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Hello...? Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me...

Aug 4, 2026 - 4:26 AM
1377 posts since 9/3/2022
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Morning!

Off topic in the fiddle world to most I bet but, I imagine there are some players here that use IEM.? I'm making the plunge. Following the technology. Saving my ears. (What's left of them anyways)

I've done, monitors, no monitors, powered monitors, raw power amps, actual headphones, you name it. I've wanted to try in ear monitors for years now and because the market is so broad, there are many price point options. There are also more people that I know using them that I can get feedback on. At this point, my algorithm is full of too many options...lol.

The more I look into them, the more I'm sold. One of biggest pet peeves is playing music to a loud room that technically doesn't care and not being able to hear. I've also seen evidence where they are safer for your ears, as long as you use them carefully. Preserving your hearing.
Some people report that the noise isolation feels like you're too distant from everything. Then I've read comments that people say that their tone improved which let's face it, we can all use a tone check!!! lol.

I play with people who use the Xvive as an affordable wireless unit for in ears and that's what I'm shooting for. As for the In Ears, a respected musician friend swears by an Amazon connection with BASN In Ears. In fact, you can order directly from them and the reviews are outstanding. Right around $100 give or take...depending on what you want. He uses the ones that are $85...not too bad imo.

I have went full wireless for my instrument and the best thing about that it no CABLES! I can use it for guitar, bass and mandolin. Game changer.

Aug 4, 2026 - 5:19:16 AM
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4190 posts since 10/22/2007

Is there a way to spin this into a paper vs. ear debate?

Seriously, from what I've seen at arms length, but don't spend too little. Many more working musicians over @ Talkbass.com. nuf said

Aug 5, 2026 - 8:16:16 AM

405 posts since 12/2/2013

Aug 5, 2026 - 9:46:32 AM
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918 posts since 11/26/2013

funny, but my band will on purpose request no monitors, even at concert level shows. We wanna hear what the audience is hearing, and unless we personally mix monitors, you get what the sound guy thinks is right and proper. With IEM I;d be scared of blowing eardrums out when the inevitable feedback loop shows its ugly head.

Aug 5, 2026 - 12:19:28 PM
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Erockin

USA

1377 posts since 9/3/2022
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Sep 25, 2026 - 4:13:49 AM

Erockin

USA

1377 posts since 9/3/2022
Online Now

Just last weekend I got to use my IEMs with my bluegrass band for the first time. I've used them on Drums and Electric bass but I hadn't used them for anything else yet. WOW. Can't believe what I have been missing. Don't get me wrong, the best way to play all of this music is to do it in a room or venue around a couple mics and a listening audience, but sometimes you have rock. In this band, we all plug in but have very acoustic sounding rigs for live performance. My guitar, Baggs Lyric Mic inside, the Banjo uses a clip on Neuman Mic, the mandolin player has a pedal that records your mandolin and then when plugged in, it mimics the instrument recording which is kinda wild...Acoustic bass plugged in always sounds good and the Dobro has the only non acoustic sound but it's still great. The point to all of this is, in my Ears, I had a magical mix I have never experienced before. I had a complete mix to myself and I could hear and feel every note. I learned to know how hard I was playing which took some time getting used to, but wow. Part of the reason I don't take many breaks playing bluegrass is because I normally can't hear myself clearly and so I tend to overplay. I can imagine on the fiddle this would be super nice to hear your intonation in a louder setting. My wife was there to help mix the front, and we still had wedges on the stage that I could still hear. The other favorite part is having gone wireless. Anywhere you move on the stage, the sound stays the same. I wish/hope the other guys join me in this endeavor. 3 out of the other 4 own them, but would have to get a couple things to get going with it. WORLD of difference. Cheers, it's Friday!

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