Portable in-ear monitor system

http://www.shure.com/americas/products/personal-monitor-systems/psm200/index.htm

Any other suggestions?

Shure are good - been using a (superceded) version of their mid-priced in-ear earbuds for a few years. You do need in-ear by the way, not the iPod type that sit outside the ear canal (you can get feedback with them surprisingly easily and it hurts). The assorted rubber in-ear fitments the buds come with actually work quite well when you find the one that fits you properly so there may be no need to get the in-ear inserts specially made.

One thing is that they need to be a pretty tight fit - you know it's right when background noise drops away and all of a sudden there's more (and much lower) bass coming out of them. The background noise blocking means you can run them at much lower levels than wedges if you want to.

As for the best way to drive them, it really depends on your/your band's setup and how you personally like to work and the PA facilities available at the time. Things like the little Samson S-Monitor headphone pre-amp/mixers can be very handy.

One big downside is that audience noise is reduced and the sound can be very dry, so it can be a good idea to get a mic aimed at the audience and a bit of that mixed into the foldback plus a bit of ambient reverb. Another downside that on-stage communication is harder because you can't hear what's being said to/shouted at you.

You may also find you need to eq the in-ear system to get a natural sound. It's usually a good idea to run an in-ear system in mono as well - otherwise you can get very disorientated very easily, especially if you're singing.

Take some time setting it up, getting it right and getting used to it and in-ear can be far superior to wedges/side fills in many situations - the clarity can be amazing. Not everyone likes them though and they can take some getting used to if you're used to the punch of wedges and sidefills.

I have used Shure in the past ( just a set of little buds not molds )I did not have good results :(

I use future sonics MG6PRO Custom Molds they are $900 and I swear by them !
http://www.futuresonics.com/FSearmonitors.html

If you are looking to keep the price down but still have quality go for the Atrio range there about $199
http://www.futuresonics.com/FSatrios.html

I don't know what you play but I find for drumming I use my IEMS and then ask for as much kick as possible form the side wedge so I can still feel it.

For guitar and vocals I have done away with wedges and only use the IEMS

Norrie

Hi Lance

Thanks ! I am with you on the receiver and transmitters you cant go wrong with the shure ones for the price

Sennheiser make some good packs as well but they are above the price of the shure

Norrie

What kind of house system doesn't have wedges?? Must be a DJ rig. Well then if your hurtin' for cash, I guess you'd be better off buying yourself a powered speaker. Most of them are designed to go as a wedge too. As said, don't try and cheap out or you will possibly damage your hearing. ----------------------------------------------------------- http://www.guitarcenter.c...-106233216-i1449709.gc --------------------------------------I have used this speaker and for it's size it kicks out. It has a throughput XLR so you can plug your vocal mike directly into it and then send it onward to PA.