As both a musician and worship leader, I have personally navigated the transition to in-ear monitors (IEMs) and understand the challenges performers face during this process. Additionally, as an experienced audio engineer, my perspective from both sides of the stage allows me to provide valuable guidance to musicians, worship teams, and audio technicians in successfully making the shift to IEMs.
This article will outline some key considerations for successfully transitioning from floor wedges to in-ear monitors (IEMs).
The Benefits of In-Ear Monitors vs Floor Monitors
Optimal Volume Levels- Floor monitors often result in volume wars between the amplified and the unamplified. Singers, acoustic guitarists, and keyboardists can’t hear themselves over amplified electric guitarists and bassists, let alone over the drums. So, they ask, “Can you turn me up?” With in-ear personal monitors, it’s possible to achieve studio-quality sound in a live-sound context and the musician can choose what they want to hear.
Personal Control- For the musician, perhaps the most empowering part of in-ear monitoring is having direct control over what they hear. If you want more of something, turn it up. If you want less of something, turn it down…and none of the other musicians need to know that you didn’t want to hear them. No hard feelings. lol
Reduced Vocal Strain- When singers can’t hear themselves over the stage mix, which often happens with floor monitors, they push their voices too hard, damaging their vocal cords. In-ear personal monitors allow the singer to hear themselves clearly and distinctly without having to belt to overcome the stage noise.
Elimination of Feedback- Feedback happens when amplified sound from a loudspeaker (most often a floor monitor) is picked up by a microphone and re-amplified. IEMs make this scenario moot since they seal the “loudspeakers” in your ears, breaking the feedback loop.
Clean Audience Mix- IEMs create an almost silent stage allowing for the front of house engineer ultimate control of the house mix. The engineer is no longer dealing with muddy sound being thrown off the stage from loud floor monitors. He or she can contour a beautiful sounding present mix without overwhelming the room with excessive volume. In a space with hard surfaces using IEMs will solve about 70% of issues with intelligibility.
The Sound Shift: The Mindset and Attitude Behind the Switch to In-Ear Monitors
I could talk about the benefits of IEMs until I’m blue in the face, but the benefits may not resonate with someone who’s already had a poor experience. So, let’s back up. Switching to in-ear monitors (IEMs) requires a specific mindset to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
1. Open-Mindedness
- Willingness to Adapt: Be open to trying new technology and methods. Understand that the initial experience might be different from what you’re used to, but it can lead to significant improvements.
- Embrace Change: Accept that change is part of growth. Moving to IEMs can enhance your performance and overall sound quality.
2. Patience
- Adjustment Period: Recognize that there will be a learning curve. It might take time to get used to the feel and sound of IEMs.
- Trial and Error: Be prepared for some trial and error as you find the right fit, mix, and settings that work best for you.
3. Collaboration
- Team Effort: Understand that this transition involves the entire team. Communicate openly with band members and sound techs to ensure everyone is on the same page.
4. Focus on Long-Term Benefits
- Big Picture Thinking: Keep in mind the long-term advantages of using IEMs, such as better sound quality, reduced stage noise, and improved performance.
- Investment in Quality: View the transition as an investment in your ministry or band’s future success.
5. Problem-Solving Attitude
- Proactive Approach: Be ready to tackle any challenges that arise. Whether it’s technical issues or personal discomfort, approach problems with a solution-oriented mindset.
6. Flexibility
- Adaptability: Be flexible. Sometimes, adjustments will be necessary to accommodate different venues, equipment, or team members.
- Willingness to Experiment: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings and configurations to find what works best for your specific needs.
Overcoming Obstacles
The chart below highlights just a few of the common challenges faced by performers and audio technicians when transitioning to in-ear monitors (IEMs), along with practical solutions to address them.
Problem Solution(s) Musicians/Worship Leader: “I feel cut off from the audience because I can’t hear their response/singing/involvement.” Set up stereo ambient mics on either side of the stage, facing towards the audience, panned left/right in the ear buds. These mics don’t have to be expensive. Even simple vocal mics will work. Add a significant high pass filter (HPF) to mitigate low end muddiness. Performer: “My earbuds keep falling out.” When dealing with universal fit ear buds, I have found that the expanding foam tips will create a better seal then the rubber versions. Squeeze them to insert in your ear and then hold them there until the foam fully expands creating the seal. Exchange them for new ones each month as they will become rigid over time. If you’re using rubber tips, your IEMs will have come with different sizes. Experiment with each size to see which will stay in the ear canal the best. In some cases, you may use one size in one ear and another size in the other. To insert the rubber tips, drop your jaw, push them in and then close your mouth. If none of the universal fit ear buds are working for you, you may need to consider custom molds. Drummer/Bass Players: “I can’t hear enough bass in my IEMs.” Consider using IEMs with 3 to 6 or more drivers. This will deliver deeper lows (a top priority for bass players and drummers), clearer highs, and more articulate mids than you’ll get from earbuds with only one or two drivers. In addition to being heard bass frequencies are felt. Drummers and bass players may want to consider using a Buttkicker to reproduce the feeling that bass. Novice Musician/Vocalist: “I’m afraid to mix my IEMs. I don’t know exactly what to do.” Whether the novice musician is using a personal monitor mixer, phone or tablet device to mix from, never assume that they know how to mix or what to listen for. They need to be trained on the device they are using. Depending on their level of experience this may take only one session or several weeks. The engineer or worship leader should listen to the mix and teach the novice user what to listen for and how to use the equipment or app. Performer/Musician: “Every time I turn up something in my mix, I can’t hear enough of the other instruments. Now my mix is loud, but I still can’t hear what I want to hear.” If you are using a stereo mix, pan the instruments to the left and right side of your IEM mix. This will create delineation between the various instruments. Keep your voice/instrument mixed to the center or close to the center. When referencing a mono in-ear mix, meaning one channel where everything is mixed up the center, it’s best to add only what you absolutely need in order to play well. That may be just a vocal, a rhythm instrument for pitch reference, and an instrument or click track to keep time reference. You may add a small amount of ambient crowd mics to fill in the blanks. Performer/Musician: “I like to have one ear bud in and one out so I can hear the room.” This is an unhealthy practice and contributes to hearing loss over time. Musicians who do this will tend to run their volume in that one ear 6 to 10 DB Louder than if both ear buds were being used. A ten DB increase in sound intensity means doubling the perceived loudness. To give yourself an idea of just how loud your earbud volume is, stick the other earbud back in for a minute while the band is playing. This will be a good reality check as it will be painfully loud.
Making the Transition to IEMs
Transitioning from floor wedges to in-ear monitors (IEMs) is a process that requires time and adjustment, particularly if you have only ever used wedges. Many musicians, singers, and worship leaders have shared with me their experiences of being abruptly introduced to IEMs, resulting in such a negative experience that they are reluctant to try them again. However, I want to assure you that with proper preparation and adaptation, it is not only possible to transition smoothly to IEMs but also to have a vibrant, live, and inspirational experience, all while enjoying clear and intelligible audio.
I am pleased to announce that I will be presenting on the topic ‘Making the Transition from Floor Wedges to In-Ear Monitors’ at the upcoming CFX 2024 in Chattanooga, TN, this October.
In this presentation, my aim is to educate you on the personal and collective benefits of using in-ear monitoring, methods for overcoming the initial challenges with referencing IEMs, along with guidance on effectively configuring and mixing IEMs. Furthermore, we will explore strategies to facilitate a seamless transition for your whole worship team. This session is designed to benefit both worship team members and audio technicians, providing valuable insights for all involved.
Golden Preciado is a Training Specialist and House of Worship Specialist for QSC, the Lead Audio Engineer at Grace Fellowship Church in Costa Mesa, CA, as well freelance engineer/consultant with her firm Golden Audio Mix . Golden grew up in the music industry and followed in her dad’s footsteps as an audio engineer, musician and worship leader. Golden is an accomplished front of house and broadcast engineer not only in the church world but in the secular music industry as well. She enjoys teaching her skill set to others, including online and on site where training is needed.
