Day 6! Look I know this is a lot of content - but just know I'm really enjoying every second of this challenge. I'm still 6/6 for guitar practice. I'm writing and producing and just so inspired by all your comments. Let's start 2021 off right. Mary x Want to watch "My European Tour Diary" and see these daily videos early? Get CuriosityStream AND Nebula for less than $12 per year (41% off!) curiositystream.com/MarySpender
5 for 6 here and might slack for a day or two due to some rewiring work. Swapping out a pickup didn't go as planned last night and need to do some cleanup work putting things back together.
Speaking as someone who does some live sound engineering (well, not now), one big benefit of IEMs for audiences that's not emphasized enough is reducing/eliminating monitor wash. Monitor wedges aren't just sending sound to the performers. They emit some sound in all directions, and a big problem is reflection of monitor sound from surfaces behind the performers. Especially if a performer likes things loud in their monitor, this can drastically affect the FOH sound. It's not just a matter of affecting the balance in levels between the performers; the reflected sound is delayed, and reeks havoc with the *spectral* balance in a way that really can't be entirely tamed with EQ. Seasoned performers who are using wedges (by preference or necessity) know that their monitor mix impacts the FOH, and will compromise with their monitor volume. IEMs not only help keep the stage volume better managed for performers; they also eliminate monitor wash. This doesn't just make life easier for the engineer; it makes the sound better for the audience. -Tom
I'm friends with a band that toured extensively through the 2000s, and when they got 1) in-ear monitors and 2) a proper sound engineer for live performances who knew how to use them, it was a total game changer for them live.
IEMs are also great for working in a crowded open office environment if you're prone to being distracted or annoyed by all the background chatter/noise.
I love your received pronunciation and I listen to and watch your videos not only to enjoy your art as a musician butI also to improve my english! Shout out to Mary from Italy...
I bought some ciems in the middle of the pandemic because of some discounts that were on and havent looked back. While I am a touring musician and they will be made their worth on the Road but in the mean time they have made their worth in the studio already
Great video, also wanted to add for any beginning musicians that can't afford in ears, you can buy ear plugs that let enough frequencies in to hear everything but keep enough out to protect your hearing.
Ive been Practicing and pushing my skill level thanks to you I learned some easy songs . I'm a guitar noob at 55 lol I subscribed because I like your style keep up the great work wish you all the best!!!!!!
Totally agree, I can't stress enough the benefit of a good set of IEMs. It's definitely not something you want to go cheap on if you're serious about performing live.
I think it depends on your definition of cheap. Aside from a bit of missing high end with the single-driver IEMs, I don't think it matters that much, as long as it's from a reputable company (which are probably ~$100 for low-end, single-driver, universal fit IEMs). When you're on stage, you're going to be too busy to hear every tiny nuance. Turn up the highest frequencies in EQ and a good single-driver IEM will be fine. That said, something with at least 2 drivers will be better, but it's a big increase in cost. IMHO anything beyond 2 or maybe 3 drivers is overkill unless you're made of money and/or you won't be happy with anything but the best.
Checkout 64 Audio, Noble Audio, Jerry Harvey and Empire Ears, all have U.K. dealers, I have 64 Audio A18t just incredible IEM, the lady in the video did my impressions she is a fantastic Audiologist, good luck whatever you decide to get. Most have dealers in the U.K. and you can try their universal models first, hopefully when things get better. Also at Canjam London held in July you have lots of IEM companies there and get get discounts of up to 20%. Good luck whatever you decide to get.
Not a musician either. KICKING myself for not getting my IEMs sooner. Game changer for editing video and sweetening audio. The most useful characteristic is for monitoring audio on set.. way easier to pick up hair or clothing scratching on a lav versus trying to pick that up over cans. Best way to describe what custom IEMs are like to wear.... Imagine needing glasses but never wearing them- then you get a proper pair of glasses and the world is in HD. custom IEMs are like that...now you can REALLY hear the details. It doesn't hurt that i'm 10 miles from the UE factory..... great service. IF i had to do it over, I think I'd go for molds instead of the scans. Those that have done molds instead of scans seem to have fewer fit issues. (one time fit tuning).
Thank you for this inside look. So informative. It now makes sense why on many of The Beatles’ live tracks, they sound out of tune. They couldn’t hear themselves, with all the screaming. And they didn’t even have speakers facing them, just their amps behind. It all makes sense. Thanks Mary!
I got some IEMs a couple of years ago and like you I use them all the time. For all my home recording and doing video editing etc as well. I gig as a solo act and got them to help me as I was finding (as you've said) the monitor wedges are so loud I was hurting myself. I do a lot of gigs where I'm there as "backing" for an event so it also allows me to zone out and concentrate fully on what I'm doing and in turn makes it better. I have a shotgun mic that I setup to allow "ambient" sound to come into my IEMs if I want it but I can also turn this down or off completely. I've recently joined a covers band and using them has also helped protect my ears more with rehearsals and with gigging (when we get there). Great video, keep making this awesome content.
Just an added bit of history. The guy who started ultimate ears was Jerry Harvey, the audio engineer from van Halen you referenced. He left UE a long time ago and founded JH Audio. He's still a leader in developing iem technology and makes amazing products.
Oh the memories this brings back. Back in March, we were in negotiations with TWO places to be their house band. That would be TWO PAYING GIGS every single week. For both places, we were waiting for their last Domino to fall over, and we would have had the job. And then the lockdown hit. That was nearly a year ago now, and we are STILL in lockdown. I would love for us to return to that point where we were at this time last year. I would love for us to be the house band for those two places, BUT if playing gigs is not possible to begin with, nothing past step one matters anymore. All we can do is wait, and hope places even WILL open again.
Switched over to using Ultimate Ears custom IEM's too 5 years ago and it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made as a performer and a musician. Hard to go back to floor wedges now and even have a pair for when I'm working on studio projects. Did their 3D digital scan here in the US and that was fun to do.
I have been using Shure SE425 IEM with custom moulded ear tips from Snugs for around four years now. As a guitarist, they took a while to get used to, but I couldn't gig without them now.
Back in the 2011-2013, I had lots of gigs... we were punk band, and never used in-ear monitors. Because those gig were mostly small budget shows, and we had no chance for that fancy equipments lol. I felt how important hearing my sound correctly. I wonder if I were able to use in-ear monitor in the gigs... However I miss those days. Playing music surrounded by crowd makes me feel VERY ALIVE.
I'm all in for IEM's in any musical situation. Especially for playing guitar while singing. Don't have to worry about bad FOH sound distracting from your performance. Love your music Mary. All the best in the new year!
Even as an amateur monitoring is so important to be able to hear your voice as feedback for pitch. If was moving into live performances definitely in ears would be an option. So headphones is ok at the moment for recording and live streaming.
There was a period before iems were invented when, in the late 80s or early 90s, musicians became conscientious about their hearing and started using industrial-grade foam earplugs (the yellow ones, I heard they were nicknamed "lumberjacks", not sure if that one is true). They cut down the highs a bit too much though, if I remember. There were also, less common, gel or wax earplugs - I have in fact used these but only as an audience member (not a musician here). They were excellent, they brought the volume to normal listening level and the sound came through very clean and natural. Not sure how they would work on a stage though.
I have as set of custom molded earplugs with built-in radio that I use for racing. One tip is to get each ear a different color. Grabbing them in a rush, you always want to know which one is which. Especially important on a dark stage!
I'm not a performer, but I invested in a custom set of in-ear filters as I am a regular gig-goer, and I'm sure they have saved my hearing. They aren't cheap, but they are an investment in your future health.
I'm not a musician, more of a dabbling audiophile but IEMs are great for just listening to music. They're generally made with multiple sound producing devices rather than the single driver typically found in other earbuds giving you greater range and detail. The better seal of custom-fitted IEMs can also improve bass response and sound isolation. For the budget conscious Ultimate Ears' IEMs can be a bit pricey but there are many companies that make custom IEMs for as low as about $200 and will go even cheaper if you prefer foam tips over custom fitting. Thieaudio is one that comes to mind.
I ordered my IEM's a few days ago. Looking forward to them arriving. I'm so glad you made this video. Personally I do have moderate hearing loss in my left ear from gigs and so on. You made it easy to make the buying decision with everything you put into the video. Thank you.
The IEM segment looked like a younger Mary... and I correct? Im loving these shows. The tidbits of insight and revelation are both interesting and intriguing.
Custom earmolds are great when they're new. Unless there's been some recent advancement in the earmold material that I'm not aware of, they'll harden and stop fitting quite so nicely in a couple years, especially when you're singing - moving your jaw alters the shape of your ear canal, and the custom earmolds will no longer have the malleability to conform, which also compromises their ability to attenuate outside noise. I used customs for years and "downgraded" to universal fit for that reason. I was finally vindicated when Dave Weckl said the same thing last month in one of his Saturday group hang/lesson live streams. I haven't tried silicone tips yet, but the long foam tips work great for attenuating outside noise. The short ones you showed in this video aren't so good.
The earlier ones are not so good as the Marietta will degrade as the time pass on. Almost all ciem in market right now use new resin mixtures that would not change at all as the time passes. I have 2 different custom made IEMs and I have them for more than 5 years, nothing changed. Soft silicon on the other hand such as Spiral Ears and ACS the ear mod will degrade significantly each year and would require remold every two year or so
Love my custom iem's. Mine are just for audio enjoyment though. Noble Audio Katana customs. Absolutely love them. Really want the JH Audio Lola customs.
For a moment I thought you were talking to me... I found your video because I’m trying to find a good company to go with for my IEM. You saying my full name almost confirms it haha
I'm hard of hearing and require hearing aids, however my hearing aids protect me from hearing too much noise, and I have been able to maintain my level of hearing loss for over 40 years with no deterioration that is common for people aging. All my siblings is suffering from hearing loss from playing music too loud. I been a bouncer and bartender for over 20 years and yet my hearing aid doing its job of compression of the loud noise. If you take care of the ear piece it can last at least 6-10 years of constant use. The ear mold however will need to be change at least once per year. Maybe more if your still growing. This is a response to those misinform that ear piece can damage ears. Setting the volume too high can damage your ears. This year is the first year that my hearing aid has bluetooth sound. Very excited about that!
Even after a long and extensive sound check, with quality gear and a pro crew, the moment you walk out on stage and the band is pumped up, the floor wedges can quickly disappear. I found using a combination of in-ears (gtr and vocals) and floor wedges to be the best result and the reason is this, without a true stereo in-ear mix, the instrument separation was poor and uninspiring. It took a couple of sound checks with some pro guys for me to learn this. So my advice, if you can bring your own monitor mix with you, in stereo, then using both in-ears works very very well. Most live gigs will NOT give you a true stereo monitor mix. Which is why i use one in-ear and leave one ear open for the stage sound. I prefer the stereo in-ear. so, we now have acquired a presonus rack mixer to supply our own stereo monitor mix and a snake splitter to run stage mics to the house. Something to look into.. headphones, and in-ears, still bang your ear drum and can and will cause hearing loss. The chance of you loosing your hearing is increased by 77%. This can be prevented by using the Ambrose Diaphonic Ear Lens, which is basically a second ear drum. This is what saved Brian Johnson's touring career. Rock On!
Headphone story: a drummer I know was signalling the sound man to turn up his headphone volume, nope, turn it up more, more. The soundman then noticed it was muted. He kicked it off mute with the volume cranked. Hearing damage for that drummer. (neither of those people was me)
I constantly grapple with the idea of getting custom in-ears vs. higher end universal fit canalphones. Getting custom earplugs as a start was a great option for me to really get a feel for it.
About your bit about eventually going "back to normal". What I found is that while artists such as yourself don't perform live, they perform here on youTube, and other venues as well. So, in fact, for me, I have "gone" to more concerts these past few months, because my favorite artists, instead of performing live, touring in worldwide cities I can't go to, they perform here. And when they do, I put what I would pay as a cover charge to a venue ($20) into their tip jar. I understand playing to the camera and the microphone is not the same as playing to a live audience, but it also give artists a wider audience. I hope we will, in the future, see a proliferation of subscription platforms where artists get paid by each member of the audience, but are able to reach wider audiences than you can fit in an average venue.
Been using iem for years but would love some molded ones even tho my SE535s are stunningly comfortable id love custom ones. I use them all the time for 99% of my listening experience and music sounds stunning throughout them.
Awesome and extremely informative. I’ve been thinking about these for awhile. You’ve helped me decide that I need these to improve my stage performance. Thank you. PS. Paul Davis introduced us by proxy by way of the looper pedal video challenge he made. Loved that video as well.
Big agree with the headphones comment. I got big ears that stick out and wearing cans for 5-6 hours straight makes them super sore and fatigued feeling
I would think that if I were to use IEMs during on-stage performances, I would want to use them during rehearsals and studio sessions, too, if for no other reason than to keep the auditory environment the same.
Awwww .. you have been in Cologne and i missed it. Do you remember what club it was? Maybe you enjoyed catering of my friend Christine? :-) Thank your your daily vids, Mary. Always teaching something new, always entertaining.
4:48 I went for my first college performance on stage and because I literally couldn't hear my self I ruined the whole performance by singing at a faster speed. No one told me 😭
Hi Mary! What is your at home IEM setup / signal flow? Wireless? Are you still using regular monitors in the same room at the same time? How are you mixing your monitor mix? Thanks!
How long do you wear your IEMs a day? How often do you clean them? Have you ever had an ear infection/inflammation? My ears don't seem to like in ear headphones. I'm wondering if you had similar issues.
When I was young I played in my jazz-rock-blues band as a guitarist...and my ears almost destroyed. My guitar was very loud and the drummer guy was my left side ALWAYS. So. Yes. I hear a little bit less with my left ear. The silent and ear monitors very-very-very important. Ps. okay Im still young as 90's child. Like Mary. We are forever young... 🤗
Thanks, great video. Just some thoughts, I have used in ear monitors for years, and have mixed feelings about them. Firstly, they have all the advantages that you mention. In addition, some mixer systems allow you to adjust your own mix in an app on your phone, which is really handy. However I do think there are downsides with IEM. Firstly, for me it feels like I'm in a studio and I feel I lose the contact with the audience. There are also still risks to hearing, as the sound will go straight into your ears, and my experience is that sometimes mistakes from sound engineers have caused really loud high pitched sounds come through. I guess you still need to be very mindful of volume levels, make sure your ears get rest and perhaps a limiter can help to stop sudden high volume sounds.
UE's new (?) FITS also look very fascinating. Sure wish we'd had these back when I was gigging. Spent several years on stage always somehow standing in front of the drummer's crash cymbals (this is long before plexi panels became a thing). Started getting what is now pretty raging tinnitus decades later. Can't know if the two are related, but I suspect they are. Protect your ear drums! You only get one pair, for life. Also - question: do you get latency on stage hooking these up to a wireless monitor system?
I like the way you say “curiosity stream” - great video too, I love the immersion of an onstage sound but hate how often I used to find there was no wedge for me (guitarist in a ten piece Northern Soul band). Do you manage to get a crowd feed in your IEMs? If not do you feel a little detached? I’d still like some though.
Oh, yes, I remember my first gig on stage without iems, it was horrible😂 Now I've been using them for years even during rehearsals (our drummer is too loud😅)
Hi Mary, Just found your channel, and absolutely loving it. First upload I saw was the '36 Epiphone - what a gorgeous sound! It is so captivating. I couldn't believe it when I saw this upload, because for quite some time I have been wondering first about the ear pieces (nice to know what they are called now), and now I can ask a question it. Being a huge Beatles fan and a fan of other period bands, that didn't have the benefits of IEM's, how could they manage singing in tune and harmonising so well? Hope things improve so you an get back up on stage again soon. Regards from Oz, David
O.K> it is now day 6 and seeing how the guitar has 6 strings, {OR MORE} I have at least pulled them out of their cases and inspected them and they look so good, " HELLO OLD FRIEND IT"S REALLY GOOD TO SEE YOU ONCE AGAIN". E. C. wasn't here but, eh one day at a time. So It is all your fault if my wife leaves me for making too much noise while she gently sleeps. No pun intended!
For years I have been using cheap earbuds under full ear protectors [chainsaw] and I get full isolation. I wish I had the budget to do the full IEM. Thanks for this.
Nopenopenope. Definitely not getting IEMs - but I should state that it's for purely personal reasons... I already don't use standard earbud headphones because they hurt my ears (I think my ear-structure is weird, because whichever shape of earbud I try they always hurt the point where the ear joins the temple - not inside the ear, but what you might think of as the "glasses rest"), but I also freak out if I get running water in my ears (even if I tilt my head too far to one side in the shower!) because I slipped in the swimming pool as a kid and spent what felt like an age underwater. Sends me into a panic every time, even now. I can see that they're a good idea in general, but definitely not for me!
Usually the difference is quality. IEMs have different quality levels too though, starting with a single driver in the ear piece all the way up to six separate drivers. The more drivers usually means the best separation & clarity. Having them molded to your ear canal is the best way to ensure clear audio whilst keeping outside noise to an absolute minimum. I love them, & never play live without them. You're average ear buds really don't have the best drivers in them to begin with. Some of the more expensive ones are decent, but generally colour the sound, that is they are usually tuned more for bass frequencies. They'll work for you though. But generally you want a neutral response to begin with, as you would using headphones if recording in a studio to get the most clarity. I hope ths helps.
Primary difference is isolation. But as Jack said, the quality is often superior to 95% of buds available. I use Shure IEMs daily and love them Check this out, it makes it nice and easy to see the differences. :) www.earbudszone.com/iem-vs-earbuds/
@@Cobanaut04 Thank you so much. I was of course referring to the same price range. sure, €800 earbuds are rather hard to find, but there are shure se215 at about 90€. How do they hold up to 90€ earbuds? For explanation: I am not a musician, I am a listener, and I like to have my sound as good as possible in a given price range.
@@FryingPan76 That's cool man. For me at least, the difference I've found when comparing $ to $ (I'm an Aussie) ear buds (IEMs) is the separation & clarity. Dedicated ear buds such as Shure, AudioFly, 1964's etc... don't colour the sound, so what you hear is exactly what the Producer & Sound Engineer who mastered the music your listening to is what they wanted you to hear. Regular ear buds are usually tuned specifically for bass enhancement & other frequencies, which for complete in ear detail you don't really need, or want. I've heard detail in my favourite music using Shure ear buds that regular brands have not produced.
Right! Hey all you youngsters: Tinnitus is not fun. The constant hissing started about 10 years ago as I was approaching 60. Besides loud music, be conscious of loud engines, aircraft, sirens, leaf blowers, etc.
Day 6! Look I know this is a lot of content - but just know I'm really enjoying every second of this challenge. I'm still 6/6 for guitar practice. I'm writing and producing and just so inspired by all your comments. Let's start 2021 off right. Mary x
Want to watch "My European Tour Diary" and see these daily videos early? Get CuriosityStream AND Nebula for less than $12 per year (41% off!) curiositystream.com/MarySpender
When these daily videos will finish, I know I'm going to miss them!
5 for 6 here and might slack for a day or two due to some rewiring work. Swapping out a pickup didn't go as planned last night and need to do some cleanup work putting things back together.
If I ever put on a festival again I would love to book you
You're blessed Mary 🙏
I hope you know we really enjoy these videos!
You would make a bomb doing Audible.
Such a lovely and dynamic voice!
Love that Your European Tour Diary... so awesome!!
A guitar legend entered da chat
Speaking as someone who does some live sound engineering (well, not now), one big benefit of IEMs for audiences that's not emphasized enough is reducing/eliminating monitor wash. Monitor wedges aren't just sending sound to the performers. They emit some sound in all directions, and a big problem is reflection of monitor sound from surfaces behind the performers. Especially if a performer likes things loud in their monitor, this can drastically affect the FOH sound. It's not just a matter of affecting the balance in levels between the performers; the reflected sound is delayed, and reeks havoc with the *spectral* balance in a way that really can't be entirely tamed with EQ. Seasoned performers who are using wedges (by preference or necessity) know that their monitor mix impacts the FOH, and will compromise with their monitor volume. IEMs not only help keep the stage volume better managed for performers; they also eliminate monitor wash. This doesn't just make life easier for the engineer; it makes the sound better for the audience. -Tom
I get that someone might prefer wedges because that's what they've grown used to. What are some reasons that they would be a necessity?
Completely agree.
Completely support the theme of ear protection. Played drums for quite a few years while I was younger, and now I have tinnitus.
Listen to her, folks.
I'm friends with a band that toured extensively through the 2000s, and when they got 1) in-ear monitors and 2) a proper sound engineer for live performances who knew how to use them, it was a total game changer for them live.
IEMs are also great for working in a crowded open office environment if you're prone to being distracted or annoyed by all the background chatter/noise.
I love your received pronunciation and I listen to and watch your videos not only to enjoy your art as a musician butI also to improve my english! Shout out to Mary from Italy...
I bought some ciems in the middle of the pandemic because of some discounts that were on and havent looked back. While I am a touring musician and they will be made their worth on the Road but in the mean time they have made their worth in the studio already
Great video, also wanted to add for any beginning musicians that can't afford in ears, you can buy ear plugs that let enough frequencies in to hear everything but keep enough out to protect your hearing.
Loving the daily uploads, Mary!
Ive been Practicing and pushing my skill level thanks to you I learned some easy songs . I'm a guitar noob at 55 lol I subscribed because I like your style keep up the great work wish you all the best!!!!!!
Wait, is that Julia Hofer on bass?!! Two of my fav RUclipsrs in one video!
Totally agree, I can't stress enough the benefit of a good set of IEMs. It's definitely not something you want to go cheap on if you're serious about performing live.
I think it depends on your definition of cheap. Aside from a bit of missing high end with the single-driver IEMs, I don't think it matters that much, as long as it's from a reputable company (which are probably ~$100 for low-end, single-driver, universal fit IEMs). When you're on stage, you're going to be too busy to hear every tiny nuance. Turn up the highest frequencies in EQ and a good single-driver IEM will be fine. That said, something with at least 2 drivers will be better, but it's a big increase in cost. IMHO anything beyond 2 or maybe 3 drivers is overkill unless you're made of money and/or you won't be happy with anything but the best.
It’s great to hear about the history of ultimate ears. Fascinating!
I’m not a musician but I love iems! Thinking about getting a custom set.
Checkout 64 Audio, Noble Audio, Jerry Harvey and Empire Ears, all have U.K. dealers, I have 64 Audio A18t just incredible IEM, the lady in the video did my impressions she is a fantastic Audiologist, good luck whatever you decide to get. Most have dealers in the U.K. and you can try their universal models first, hopefully when things get better. Also at Canjam London held in July you have lots of IEM companies there and get get discounts of up to 20%. Good luck whatever you decide to get.
Go Ultimate Ears custom
Not a musician either. KICKING myself for not getting my IEMs sooner. Game changer for editing video and sweetening audio. The most useful characteristic is for monitoring audio on set.. way easier to pick up hair or clothing scratching on a lav versus trying to pick that up over cans. Best way to describe what custom IEMs are like to wear.... Imagine needing glasses but never wearing them- then you get a proper pair of glasses and the world is in HD. custom IEMs are like that...now you can REALLY hear the details. It doesn't hurt that i'm 10 miles from the UE factory..... great service. IF i had to do it over, I think I'd go for molds instead of the scans. Those that have done molds instead of scans seem to have fewer fit issues. (one time fit tuning).
Thank you for this inside look. So informative. It now makes sense why on many of The Beatles’ live tracks, they sound out of tune. They couldn’t hear themselves, with all the screaming. And they didn’t even have speakers facing them, just their amps behind. It all makes sense. Thanks Mary!
I got some IEMs a couple of years ago and like you I use them all the time. For all my home recording and doing video editing etc as well. I gig as a solo act and got them to help me as I was finding (as you've said) the monitor wedges are so loud I was hurting myself. I do a lot of gigs where I'm there as "backing" for an event so it also allows me to zone out and concentrate fully on what I'm doing and in turn makes it better. I have a shotgun mic that I setup to allow "ambient" sound to come into my IEMs if I want it but I can also turn this down or off completely. I've recently joined a covers band and using them has also helped protect my ears more with rehearsals and with gigging (when we get there). Great video, keep making this awesome content.
Damn, not only these are very good music vlogs, but also history lessons!
Just an added bit of history. The guy who started ultimate ears was Jerry Harvey, the audio engineer from van Halen you referenced. He left UE a long time ago and founded JH Audio. He's still a leader in developing iem technology and makes amazing products.
Oh the memories this brings back. Back in March, we were in negotiations with TWO places to be their house band. That would be TWO PAYING GIGS every single week. For both places, we were waiting for their last Domino to fall over, and we would have had the job.
And then the lockdown hit. That was nearly a year ago now, and we are STILL in lockdown.
I would love for us to return to that point where we were at this time last year. I would love for us to be the house band for those two places, BUT if playing gigs is not possible to begin with, nothing past step one matters anymore. All we can do is wait, and hope places even WILL open again.
Switched over to using Ultimate Ears custom IEM's too 5 years ago and it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made as a performer and a musician. Hard to go back to floor wedges now and even have a pair for when I'm working on studio projects. Did their 3D digital scan here in the US and that was fun to do.
Thank you so much for helping me pick up my guitar everyday
I have been using Shure SE425 IEM with custom moulded ear tips from Snugs for around four years now. As a guitarist, they took a while to get used to, but I couldn't gig without them now.
6 days and I don't miss one bit, very cool format/project !
Keep it up Mary, we're with you
Back in the 2011-2013, I had lots of gigs... we were punk band, and never used in-ear monitors. Because those gig were mostly small budget shows, and we had no chance for that fancy equipments lol. I felt how important hearing my sound correctly. I wonder if I were able to use in-ear monitor in the gigs... However I miss those days. Playing music surrounded by crowd makes me feel VERY ALIVE.
I'm all in for IEM's in any musical situation. Especially for playing guitar while singing. Don't have to worry about bad FOH sound distracting from your performance.
Love your music Mary. All the best in the new year!
I'm an IEM newb my 1st IEM was CCZ MELODY the I just received the cca c10
Kudos on the billy idol look @ 8:38
Even as an amateur monitoring is so important to be able to hear your voice as feedback for pitch. If was moving into live performances definitely in ears would be an option. So headphones is ok at the moment for recording and live streaming.
Probably the best video that I have seen on IEM's and why performers use them. Great video as always Mary and I'm loving your January series.
There was a period before iems were invented when, in the late 80s or early 90s, musicians became conscientious about their hearing and started using industrial-grade foam earplugs (the yellow ones, I heard they were nicknamed "lumberjacks", not sure if that one is true). They cut down the highs a bit too much though, if I remember. There were also, less common, gel or wax earplugs - I have in fact used these but only as an audience member (not a musician here). They were excellent, they brought the volume to normal listening level and the sound came through very clean and natural. Not sure how they would work on a stage though.
I have as set of custom molded earplugs with built-in radio that I use for racing. One tip is to get each ear a different color. Grabbing them in a rush, you always want to know which one is which. Especially important on a dark stage!
I'm not a performer, but I invested in a custom set of in-ear filters as I am a regular gig-goer, and I'm sure they have saved my hearing. They aren't cheap, but they are an investment in your future health.
I haven't grabbed my guitar this week / year yet, but I'm starting to feel the urge to go and play thanks to your videos!
Thanks Mary. I've always thought these were really for bigger gigs. I'd love to see how the desk end is set up.
I'm not a musician, more of a dabbling audiophile but IEMs are great for just listening to music. They're generally made with multiple sound producing devices rather than the single driver typically found in other earbuds giving you greater range and detail. The better seal of custom-fitted IEMs can also improve bass response and sound isolation. For the budget conscious Ultimate Ears' IEMs can be a bit pricey but there are many companies that make custom IEMs for as low as about $200 and will go even cheaper if you prefer foam tips over custom fitting. Thieaudio is one that comes to mind.
I ordered my IEM's a few days ago. Looking forward to them arriving. I'm so glad you made this video. Personally I do have moderate hearing loss in my left ear from gigs and so on. You made it easy to make the buying decision with everything you put into the video. Thank you.
The IEM segment looked like a younger Mary... and I correct? Im loving these shows. The tidbits of insight and revelation are both interesting and intriguing.
I've JUST started watching your videos and couldn't be happier. And you're local! It's so nice to watch someone who has similar interests :))
Custom earmolds are great when they're new. Unless there's been some recent advancement in the earmold material that I'm not aware of, they'll harden and stop fitting quite so nicely in a couple years, especially when you're singing - moving your jaw alters the shape of your ear canal, and the custom earmolds will no longer have the malleability to conform, which also compromises their ability to attenuate outside noise. I used customs for years and "downgraded" to universal fit for that reason. I was finally vindicated when Dave Weckl said the same thing last month in one of his Saturday group hang/lesson live streams. I haven't tried silicone tips yet, but the long foam tips work great for attenuating outside noise. The short ones you showed in this video aren't so good.
The earlier ones are not so good as the Marietta will degrade as the time pass on. Almost all ciem in market right now use new resin mixtures that would not change at all as the time passes. I have 2 different custom made IEMs and I have them for more than 5 years, nothing changed.
Soft silicon on the other hand such as Spiral Ears and ACS the ear mod will degrade significantly each year and would require remold every two year or so
I love the way you talk, and somehow something in the way you move your mouth..... It's really quite adorable!
Love my custom iem's. Mine are just for audio enjoyment though. Noble Audio Katana customs. Absolutely love them. Really want the JH Audio Lola customs.
For a moment I thought you were talking to me... I found your video because I’m trying to find a good company to go with for my IEM. You saying my full name almost confirms it haha
Great video Mary ! Lots of information and very professionally presented.
Well done !
I'm hard of hearing and require hearing aids, however my hearing aids protect me from hearing too much noise, and I have been able to maintain my level of hearing loss for over 40 years with no deterioration that is common for people aging. All my siblings is suffering from hearing loss from playing music too loud. I been a bouncer and bartender for over 20 years and yet my hearing aid doing its job of compression of the loud noise. If you take care of the ear piece it can last at least 6-10 years of constant use. The ear mold however will need to be change at least once per year. Maybe more if your still growing.
This is a response to those misinform that ear piece can damage ears. Setting the volume too high can damage your ears. This year is the first year that my hearing aid has bluetooth sound. Very excited about that!
Even after a long and extensive sound check, with quality gear and a pro crew, the moment you walk out on stage and the band is pumped up, the floor wedges can quickly disappear. I found using a combination of in-ears (gtr and vocals) and floor wedges to be the best result and the reason is this, without a true stereo in-ear mix, the instrument separation was poor and uninspiring. It took a couple of sound checks with some pro guys for me to learn this. So my advice, if you can bring your own monitor mix with you, in stereo, then using both in-ears works very very well. Most live gigs will NOT give you a true stereo monitor mix. Which is why i use one in-ear and leave one ear open for the stage sound. I prefer the stereo in-ear. so, we now have acquired a presonus rack mixer to supply our own stereo monitor mix and a snake splitter to run stage mics to the house.
Something to look into.. headphones, and in-ears, still bang your ear drum and can and will cause hearing loss. The chance of you loosing your hearing is increased by 77%. This can be prevented by using the Ambrose Diaphonic Ear Lens, which is basically a second ear drum. This is what saved Brian Johnson's touring career.
Rock On!
Agreed. Have been using them for decades now, and cannot go back. Sound engineers move them as well because of no bleed.
10 mins of the “bumblebee” exercise 16th notes... 70, 80 and 90 bpm
When you showed the IEMs, and the autofocus went from you, to the IEMs and to you again, I got severe camera envy!
Happy New Year!!! Hope you're doing well. Interesting comment about using the monitors for recording. Definitely sounds like a plan to me.
This is really making me want to start a channel of my own. Thanks for keeping the practice schedule going! Day 6!
"Earphones can still damage your hearing..."
That train left the station years ago.
Pardon?
Headphone story: a drummer I know was signalling the sound man to turn up his headphone volume, nope, turn it up more, more. The soundman then noticed it was muted.
He kicked it off mute with the volume cranked.
Hearing damage for that drummer.
(neither of those people was me)
@@garyhalliday2140 Ouch!
I constantly grapple with the idea of getting custom in-ears vs. higher end universal fit canalphones. Getting custom earplugs as a start was a great option for me to really get a feel for it.
This video was so helpful!!!! Thank you so much Mary!❤
Hi! Mary you are my new favourite! And i would like to know your video gear set up and how you shoot your videos? Thank you❤️❤️
Hi, the link to Ultimate Ears in the description is broken. It is missing the 'L' in Ultimate.
About your bit about eventually going "back to normal". What I found is that while artists such as yourself don't perform live, they perform here on youTube, and other venues as well. So, in fact, for me, I have "gone" to more concerts these past few months, because my favorite artists, instead of performing live, touring in worldwide cities I can't go to, they perform here. And when they do, I put what I would pay as a cover charge to a venue ($20) into their tip jar. I understand playing to the camera and the microphone is not the same as playing to a live audience, but it also give artists a wider audience. I hope we will, in the future, see a proliferation of subscription platforms where artists get paid by each member of the audience, but are able to reach wider audiences than you can fit in an average venue.
hey Mary , when you come to Brazil ?
Heyy Mary! Thanks for inspiring me in guitar❤️🎸
Been using iem for years but would love some molded ones even tho my SE535s are stunningly comfortable id love custom ones. I use them all the time for 99% of my listening experience and music sounds stunning throughout them.
Hi there. I have the SE535s. Did you end up getting customs?
@The One More Song Cast no I'm still using my se535s and as soon as they decide not to work anymore I'm getting molded customs for sure.
Awesome and extremely informative. I’ve been thinking about these for awhile. You’ve helped me decide that I need these to improve my stage performance. Thank you. PS. Paul Davis introduced us by proxy by way of the looper pedal video challenge he made. Loved that video as well.
Great video and advise. Thank you for this video, I needed it.
Big agree with the headphones comment. I got big ears that stick out and wearing cans for 5-6 hours straight makes them super sore and fatigued feeling
Enjoy listening to you speaking and singing 🎤🤩
Keep it up loving this and my playing is getting really goooooood x
I don't knew Julia Hofer was with you for your tour ! Awesome ;-)
what do you plug them into to get the sound of your voice to loop back into the phones?
I just wanna say Mary is absolutely gorgeous and one of the best musicians and you tubers out there
Wow, I know that Bassplayer. Nina from Austria? I would definetly come if you go on tour to Germany again.
Loving the daily content and yes, I am 6/6 for daily guitar practice!
I would think that if I were to use IEMs during on-stage performances, I would want to use them during rehearsals and studio sessions, too, if for no other reason than to keep the auditory environment the same.
I started using them 3 years ago 1st during rehearsals and then live. Then the whole band did. Never looking back, best decision ever made
Awwww .. you have been in Cologne and i missed it. Do you remember what club it was? Maybe you enjoyed catering of my friend Christine? :-)
Thank your your daily vids, Mary. Always teaching something new, always entertaining.
4:48 I went for my first college performance on stage and because I literally couldn't hear my self I ruined the whole performance by singing at a faster speed. No one told me 😭
You're all good all the time. ❤️
Hi Mary! What is your at home IEM setup / signal flow? Wireless? Are you still using regular monitors in the same room at the same time? How are you mixing your monitor mix? Thanks!
How long do you wear your IEMs a day? How often do you clean them? Have you ever had an ear infection/inflammation?
My ears don't seem to like in ear headphones. I'm wondering if you had similar issues.
When I was young I played in my jazz-rock-blues band as a guitarist...and my ears almost destroyed. My guitar was very loud and the drummer guy was my left side ALWAYS. So. Yes. I hear a little bit less with my left ear. The silent and ear monitors very-very-very important.
Ps. okay Im still young as 90's child. Like Mary. We are forever young... 🤗
Thanks, great video. Just some thoughts, I have used in ear monitors for years, and have mixed feelings about them. Firstly, they have all the advantages that you mention. In addition, some mixer systems allow you to adjust your own mix in an app on your phone, which is really handy. However I do think there are downsides with IEM. Firstly, for me it feels like I'm in a studio and I feel I lose the contact with the audience. There are also still risks to hearing, as the sound will go straight into your ears, and my experience is that sometimes mistakes from sound engineers have caused really loud high pitched sounds come through. I guess you still need to be very mindful of volume levels, make sure your ears get rest and perhaps a limiter can help to stop sudden high volume sounds.
Mary, hello. Cool video, thanks for the good mood 🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
UE's new (?) FITS also look very fascinating. Sure wish we'd had these back when I was gigging. Spent several years on stage always somehow standing in front of the drummer's crash cymbals (this is long before plexi panels became a thing). Started getting what is now pretty raging tinnitus decades later. Can't know if the two are related, but I suspect they are. Protect your ear drums! You only get one pair, for life.
Also - question: do you get latency on stage hooking these up to a wireless monitor system?
The bassist from Thomman! She's awesome!
Was thinking about buying some last year, but then corona came. Perhaps I'll buy some this year if I can start gigging again soon
To be honest i really don't care much about the topic , but I'm just a simple guy you know , you're 🔥
I like the way you say “curiosity stream” - great video too, I love the immersion of an onstage sound but hate how often I used to find there was no wedge for me (guitarist in a ten piece Northern Soul band).
Do you manage to get a crowd feed in your IEMs? If not do you feel a little detached? I’d still like some though.
Oh, yes, I remember my first gig on stage without iems, it was horrible😂 Now I've been using them for years even during rehearsals (our drummer is too loud😅)
Hi Mary, Just found your channel, and absolutely loving it. First upload I saw was the '36 Epiphone - what a gorgeous sound! It is so captivating. I couldn't believe it when I saw this upload, because for quite some time I have been wondering first about the ear pieces (nice to know what they are called now), and now I can ask a question it. Being a huge Beatles fan and a fan of other period bands, that didn't have the benefits of IEM's, how could they manage singing in tune and harmonising so well?
Hope things improve so you an get back up on stage again soon. Regards from Oz, David
Spender, that was my first wife’s nickname.
Haha
can you explain why John always play with only one in ear inside.? THANKS IN ADVANDE
Julia Hofer? I love the bass videos she does for Thomann!
I love my custom ones too. Used many times for multiple long hours and cant tell im even wearing them
O.K> it is now day 6 and seeing how the guitar has 6 strings, {OR MORE} I have at least pulled them out of their cases and inspected them and they look so good, " HELLO OLD FRIEND IT"S REALLY GOOD TO SEE YOU ONCE AGAIN". E. C. wasn't here but, eh one day at a time. So It is all your fault if my wife leaves me for making too much noise while she gently sleeps. No pun intended!
For years I have been using cheap earbuds under full ear protectors [chainsaw] and I get full isolation. I wish I had the budget to do the full IEM. Thanks for this.
You can get cheap yet very good IEM from Linsoul brand line up like KZ or CCA.
Nopenopenope. Definitely not getting IEMs - but I should state that it's for purely personal reasons... I already don't use standard earbud headphones because they hurt my ears (I think my ear-structure is weird, because whichever shape of earbud I try they always hurt the point where the ear joins the temple - not inside the ear, but what you might think of as the "glasses rest"), but I also freak out if I get running water in my ears (even if I tilt my head too far to one side in the shower!) because I slipped in the swimming pool as a kid and spent what felt like an age underwater. Sends me into a panic every time, even now. I can see that they're a good idea in general, but definitely not for me!
What would be the biggest difference between IEM and your regular in ear hedphones/earbuds?
Usually the difference is quality. IEMs have different quality levels too though, starting with a single driver in the ear piece all the way up to six separate drivers. The more drivers usually means the best separation & clarity. Having them molded to your ear canal is the best way to ensure clear audio whilst keeping outside noise to an absolute minimum. I love them, & never play live without them.
You're average ear buds really don't have the best drivers in them to begin with. Some of the more expensive ones are decent, but generally colour the sound, that is they are usually tuned more for bass frequencies. They'll work for you though. But generally you want a neutral response to begin with, as you would using headphones if recording in a studio to get the most clarity. I hope ths helps.
Primary difference is isolation. But as Jack said, the quality is often superior to 95% of buds available.
I use Shure IEMs daily and love them
Check this out, it makes it nice and easy to see the differences. :)
www.earbudszone.com/iem-vs-earbuds/
@@Cobanaut04 Thank you so much. I was of course referring to the same price range. sure, €800 earbuds are rather hard to find, but there are shure se215 at about 90€. How do they hold up to 90€ earbuds?
For explanation: I am not a musician, I am a listener, and I like to have my sound as good as possible in a given price range.
@@FryingPan76 That's cool man. For me at least, the difference I've found when comparing $ to $ (I'm an Aussie) ear buds (IEMs) is the separation & clarity. Dedicated ear buds such as Shure, AudioFly, 1964's etc... don't colour the sound, so what you hear is exactly what the Producer & Sound Engineer who mastered the music your listening to is what they wanted you to hear. Regular ear buds are usually tuned specifically for bass enhancement & other frequencies, which for complete in ear detail you don't really need, or want. I've heard detail in my favourite music using Shure ear buds that regular brands have not produced.
Ultimate Ears are the best! 😉 I love mine.
I own 2 pair of Ultimate Ears. Really like them. Do you like the ambient feature? Do you lose a lot of low-end?
Right! Hey all you youngsters: Tinnitus is not fun. The constant hissing started about 10 years ago as I was approaching 60. Besides loud music, be conscious of loud engines, aircraft, sirens, leaf blowers, etc.
Do you employ any kind of limiting with your ini-ear monitoring system to protect your ears from excessive levels of sound? I enjoy your daily videos.
I own the Ultimate Ears UE11 Pros. Best investment a working musician can make.