Why is just about every church using in-ears?
It doesn't seem like that long ago we were used to seeing giant floor monitors and guitar amps in front of everyone on stage,
So what changed?
There's actually a fair bit of controversy when it comes to whether churches should use in-ears in the first place.
Do in ear monitors make your team play and sound better?
Or do they cause too big a disconnect between stage and congregation?
Is the gear too complicated, and is the impact on your budget worth the benefit?
This video answers all those questions, and more, plus I cover some common pitfalls to avoid if you're looking to transition your team to in-ears, as well as what I think are the main reasons churches should consider switching to in-ears.
Hey David, I’m in High School and can’t even afford the Mach 10s. Do you have an excellent in ear for under $50 that you’d recommend? I don’t really have to worry about longevity because I’ll be leaving for college in the fall.
Yes to in ears. Having lower stage volume means better sound out in the room.
Yes to ambient mics. Both because it ‘connects’ musicians and singers to the congregation, but also because singers typically aren’t used to hearing themselves close-mic’d and ambient mics go a long way to making it feel more natural.
I’m running UE Live for my IEM, but I recommend the KZ series to any and all newcomers. I’m mildly autistic, so sensory things are an issue. Having excellent sound and an excellent fit was worth the money (for me).
I didn’t see any mention of why you MUST use both IEMs and not just one. When players take one out, their brain loses its ability to do binaural summation, where two ears together add up to a 6dB increase in your perception of loudness. If you’re hearing 90 dB in both ears, your brain thinks it’s hearing 96 dB. Taking one ear out is a great way to have tinnitus when you’re 50 (or less).
I’ll keep it short:
1 Yes to ambient mics. It helps knowing what the church is doing, and their level of engagement
2 inyourear.biz is a company that adds plastic material to your existing in-ears which you then heat with a hair driver and press into your ear for a custom fit. It is way easier than it sounds. You get a good seal (equals good sound/bass) and your in-ears stop falling out. 😊
3 Neoprene tips (like those made by Comply) are great for a good comfortable seal.
4 Now my own weird addition- I run a tiny bit of lip balm around where my in-ears contact my ears and the seal is great.
5 Spare a thought for the preacher and others who are on stage but not part of the band. It’s like a band that mimes- all action and no sound. So for them and for safety overall, use a set of well set up floor monitors at the front of the stage. And when all else fails you can still make music.
6 I use a set of 5 driver KZ in ears ($50) and the sound is great. Extended bass, detailed smooth mids and top end.
Cheers
R
I always use room mics in my in ears so I can hear the congregation. Makes it much more “live” feeling.