the higher end units but very usable. The one thing you may want to do is tape down the ends of the belt clips which are a little weak and come off the unit if you’re not careful. Not often, but we have had to call a singer here and there because the clip has stayed on them after they’ve taken off the unit.

[@henrysalinas6751]

Thank you for the review. I've been looking into getting the PTM-33 and the PTM-10 for myself.

[@NateReelz]

using these at our church, but the one where 4 different inputs can be put into one of the transmitter boxes (drums, bass, piano, guitar). we each get our own mix! honestly not a bad pickup at all. get you some good ears and cable and it should be great!

[@ColinDean1]

I run 7 Phenyx Wireless packs in my band and it's pretty damn good for the money! We are in mostly rural and suburban areas for the 900mhz is pretty open.

[@jacobrichards5685]

You hang with some of my favorite people on earth! Love the Kennedys! And the Slays!

[@shawnphillips8514]

Great review!! Love the way you did the video. Keep it up! I subscribed. 😊

[@Youtuberkit7]

Man. Thanks for the tips and wow you play very good on bass. God bless

[@BTL400]

I wish I could afford spending $200 on that system. Unfortunately, where I live everything is just crazy expensive due to currency exchange so I just had to think of a way to get to hear at least myself. I found a video of a guy in Asia showing how he used a small FM radio transmitter and his phone to get the signal. It got mine for $10 and it0s USB rechargable. I tried it in my studio and it worked. I tried it in the rehearsal room and it worked. I tried it in a small show and it worked hah Then I had to try it in a concert, in front of 2000 people. It worked. I have to say it's not the best quality, but as long as I can hear myself I couldn't care less if the quality is not the best. Bottom line is, do not be afraid to try budged options as they may surprise you in a really good way.

[@TheWozza01]

Thanks for the solid review. How has it been holding up after a few months?

[@Optomisma]

Used a cheapo system when a main pa speaker failed , so had to use my monitor . For vocals they’re fantastic. But as for my valve guitar amp it was difficult, ended up with one ear bud in so as to hear realistic guitar sound .

[@MagallanesPR]

I've been thinking of buying that system!! We play 3 to 4 times a week, and we've been using the Takstar wpm-200 for years. Nothing cheaper than that!! And it works!! I've tried several others, and I always go back to the Takstar. I've been using the Phenyx Pro 7k's wireless mics and they do a fine job.

[@treed873]

What made you choose the Juicy Ears 5? I am currently looking for IEM's and have considered some of the big box offerings from Shure, Sennheiser, and Mackie. Do you recommend the juicy's? I am a bass player at my church and need to upgrade. Thanks for all you do!

[@goomobs]

very useful!!!!! thx for making this video!!!

[@SBKCBASS]

Keep up the good works!

[@djtjsoundco]

bummed i missed one of my fave KZbinrs perform at my church!! 😭😭 would love to know how you managed to capture your wireless ears audio thru the irig as well! ive been tryn to figure that out forever!

[@Lighthouse_Audio]

I would love to try these out for our singers at my church. Going to look into it. Cheaper than monitor speakers. And less stage sound.

[@ChristopherShawnR1ch]

We purchased a total of 10 packs, 2 transmitters for in ear monitoring for BG vocals at my church. Affordability being the key. Sound is a little thin and the quality of the recievers can be hit or miss (some of the earphone jacks dont seat well with all in ears) and wired clips are pretty flemsy. Again...its a winner at this price point though.

[@sonicman28655]

Enjoyed the review and your playing style! Phenyx PRO- it has pro right in the name! LOL Well, I'm pretty sure that the body pack is the receiver and the box is the transmitter (wireless microphones is the opposite)... I've heard that the PTM-10's were not true stereo. I've been using another budget model (Anleon S2) that is true stereo. Of course, running stereo doubles the amount of resources required for each IEM mix (two sub-mixes instead of just one)...

[@Palvader]

The PTM-10 is actually stereo. Super important for musicians to hear well!

[@ZDawg.Official]

Very nice, now ya gotta do the range test & show us how you recorded through it.

[@HittinDrums]

can we get a irig setup video to this setup or any setup

[@Palvader]

I had had issues with these units on the 900MHz band. I've been temped to try the 600MHz, but would like to use a spectrum analyzer first to check out what's happening in the room.

[@danielsimpkins9662]

If you're in the US, that band is wholly illegal to use and shouldn't even be sold for that range. But, that's only for the US.

[@Jerrodbdrums]

Awesome video!! Love Charity Gayle!!!

[@john-marcedwards9221]

Looking at picking some of these up for my work. Homeless nonprofit with some worship therapy classes. These might just fit the bill for us!!

[@jimmyjamz7400]

Great video! Super informative!!! Thanks for this!!! Question who and what is the name of the 1st song you show in this video?? The Rehearsal part i meant right around 8:00 ish…🙏🏼

[@M98747]

Charity Gayle - We Need A Miracle

[@nealpaul2706]

I’m a big fan. Sounds better than my ptm 300. Lots of snobs out there that hate on this product but it’s a winner at 500 - a steal for$200.

[@crisprieto1545]

They are awesome!!!!!

[@jeremiahbridgesdrummer]

Super dope meeting you today bro!!!

[@TravisDykes]

Great meeting you man! You caught me getting some snacks 😂

[@jeremiahbridgesdrummer]

@@TravisDykes it’s all good man lol I was grabbing some too 😂😂😂

[@AlmadenJeff]

I had been using the PTM-10 for several years before going to Audio-Technica ATW 3255 system. Night and day difference. The Audio-Technica is so superior, I'd say don't waste your money on the PTM-10. The issues I had with the PTM-10 were: - One of the battery springs broke off. It's crimped on, and I wasn't able to crimp it back on. Ended up soldering it back on which worked. - One of the belt clip holder that's molded into the case broke off - Dropped it once and the LCD screen cracked. - The receiver would not turn on with NiMH batteries. End up using rechargeable Lithium AA batteries. That worked fine except for the battery life indicated. It was always 100% until the batteries ran out. - The build quality of the transmitter is good as I never had an issue with it breaking. It also comes with a nice case. It's just that the receiver is of poor build quality to where one needs to factor in a new receiver every other year. That's about $75 last time I checked. - 900Mhz unlicensed band is surprisingly crowded. It's hard finding a channel without any interference which I was never able to find. The best I could find was a channel that had a quick 10 second burst of digital transmission about every 5 minutes or so. Fortunately, it was enough in the background that I continued to use it. If I didn't have a spectrum analyzer, I would have given up on it quickly. - The PTM-10 doesn't reproduce bass frequencies well. It reproduces well enough about A1 and higher (at least for my ears). If you have a low-B string, it will struggle. - It doesn't have a true limiter which is important to protect your hearing. You will be at the mercy of guitar players unplugging and plugging into a hot cable, sound engineer mistakes, and feedback howling. Save your money and stick with Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, or Shure units in the TV whitespace if you can.

[@davidg9927]

I have one too and changed the ear buds immediately…. Your review is spot on …as a starting set up it is good if you look after it … good to learn on then step up ..😊

[@AlmadenJeff]

I never used the supplied ear buds, but started with a KZ ZSN Pro. Switched over to the KZ ZS10 Pro about a year ago. Low cost and gets a full thumbs up from me.

[@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup]

I use Phenyx Pro IEM and mics. Great bang for the buck!

[@jcnash02]

Travis! We need to connect next time you’re in Texas.

[@tylerscott89]

Yo where'd you get your wedding band? That's so dope. I mean the video and the review are cool too but I spotted that band and got distracted 😂

[@HittinDrums]

I been trying to get a mix from my wireless pack i can’t go hardwire to the transmitter any tips ?

[@ZackDavisMusic]

Thats my boy Josh!!

[@edburdo]

We've been using those Phenyx units for over a year now. Pretty good unit for the price. We do Mono for our singers. Musicians have wired units (since they don't move around). I think our biggest complaint, is that belt clip. Horrible design, doesn't last. We bought some after-market belt clips to use.

[@cscott0874]

We use 3 of these in "mixed mono" for a little over a year as well and our experience has been similar. Everything is great but we've broken a couple of the belt clips. I'm interested in what you found to replace them with.

[@aaronsoutherland]

How do you mix it? Does the engineer have to mix it from the sound board or do you have the ability to mix it yourself?

[@jcnash02]

All IEM systems like this would be mixed at the mixer.

[@jairepp]

Great bass player bro

[@studiose3]

8:31 - Never step on cables... 🙂

[@phillippowers6905]

Tell ur sound guy that it is not a 2.4 system. It's not digital. Big difference there. That could misinform people big time as those are different altogether.

[@TravisDykes]

Thank you for this. I will let him know 🙏🏾

[@thymick5581]

Could you make a video with you Sub37 pls?

[@MichaelLiningMusic]

Must be awesome working for Charity Gayle!

[@drumbangerproduction]

If I'm not mistaken, the rig is not true left and right stereo, just dual mono. The stereo configuration is One channel is supposed to be talent, and the other channel everything else so you can balance yourself in your own mix...but it gets mixed together in mono no matter what. (If you plug in a Left signal, it goes to both left and right on the pack)

[@phillippowers6905]

Incorrect.

[@Palvader]

Fortunately, no. It is actual stereo:)

[@drumbangerproduction]

Thanks. Must have gotten mixed up with another unit. Do these units distort easily? I had some anleons and the little input I gave them had the units cooking because there was no input gain

[@simonphoenix9475]

When you fly to a gig do have to buy a seat for your bass?

[@ApostolicSketches]

He did a video on traveling with his bass. but no, it’s sent to baggage

[@arnieitthvad]

You say you recorded via the IEM, didn’t you just plug into the loop or headphone out? Almost all proper IEM transmitters will have a monitor output.

[@myronsamuels8798]

bruh you didnt tell us you knew charity i literally had to hit the back arrow like aint no way that was who i think it was lol

[@jeremyrobinson9310]

PSM-1000 is the standard for a reason, I do like how you’re giving budget friendly options. Dope video TD

[@WellenlaengeVT]

Or PSM900 or psm300 or EW-IEM. They all work without interference, if you set them up correctly.

[@jeremyrobinson9310]

you're not wrong, but to a certain point. they will work with limitations, PSM 300, and 900s are not networkable, so If I'm doing a show in New York where RF is a nightmare, I cannot adjust Frequencies on the fly if something odd happens after I set my Frequencies in WWB. Most A list writers will have PSM 1000 without a doubt, never 300s @@WellenlaengeVT

[@WellenlaengeVT]

@@jeremyrobinson9310 yes. For the most semi professional or working musicians 300 is fine though. Of course 1000s, best paired with axient is better. But if there is no budget for a RF tech, or monitor tech, there is probably no budget for 1000s. There are a lot of cheap options today. If you want it to be reliable start with psm 300 or wired (for example combined with the instrument cable, and a passive body Pack as volume controller for a good headphone amp...).

[@groovinonfunk]

Better than the Xvive? Seems like more features for just a little bit more money.

[@phillippowers6905]

Totally different. Xvive is a digital 2.4ghz unit.

[@groovinonfunk]

@@phillippowers6905 I mean... not really totally different. They're both IEM systems. . I'm sure the sound quality, latency, features, etc can still be compared between them.

[@juanmusic6515]

do you still use this for your gig?

[@MalikEmmanuel]

can you compare these to the Xvive u4's please

[@mattmaldonado880]

Used both. Phenyx pro is much better and a little less expensive.

[@photographernyc1]

What I don't get is that you said the receiver is next to your pedal. That is the transmitter. You have the receiver on you. So the distance was maybe 5 feet and you still got interferences? Don't buy cheap equipment where a failure can be a big problem (back on the stage without any monitors that would be a problem). We are using Sennheiser IEM G4 for our band and yes, they costs more but at least they work.

[@juanmigueltee6945]

The IEM is not stereo?

[@Palvader]

The PTM-10 is stereo, but the board did not have enough outs at this particular venue.

[@descriptor_cl]

That's cool bro also I understand 90% what you say talking english

[@micahkaitlinmusic7491]

Josh!

[@roykasika870]

Do you mean "transmitter"?

[@danielsimpkins9662]

It kept bothering me that he kept calling it a receiver.

[@javierquiroz7464]

Needs to try Xtuga system a lot better I think in budget Xtuga are the #1 I try audio galaxy too but nop phoenyx pro nop

[@David_Perez06]

Josh kinda looks like colton duty 😂😅

[@JonesHess]

You gotta show us those sweet gospel licks sometime

[@PJH4101]

As a Church leader I found his statement “I’m here for a job” (between 4:35 - 4:37) extremely disturbing.

[@danielsimpkins9662]

Unfortunately, more and more churches choose to hire outside musicians rather than have congregants play on the worship team.

[@markjastrzebski2065]

What you are calling the receiver is the transmitter and visa versa.