Every professional musician will agree that on stage, sound monitoring has changed the way they perform. The dawn of in-ear monitors has not only helped the musicians but engineers, producers as well as those who listen to recorded music and often try their hands on mixing sounds. Studio monitoring speaker placement also plays a vital role towards recorded material and for mixing of sounds. Though some old school performers like to stick to the traditional monitors, but a monitor speaker at the ear level offers great advantage. It throws the music in the direction of the face and not towards the chest or shoulders.
A monitoring system essentially provides a mix of audio sources to an on-stage performer. Conventional monitors were nothing but loudspeakers (floor monitors) facing the performer. Often these were more of a distraction and turned out to be of little or no help at all. Looking back at the beginning of the rock n’ roll era, one would notice that musicians used no monitors on stage. Things were different as the rockers took the stage but sounds were still heard through the main public address system. With time and advancement of technology, crowds got larger and cheers grew too loud for vocalists to hear their own voice. Necessity is the mother of invention; floor monitors arrived, followed by in-ear monitoring. For better and safer onstage experience, musicians turned to ear level monitors which allowed them to hear the sound better, cutting off distraction.
Monitor placement level matters
Sound management is key to a successful live performance and who would want their concert to fizzle out due to poor sound quality? Placement of monitors can affect sound quality, thus it is important to put them correctly at the ear level. Placing the monitor way up high, directly on the desk or facing straight in front, could be the worst possible ways to use them. The most appropriate option is to have ear level monitors. Using the right gadgets along with the monitor is another secret to great sound and undoubtedly In-Ear monitors (IEMs) are gaining popularity.
Why IEMs?
One of the most common question asked by musicians is ‘why in-ear monitor’? There is a long list of benefits but here are some of the most important ones.
IEM the best way to get clarity
One can call it a sound war when performing on stage. Many times, while the guitarists and the keyboardists depend on the amplifiers, the vocalists solely depend on stage monitors. Amidst the ‘volume war’, musicians struggle to hear their own piece over the ever-increasing noise. Obviously, the clarity of the vocals is at stake. In-ear monitors are the best answer to the musician’s nightmare. It offers a personal monitor system, isolating the user from overwhelming volumes on stage.
Personal IEM also protects the ear and voice
For vocalists, losing their voice and hearing ability could mean loss of livelihood. Volume problems and vocal strain could be sorted out conveniently with a personal monitoring system, fitted snugly in the ear. It is a basic ingredient which helps a musician to continue his passion for years to come.
