Anyone try this?

**toddincharlotte** · 10-22-2012, 08:39 PM

Our Worship Band is leaning toward an in-ear monitor setup. Rather than go out and buy a 6K Aviom system [or even a 1K Shure system] we've decided to go with a wired solution with some ART or Rolls boxes. In theory, these three channel "personal mixers" will provide everyone with a personal mix tailored to what they want/need to hear.

We are using a 24 channel Yamaha Mixer on the chancel [sub-mix for band] and running to a Soundcraft Console for the FOH/Choir Monitors. We'll run the drums on ALT 1-2, the vocal on ALT 3-4 and the rest of the band in the main [sub] mix. The personal mixers are 3 channel boxes so I guess the idea would be for say the drummer, to run ALT 1-2, Main Mix and Submix. For me it would just be the ALT 3-4 and the submix, etc. etc.

Has anyone done this with relative success?

**efrisch** · 10-23-2012, 01:21 AM

We used to use the personal mixers and had a pretty good experience with them. The setup you're describing seems a little unusual to me. In our situation (as in most), we were running one of two auxiliary mixes to each box. Those mixes were fairly generic, and then each person's mic or instrument passed through their box on the way to the mixer. That way everyone could turn themself up in their own mix without affecting anyone else. It's a low cost way to get into IEM if you don't have a lot of mixes available. The biggest downside for us was the amount of cable involved (mix in, mic n and out, power & headphone cords for each mixer). Made a real mess of the stage.

**mikeymo1741** · 10-23-2012, 11:44 AM

We are currently using wired IEMs for three positions - guitar (me), drums, percussion. We'll be adding the bass player as well for now. We use a Presonus 4 channel amp and either 10 or 25ft cords. We run two mixes to the stage right now - one for the vocalists on the wedges, and one for us.

I want to upgrade the amp to one that takes more inputs -the board we have has 6 aux sends, plus a mini mixer with 4 separate sends, so we have options there.

**efrisch** · 10-23-2012, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by mikeymo1741

I want to upgrade the amp to one that takes more inputs -the board we have has 6 aux sends, plus a mini mixer with 4 separate sends, so we have options there.

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/HA8000.aspx

8 independant amp sections for for <$150. One of the only Behringer products I can actually recommend after use ;-)

**mikeymo1741** · 10-23-2012, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by efrisch

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/HA8000.aspx

8 independant amp sections for for <$150. One of the only Behringer products I can actually recommend after use ;-)

I'm actually thinking about the HA4700 instead. It has some features that the 8000 doesn't, notably bass boost per channel and an Aux input on each channel that can be mixed in - basically a "mix + me" feature.

**toddincharlotte** · 10-23-2012, 01:20 PM

Thanks for the reply guys...........so yeah the idea behind using thegroup mixes is to isolate certain instrumentation to route to the main/monitor mixes. Idea being if the drums are in alt 1-2 group mix we can line out alt 1-2 to the main sound desk and a headphone amp and pipe it over to JD on his kit. The stage will be set up to have ALL instrumentation to go to the submix first, rather than lining outt direct to the personal mixer. We're hoping to cut down on stage clutter this way by using 3' cabling from the group outs to the headphone amps/personal mixers. This way the personal mixers will stay in the road case and only a 1/8" cable will be coming from each box to each player on the stage.

Still ttrying to work out all the cabling as it will be tough to split the grouped signal but in the end we may not have to.....I'm sure it will be a lot of trial and error in the beginning even though we "think" we have a good idea of how it should be set up.

**mikeymo1741** · 10-24-2012, 08:21 AM

So you're mixing the band on the platform? That seems counter-intuitive.

**toddincharlotte** · 10-24-2012, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by mikeymo1741

So you're mixing the band on the platform? That seems counter-intuitive.

I don't know about counter intuitive but it does create a logistic probllem of not being able to hear the FOH while mixing the band. This is why we are sending groups to the snake rather than a main out. Unfortunately our main board snake does not have enough inputs to house the drums vocals and other instruments so the chancel mixer groups the instrumentation and sends 3 stereo signals to the main console......less than desirable but required until we can figure out a more comprehensive solution.

**Mike on Bass** · 10-24-2012, 11:58 AM

ok, let's back up a step- what's driving the decision to try the wired IEM approach?

So far, it sounds like the approach you want to take would be a real nightmare to mix, plus the discombobulation of cords and wires are begging to be a 'sound system gremlin' nightmare.

Maybe let us know what issues you are trying to resolve, we might be able to come up with some ideas to try that could get you what you want...

**efrisch** · 10-24-2012, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Mike on Bass

ok, let's back up a step- what's driving the decision to try the wired IEM approach?

So far, it sounds like the approach you want to take would be a real nightmare to mix, plus the discombobulation of cords and wires are begging to be a 'sound system gremlin' nightmare.

Maybe let us know what issues you are trying to resolve, we might be able to come up with some ideas to try that could get you what you want...

Agreed - to me, it sounds like there are some other system issues that need to be addressed before you're ready to do IEM.