IEMs and the Drummer

[MarkOne]

I've started using IEMs for all my gigs now. It means I don't have to cart a monitor and try and fit it somewhere I can hear it by/under/in front of my keyboard rig and I hear my monitor mix so much better now.

But on the other hand, we now have to at least put up an overhead (and usually a kick mic) on the drums even in pubs, where usually you wouldn't bother because otherwise I can't hear them clearly.

Actually I'm taking a DI from the bass for the same reason

What do other peeps do?

[The Elf]

We each have a personal monitor mixer, courtesy of Behringer's XR18/P16 system. Each mixer is connected to our IEM transmitters. Each player gets 16 channels (configured as 8 linked stereo pairs in our case) that they can mix/mute/pan/EQ as they like.

I set an ORTF mic stage front, so we get some feedback from the audience. This mic is automatically un-muted/muted between songs, but I can also override it manually.

The P16 system has been a revelation. Monitoring is of zero concern these days. One of our players flatly refuses to use it; I spend more time sorting out his monitoring than the rest of us put together x 10.

[Dave Rowles]

I much prefer IEM over wedges in almost all situations, and will try and plug in as much as possible to the system so I can hear whatever I want....and mute what I don't want!

The industry has been moving towards IEMs only on stage for a while, and it's becoming more and more the norm. In fact, I'm wondering if I bother with replacing my wedges when they go and invest in some wireless IEMs instead.

[Mike Stranks]

The industry has been moving towards IEMs only on stage for a while, and it's becoming more and more the norm. In fact, I'm wondering if I bother with replacing my wedges when they go and invest in some wireless IEMs instead.

I think I'm right in saying that one of the strings to your bow is as 'system and operator for hire'...

If so, I'd urge caution in discarding all wedges. My experience of IEMs has been that:

Some take to them straight away
Some take several sessions to get used to them
Some try them, but are never at ease with them and will ask if having a wedge is an option
Some (a minority) refuse to even try them

[Dave Rowles]

I'd never completely get rid of my wedges, because some gigs are just too rough and ready to spend the time needed to get IEMs right. That said, I've got 8 wedges, and rarely need that many on stage, so if one dies and I replace it with an IEM that'll make more more flexible

[Mike Stranks]

I'd never completely get rid of my wedges, because some gigs are just too rough and ready to spend the time needed to get IEMs right. That said, I've got 8 wedges, and rarely need that many on stage, so if one dies and I replace it with an IEM that'll make more more flexible