There’s so much information out there nowadays about monitoring systems. Consider all the options, brands, and price ranges. And making the wrong choice can be costly — you might sap your budget and be stuck with a system your band doesn’t even like. To avoid this blunder, we’ll discuss 4 popular monitoring options and what to consider with each.
This staple of stage monitoring has been around since the mid-to-late 60s. And wedges still get the job done today. They’re undoubtedly a cheap and practical stage monitoring option.
The downside?… They’re loud. The volume of wedges can drastically increase the stage volume, degrading the front-of-house mix. The stage volume can also cause musicians and vocalists to have hearing damage over time. And consider that if stage space is limited, floor monitors can be a bit bulky too.
That’s why some folks consider…
It’s no doubt, an investment toward in-ear monitors will usually give musicians exactly what they want:
– Mobility on stage
– A decent mix (depending on budget)
– Volume control
– Better sound quality
Also, some in-ear systems allow musicians to have their own mix. The sound tech can set the volume of each musician’s instrument just slightly above the others.
The downside?… They’re expensive. Some systems can cost up to $800 per user. That could add up to around $2K-$3K per band! Then consider the work of setting them up, getting each mix right, and burdening a sound tech to always make tweaks.
Also consider this… You get what you pay for. If someone has a limited budget (or limited outputs from their soundboard), they may only get a mono in-ear mix… and subpar sound quality. If they want to pay extra and have enough aux outs from the soundboard, then they can get a stereo mix and great sound quality.
Even with in-ear systems, most musicians won’t be able to control the mix themselves, unless they have…
Most musicians would call this ideal… they can control everything in their ear. Each musician on stage has a little box to control, which sits next to them. They can even change their in-ear mix mid-set.
But there are some downsides with this option too. Consider the cost factor. A personal monitor mixer will run about $400 per musician. That’s another $2-4K per band. Then consider that personal mixers aren’t wireless… still a big limitation.
Wouldn’t it be great to get the control of personal monitor mixers AND the wireless freedom of in-ear monitors?That’s why many folks nowadays are starting to consider…
Some say this is the future of in-ear stage monitors. Digital in-ears have all the benefits of any other in-ear system, with so much extra. For example, musicians can control their own stereo mix right from their smartphone! There’s no rack system full of transmitters to haul.
And everyone gets their own mix without being limited by aux sends on the soundboard. Also, the musician and sound engineer can work together as a team in real time. Both can hear and control everything the musician is hearing in their own mix on stage.
And the ultimate kicker… It’s so much less expensive than traditional in-ear monitors. It has all the performance of an in-ear system… without killing the budget.
If you’ve never used our Audiofusion in-ear monitoring system and would like to see it in action firsthand, we provide the ability to try it for free in “Gear Test Mode” so you know it will meet the needs of your band or worship team. You can also discover how the system works here.
