In-ear monitoring question

[Baba]

So, the band uses an Allen & Heath Mix Wizard 16:2 board. We only have 6 monitor sends, and we have 6 band members, so, they are all being used.

I'd like to get my guitar to be stereo in my ears (Sennheiser G2 system). I know I cannot do this with just our board.

Question is, how CAN I do this? What would be the easiest way with the least amount of external gear?

I use a Digi GSP1101, so, I have a plethora of output options.

[bankeny]

The Shure P4M might do the trick

http://www.shure.com/americas/produc...-monitor-mixer

It has 4 inputs with direct outs.
You would plug the GSP (and microphone if wanted) into this first then use the split output to feed the MixWiz.

The P4M has 1/4 outputs to hook up to your Sennheiser G2

So...
Ch1 panned hard left would be GSP1101 Left
Ch2 panned hard right would be GSP1101 Right
Ch3 panned center could be your vocal mic
Ch4 panned center would be your IEM mix from the MixWiz

You would take your guitar and microphone out of the IEM mix on the MixWiz and use this personal mixer to mix them back in.

One huge advantage of this is if you needed more guitar or more vocal, you would have control of that yourself on stage instead of having to ask the sound guy mid-song.

[Count_Chocolat]

I also own a Mixwiz 16:2, great mixer...Direct outs from the mixwiz to this puppy...

http://www.allen-heath.co.uk/CA/Disp...t.asp?pview=69

No matter how you slice it stereo IEM's gets expensive.

[Baba]

Originally Posted by bankeny

The Shure P4M might do the trick

http://www.shure.com/americas/produc...-monitor-mixer

It has 4 inputs with direct outs.
You would plug the GSP (and microphone if wanted) into this first then use the split output to feed the MixWiz.

The P4M has 1/4 outputs to hook up to your Sennheiser G2

So...
Ch1 panned hard left would be GSP1101 Left
Ch2 panned hard right would be GSP1101 Right
Ch3 panned center could be your vocal mic
Ch4 panned center would be your IEM mix from the MixWiz

You would take your guitar and microphone out of the IEM mix on the MixWiz and use this personal mixer to mix them back in.

One huge advantage of this is if you needed more guitar or more vocal, you would have control of that yourself on stage instead of having to ask the sound guy mid-song.

This looks interesting, and maybe I'm not seeing it, but, the rest of the band has me in their ears as well, would this solution take me out of their ears/control?

Also, would I lose my normal mix from the board? I have everyone in my ears as well.

EDIT: I got it now, it took a few more reads and imagination, but I got it! That's a good idea, thanks!

[Baba]

Originally Posted by Count_Chocolat

I also own a Mixwiz 16:2, great mixer...Direct outs from the mixwiz to this puppy...

http://www.allen-heath.co.uk/CA/Disp...t.asp?pview=69

No matter how you slice it stereo IEM's gets expensive.

My Sennheiser IS a stereo in-ear unit, the problem is, we don't have enough monitor sends for me to send a L/R to it.

You said something interesting though, we don't use our direct outs at all, I'm wondering if I could incorporate that somehow. I'd have to have some type of a level control for it though.

[Count_Chocolat]

My IEM system is stereo, I tried it in stereo, and while it has it's merits I did not feel it was worth the hastle or extra expense.

I am not sure what you are trying to achieve but you may want to look into a line mixer and feed it with the direct outs of the mixwiz.

[Pietro]

Buy the cheapest smallest Mackie mixer. Even that cheap little tapco will do.

Run the send from the board for your in-ears to it. have them take the guitar OUT of that ALL THE WAY.

Run the second set of outputs from the Digitech to it in stereo.

Run the output of the mixer to your IEM. Done. Mix your guitar signal with the board send any way you want it.

[Baba]

Originally Posted by Count_Chocolat

My IEM system is stereo, I tried it in stereo, and while it has it's merits I did not feel it was worth the hastle or extra expense.

I am not sure what you are trying to achieve but you may want to look into a line mixer and feed it with the direct outs of the mixwiz.

I agree, there is a point $$-wise that I don't want to approach with something like this.

Where this is coming from is, basically, whenever I listen to any album or even recorded clips of gear, most times, guys will record them with some kind of double tracking and/or stereo separation going on, or with two different sounds/models left and right, and I like that sound so much better than just a mono guitar.

Sometimes at home, I'll just plug headphones into my GSP1101 to play, and I have 2 dirty presets, one with a stereo chorus and one without. I love the way the sound spreads out with the chorus on, much more than with just the mono preset.

[Baba]

Originally Posted by Pietro

Buy the cheapest smallest Mackie mixer. Even that cheap little tapco will do.

Run the send from the board for your in-ears to it. have them take the guitar OUT of that ALL THE WAY.

Run the second set of outputs from the Digitech to it in stereo.

Run the output of the mixer to your IEM. Done. Mix your guitar signal with the board send any way you want it.

This is a super cheap, easy, and effective method as well. I actually have a small old Behringer mixer at home that I could accomplish this with.

[itsLars]

Hello,

I Know, it's not a solution for your specific situation, anyway:
Anybody who's lookin for an inear-solution for the entire band should have a look at the Mymix-System! It's absolutely great and features dead-easy multitrack-recording as well.

Bye,
Lars

[Baba]

Actually, I had a D'oh moment. More important than how I run it, is what I run it with.

I've been using the stock earphones that came with my Sennheiser in-ear unit, which sound GREAT with my ipod, but horrible for guitar. I actually like this pair of Sony walkman headphones that I still have, better than the Sennheisers for guitar tone.

I can't believe I skimped on this step and never even considered a better pair. I'm going to try my bass player's Westone UM2's and see how they sound.

[devbro]

We use the same Mix wizard board and all have IEMs. The difference is we use the Aviom system for our monitors. Each of the 16 channels on the board is conected to the Aviom A16-I from the channel direct out. The Aviom then converts the signal to digital and it sends to our individual mixers via CAT 5 cable where its converted back to analog then to our IEM transmitters. I get stereo guitar, keyboards, vocal effects that sounds amazing.

Bite the bullet and get some custom IEMs. The will isolate much better and you won't believe the difference. We opted for the Alien Ears triple driver model for about $350 as I recall. Check around, Alien Ears are the best for the money..........it sounds like a recording.

The cost....You can get the Aviom input module on ebay all day long for $500. The personal mixers go for $350 and a set of Alien Ears Custom IEMs will set you back another $350. I made the investment and the rest of the band eventually followed suit and got Aviom mixers and IEMs. Best gear investment I ever made!

Another advantage is that I no longer have an amp on stage and neither does the bass player or keyboard. Much easier on the back. We all go direct! I take my IEM's out and all I hear are drums and the horn section. No more squeeling wedges squeeling or guitar bleeding into the vocal mics........nirvana